VIEW FROM THE STANDS

The big talking point among the fans is Timo Werner. For the first time in years, we’ve landed a player wanted by the best sides in Europe.

This season will be different because we’ve made a few signings and so Lampard, having drastically overperformed last season, now faces new pressure due to this summer’s optimism. But I’ve no doubt he’s up to the task.

Look out for Billy Gilmour. He was rightfully keeping Jorginho out of the team for a time and was very unlucky with the timing of his injury.

Our key player will be 21- year- old Mason Mount. He’s pivotal to the way Lampard wants to play and, if you factor in his Derby spell, nobody has scored more goals for him. The player I’d happily drive to

another club is our record signing, Kepa Arrizabalaga, but it would be a wasted journey because no one in their right mind would take him. The opposition player I secretly admire is Jordan Henderson. I think he’s a brilliant player, and to captain a side with that amount of talent is worthy of acknowledgement.

The pantomime villain will be

David Luiz, whose rapport with the fans has turned sour. I took a lot of delight in his calamitous season. Our most underrated player is Olivier Giroud. He’s an elite striker.

Did you know that we won our first European trophy two years before Liverpool did. That doesn’t quite suit the ‘ no history’ narrative, though, so it’s often overlooked. The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is that he’s the greatest man ever to have walked the face of the Earth.

We’ll finish 1st.