Conte adds fuel to the Premier League fire
LONDON Five teams to keep an eye on this Premier League season, which starts Friday.
CHELSEA
Antonio Conte ignited the first managerial feud of the season when he said Chelsea must avoid a “Mourinho season” as the champions seek to defend their Premier League title.
Conte was referring to Chelsea’s implosion under Jose Mourinho during the 2015-16 season when he was fired before the halfway point.
Unlike the last defence, however, major acquisitions have been made for the side that dominated the top flight last season.
MAN UNITED
Judging by its manager’s recent history, Manchester United should be considered a major contender to win its first title since 2013.
Mourinho is beginning his second season at Old Trafford. He claimed league titles at the same stage of his tenure in his last two jobs with Real Madrid and Chelsea.
MANCHESTER CITY
It’s been another offseason of comings and goings as Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola attempts to deepen his imprint at the Etihad Stadium by spending around $300 million.
Goalkeeper Ederson Moraes was signed from Benfica along with fullbacks Kyle Walker from Tottenham, Benjamin Mendy from Monaco and Danilo from Real Madrid. The signings of Bernardo Silva and Douglas Luiz have added further talent to City’s loaded attack.
EVERTON
Despite the likelihood of losing two of its best players, Everton remains the club best prepared to displace one of last season’s top six.
Romelu Lukaku has gone to Manchester United and Ross Barkley looks set to follow him out before the transfer window closes on Aug. 31. But Everton has reinvested the Lukaku windfall and Wayne Rooney is back where he began his career.
TOTTENHAM
While its rivals have been spending money, Tottenham’s priority has been preventing key members from leaving.
Temporary residents at the 90,000-seat Wembley Stadium while redevelopment of its White Hart Lane home is completed, success will be dependent on whether Tottenham can replicate its home form from last season.