As Newcastle found out last season, it is going to be tough for Aston Villa to replicate last season’s top-four finish now they have Champions League football to contend with.
Villa were in the Europa Conference League last season so were used to playing Thursday-Sunday but this is a much bigger ask. They have signed a few players to give their squad more depth but a lot of them are untried in the Premier League.
It might work out because Unai Emery is an excellent coach, and I am sure they will challenge again, but it is hard to see them maintaining their consistency.
Tottenham only missed fourth place by two points last season, and Dominic Solanke could be a very clever signing for them. They needed strengthening up front, and he definitely does that. I am expecting him to do well.
Manchester United need a much bigger improvement if they are going to get closer, after finishing eighth last time.
Erik ten Hag’s side played well in the Community Shield last week, just like they did when they beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May, but now they need to produce those performances on a regular basis.
If they are going to find the consistency they have been lacking then they need to show that kind of discipline and desire, as well as the quality we know they have. I am expecting them to be better, but I am not convinced by them yet.
As for Chelsea, well who knows what is happening there. They are a bonkers football club at the moment in terms of their recruitment, and the length of the deals they are handing out.
Their squad is already gigantic and it looks like there are more signings to come – there is talk of a different player joining every day at the moment.
It feels like a really crazy strategy, and I don’t understand what they are trying to do. Maybe they will prove me wrong, but I don’t see it getting them into the top four.
Alan Shearer was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
