One week to go: 2024/25 Premier League key facts

The start of the 2024/25 Premier League is just around the corner. Manchester City won an unprecedented fourth straight league title in May 2024 when the Sky Blues beat West Ham 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's men did not have it easy, as they won the English trophy by 91 points, just two points ahead of Mikel Arteta's Arsenal. The Gunners saw their dreams of domestic triumph dashed by City for the second season in a row.

The north London side will be looking to join forces this season to lift their coveted Premier League trophy, but they will have to overcome their rivals, who are a tough nut to crack.

Liverpool were also in the title race for several weeks, even leading it, but their efforts were not enough to keep up with City and Arsenal, which could be very different this term, as could their squad. German manager Jurgen Klopp bid farewell to Anfield in May after almost nine years in charge of the Reds.

August 9, 2024

New beginnings and challenges—and some not-so-new

Dutch coach Arne Slot will have the tough task of living up to the expectations of the board and fans. The 45-year-old will have to prove his worth as a coach, as he is expected to match at least Klopp's record at Liverpool. However, he will not be the only Dutch boss in the tournament.

Erik ten Hag continues to take the reins at Manchester United against all odds. The board led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group approached the former Ajax boss to continue in charge after failing to find a candidate in the summer.

The United boss has at least won two trophies in his spell at Old Trafford - the Carabao Cup title in the 2022/23 season and the FA Cup last campaign. Some teams that have changed managers like Liverpool have been Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.

Roberto De Zerbi, who coached the Seagulls for two seasons, has left for Olympique Marseille to start a new adventure in Ligue 1, while the Blues sacked Mauricio Pochettino despite finishing in the European places after a disastrous season.

Brighton signed Fabian Hurzeler, who became the youngest manager in the English top flight at 31, and Chelsea secured the services of Enzo Maresca, who helped Leicester City reach promotion last season. As a result, he will face his former team this term, which makes the competition a little more special.

Julen Lopetegui has decided to return to England, but this time to take over from David Moyes at the London Stadium. The Hammers also have a new leader at the helm.

Promotions and European competitions

Southampton and Ipswich Town are the other two teams to have been promoted from the Championship along with the Foxes, with Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town relegated to the English second tier.

Meanwhile, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa topped the table in the 2023/24 season, which means they will play in the Champions League this campaign.

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United will battle for a European trophy in the Europa League, while Chelsea will fight for a place in the Conference League. The Red Devils booked their ticket to European competition after winning the FA Cup title against Manchester City.

Squad changes

The summer transfer window is open until the end of August, as it is practically every year. Nevertheless, we have already seen some big signings this summer, such as the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori at Arsenal, the signings of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee by Manchester United, and the transfer of Savinho to Manchester City from Troyes.

Chelsea are signing several players, such as goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, defender Ian Maatsen and midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Still, the Blues are not selling too many players in the summer, which could cause them problems of squad overload—not to mention financial problems.

While some arrive to try their luck in the English top flight, others leave England for a change of scenery. Some Aston Villa players like Moussa Diaby and Douglas Luiz have decided to change their destinations drastically by moving to Saudi Arabia and Italy, respectively.

Michael Olise has been one of the most high-profile moves of the summer transfer window, leaving Crystal Palace to join Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich, as has Joao Palhinha, who has left Fulham to play in the Bundesliga.

Raphael Varane, Willy Kambwala, Donny van de Beek and Mason Greenwood also parted ways with Manchester United in search of more opportunities.

Elsewhere, Chelsea's Conor Gallagher and Manchester City's Julian Alvarez are rumoured to be joining La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid. We will have to wait and see what transfers the clubs continue to surprise us with.

Premier League rule changes*

Subs warming up: Five players per team - instead of three - will be able to warm up at the same time for the simple fact that five substitutions can be made at the same time.

Multiball: The Premier League will try to innovate with the multi-ball system this season to waste less time in matches. The ball assistants positioned behind the goals at the end where the ball goes out are allowed to return a ball to the goalkeeper who will take the restart.

More accurate calculation of added time: All expected this measure. Match officials will only start adding time to the end of the match when the delay between the goal and the subsequent kick-off exceeds 30 seconds.

*Changes published by the official Premier League website on 8 August 2024

When does the Premier League start?

16 August

Opening fixture: Manchester United v Fulham (21.00 CEST)

17 August

Ipswich Town v Liverpool (13.30 CEST)
Arsenal v Wolves (16.00 CEST)
Everton v Brighton & Hove Albion (16.00 CEST)
Newcastle v Southampton (16.00 CEST)
Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth (16.00 CEST)
West Ham United v Aston Villa (18.30 CEST)