Reading the Game ⚽

The Independent’s football newsletter ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     ͏ ‌     [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD13aWw2cXZ4aHFweXAmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [The Independent](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0SfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvP2xpZD03NHBhcDI3MGJnaGMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) Friday, August 16, 2024     ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD11ajZkejhvcGcyYmkmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0S0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvYXV0aG9yL21pZ3VlbC1kZWxhbmV5P2xpZD1iZHdhNTc3aHMwbjYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0SuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvP2xpZD05MzRuM2Q3emp2YnQmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj A new season like no other - with a controversy like no other At this point of a build-up, we'd usually be excitedly about what Mikel Arteta might [be doing to close the gap to win](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC1taWtlbC1hcnRldGEtcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtdGl0bGUtYjI1OTczODAuaHRtbD9saWQ9NmQxMHlobWh4YzlrJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) the title (we've all obviously seen the pickpocket story), how Arne Slot is[shaping up with Liverpool](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJuZS1zbG90LWxpdmVycG9vbC1wcmVtaWVyLWxlYWd1ZS1qdXJnZW4ta2xvcHAtYjI1OTUxNjUuaHRtbD9saWQ9c3QzYWQ3bmFtM2M0JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), whether Erik ten Hag is [getting it together at Manchester United](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWFuY2hlc3Rlci11bml0ZWQtZXJpay10ZW4taGFnLW1hdHRoaWpzLWRlLWxpZ3QtZHV0Y2gtYjI1OTcwNzAuaHRtbD9saWQ9azgyNjd3dXVxZHFwJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), and of course Pep Guardiola's own plans. In other words, the pure football. Except, this season, no matter how any of that goes, it could be hugely distorted by off-field events. The Manchester City case, which is set to be concluded in early 2025, [could well change all of that](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtc2Vhc29uLW1hbi1jaXR5LXJ1bGVzLWFyc2VuYWwtdG90dGVuaGFtLWIyNTk3MzY0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTVyb2NhczdrbjBkdCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNi0wOC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmvNBiv2a3sx2YUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~). The club protest their innocence but, if found guilty, we have the real possibility of the champions - and likely league leaders - being either docked points or even expelled. It will obviously change the face of the table, the season, the future and even the past. It is huge, and unprecedented. If City are found not guilty or any sanctions are deemed too soft, meanwhile, the strength of feeling is such that there could well be revolve for other clubs. This is existential for the Premier League as we know it. So, as we say, it really is a season like no other.   Support The Independent Join The Independent's mission for truth. With your support, we challenge the status quo, uncover crucial stories, and amplify unheard voices. Your contribution ensures our independence and fuels honest, transparent journalism. Whether $5 or $50, every donation matters. Support us today to keep truth free. [SUPPORT US](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0SlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZG9uYXRlP2xpZD11ZjMwc2F1c3VkbzYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) This season also marks a new era, no matter what Such a context means that one of the central figures of the season build-up has been a football administrator rather than any of its actual stars. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters is [one of very few people in the world who knows where the City case is](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0T4aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtcmljaGFyZC1tYXN0ZXJzLXJ1bGUtYnJlYWNoZXMtbWFuY2hlc3Rlci1jaXR5LWIyNTk2NDQ2Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW41Zzh2b213bWR0MyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNi0wOC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmvNBiv2a3sx2YUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) at the moment, which is quite a burden when it comes to speaking in public. It's also the one thing anyone wants to hear him talk about, but simultaneously the one thing he can't discuss. Masters sat down with media for almost an hour on Wednesday and naturally had to reject questions on the subject, although he did admit the Premier League faces "regulatory challenges". That's saying something. This season isn't just set to see the City case concluded. There is also the investigation into Chelsea from payments made during Roman Abramovich's time as owner, which is expected to have an outcome by November. Add to that outstanding legal cases involving Everton and Leicester City, as well as ongoing debate over financial rules, and we really are in a very different era. The description within the Premier League now is that lawyers making speeches have almost become as important as the stars on the pitch. "A whole new ball game," was the competition's slogan when it started in 1992. Quite. Masters meanwhile [spoke about having the football front and centre](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0T3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcmljaGFyZC1tYXN0ZXJzLWZvb3RiYWxsLXNhdHVyYXRpb24tZml4dHVyZXMtY2x1Yi13b3JsZC1jdXAtYjI1OTY0MjEuaHRtbD9saWQ9ajZxODYwbGswYTdjJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). That is hard to do when the results of the football, and how they translate on the table, could be affected by cases off the pitch. Arsenal feel they're closer than ever A quip for this season is that the City case is more unpredictable than the title race, where Guardiola's side are aiming for a fifth successive title and seventh in eight years. It is starting to look like Ligue 1 or the Bundesliga but the irony is that, even without the huge weight of the case, this might just be the closest race we have in some time. City's suddenly look quite thin, with that only made starker by Oscar Bobb's injury. Arsenal meanwhile feel they're there. A haul of 89 points[last season almost proves it](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC1taWtlbC1hcnRldGEtcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtdGl0bGUtYjI1OTczODAuaHRtbD9saWQ9OXJwN2ZhZmx3ZGg2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). The gaps are now so thin. Arteta has indeed spent the summer obsessing over how to close it. It is possible that City slip back themselves but the Arsenal manager can't think like that. He has to try and make it happen. Many Arsenal fans might reasonably wonder why they haven't done more business to try and make that happen, but they are still looking. Mikel Merino [is almost certain to come](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWlrZWwtbWVyaW5vLWFyc2VuYWwtdHJhbnNmZXItbGF0ZXN0LW5ld3MtcmVhbC1zb2NpZWRhZC1iMjU5NjIxNi5odG1sP2xpZD1qejNqc3QxeDBsYTYmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj), with a wide forward potentially to follow. Arteta still believes this can come from within. It is a growing young team. It is why one of the more telling fixtures this weekend might be their home game against Wolves. Arsenal need to start as they mean to go on. It needs to be one of those statements, in the way Manchester United had in beating Fulham 5-1 in 2006-07, or Chelsea enjoyed in eviscerating Burnley 3-1 in 2014-15. The window opens the first two weeks to chaos By now, you've probably [read all manner of predictions for the new season](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtcHJlZGljdGlvbnMtMjAyNC0yNS1wcmV2aWV3LXRpcHMtYjI1OTYxODEuaHRtbD9saWQ9OHpnd3F3ODhicmlsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)but the problem with making them - regardless of how silly we may end up looking - is that they come before the last two weeks of the transfer window. There is still a lot of business to be done and that could change an awful lot. As said above, Arsenal want Merino and a wide forward. Merino might go to the wire due to how difficult Real Sociedad are to negotiate with, as they currently insist on at least €40m. The belief is their "real" figure is €35m but Arsenal are still some way off that. Liverpool found a similar intransigence in their pursuit of Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and, while they do feel they need that sort of number-six, there aren't many alternatives. This may be a case of waiting for him, in the way they did for Virgil van Dijk. More interesting is that [Slot is very open to changing the front line](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbGl2ZXJwb29sLXRyYW5zZmVycy1sdWlzLWRpYXotenViaW1lbmRpLXNsb3QtYjI1OTczMDkuaHRtbD9saWQ9dm1vbzgxbmR2MXVkJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~), and Liverpool are currently looking at a range of different options. The interest in Anthony Gordon is will known, albeit with Newcastle's £90m price currently proving prohibitive, while they have looked at Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze. There is a lot more potential for "value" there than for the number-six position. Perhaps the biggest transfer story, at least in terms of the numbers, is going to be Chelsea's desire for a forward. Napoli's Victor Osimhen still won't lower huge wage demands and doesn't want a temporary deal, but there is hope something can be figured out. Ivan Toney remains an option, but Brentford have set a price of £60m for a player who is out of contract next year. Manchester United are another who want a six, with their pursuit of PSG's Manuel Ugarte so publicised. If they can't make that happen, though, there is hope that Toby Collyer can have a similar effect this season to that of Kobbie Mainoo last term. Either way, the window has been quiet so far, but that could dramatically change.   Football features ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtcHJlZGljdGlvbnMtMjAyNC0yNS1wcmV2aWV3LXRpcHMtYjI1OTYxODEuaHRtbD9saWQ9Nm5ubjEybmV5OGxsJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [Premier League 2024/25 predictions: Champions, top four, relegation, best signing, top scorer and more](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TraHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtcHJlZGljdGlvbnMtMjAyNC0yNS1wcmV2aWV3LXRpcHMtYjI1OTYxODEuaHRtbD9saWQ9aHUzY2dvY2Y4cHZqJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC1taWtlbC1hcnRldGEtcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtdGl0bGUtYjI1OTczODAuaHRtbD9saWQ9bTIyY3J6OWxwNWFuJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ [It’s time for Arsenal to deliver trophies – here's why that's a bigger final step than it seems](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TlaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvYXJzZW5hbC1taWtlbC1hcnRldGEtcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtdGl0bGUtYjI1OTczODAuaHRtbD9saWQ9cnlsZWt6azJxNnp3JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   Miguel's Dispatches There are few feelings in football like walking up to the opening game of the season, excited by signings, warmed by the sun - and it is similar for journalists. It is all about hope, which also makes it an interesting one as to which game is the best to go to. Old Trafford of course has that sense of event, since it's the very first. Even if the stadium is so old it is now going to be changed, too, it has that sense of spectacle having seen so much history - especially in the Premier League. Portman Road meanwhile has that unique feeling of a club back in the big time after decades, further energised by their football, and with that fixture given added spark by the fact it is Arne Slot's first game as Liverpool manager. Given the likely theme of this season, however, it is almost fitting that Chelsea host Manchester City in the opening weekend. Both are under the biggest investigations the Premier League has ever seen, with the outcomes expected in this campaign. City, of course, are also going for a record fifth successive title and seventh in eighth. Chelsea have meanwhile had one of the more interesting summers. It is where I find myself on Sunday.   QUOTE OF THE WEEK     “We always want the football to do the talking and obviously we don't want to normalise asterisks on the league table or long-running regulatory disputes.” Richard Masters, the chief executive of the Premier League, touches on some major themes ahead of the new season   Reading the game quiz Since the Premier League was founded in 1992, four of its eventual champions lost their opening game of the season before winning the league in that same campaign. Name the four. ([You can find out the answers here](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWlndWVsLWRlbGFuZXktbmV3c2xldHRlci1xdWl6LWFuc3dlcnMtYjIwNzc5NjguaHRtbD9saWQ9NnFteHNnaDRueThuJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~). The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too)   [INDYBEST](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0SuaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0P2xpZD0zM3ozcXVwYWtkdmomdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) / [BEST BUYS](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L291dGRvb3ItYWN0aXZpdHk_bGlkPTB0bjJtMDE3ZXFndCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNi0wOC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmvNBiv2a3sx2YUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [sky sports](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2dhZGdldHMtdGVjaC90ZWxldmlzaW9uL3NreS1zcG9ydHMtZGVhbC1wcmVtaWVyLWxlYWd1ZS1iMjU5NTU3My5odG1sP2xpZD0wdDBjdmdranhvcWImdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) [Sky Sports](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TzaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvZXh0cmFzL2luZHliZXN0L2dhZGdldHMtdGVjaC90ZWxldmlzaW9uL3NreS1zcG9ydHMtZGVhbC1wcmVtaWVyLWxlYWd1ZS1iMjU5NTU3My5odG1sP2xpZD1xODQzdjJxYWdwbzMmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWJyYXplJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1SZWFkaW5nIHRoZSBHYW1lIE5ld3NsZXR0ZXIgMTYtMDgtMjAyNCZ1dG1fdGVybT1JTkRfRm9vdGJhbGxfQ0RQVwVzcGNldUIKZrzQYr9mt7MdmFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAMj) plummets to lowest-ever price ahead of Premier League’s return.   [MP sale](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP4RLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmF3aW4xLmNvbS9jcmVhZC5waHA_YXdpbm1pZD0zMTk2JmF3aW5hZmZpZD0yMDEzMDkmY2FtcGFpZ249JmNsaWNrcmVmPVRIR04tcmVhZGluZ3RoZWdhbWUtbXlwcm90ZWluLTE1MDgyNCZ1ZWQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cubXlwcm90ZWluLmNvbSUyRm51dHJpdGlvbiUyRmJlc3RzZWxsZXJzLWVuLWdiLmxpc3QmcGxhdGZvcm09cGwmbGlkPW83ajQxcTQzZTRzZCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNi0wOC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmvNBiv2a3sx2YUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) [Save up to 70% at Myprotein](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP4RLAWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmF3aW4xLmNvbS9jcmVhZC5waHA_YXdpbm1pZD0zMTk2JmF3aW5hZmZpZD0yMDEzMDkmY2FtcGFpZ249JmNsaWNrcmVmPVRIR04tcmVhZGluZ3RoZWdhbWUtbXlwcm90ZWluLTE1MDgyNCZ1ZWQ9aHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cubXlwcm90ZWluLmNvbSUyRm51dHJpdGlvbiUyRmJlc3RzZWxsZXJzLWVuLWdiLmxpc3QmcGxhdGZvcm09cGwmbGlkPWF5eWN1cjNhZXQ1YSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNi0wOC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmvNBiv2a3sx2YUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~), plus get an extra discount with exclusive code: MYPINDY   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0SsaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3Vic2NyaWJlL2FwcD9saWQ9eTZrbm9jd3E4MmQ1JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0StaHR0cHM6Ly9pbmRlcGVuZGVudC5vbmVsaW5rLm1lL25vNXgvZDI1ZTc0Y2M_bGlkPThsMno0ZjNnOW0yYyZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNi0wOC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmvNBiv2a3sx2YUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~   Further reading ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtc2Vhc29uLW1hbi1jaXR5LXJ1bGVzLWFyc2VuYWwtdG90dGVuaGFtLWIyNTk3MzY0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPW55MGp4bWYxc3U2ZSZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNi0wOC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmvNBiv2a3sx2YUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~ [A new Premier League season awaits - but Man City’s legal case casts a long and inevitable shadow](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvcHJlbWllci1sZWFndWUtc2Vhc29uLW1hbi1jaXR5LXJ1bGVzLWFyc2VuYWwtdG90dGVuaGFtLWIyNTk3MzY0Lmh0bWw_bGlkPTYwaGplcmgxbjQ3NCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNi0wOC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmvNBiv2a3sx2YUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~) ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWFuY2hlc3Rlci11bml0ZWQtZXJpay10ZW4taGFnLW1hdHRoaWpzLWRlLWxpZ3QtZHV0Y2gtYjI1OTcwNzAuaHRtbD9saWQ9NTlyanNhajkxbzc2JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~ ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbGl2ZXJwb29sLXRyYW5zZmVycy1hcm5lLXNsb3QtYW50aG9ueS1nb3Jkb24tYjI1ODk5MjQuaHRtbD9saWQ9aTh2eTk1Zmpua3Q1JnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~[Matthijs de Ligt signing is proof Erik ten Hag is all-in on his Dutch gamble](~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0TxaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5kZXBlbmRlbnQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvbWFuY2hlc3Rlci11bml0ZWQtZXJpay10ZW4taGFnLW1hdHRoaWpzLWRlLWxpZ3QtZHV0Y2gtYjI1OTcwNzAuaHRtbD9saWQ9bzc1eHUyZXVrMGlrJnV0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1icmF6ZSZ1dG1fY2FtcGFpZ249UmVhZGluZyB0aGUgR2FtZSBOZXdzbGV0dGVyIDE2LTA4LTIwMjQmdXRtX3Rlcm09SU5EX0Zvb3RiYWxsX0NEUFcFc3BjZXVCCma80GK_ZrezHZhSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAADIw~~)   ~/AAAHagA~/RgRooefQP0SnaHR0cHM6Ly9nZW5pLnVzL2luZGVwZW5kZW50M21vbnRob2ZmZXI_bGlkPWhvZzJoZGo4bno1OCZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9YnJhemUmdXRtX2NhbXBhaWduPVJlYWRpbmcgdGhlIEdhbWUgTmV3c2xldHRlciAxNi0wOC0yMDI0JnV0bV90ZXJtPUlORF9Gb290YmFsbF9DRFBXBXNwY2V1QgpmvNBiv2a3sx2YUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAyM~   The Independent proudly partners with [Refuge](~/AAAHagA~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~) and the [National Domestic Abuse 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