Happy Tuesday all and here we are, post-World Cup and already into pre-season friendlies!
Amazing to think that it all kicks off in 17 days!
It’s a bit weird starting the season with a single 9pm kickoff on a Friday night, when Manchester United host Leicester.
But I’m not complaining. Unlike Jose Mourinho that is, who’s already moaning about his squad, injuries and lack of preparation time.
Jeeez, can’t he just get on with it? It's rich coming from the ex-Chelsea boss, who won trophies on the back of an endless Russian budget.
He’s looking really stupid and the 2018/19 campaign hasn’t even started.
Cape Red Devils will be wondering how it’s possible that the club’s most expensive acquisition, Paul Pogba, was part of a World Cup-winning team, but (according to them) doesn’t perform at club level?
I argue that, I think he’s been excellent in the Premier League, just not what local fans expected perhaps. Do they want a Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, who also regularly score goals?
But his true value was very apparent playing in a properly balanced French side competing as a unit, something United have struggled with in recent seasons.
FIRING BLANKS: Arsenal are unlikely to surprise this term. Photo: JOHN WALTON/PA
It was a Didier Deschamp masterclass, utilising the Pog in the best way possible, creating a block in the middle of the park, while keeping the ball moving around him with instinctual creativity and accuracy.
Why can’t Jose get such an expensive collection of players to perform anywhere near their value?
His style of football retreated to a tighter defensive formation as the season progressed, while Manchester City and Liverpool forged ahead with an open brand of attacking football.
Surely he can’t come out and do the same this time around?
Despite his arrogance, my feeling is that he’s lost his confidence, with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola proving to be above him in terms of management techniques and tactical ability.
And to make matters worse, down the road at Anfield, the German is busy plugging the weak gaps with shrewd signings, spending like there’s no tomorrow!
I’m afraid it feels like the Mersey side of Cape Town will have the upper hand again this season coming!
But there is always the chance, of course, that following last year’s improvement and squad upgrades, Liverpool are going to be under immense pressure to deliver and start cracking if results don’t go their way.
Let’s not forget the pummelling they took in the Champions League final. Are they that good?
As with the World Cup, predicting where the title or top four is going is a gambler’s nightmare.
Perhaps Arsenal will spring into life again under Unai Emery? I doubt it.
Or what about Spurs? New era at the new White Hart Lane mmmh, unlikely.
Or Chelsea? Not only have one of the most exciting coaches, but the little wizard Gianfranco Zola will be at his side to get the fans behind the new regime.
Well, not sure how that’ll pan out given the relatively short time they have to piece together a league-winning formula.
What’s encouraging for me, however, is the style of football we were treated to in Russia - not the usual tactical stalemates, but end-to-end excitement.
I’m hoping we’re at the cusp of a new phase in football, where going 1-0 up and shutting games down falls away.
I’m hoping that the ridiculous performances by drama queen Neymar and the likes prompt governing bodies to clamp down on dive-and-roll routines, I’m hoping officials allow games to flow.
I’m hoping that by the time VAR is introduced in the Prem in 12 months, it won’t be open to debate.
There’ll still be important activity in the transfer market.
But for now, interested in your predictions for the new season.
Give me a shout: Twitter: @thehonestnick