We are in the home straight of the 2023/2024 Premier League season and there are plenty of things still up for grabs. With both the Premier League title and relegation battles set to go down to the wire, in this article we take a look at the individuals and teams that have shone this year and those who will be hoping for much more next season.
Winners
Mikel Arteta
A few seasons ago, the jury was out on Mikel Arteta and there were many within the Arsenal fan base that wanted a change in the dugout.
Fast forward to this season and once again Arteta has led his talented Arsenal squad to the brink of Premier League glory.
Arteta has restored Arsenal to both a Premier League and European powerhouse and even if they don’t win the title this year, they will start next season as Man City’s main rivals.
Sean Dyche
For the third successive season, Everton have faced relegation square in the face and have managed to avoid the drop.
It’s been another tough season for the Toffees. Facing financial difficulties off the pitch, Everton have been deducted eight points and despite some positive results haven’t been able to escape the relegation dogfight.
With Everton looking nervously over their shoulder, Sean Dyche has managed to get his side to produce their best football when it really mattered. Three successive victories against Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Brentford have seen Everton climb up the table and secure their Premier League status for next year.
It’s been a tough season for Everton, but Dyche deserves enormous credit for steering the Everton ship out of danger.
Aston Villa
Ever since Unai Emery has taken the reins at Aston Villa, Villa have become one of the most consistent teams in the league.
Heading into the season with a talented squad, Villa have been truly formidable and their odds with football betting sites all over the world are now incredibly short for them to play in next season’s Champions League.
Playing in the Champions League will help take Villa to the next level. Set to be boosted financially, this summer Villa will be able to take further strides in investing in their squad and ensure that this season’s finish won’t be a one off.
Losers
Sheffield United
It’s been a difficult season for Sheffield United, promoted to the Premier League on an uneven financial footing, the Blades are on track to finish with the second ever lowest points total in Premier League history.
With a team that mostly contains Championship level players, they haven’t been able to score enough goals and keep enough clean sheets to win games.
There was an argument that Sheffield United were promoted too early and the team’s results this season have definitely indicated that this has been the case.
Chelsea
Some may believe that including Chelsea in our ‘Loser’ list is harsh but having spent over a £1 billion in transfer fees in the last 18 months, it’s fair to say that more would have been expected from the team this season.
Despite reaching the final of the Carabao Cup and semi final of the FA Cup, the Chelsea hierarchy would have hoped to have been competing for a Champions League place, however their inconsistent form has seen them drop way off the pace.
With questions over Mauricio Pochettino, plenty will be expected from the team next season.
Manchester United
Despite still having the option of finishing fifth in the Premier League, it’s been a difficult season for United.
Plagued by massive inconsistencies, some of their best players simply haven’t showed up and they will be disappointed to not have been in the race for a Champions League place.
With a summer ahead where United will be restricted in what they can spend, it remains to be seen whether Erik ten Hag will still be the man in the Utd dugout next season, but the days of Utd competing for the title still seem a long way off.
