Big Sports Weekend-There–Not Here”

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It’s started, the new season.

Futbol, not Football. English Premier League, not the NFL.

The 20-team EPL season, which draws monster TV ratings in Europe and pretty good numbers here in the states, kicks off its season across England.

A summer of huge roster moves, record amounts of money paid in transfer fees, new coaches, and new faces in new places.

Here’s a look at the storylines soccer fans, here in the US and in England will be following.

MANCHESTER CITY….A bad final week of summer-losing goal scorer Leroy Sane with a torn knee ligament this week that could take him out 3-to-6 months. It nullified a potential 111M-transfer deal to send him to Bayern Munich. City did spent 86M to get goal scorer Rodri from Madrid, and still has Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero and DeBryune in a fabulous array of talent.

MANCHESTER UNITED.. They rid themselves of controversial coach Josie Mourinho…and then said goodbye last night to Romey Lukaku in a 90M mega transfer deal with Inter-Milan….but they still have the controversial Paul Pogba on the books. Incoming Aaron Wan-Bissaka and all time great defender Harry Maguire, who came in a 97M-transfer deal, will look to add to the 20-titles the Red Devils already have.

ARSENAL…What a week, spending 87M to get French star Nicolas Pepe than acquiring F-David Luiz of Chelsea. They join star F-Pierre Aubameyang and G-Peter Cech in what could be a tremendous season.

CHELSEA….Welcomes American star Christian Pulisic, coming from Germany, and Matt Kovacic from Real Madrid. A new era begins at Stamford Bridge with Eden Hazard having gone to Spain. Interesting to watch how former star player Frank Lampard, turned head coach, does as a manager.

LIVERPOOL….Mo Salah returns for a 3rd year, and Virgil vanDijk comes in at midfield but does Coach Jurgen Klopp have enough firepower?

TOTTENHAM HOT SPUR….Three big last minute additions as the transfer window closed, an 80M acquistion of Tanguy Ndombele from Lyon, France, Ryan Sessegnos from Fulham, and Gio LoCelso from Spain will make a difference. A full season of health for Dele All and Harry Kane is a must if they are to be upper echelon. Disappointed they did not close deadline deal to get Paulo Dybala of Juventus.

WOLVERHAMPTON…Strong first season in league…adding Patrick Cutrone and Raul Jimenez helps alot…and more expected from Morgan White.

WEST HAM…Felipe Anderson returns for second season and gets help with Sebastian Haller coming in.

WATFORD…Craig Dawson comes from West Ham, as does last minute addition Sarr from the French League.

SHEFFIELD UNITED….Moves up this year and will welcome Dean Henderson of Manchester United.

NORWICH CITY….Moves back into EPL after two years relegation, hopes to get goals from Josep Drmick from Germany and Teemu Pukki.

NEWCASTLE UNITED…They have added Joelinton in big money deal..but gave up Benitez Perez in deal, and won’t have American DeAndre Yelin, recovering from injuries with Team USA.

EVERTON….What kind of season will G-Jordan Pickford have? Gyl Sigurdsson of Iceland joins veteran Richardson and Lucas Digne to score goals.

CRYSTAL PALACE…They kept F-Will Zaha but don’t have enough firepower.

LEICESTER CITY….Life after D-Harry Maguire, off to Man U, will be a big challenge…Adding F-Ayoze Perez is not enough.

BURNLEY…Big things predicted for young F-Jay Rodriguez.

BRIGHTON…Best they have going for them is bright light coach Grahame Potter.

BOURNEMOUTH…Great individual talent in 14-goal scorer Callum Wilson but not much else

ASTON VILLA…Spent 160M in acquisitions..12-new players on board.

SOUTHAMPTON….Che Adams is the best they have. They have a new coach, but not enough new players.

They corner-kick it Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, to start another EPL season.

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