The Premier League roars back into action on Friday after another frenetic summer of transfer spending in the richest league in the world.
Here are three things to watch out for in the new campaign.
Third-season syndrome for Mourinho
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has cut a frustrated figure throughout pre-season, consistently lashing out at a lack of signings.
Tension between the Portuguese and a number of key players is also simmering. Mourinho has publicly criticised captain Antonio Valencia and Anthony Martial, while his relationship with Paul Pogba remains frosty after dropping one of the heroes of France’s World Cup win repeatedly last season.
Rising tension with the club’s hierarchy and his squad before the season even begins is eerily reminiscent of Mourinho’s disastrous third seasons in both his second spell at Chelsea and his stint with Real Madrid.
In those campaigns, Mourinho lost his job having won the league the season before. At United, he isn’t even starting from that position of strength having failed to win a trophy last year.
As fiercest rivals Manchester City and Liverpool strengthen for an anticipated shootout for the title, the ingredients are in place for another Mourinho meltdown at Old Trafford.
City still the benchmark
Champions City remains the team to beat after smashing a litany of records in romping to the title.
Unlike Pep Guardiola’s first two summers in charge, City hasn’t blown the competition out of the water financially, although they have increased their attacking options with Riyad Mahrez for a club-record £60 million ($77 million) fee.
But they haven’t needed to after assembling a huge amount of young talent in recent years.
Even more will be expected of the likes of Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus this season, while Benjamin Mendy’s return from a long-term knee injury solves City’s one issue last season at left-back.
Will Sarri be given time?
Chelsea is playing catch up from the off after delaying their move to sack Antonio Conte and hire Maurizio Sarri until four weeks before the start of the season.
Sarri moulded Napoli into one of the most attractive sides to watch in Europe in three seasons, earning rave reviews from City boss Guardiola in particular.
However, his high pressing and slick passing style require a lot of work on the training ground. With many of Chelsea’s key players only returning to training this week after their World Cup exertions, the Italian hasn’t been afforded much time to impose his ideas.
Chelsea’s lack of forward planning was also evident in a late rush for a replacement for goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who left for Real Madrid on Wednesday. The giant Belgian’s successor, Kepa Arrizabalaga, will be the most expensive goalkeeper ever once he completes a £71-million move from Athletic Bilbao.
