Premier League 2022-23 Review: In-Depth Club-by-Club Analysis
That was it, folks! The Premier League 2022/23 season came to an end, and now you know what it is time for. That's right - club by club review of the Premier League season. This campaign didn't fail to surprise us.
Manchester City clinched their third consecutive Premier League title as Arsenal's challenge crumbled, while Chelsea endured a disappointing season, finishing in the mid-table.
Leicester City, the 2016 champions, faced relegation. Our experts wrote this summary of the performances of the top 20 clubs in the league, listed according to their final standings, so let's dive in.
1) Manchester City
Despite trailing Arsenal by eight points in mid-March, Manchester City's dominance over the final weeks of the season was so overwhelming that it seemed like they were toying with their London rivals, akin to a cat playing with its prey.
Pep Guardiola's team, dubbed a "machine" and a "monster" by pundits, secured their fifth Premier League title in six seasons with three games remaining.
With Norwegian powerhouse Erling Haaland scoring a remarkable league-record 36 goals in his debut season, City showcased their depth and teamwork by defeating Chelsea 1-0 with a second-string lineup. Their remarkable performance has left many wondering if they can be dethroned next season.
2) Arsenal
With the exception of the final six weeks, Arsenal enjoyed a highly positive season, defying pundits' expectations and mounting a serious challenge for their first league title since 2004.
The Gunners spent 248 days on the top of the table, that's 93% of the season. However, they faltered in the home straight under the relentless pressure from Manchester City.
Arsenal missed a rare opportunity, considering City's relatively slow start, Liverpool's struggles, and Chelsea's inconsistency.
Manager Mikel Arteta knows that standing still in the upcoming summer transfer window is not an option. Despite bringing Champions League football back to the Emirates, Arsenal's young squad showed defensive vulnerability after William Saliba's injury in March.
The club is expected to back Arteta financially and target West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice for reinforcement. That's a much-needed transfer, as Arsenal will most likely part ways with Granit Xhaka.
3) Manchester United
Erik ten Hag's first season as manager has shown promise for Manchester United, with a top-four finish in the Premier League, winning the League Cup, and reaching the FA Cup final.
Since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013, there is renewed optimism at Old Trafford due to Ten Hag's tactical acumen and man-management skills.
Although Old Trafford has become a fortress once again, embarrassing capitulations against Arsenal, Brentford, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Sevilla exposed the work that lies ahead for the Dutchman.
The summer transfer window will be crucial, with the signings of an experienced striker and quality midfielder as priorities. United also faces tough decisions about offloading players such as David de Gea, Harry Maguire, and Anthony Martial.
4) Newcastle United
Newcastle United has surprised even their most optimistic fans by disrupting the established big six.
Since Eddie Howe took charge in November 2021 following the club's takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, they have undergone a remarkable transformation. Initially winless and embroiled in a relegation battle, they are now making plans for a return to the Champions League after a 20-year absence.
The club's upward trajectory seems poised to accelerate further. Newcastle's astute investments of £250 million on players like Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, and Nick Pope have paid off. With expected marquee signings this summer, Newcastle is poised to continue their progress and potentially secure silverware.
5) Liverpool
Liverpool's season started slowly and failed to gain momentum until it was too late to salvage a top-four finish. They faced challenges stemming from their efforts to achieve an unprecedented quadruple in the previous season, failure to adequately replace Sadio Mane, key injuries in the forward line, and an aging midfield.
Liverpool appeared lethargic and off the pace for much of the campaign. By converting Trent Alexander-Arnold into a right-back/midfielder hybrid, manager Jurgen Klopp made a significant tactical switch that helped Liverpool regain some of their old form.
They embarked on an 11-match unbeaten league run, including seven consecutive victories. However, they fell agonizingly short of securing a Champions League spot.
6) Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion experienced a breakthrough season, qualifying for Europe for the first time in their history.
Even the departure of beloved coach Graham Potter for Chelsea couldn't derail their progress. The south coast club has become a model for teams outside the top six, utilizing shrewd player acquisitions and eye-catching football under new coach Roberto De Zerbi.
While they may face the challenge of losing players like Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo, Brighton fans have faith in their coach and board's ability to find suitable replacements and maintain their top-half position in the league.
7) Aston Villa
Aston Villa's decision to replace coach Steven Gerrard in October paid off as Unai Emery guided them to a European football spot for the next season. Villa found themselves in the 17th position when Gerrard was sacked, facing relegation.
However, their fortunes transformed, and they achieved a 3-0 victory against Newcastle United, whom they were previously thrashed by 4-0.
With stability restored, the 1982 European Cup winners will now target the Europa Conference League for the upcoming season. Emery's past successes in the Europa League with Arsenal and Sevilla provide optimism for Villa fans.
8) Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur endured a disastrous season, marked by managerial instability, missing out on European competitions, and the need for significant squad overhaul.
The team finished in eighth place, and their talismanic striker Harry Kane might consider leaving due to the club's lack of progress.
Former coach Antonio Conte's disparaging remarks about the squad and the club's lack of a winning culture were eventually vindicated. Tottenham's top-four challenge proved to be an illusion, and their squad requires major strengthening. The club must find a coach who can rediscover their identity.
9) Bretford
Brentford enjoyed an even better second season in the Premier League, finishing comfortably in the top half of the table and ahead of West London rivals Chelsea and Fulham.
Manager Thomas Frank assembled an impressive yet cost-effective squad, securing notable victories against Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Despite an eight-month ban imposed on striker Ivan Toney for betting offences, Brentford remained undeterred, ending the season with a 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
They were the only team to beat Manchester City home and away in the league. Brentford's progress suggests further strides in the future, potentially leading to silverware.
10) Fulham
Fulham secured a top-half finish in the Premier League for the first time in 11 years, aiming to shed their reputation as a "yo-yo club" frequently moving between the top flight and the Championship.
Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who endured a calamitous 2020-21 season, spearheaded their resurgence, scoring 14 league goals. Carlos Vinicius, Andreas Pereira, and Willian also contributed to Fulham's success.
Manager Marco Silva has laid the foundations for the club's long-term stability and aims to compete with bigger teams. Fulham's stadium, Craven Cottage, has been renovated and expanded to enhance their competitive edge.
11) Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace aimed to avoid relegation when Roy Hodgson took charge in March. However, their remarkable turnaround under the former England manager resulted in a comfortable 11th-place finish.
When Patrick Vieira was sacked, Palace found themselves three points above the drop zone after a winless streak of 12 games. Struggling for goals and confidence, the team saw a dramatic improvement under Hodgson's leadership.
Eberechi Eze played a pivotal role in Palace's upturn in results, scoring six goals. Hodgson's pending replacement and the future of Wilfried Zaha, whose contract expires in June, are the club's top priorities.
12) Chelsea
Chelsea's first season under their American owners turned out to be a forgettable one.
Despite a hefty investment of £4.25 billion in the club, they finished 12th, one of their worst positions in the Premier League.
The decision to replace Champions League-winning coach Thomas Tuchel with Graham Potter from Brighton & Hove Albion proved disastrous. Despite significant spending on new players, including more than £500 million, Chelsea struggled to find consistency and lacked cutting edge in front of goal.
Frank Lampard's return as interim coach yielded only one win in 11 games. The owners signed Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham Hotspur coach, as the new Chelsea coach to revitalize the squad for the upcoming season.
13) Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers' 13th-place finish fails to fully reflect the turbulent nature of their season. The club flirted with relegation, underwent two managerial changes, and struggled to score goals.
After sacking Bruno Lage in November, Wolves appointed Steve Davis as interim boss, and later Julen Lopetegui. Lopetegui guided the team to safety with nine victories.
However, the lack of productivity from forwards Raul Jimenez, Hwang Hee-Chan, and Diego Costa, who scored only four league goals collectively, highlighted the need for attacking reinforcements.
Financial restrictions and uncertainty surrounding Lopetegui's future may complicate Wolves' ability to compete in the Premier League next season.
14) West Ham United
West Ham United reached their first European club competition final in 47 years and have a chance to win the Europa Conference League against Fiorentina.
However, their disappointing domestic campaign puts manager David Moyes' future in question.
The Hammers battled to avoid relegation until crucial wins over Manchester United and Leeds United lifted them clear of the danger zone.
After finishing seventh last season, West Ham's significant investment in Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta offered hope for another successful season. Nonetheless, it proved to be a challenging year, and captain Declan Rice is expected to depart. The summer will be decisive for the club.
15) Bournemouth
Bournemouth's return to the Premier League after a season in the Championship witnessed a remarkable survival bid. The team was in last place in March when Gary O'Neil took over as interim coach, later assuming the role permanently.
Bournemouth lost six consecutive matches after the World Cup break, including a 97th-minute defeat against Arsenal.
However, they rebounded with six wins in nine games, including victories over Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, securing their top-flight status.
16) Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest, returning to the top flight after 23 years, underwent an extensive squad overhaul with 22 signings in the summer and nine more in the January transfer window.
While spending more time in the bottom three than out of it, Forest's near-complete squad transformation yielded positive results. They managed to stay up and reached the League Cup semi-finals under manager Steve Cooper.
Winning their last three home games, including a victory over Arsenal, ensured they would not make a hasty return to the Championship.
17) Everton
Everton endured another disappointing season despite a home victory against Bournemouth on the final day. The club spent £700 million on players in the last six years but narrowly avoided relegation for the second consecutive season.
The campaign proved challenging from the start, as the failure to adequately replace Richarlison left Everton with minimal attacking threat, compounded by Dominic Calvert-Lewin's injury absence.
Sean Dyche replaced Frank Lampard as manager in January, and while there were some signs of progress, it was the 5-1 win at Brighton that gave hope of survival. Everton's future hinges on significant changes to the team.
18) Leicester City
Leicester City, the champions in 2016, will face life in the Championship after failing to secure safety. The fans may question how they reached this point, considering their FA Cup triumph in 2021.
Former manager Brendan Rodgers expressed concerns about the club's failure to refresh the squad, emphasizing that Leicester was not the same club as a few years ago.
Departures of key players such as Wesley Fofana, Kasper Schmeichel, Ayoze Perez, Marc Albrighton, and Ademola Lookman were not adequately replaced.
Leicester started poorly, securing only five points from the first 30 available. The sacking of Rodgers in April and the next appointment of Dean Smith failed to save them from relegation.
19) Leeds United
Leeds United's return to the Premier League after a long absence ended on a disappointing note. Despite their exciting and attacking style under Marcelo Bielsa, they finished 19th.
Leeds faced numerous challenges, including four different managers throughout the season, a lack of away victories, and the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 78 goals.
Leeds won only seven of their 38 games and faced uncertainty off the field as well, with potential changes in ownership. Their focus will now shift to regrouping and preparing for a potential comeback to the Premier League.
20) Southampton
Southampton endured a lacklustre season, resulting in their relegation from the Premier League. The team's poor performance and frequent managerial changes contributed to their downfall.
Nathan Jones's three-month tenure as boss epitomized Southampton's chaotic journey from one crisis to another. Despite notable victories over Chelsea and Manchester City in the League Cup, Southampton lacked consistency.
With a paltry 25 points, they finished bottom of the league, emphasizing the need for a complete reset. Southampton will require significant squad changes and a new manager to mount a successful campaign and return to the Premier League.
