The full judgements made by the Key Match Incidents Panel on referee and video assistant referee decisions will be shared with fans for the first time this season. It is one of three measures brought in by the Premier League, external to improve transparency, alongside the publishing of direct explanations of officials, and broadcasting RefCam … Read more
Becoming a professional footballer requires you to take full advantage of any point of difference you can possibly find – and proficiency in another sport can be a huge asset. Peter Schmeichel attributes his famous starfish sprawl to his handball background. Petr Cech believes playing as a goalie in ice hockey prepared him well for … Read more
Guardian writers’ predicted position: 12th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 14th Prospects Pretty bright. A team’s second season in the Premier League following promotion is traditionally regarded as hazardous but all the indications are that Daniel Farke’s side will not merely harbour … Read more
The Premier League will permit audio of on-field conversations between players and referees during live broadcasts for the first time this season. The use of audio by the Premier League’s domestic rights holders, Sky Sports and TNT Sports, is part of an expansion of the RefCam system, which became a permanent feature of top-flight coverage … Read more
Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins has agreed personal terms with Al Hilal. This summer could be on in which the Midlanders lose several stars who have come to define the Unai Emery era: Morgan Rogers has become a record sale for the club, while Emiliano Martinez is close to an exit. But Aston Villa losing … Read more
Frank Lampard has been here before. The Premier League was his playground for nearly two decades and he was indisputably one of its greatest ever players by the time he left it behind. He’s been here as a manager, too, with both Everton and former club Chelsea. The Coventry City boss is no Premier League … Read more
Guardian writers’ predicted position: 20th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Last season’s position: 6th (Championship) Prospects It is no exaggeration to say that Hull’s playoff triumph in May was a shock. They had, after all, started the season as Championship relegation favourites and operated under … Read more
Neil Sullivan’s route from a Premier League regular to international football did not follow the conventional path. In fact, Sullivan’s opportunity to represent Scotland all came down to a chance remark to a reporter from this very publication during a promotion event. The former Wimbledon stopper would win 28 caps for Scotland and go to … Read more
If Leicester thought this season was going to be the footballing equivalent of a gap year, visiting new places and learning some life lessons before returning home, then they were mistaken. Being outfought and outperformed by Notts County, a well-organised and energetic team promoted from the fourth tier, brought the harsh reality of life to … Read more
While managerial changes provide unfamiliarity for some of Arsenal’s rivals, it is hard to argue that some of those have every chance of boosting their title chances. Chelsea, for example, have one of the most sought-after young managers in the game in Xabi Alonso, and also look to have bought well in the transfer market. … Read more