Let’s begin with the clash between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City, which was pivotal for the Premier League title. Many were certain David Moyes would lead West Ham United off the stage after hindering City’s sixth title in seven seasons. However, the majority believe that the title race is already finished. The only game changer could be if Arsenal experiences another miracle with Mohammed Kudus or Jarrod Bowen replicating what Mickey Thomas did to Liverpool at Anfield in the 1989 season.
The dramatic saga with Spurs and their Australian boss, Ange Postecoglou, will likely be etched in memory long after the 2023/24 season. This remains even as the City Group era engulfs everything, waiting to see what legacy they will leave behind after 115 alleged breach-related charges in profit and sustainability regulations have undergone thorough investigation.
All that might be required of Pep Guardiola is to draft some Irish players and aid in the promotion of Man City. The Spurs team and Ange Postecoglou are in a quandary after the manager fired shots at his own club claiming lack of determination to win.
What are his prospects now? He certainly wouldn’t head to Arsenal, nor would he desire the Man United management position. If the split with Spurs is irreparable, Postecoglou’s only possible resort appears to be Man City. Perhaps there’s a bigger plan at play. It could be that Pep Guardiola leaves prior to the full ventilation of the 115 charges. Guardiola, hypothetically, could chase an EFL Championship, recruiting a few robust Irish players and showcasing his leadership skills outside the Premier League, against teams at Deepdale and Ewood Park.
If that’s not feasible, what ambitions remain? In this hypothetical situation, Postecoglou would gain Premier League experience before stepping into Guardiola’s shoes at City. Tottenham was the perfect launchpad, and currently, he possibly has an authentic reason to leave: under the leadership of Daniel Levy, Tottenham allegedly lacks the winning mindset.
The failure of Spurs in their chase for a Champions League placement next season cannot be attributed to their home clash with City, far from it. The truth lies in their sequential defeats to Newcastle, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool – a fact well acknowledged by Ange and his entire club.
Man City remains unrivalled in English football in my eyes. Their only weakness being demonstrated against Real Madrid. Despite their dominating presence under Pep, their strength wanes in Europe due to the intense speed, physical demand, and gruelling championship of the Premier League.
Despite their state-support, the club consistently performs. Many thought the void left by David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne would cause major disrupt, but Phil Foden has been my standout this season, particularly due to his stellar performance in De Bruyne’s midfield position.
Foden excelled during the match at Tottenham. I can’t wait to see how Gareth Southgate utilises him this summer in Germany.
Keeping up with City is an unconquerable feat. Yet for three consecutive campaigns, Liverpool broke the trend and even claimed victory in one. Although Arsenal showed advancement on last season, their downfall can be traced back to the defeat at the hands of Aston Villa on April 14th.
Considering their extensive injury list, it’s beyond impressive how Villa clinched the final Champions League spot, making them my season’s pick and placing Unai Emery as my recommendation for manager of the year.
My fondness for Villa goes back to my teenage years when players like Paul McGrath, Ray Houghton and Andy Townsend consistently showed up on the field, during the time when Irish players were a staple in the Premier League.
With Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United about to head into the Championship, taking five more Irish players with them, the outlook for Irish football appears bleak.
Chiedozie Ogbene, in my opinion, will be leaving Luton for another Premier League team. On his good days this season, he was formidable, standing out in matches against Liverpool and Crystal Palace. I foresee clubs like Brentford, Villa or Bournemouth seeking him out. His speed and impact are too significant to be left to fade.
For the remaining Irish in the top tier, such as Séamus Coleman, Caoimhín Kelleher and Evan Ferguson, a significant turning point is impending.
The 19-year-old Ferguson may attribute his goal scarcity to his physical setbacks. Coleman is likely to persist another season at Everton due to his appreciable influence on the team’s dynamics, both behind the scenes and during matches. This influence is vital for a team that perpetually grapples with survival. As Kelleher approaches his 26th birthday, his need to secure the main goalkeeper position becomes crucial if his tenure at Liverpool ends.
Brentford and Nottingham Forest could soon see a consistent play from Nathan Collins and Andrew Omobamidele, provided they are prepared. Collins is known for occasionally making mistakes, yet this is a flaw shared by nearly all of the centre-backs who are tasked with halting the world’s top forwards.
The dynamic nature of football means nothing remains constant. Manchester United illustrates this perfectly. The metaphorical crumbling state of Old Trafford, formerly revered as the Theatre of Dreams, represents the club’s decline under the Glazers’ ownership. The recent waterlogging of the field has led to some satire, nicknaming it the Theatre of Streams. The club’s current state has veered greatly from its fans’ assumption of perpetual superiority. Although hard for Spurs followers to comprehend, those associated with Irish football can understand the detrimental consequences of overlookingsmall details.