Premier League to introduce Hall of Fame.

The Premier League have announced plans to start its official Hall of Fame, which will honour players that have graced the competition since it began in August 1992.

The first two inductees will be revealed, during a special ceremony on 19th March.

Players who displayed “exceptional skill and talent”, during their Premier League careers, will be considered and they must be retired.

Once the first two names are disclosed, supporters will be given a shortlist of players who they will be able to vote in as the next members of the prestigious group.

The select few, will receive a personalised medallion, engraved with the year of their induction.

The Premier League's chief executive, Richard Masters, said only the “very best” players would have a place in the Hall of Fame.

He added: “The Premier League has been the home to world class players who have defined generations and provided us with compelling football, season after season.

“It will be an occasion for our fans around the world to look back over the years and help us celebrate some truly exceptional playing careers.”

While this will be the inaugural Premier League Hall of Fame, a separate English Football version has existed since 2002, located at the National Football Museum.

Alex Scott, Justin Fashanu and Bob Wilson were the latest names added to that particular Hall of Fame.

Ryan Giggs, who has the most Premier League titles (13), and Alan Shearer, the league's all time top scorer (260 goals) are some of the favorites to be the first Premier League inductee's.

5 incidents where VAR could have helped officials this season.

Last month the Premier League confirmed clubs have agreed for VAR to be used from next season however that won't help teams that have been denied points that could cost them relegation or a place in the Champions League this campaign.

Following Newcastle United's 2-1 loss, at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, Rafael Benítez called for VAR to be "fast-tracked" after his side were denied a penalty and had DeAndre Yedlin sent off.

"If you see the incidents today, it's so obvious, the red card and the elbow in the face of Ayoze Perez. We need VAR right now," he added.

Benítez is not the only manager who has suffered from the lack of VAR, below are five more that have voiced their displeasure.

5. Everton Vs. Watford (December 2018)

Richarlison gave Everton the lead against his former club but during the build up to the goal, Theo Walcott was blatantly offside as he passed to Andre Gomes who cut the ball back to the Brazilian.

The game finished 2-2, Everton equalised in stoppage time, but Watford can feel hard done by as the Toffee's first goal should have been ruled out.

After the game, Watford manager, Javi Gracia said, "I prefer not to say anything about the referees. If VAR was ready the result would have been different."

The win would have sent the Hornets 8th in the league, on the same points as their opponents, but they are 12th.

4. Liverpool Vs. Fulham (November 2018)

Fulham were bottom of the Premier League heading into this match and would need good fortune if they were going to take any points from Anfield - a ground where they had only won once at since 2012.

They thought they had taken the lead, through Aleksander Mitrovic, but his header was incorrectly disallowed for offside.

To make things worse, Mohamed Salah scored from the quickly taken free-kick, just 13 seconds after the away side had the ball in the Reds net.

Xherden Shaqiri added a second as Fulham struggled to get back into the game.

On Mitrovic's 'goal', Fulham's manager Slavisa Jokanovic said,"When I check the clip now it's Robinson who hasn't done a good enough job to squeeze up and my player is onside.

"In one moment, a crucial moment, instead of 1-0 up we're 1-0 down."

Jurgen Klopp admitted his side were “lucky” to have Mitrovic's 'goal' chalked off but that didn't help Jokanovic who was sacked three day later.

3. Crystal Palace Vs. Arsenal (October 2018)

The Eagles were flying after a penalty from skipper Luka Milivojevic, on the stroke off half-time had give them the lead, but Arsenal fought back with a great free-kick from Granit Xhaka.

With the games finely poised, Alexandre Lacazette did his best Diego Maradona impression to glance the ball into the path of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who gave the visitors the lead.

The game ended 2-2, Milivojevic scored another penalty, but Palace saw this a two points dropped thanks to a refereeing error.

When asked if Arsenal's second goal should have been ruled out, Palace manager Roy Hodgson replied, "I think so, absolutely. 

"Especially when, from my position on the bench, our players were complaining about the handball involved."

2. Liverpool Vs. Manchester City (October 2018)

Both teams were unbeaten going into this game, level on 19 points, and they cancelled each other out in a tight contest.

These games are usually defined on fine margins and when Dejan Lovren bundled over Sergio Aguero in the penalty area, City should have been awarded a penalty however referee Martin Atkinson waved play on.

The Citizens did get a penalty later on, Riyad Mahrez skied it but it was the spot-kick that wasn't given that irritated Pep Guardiola.

"I would not like to speak about the referees, about the decisions," he said.

If Manchester City lose out on the league by two points, Guardiola may not be as diplomatic.

1. Southampton Vs. Watford (November 2018)

Perhaps the most controversial reaction to a decision this season occurred at St. Mary's when Southampton were denied a perfectly good goal by referee's assistant Harry Lennard.

The Saints were winless in seven games but were ahead, thanks to Manolo Gabbiadini, when Charlie Austin thought he double their lead.

However Jose Holebas equalised with nine minutes remaining and the game ended all square.

The fireworks went off after the match when Mark Hughes blamed his teams draw on a “bad mistake” from the match officials.

A furious Austin added, "It's ridiculous, they shouldn't be in the game. We scored a perfectly good goal make it 2-0, the game's done and dusted, we win the game."

5 memorable manager reactions to seeing their team win.

Divock Origi's 96th minute winner against Everton, that secured Liverpool a 1-0 win against their bitter rivals, prompted wild scenes at Anfield - mainly from his manager Jurgen Klopp.

The German, who ran onto the pitch to celebrate with his goalkeeper Alisson, later apologised to his Everton counterpart for his actions.

However he was charged with misconduct by the Football Association, which he accepted along with a £8,000 fine.

From pitch invasions to running down the touchline, here are five times managers gave us unforgettable celebrations.

5. Antonio Conte (Italy Vs. Spain – June 2016)

Italy were 1-0 up thanks to a goal from Giorgio Chiellini but were under pressure as Spain pushed for an equaliser, in the Euro 2016 Round of 16 tie.

Antonio Conte's team were holding on and managed to double their lead, through Graziano Pelle, in second-half stoppage time.

That goal prompted an outpour of emotions from Conte, who embraced his back room staff and climbed the dugout like he was about to do pull-ups in the gym.

Italy went out to Germany in the next round however Conte left a lasting impression on the tournament due to his touchline antics.



4. Luis Enrique (Barcelona Vs. Paris Saint-Germain – March 2017)

Barcelona were on the brink of elimination from the Champions League, after losing 4-0 Parc des Princes, but staged a remarkable comeback to level the tie with Neymer scoring in the 88th and 90th minute.

However the Catalan's were still going out thanks to Edinson Cavani's away goal but Sergi Roberto scored in the 95th minute to send them through to the quarter-finals.

Luis Enrique could not contain himself and ran onto the pitch to embrace his players.  

Sliding on his bum, Enrique somehow managed to injure himself during the emotional celebrations.

“I left some ligaments on the pitch but it was worth it,” he admitted.

 

3. Alex Ferguson (Manchester United Vs. Sheffield Wednesday – April 1993) 

The game where 'Fergie Time' began and helped Manchester United towards their first league title in 26 years. 

Before the match, United were a point behind Aston Villa and things were looking bleak after a John Sheridan penalty put the away side 1-0 up.  

With four minutes left, United captain Steve Bruce equalised from a Denis Irwin corner to bring United level.

As the game drew towards a frustrating conclusion for the Red Devils, Bruce popped up again in the 96th minute, heading in a cross from his centre-back partner Gary Pallister.

Alex Ferguson leaped with joy on the touchline, while his assistant, Brian Kidd sunk to his knees on the Old Trafford turf.

2. Graeme Souness (Fenerbahce Vs. Galatasaray – April 1996)

The Istanbul derby is infamous for being one of the most passionate matches in European football.

Graeme Souness, who was know as a hard man during his playing career, hadn't changed much as a manager as he almost caused a riot at the end of the Turkish Cup final between the Istanbul giant's.

After guiding Galatasaray to victory, on Feberbache's home ground, Souness sprinted towards the centre circle and planted a Galatasary flag into the pitch.

The fact Souness had the audacity to do this showed what type of man he is and when asked to explain his outrageous actions, he said, "When I went there one of their vice-presidents had asked 'what are Galatasaray doing by signing a cripple?'

"I saw this guy's face, I thought 'I'll show you who's a cripple' and it wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done."

He added, "When I planted it and turned around, I realised there were a number of fans trying to get onto to the pitch, I managed to get out relatively scot-free."

1. Jose Mourinho (Manchester United Vs. Porto – March 2004)

He wasn't know as the 'Special One' yet but Jose Mourinho's celebrations at Old Trafford here where certainly in that category. 

Porto were heading out of the Champions League after Paul Scholes had put the host in front on the night.

With United head through on away goals, they lost 2-1 in Porto, Tim Howard parried a simple free-kick into the path of Costinha, who made no mistake from six yards. 

United were eliminated and Mourinho jumped from the dugout and ran down the touchline like as man possessed, joining his players as they celebrated in the corner of Old Trafford. 

Porto won the Champions League and Mourinho took over at Chelsea two months later, the rest is history.

2018/19 Premier League preview.

26 days after a brilliant World Cup concluded, Premier League football returns on Friday night with Leicester City visiting Old Trafford to face last seasons runners up Manchester United.

United finished second to Manchester City and The Citizens are hoping to become the first team since The Red Devils, who won a hat-trick of titles from 2007 until 2009, to retain the Premier League title.

Manchester City are favourites to win the league and that should not come as an surprise.

Last season they broke several records on route to lifting their third Premier League title including the most points (100), goals (106), wins (32) and highest goal difference (79).

Unsurprisingly the champions had a quite summer in the transfer market, if it's not broken why fix it could sum up their activity during pre-season.

They missed out on former Napoli midfielder Jorginho, who Pep Guardiola described as an “exceptional holding midfielder”, to Chelsea and made one major signing, Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City.

Riyad Mahrez is Manchester City's record signing.

Mahrez, who became City's most expensive player (60million), will compete with Raheem Sterling, Bernardo Silva, Leroy Sané and Kevin De Bruyne (who's 16 assists were a league high in 2017/18) for wide places at the Etihad.

The return to full fitness of World Cup winner Benjamin Mendy is a boost to their back line while John Stones performances in Russia will give him more confidence for the season ahead.

It is much harder to defend the title than it is to win it, however City will take some stopping.

Their comfortable 2-0 win against Chelsea, in the Community Shield, at Wembley Stadium last Sunday is evidence of that.

The Champions League is the trophy City's owner Sheikh Mansour really desire and the club prioritizing that over domestic matters and complacency are the only things that can stop them winning the league again.

While City's summer was plain sailing, the same cannot be said for the red half of Manchester.

United finished 19 points behind City last campaign and that gap could widen rather than close.

The word “turmoil” has been used to describe the scene at Old Trafford with the future's of Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba filling many gossip columns.

Philippe Lamboley, a representative of Martial, claimed the 22-year-old wanted to leave the club insisting "the time has come" for the player to move on after Martial missed out on a place in the France World Cup squad due to the lack of minutes for his club.

The relationship between Martial and José Mourinho worsened after reports emerged the winger was fined £180,000 for leaving the club's tour of America to be at the birth of his son.

With the transfer window closing on Thursday it looks like Martial will stay at the club unless they can find a replacement, Chelsea's Willian and Inter's Ivan Perišić have been linked.

Manchester United sign Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk for 52million.

Pogba, who's goal in the World Cup final helped France lift the trophy, was subject to player plus cash bid from Barcelona.

The club did not comment on the offer but it was rejected, United know the value of Pogba on and off the pitch.

Results during pre-season were poor, United only won one game in normal time and did not muster a shot on target in their last fixture against Bayern Munich.

While performances left a lot to be desired, the emergence of Andreas Pereira was a major plus.

The Brazilian midfielder, who spent last season at Valencia, scored a brilliant free-kick against Liverpool and showed why he is rated so highly by everybody at the club.

Alexis Sanchez was another player who impressed during pre-season, his first at the club while new number 10, Marcus Rashford is improving all the time.

During United's aforementioned tour, Mourinho revealed he gave Ed Woodward a "list of five names" that he wanted to sign but thought he would get one of those.

New signing Fred will give United balance in the centre of the park and another new arrival Diogo Dalot is one for the future however they are not the major signings that United fans clamour for.

With Mourinho's record of 'third season syndrome' it could be a difficult season at Old Trafford.

Tottenham Hotspur have not signed any players so far but keeping hold of Harry Kane, who won the Golden Boot at the World Cup, was an important piece of busnisess after the 25-year-old was linked to Real Madrid.

The futures of Danny Rose and Toby Alderweireld are uncertain but the form of Ben Davies and club record signing Dávinson Sánchez means the club won't miss either man if they leave.

Tottenham's new stadium cost 800million.

Without adding to their squad it is hard to see Spurs improving on their third place finish from last season.

Staying in the top four or winning a domestic cup, for the first time since 2008, would represent a good season however it is just a matter of time before Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen start to question the club's ambition.

With the new stadium, Daniel Levy will be more reluctant than usual to splash the cash, it could be a season of frustration for Spurs supporters.

In contrast to Spurs, Liverpool spent 175million on Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri, Naby Keita (deal was agreed last year) and Alisson Becker.

The latter was a key signing as they could have become Champion's of Europe for a sixth time if it wasn't for Loris Karius.

Keita will bring energy to midfield and Fabinho will protect the back four while Shaqiri is tried and tested in the Premier League.

Allison cost £65million from Roma.

Virgil van Dijk has grown into his role as defensive leader and a fit again Nathaniel Clyne will provide health competition for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had a great 2017/18 that resulted in him being called up to the England World Cup squad.

Pundits ran out of superlatives to describe Mohamed Salah last season as he scored 32 goals in 36 games on route to being named PFA Player Of The Year.

If the Egyptian continues that form, along side Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino, there is every chance that The Reds can be Manchester City's closes challengers.

A year after winning the title, Chelsea parted company with Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri became their ninth manager in 15 years.

Sarri, who is yet to win a trophy during a career spanning 18 years, will need to use his power's of persuasion to keep hold off star players Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois.

At the end of last season Hazard, who has two years left on his contract, said he was "taking his time" when asked about signing a new deal and wants the club to attract "good players" for the upcoming season.

Courtois is being linked with Real Madrid as he wants to return to Spain to be with his family.

Jorginho rejected Manchester City to sign for Chelsea.

It is hard to see Chelsea selling both of those players, if one was to leave Courtois would be the easier to replace.

Jorginho followed Sarri from Napoli while Robert Green was a surprise addition.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tammy Abraham and Mitcy Batshuayi are attacking options after returning from loan spells while Ross Barkley needs to kick on if he wants to fulfil the potential he has threatened to show.

The top four or a Europa League win is a must for Sarri or he could be another victim of Roman Abramovich's itchy trigger finger.

For the first time in 22 years Arsenal will start the season with a new manager as Unai Emery replaced Arsène Wenger.

Emery, who won three successive Europa League's with Sevilla (2014-2016) and Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain (2017-18), wasted no time in fixing problem area's from last season.

Lucas Torreira cost a reported £27 million from Sampdoria.

He signed goalkeeper Bernd Leno along with defenders Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Stephan Lichsteiner.

Lucas Torreira will add steel to a midfield that looked weak at times last season, especially away from home.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan will feel like a new signing and after a terrible World Cup, Mesut Özil will be relishing linking up with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette again.

Aaron Ramsey only has a year left on his contract, and with him being a key player for Arsenal the sooner that situation is resolved that better.

Emery is a proven winner and can take Arsenal back into the top four, that has to be his minimal aim this season.

Burnley are already two weeks in to the season thanks to Europa League qualifiers.

Their 7^th placed finish last season was the club's highest in Premier League history but playing extra games, with a small squad that has only added Matej Vydra, Joe Hart and Ben Gibson, could be a issue for Sean Dyche men.

Joe Hart in action for Burnley in their Europa League qualifer against Instanbul Basaksehir.

Finishing higher that high again would be remarkable achievement for The Clarets, a top ten finish maybe a more realistic proposition unless they add more players to their squad.

After spending £140m last summer, on the likes of Michael Keane, Gylfi Sigurðsson and Theo Walcott, Everton have had a quiet transfer window so far this time around.

Marco Silva replaced Sam Allardyce and so far has only spent £40m on Richarlison, from his former club Watford.

Left-back Lucas Digne arrived on loan from Barcelona and it is possible Yerry Mina will join him.

Richarlison followed Marco Silva to Everton from Watford.

After selling Ramiro Funes Mori to Villarreal and allowing Ashley Williams to join Stoke City, central defence is an area Silva needs to address.

Last season's top scorer and returning hero Wayne Rooney left to join DC United so a goal scorer should arrive if Everton want to improve on their 8^th placed finish.

Omar Niasse works hard but does not have the quality needed to take the Toffee's up the league table and his follow striker Cenk Tosun ended the season with five goals.

2015-16 champions Leicester City lost Riyad Mahrez but keeping hold of Harry Maguire would soften that blow.

Maguire's form in the World Cup has alerted Manchester United who are keen to sign the centre back.

If he does stay, Maguire could form a solid partnership in defence with Jonny Evans, who joined from West Bromwich Albion.

Johnny Evans only cost Leicester £4million, a bargain. 

Another new signing Danny Ward will give Kasper Schmeichel competition between the sticks that the Dane hasn't had for years.

James Maddison scored 14 goals from midfielder for Norwich City last season, something that Leicester lacked.

Rachid Ghezzal, who was bought as a direct replacement for Mahrez, should add goals to this team that were heavily reliant on Jamie Vardy last season.

Leicester can climb the table this season, a place in the Europa League is not out of reach.

Newcastle United surprised many by finishing 10^th last season as they were expected to struggle due to the lack of investment from owner Mike Ashley.

Rafael Benítez has done his best but Ki-Sung Yueng, Fabian Schär and Yoshinori Mutō are hardly the type of players that the Toon Army want to see at St. James Park.

Salomón Rondón swapped clubs with Dwight Gayle.

While the exciting Kenedy has returned for another loan spell and Salomón Rondón is a better option that Dwight Gayle, it looks like another season of doom and gloom on Tyneside.

Keeping hold of star player Wilfried Zaha is all the Crystal Palace fans want this summer.

Zaha was sensational last season and Palace faced the possibility of going down if he did not return to fitness in March.

The 25-year-old was so influential that Palace lost every game when he did not play.

Max Mayer joined The Eagles on a free.

Other than Zaha, goals were hard to come by so Conor Wickham returning from injury is a timely boost.

New signing Max Mayer will add creativity to the final third after the departure of Yohan Cabaye.

Staying up is Palace's objective this season, they should achieve it.

The fact Bournemouth are entering their 4th season in the Premier League shows how well Eddie Howe has done at the club.

The £25million spent on Jefferson Lerma is their record transfer fee, Diego Rico and David Brooks also joined the club.

Jefferson Lerma had an impressive World Cup for Colombia.

Jordon Ibe has not repaid the faith Howe has shown in him and needs a big season.

Jermain Defoe, Callum Wilson and Joshua King will score enough goals to keep them up.

What a great summer it has been so far for West Ham United.

The club broke their transfer record twice in a month, first on centre-back Issa Diop (£22m) then splashing out £14m more on Felipe Anderson.

Diop, Ryan Fredericks and Lukasz Fabianski could be a key defensive signing for West Ham.

The Hammers shipped a league high 68 goals last season.

Those four combined with Andriy Yarmolenko and Jack Wilshere mean West Ham fans are optimistic about the campaign ahead which makes a difference from some of the toxic scenes we saw at the London Stadium last season.

Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson joined from Arsenal and Lazio respectively.

Not only have new players arrived, Manuel Pellegrini is the new man on the touchline.

Owners David Sullivan and David Gold have backed Pellegrini in the transfer market and the Chilean is expected to improve on the club's 13^th place from last season.

Pellegrini won the title with Manchester City, in 2014, and could be the man to finally show what the 'West Ham Way' really is.

Ben Foster left relegated West Brom to re-join The Hornets. 

This will be Javi Gracia's first full season in charge at Watford and it could be a hard one.

Ben Foster has returned to Vicarage Road, after 11 years, while Gerard Deulofeu made his transfer from Barcelona permanent.

Keeping Abdoulaye Doucouré is a must and if club captain Troy Deeney can stay on the pitch, he missed seven games last season due to suspension, they may have enough to survive for another season.

Chris Hughton spent £17m, a club record fee, on Iran winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh to ensure Brighton stay in the Premier League for a second season.

Jahanbakhsh scored 21 goals for AZ Alkmaar last season but the Eredivisie is a totally different proposition from the Premier League.

Hughton also parted with £15m to sign midfielder Yves Bissouma to add steel to the middle of the park.

While both players are unknown quantities, Brighton fan's will be encouraged to see the club spending money.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh played in all three group games for Iran in the World Cup.

Despite his ageing legs, Glenn Murray goals were vital in keeping The Seagulls up last season.

If he can repeat that form, they should retain their Premier League status.

Like Brighton, Huddersfield Town signed players that are not familiar with the Premier League.

Juninho Bacuna and Adama Diakhaby could be considered gambles.

Erik Durm is a good addition and Ramadan Sobhi played for Stoke City last season. 

Ramadan Sobhi will hope he doesn't suffer back-to-back relegations.

The Terriers only scored 28 goals last season, joint worse with Swansea City, and have not strengthened their attack enough.

The Championship beckons for them.

Sofiane Boufal and Dusan Tadic leaving Southampton came as a surprise but Mohamed Elyounoussi and Stuart Armstrong are good replacements.

Stuart Armstrong left Celtic to join Southampton.

Mark Hughes knows the league well and with a full pre-season with his players, their relegations troubles from last season are behind them.

Fulham return to the Premier League after a four year absence with the sole purpose of retaining their status in the division.

Jean Michaël Seri is a major coup, so is World Cup winner André Schürrle, Alfie Mawson was one of the few players who could hold their head high after Swansea's relegation and Calum Chambers has a point to prove after being loaned out by Arsenal again.

Jean Michaël Seri chose Fulham over several European teams.

Those new players along with Aleksandar Mitrović, Ryan Sessegnon and the man who's goal won the Play-off Final Tom Cairney, should ensure Fulham stay up.

Wolves won the Championship at a canter last season, they spent big to come up and have done the same to remain in the 'best league in the world'.

João Moutinho and Rui Patricio are a shrewd signings, their experience could be vital in helping them stay up.

João Mourinho was a surprise signing from Monaco.

If playmaker Rúben Neves can duplicate his form from last season then Wolves have a good chance of staying up.

They may need add some more fire power before the transfer window closes as Raúl Jiménez is unproven at this level.

Cardiff haven't added enough depth to their squad while Josh Murphy and Bobby Reid are good Championship players but are not good enough for the Premier League.

It will be a swift return to the Championship for Neil Warnock's men unless they make some serious acquisitions before deadline day.

Bobby Reid left Bristol City to join Cardiff in the Premier League.

Predicted Premier League table:

1. Manchester City
2. Liverpool
3. Manchester United
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Chelsea
7. West Ham United
8. Everton
9. Leicester City
10. Watford
11. Bournemouth
12. Newcastle United
13. Southampton
14. Crystal Palace
15. Wolves
16. Brighton
17. Burnley
18. Fulham
19. Cardiff City
20. Huddersfield

Transfer deadline day, August 2016 round-up.

Jack Wilshere joined Bournemouth on loan from Arsenal in the most surprising move on transfer deadline day. The 24-year-old has only featured in two games the season, both off the bench, and has moved to the South Coast in search of first team football ahead of Euro 2016.                       

The record-breaking window, Premier League clubs spend over £1billion in a transfer window for the first time, saw 13 teams break their transfer record, with champions Leicester City shattering it twice - £16m on Ahmed Musa and £30m for Islam Slimani.

Chelsea resigned David Luiz from Paris Saint-Germain for £34m two years after he left Stamford Bridge to join the French champions for £50m.

The Blues also spent £23m on former Bolton left-back Marcos Alonso, who signed from Fiorentina, while Loic Remy left Stamford Bridge to join Crystal Palace for the rest of the season.

Arsenal fans finally had some good transfer news as the Gunners addressed their problem area's, namely defense and up-front, with the captures of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez from Valencia and Deportivo La Coruna respectively.

Tottenham Hotspur added Euro 2016 runner up Moussa Sissoko to their squad, he cost £30m from Newcastle United and took their total spending to £70m.

Paul Pogba became the most expensive player in the world when he joined Manchester United from Juventus for £89m last month but the Red Devils did not sign anybody on transfer deadline day.

Their 'Noisy Neighbours' Manchester City also did their business early in the transfer window but Joe Hart left the club on deadline day to join Torino on loan for the remainder of the 2016/17 campaign.

Samir Nasri and Wilfred Bony followed Hart out of the Etihad exit door, with the former Arsenal player moving to Sevilla and the Ivorian signing for Stoke City.

West Ham United added World Cup 2010 winner Alvaro Arbeloa to their squad on a free transfer after he was released from Real Madrid.

The Hammers allowed Enner Valencia to sign for Everton for the rest of the 2016/17 season.

Promoted Burnley spent £10.5m on Jeff Hendrick from Derby Country while the other teams that came up, Hull City and Middlesbrough, signed Dieumerci Mbokani and Adama Traore.

Liverpool did not make any signings on deadline day but they let Mario Balotelli leave the club for Nice.

The Premier League is on a break due to Internationals fixtures, we will see how the new signings fit into their teams on September 10^th.

For a complete list of transfers during the summer window click here.

Everything you need to know: 2014/15 Premier League preview.

The wait is over, after 97 days the Premier League is back!

Last season was one of the best in it's 22 year history and the 2014/15 season could be even better.

Defending champions Manchester City spent £50 million in pre-season on Bruno Zuculini, Willy Caballero, Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando. Chelsea legend Frank Lampard joined on loan (from New York City FC) and former Arsenal right-back Bacary Sagna signed on a free transfer. City have never retained the league title in their history and should be considered favorites this season.

Last seasons runners up Liverpool lost their star man and the league's top scorer Luis Suarez to Barcelona, how his replacements get on will determine what kind of campaign they have.

Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Lazar Markovic represent good signings but replacing Suarez is a tall order. The Reds are in the Champions League again for the first time since 2009/10 and that fact could have a bearing on where they finish in the league, getting into the top four will be considered a good season for them.

Jose Mourinho has added top quality to his squad in Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas. Didier Drogba has come 'home' and the return of Thibaut Courtois (he spent three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid) is a bonus as Petr Cech showed signs of vulnerability last season. John Terry has signed a contract extension and they won't miss Ashley Cole as Luis Filipe is a class replacement, Chelsea will run Manchester City very close in the title race.

Another pre-season, another captain has departed the FA Cup holders. Thomas Vermaelen has joined Barcelona leaving Arsenal short of defensive cover.

Alexis Sanchez is a great addition and David Ospina will provide competition for Wojciech Szczesny but the lack of a clinical striker needs to be addressed (before the transfer window closes on September 1st) if Arsenal are to win the league for the first time since 2003/04.

The return of Theo Walcott will be a big boost for the Gunners and Mesut Ozil will be better in his second season in the Premier League, a top four place is guaranteed.

All eyes at Goodison Park will be on £28million man Romelu Lukaku. The Belgium international has made his loan move from Chelsea permanent and scored 15 goals in 31 games last term.

With a new contract and a World Cup appearance under his belt, Ross Barkley has a big future ahead of him. The 20-year-old possess immense talent and will need to shine if Everton want to improve on their 5th place finish last season.

No £100million spending spree for Tottenham Hotspurs this summer, so it's time for players like Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela to prove their worth. The Lily Whites did splash out £25m on Michael Vorm, Eric Dier, DeAndre Yedlin, Frederico Fazio and Benjamin Stamboli.

Emmanuel Adebayor and Christian Eriksen had fine seasons last time out and new manager Mauricio Pochettino will hope their form continues. They don't have a big enough squad to compete for both domestic and Europa league's competitions so a FA or League cup win will be a good season for Spurs.

Things can only get better at Manchester United after their abysmal 2013/14 season.

Their new manager Louis van Gaal will hope to restore pride in the Old Trafford dressing room and get the Red Devils back into the Champions League.

Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera are brilliant signings but recruiting  a combative midfielder is a necessity. They also need to sign a center-back or two as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have left.

New captain Wayne Rooney will blossom in the role and a fit Robin van Persie will ensure United will be competitive again.

New manager Ronald Koeman will hope he can keep Southampton in the league after they lost most of their squad during pre-season. Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers are just a few names who departed the Saints but Shane Long, Ryan Bertrand and Florin Gardos are decent replacements.

Stoke achieved their highest ever finish in the Premier League last season (9th) and Mark Hughes will want to build on that. Bojan Kricic can either be the signing of the summer or he will follow the pattern of his career since he was billed as the “next big thing” at Barcelona and be a disappointment.

Alan Pardew will hope to stay out of the limelight in 2014/15. He was banned from stadiums for three games and the touchline for four matches last season after headbutting Hull's David Meyler.

New signings Siem De Jong and Remy Cabella will help fill the void left by Yohan Cabaye's departure in January.

It was a quiet summer for Crystal Palace until Tony Pulis left the club by "mutual consent" on Thursday. It is rumored Pulis left after falling out with chairman Steve Parish over transfers, they have only spent money on two players.

Pulis will be a huge loss to the Eagles, he took over when they were bottom of the league and helped them to a decent 11th place. They might struggle to stay up without his guile and experience.

Swansea's only target for this season will be remaining in the Premier League as they flirted with relegation towards the end of last season.

Gylfi Sigurdsson and Baferimbi Gomis are good players but losing Michel Vorm and Michu (on loan) could come back to haunt them, keeping Wilfried Bony at the Liberty is vital to their survival hopes.

After achieving a "miracle" last season to beat the drop, Gus Poyet's Sunderland will hope to move up the table but a repeat of the double over fierce rivals Newcastle will make their fans happy. If he realises his potential, Jack Rodwell will be one of the bargains of the summer.

Speculation was rampant during the summer that West Ham were going to "part company" with manager Sam Allardyce but he stayed. His team are expected to play more entertaining football and the capture of Ecuador's World Cup star Enner Valencia (he scored three goals in Brazil) will help achieve that.

If Ravel Morrison can focus on football he will be an asset to his team and the appointment of Teddy Sheringham as an attacking coach could prove a master stroke. A mid-table finish is in the horizon.

Ron Vlaar's reputation sky rocketed after a fantastic World Cup so it is important Aston Villa keep hold of him.

The additions of experienced campaigners like Philippe Senderos, Joe Cole and Kieran Richardson will add a little nous to Villa's young squad in a season where they may just need it.

New assistant manager Roy Keane will do his best to make sure Villa push for a place in Europe this season.

Hull qualified for Europe for the first time ever last season (FA Cup runners up) and it will be interesting to see how they cope with the demands of playing Thursday-Sunday.

West Bromwich Albion and promoted teams Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Leicester City will hope to stay in the division.