Premier League depth chart for all 20 teams: Who is key?

It has been over a month since the start of the Premier League season, and with the transfer window closed until Jan. 1, there will be no more incomings or outgoings unless a free agent (David de Gea, anyone?) can be snapped up.

As teams start to hit their stride, and the new additions from the summer become accustomed to their surroundings, it’s time to take a look at where the players stand in their respective squads.

Here’s a depth chart of the best options for the first XI and backup XI for all 20 clubs in the league. Of course, it’s hard to predict who could be called upon as the fixtures pile up, but the below should give you an idea of how strong each team is.

(Note: Each player appears in the main squad list once, even if he could fit into multiple spots. We have also included injured players, though those likely to be out for the season are noted separately.)

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ARSENAL

Goalkeeper: Aaron Ramsdale, David Raya, Karl Hein
Right-back: Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Cédric
Left-back: Oleksandr Zinchenko, Lino Sousa
Centre-back: William Saliba, Gabriel, Jakub Kiwior, Jurriën Timber
Defensive midfield: Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Mohamed Elneny
Central midfield: Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira
Forward: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Reiss Nelson
Striker: Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah

FIRST XI (4-1-2-3)

Raya
White – Saliba – Gabriel – Zinchenko
Rice
Ødegaard – Havertz
Saka – Jesus – Martinelli

SECOND XI (4-1-2-3)

Ramsdale
Partey – Tomiyasu – Kiwior – Cedric
Jorginho
Trossard – Vieira
Nelson – Nketiah – Smith Rowe

EXTRAS: Hein, Sousa, Elneny
LONG-TERM INJURY: Timber

Last season’s Premier League runners-up do look stronger in depth compared to last season — who would have thought Ramsdale’s place as No. 1 would be in jeopardy before the signing of Raya — but a long-term injury to new arrival Timber has made them vulnerable at the back. There is a lack of natural left-backs (after Kieran Tierney left on loan) in the squad, but that is mitigated by manager Mikel Arteta choosing to play inverted full-backs and having several versatile players who can feature across the defensive line without any real drop in quality.

In midfield, £100 million addition Rice can singlehandedly take care of the anchor role, yet Partey and Jorginho can step up if Arteta desires an extra holding presence. Though yet to convince after arriving for £65m, Havertz also allows for shuffling and positional mobility in midfield and attack, which lessens the need for more players.

That said, as much as Nketiah is on the ascent, it might transpire as the season progresses that Arsenal missed a trick by not signing another No. 9 in the summer.

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ASTON VILLA

GK: Emiliano Martínez, Robin Olsen, Filip Marshall
RB: Matty Cash, Calum Chambers
LB: Lucas Digne, Álex Moreno
CB: Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Diego Carlos, Clément Lenglet, Pau Torres, Kortney Hause
CM: Boubacar Kamara, Leander Dendoncker, Douglas Luiz, Youri Tielemans, Tim Iroegbunam
FW: Moussa Diaby, Nicolò Zaniolo, Leon Bailey, Emiliano Buendía, Bertrand Traore, Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn, Omari Kellyman
ST: Ollie Watkins, Jhon Durán

FIRST XI (4-4-2)

Martinez
Cash – Konsa – Torres – Moreno
McGinn – Kamara – Luiz – Ramsey
Diaby – Watkins

SECOND XI (4-4-2)

Olsen
Chambers – Diego Carlos – Lenglet – Digne
Bailey – Dendoncker – Tielemans – Zaniolo
Duran – Traore

EXTRAS: Marshall, Hause, Kellyman, Iroegbunam
LONG-TERM INJURY: Mings, Buendia

Having spent ambitiously over recent transfer windows, Villa’s squad looks particularly strong through the spine, and once key players such as Mings and Ramsey are back from injury, the side will be more settled. Given the number of central defenders he has, manager Unai Emery often switches in-game to a back three when out of possession, making it hard to define their shape.

Finding game time for the defenders and the regular composition of the midfield are intriguing issues — as well as how to use Tielemans’ attacking instinct without sacrificing one of their two regular holding players. However, the wealth of quality players through the spine is a boost, especially given that the addition of European football will see rotation required.

Any injury to Watkins up front, though, might be more of a concern to Emery. Behind the top scorer there’s only the unproven — albeit highly promising — Colombian teenager Duran to accommodate the No. 9 role.

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BOURNEMOUTH

GK: Neto, Ionut Radu, Darren Randolph
RB: Max Aarons, Adam Smith, Ryan Fredericks
LB: Milos Kerkez
CB: Marcos Senesi, Illia Zabarnyi, Lloyd Kelly, Chris Mepham
DM: Tyler Adams, Philip Billing, Gavin Kilkenny
CM: Alex Scott, Lewis Cook, Joe Rothwell, Hamed Traoré, Emiliano Marcondes
FW: Marcus Tavernier, Justin Kluivert, Dango Ouattara, David Brooks, Luis Sinisterra, Ryan Christie
ST: Dominic Solanke, Kieffer Moore, Antoine Semenyo

FIRST XI (4-2-3-1)

Neto
Aarons – Zabarnyi – Senesi – Kerkez
Billing – Adams
Christie – Scott – Kluivert
Solanke

SECOND XI (4-2-3-1)

Radu
Smith – Mepham – Kelly – Fredericks
Cook – Rothwell
Tavernier – Brooks – Sinisterra
Semenyo

EXTRAS: Randolph, Kilkenny, Marcondes, Ouattara, Traore, Moore

Previously recognised for cautious spending, Bournemouth’s £100m summer outlay has resulted in a fairly evenly matched squad in terms of quality. In most areas there’s sufficient cover — with the possible exception of left-back and centre-forward — and, in comparison to the other relegation candidates, manager Andoni Iraola should be quite comfortable in rotating freely in midfield and attack.

At centre-back and central midfield there’s plenty of competition, while there’s plenty of choice in the the wide areas too. Once injury-free, summer signings such as Adams and Scott will have space made for them through the middle, while Iraola has options to make an impact off the bench if things aren’t going to plan. Bournemouth have built a reliable squad with a fine blend of dependable experienced performers and up-and-coming talent that might exceed expectations.

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BRENTFORD

GK: Mark Flekken, Thomas Strakosha, Ellery Balcombe
RB: Aaron Hickey, Mads Roerslev
LB: Rico Henry
CB: Nathan Collins, Kristoffer Ajer, Ethan Pinnock, Ben Mee, Zanka Jørgensen, Charlie Goode
DM: Vitaly Janelt, Christian Nørgaard
CM: Mathias Jensen, Josh Dasilva, Frank Onyeka, Shandon Baptiste, Saman Ghoddos, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Michael Olakigbe
FW: Yoane Wissa, Mikkel Damsgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter, Bryan Mbeumo, Kevin Schade
ST: Ivan Toney, Neal Maupay

FIRST XI (4-3-3)

Flekken
Roerslev – Collins – Pinnock – Hickey
Janelt – Nørgaard – Jensen
Mbeumo – Maupay – Wissa

SECOND XI (4-3-3)

Strakosha
Ajer – Mee – Jørgensen – Dasilva
Onyeka – Ghoddos – Yaromlyuk
Schade – Lewis-Potter – Damsgaard

EXTRAS: Balcombe, Jørgensen, Goode, Olakigbe, Baptiste
LONG-TERM INJURY: Henry
LONG-TERM ABSENCE: Toney

Widely recognised for their strong organisation and functionality on the pitch, as well as their method and invention off it, Brentford leave little to chance when it comes to the transfer market or squad building. New signing Flekken has slotted in well in goal, and though the prospects of him getting a game are low, Strakosha is among the strongest backup keepers in the league.

At full-back, Hickey and Henry are there to play every week and the number of centre-backs in the squad allow Thomas Frank to field a back three if he desires (which he often does, particularly against the bigger teams or away from home.)

In central midfield, Janelt, Nørgaard and Jensen are solidly first-choice. But understandably, the suspension of striker Ivan Toney has left Brentford short in the centre-forward department, although the likes of Schade, Maupay, Mbeumo and Wissa can chip in with goals up front.

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BRIGHTON

GK: Bart Verbruggen, Jason Steele, Tom McGill
RB: Joël Veltman, James Milner,
LB: Pervis Estupiñán, Tariq Lamptey
CB: Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster, Igor Julio, Jan van Hecke
DM: Billy Gilmour, Mahmoud Dahoud
CM: Pascal Gross, Carlos Baleba, Jakub Moder, Adam Lallana
FW: Julio Enciso, João Pedro, Ansu Fati, Kaoru Mitoma, Facundo Buonanotte, Solly March, Simon Adingra
ST: Evan Ferguson, Danny Welbeck

FIRST XI (4-2-3-1)

Steele
Veltman – Dunk – Webster – Estupiñán
Gross – Dahoud
March – Joao Pedro – Mitoma
Ferguson

SECOND XI (4-2-3-1)

Verbruggen
Milner – Van Hecke – Igor – Lamptey
Gilmour – Baleba
Adringa – Lallana – Ansu
Welbeck

EXTRAS: McGill, Moder, Enciso, Buonanotte

As expected, savvy Brighton were never tempted to spend the £170m gained from the summer exits of key players Moisés Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Robert Sánchez on one or two new arrivals. Instead they intelligently stuck to their plan of using a mix of youth and experience that Roberto De Zerbi can hone.

This season, De Zerbi has even rotated his goalkeeper — whether a sign of strength or uncertainty, the No. 1 spot is hardly a weak point. Whereas the defence might look slim in numbers, the Italian manager’s preference of fielding two centre-backs means that four centre-backs — of which three can cover at full-back too — should suffice. Perhaps a more defined, old-school defensive midfielder is lacking now that Caicedo has left, but the double pivot makes the task of covering the back line less dependent on one player.

If the defence and defensive midfield look somewhat austere, Brighton have a plethora of options in the final third, and the space behind the centre-forward is loaded with a lot of talent. With March and Mitoma the first names on team sheet out wide, Enciso, Pedro, Ansu and young newcomer Adingra can all be X factors who link up behind or around 19-year-old superstar Ferguson.

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BURNLEY

GK: James Trafford, Aro Muric, Lawrence Vigouroux
RB: Connor Roberts, Vitinho, CJ Egan-Riley
LB: Charlie Taylor
CB: Jordan Beyer, Hjalmar Ekdal, Dara O’Shea, Ameen Al Dakhil, Hannes Delcroix
DM: Sander Berge, Han-Noah Massengo, Jack Cork,
CM: Josh Brownhill, Josh Cullen, Aaron Ramsey, Benson Manuel
FW: Mike Tresor, Anass Zaroury, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Darko Churlinov, Nathan Redmond, Wilson Odobert, Johann Gudmundsson, Luca Koleosho
ST: Zeki Amdouni, Lyle Foster, Michael Obafemi, Jay Rodriguez

FIRST XI (4-4-2)

Trafford
Roberts – Al-Dakhil – Beyer – Taylor
Gudmundsson – Berge – Cullen – Koleosho
Amdouni – Foster

SECOND XI (4-4-2)

Muric
Vitinho – Ekdal – O’Shea – Delcroix
Bruun-Larsen – Brownhill – Cork – Redmond
Zaroury – Rodriguez

EXTRAS: Vigouroux, Massengo, Egan-Riley, Benson, Ramsey, Odobert, Tresor, Obafemi

With more than a dozen new signings added to the squad that ran away with the Championship last season, Burnley’s best XI is hard to decipher. Three straight defeats (11 goals conceded) from their opening Premier League fixtures would have done little to mitigate the confusion as to how Vincent Kompany is going to mould a functioning unit.

Last season’s No. 1 goalkeeper, Muric, has been dropped in favour of young Trafford. The shortage of left-footed left-backs is an area of concern, whereas centre-backs are in abundance — though finding the ideal paring will remain a challenge. New arrival Berge should work well alongside Cullen in the centre of midfield, while the multitude of wide options might leave Kompany more mystified than enlightened.

As for the forward threat, much hinges on the wonderfully talented but inexperienced Amdouni to provide goals and creativity, though Foster has had an encouraging start to the season.

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CHELSEA

GK: Robert Sánchez, Djordje Petrovic, Lukas Bergström
RB: Reece James, Malo Gusto
LB: Marc Cucurella, Ben Chilwell, Ian Maatsen
CB: Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill, Malang Sarr, Trevoh Chalobah
DM: Moisés Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Lesley Ugochukwu
CM: Conor Gallagher, Carney Chukwuemeka, Enzo Fernández
FW: Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku
ST: Nicolas Jackson, Armando Broja, Deivid Washington, Alex Matos

FIRST XI (3-4-2-1)

Sanchez
Disasi – Silva – Colwill
James – Fernandez – Gallagher – Chilwell
Sterling – Nkunku
Jackson

SECOND XI (3-4-2-1)

Petrovic
Chalobah – Sarr – Badiashile
Gusto – Caicedo – Lavia – Cucurella
Palmer – Mudryk
Deivid

EXTRAS: Bergström, Maatsen, Ugochukwu, Chukwuemeka, Madueke, Broja, Matos
LONG-TERM INJURY: Fofana

Chelsea have undergone a massive squad revamp to the tune of over £1 billion over the past three transfer windows … and it shows. While some established names have departed, to be replaced by players of potential in their late teens or early 20s, the result is a pretty much a blank canvas that is going to give manager Mauricio Pochettino joy and headache in equal measure.

There’s some exceptional talent at centre-back, yet, even amid Fofana’s long-term injury, there are way too many players in competition for a first-team place. That has been complicated by 38-year-old Thiago Silva — whose leadership skills are desperately needed on the pitch — being the least droppable of them all, which inevitably will lead to some youngsters not getting any games.

Pochettino is up against a similar selection dilemma in the centre of midfield. Caicedo, Ugochukwu, Lavia and Fernandez cost a combined £300m in 2023, but it’s academy star Gallagher who has started every game this season so far. Having such an impressive array of wonderful young players is considered a luxury, but it can equally lead to unrest and season-long tinkering with selection. The signs (and results) so far haven’t been good.

Further up the pitch things look slightly less cluttered, but only just. Apart from Broja — who might not feature in the club’s plans at all — a quality centre-forward is lacking with Romelu Lukaku loaned out again and, except for Sterling and the injured Nkunku, few of the other attackers have proven themselves at the top level.

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CRYSTAL PALACE

GK: Dean Henderson, Sam Johnstone, Remi Matthews
RB: Joel Ward, Nathaniel Clyne
LB: Tyrick Mitchell
CB: Marc Guehi, Joachim Andersen, Chris Richards, Rob Holding, James Tomkins, Nathan Ferguson
DM: Cheick Doucouré, Jefferson Lerma, Jairo Riedewald
CM: Naouirou Ahamada, Matheus França, Will Hughes
FW: Eberechi Eze, Jeff Schlupp, Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Malcolm Ebiowei, Michael Olise
ST: Odsonne Édouard, Jordan Ayew, Jean-Philippe Mateta

FIRST XI (4-2-3-1)

Henderson
Ward – Andersen – Guehi – Mitchell
Doucoure – Lerma
Olise – Eze – Schlupp
Edouard

SECOND XI (4-2-3-1)

Johnstone
Clyne – Holding – Richards – Schlupp
Ahamada – Hughes
Rak-Sakyi – Matheus Franca – Ayew
Mateta

EXTRAS: Matthews, Tomkins, Riedewald, Ebiowei

While the signing of Henderson puts pressure on Johnstone between the posts, the defence looks vulnerable in the event of injuries. Holding is a steady addition, yet a left-footed centre-back might have come in handy too. Though Holding looks unlikely to break up the consistent Andersen-Guehi partnership, he might be needed at right-back as Ward and Clyne aren’t getting any younger.

Doucoure and Lerma cover ground and protect the back four; however, looking beyond them, there’s little strength in depth. Attacking midfielders Olise and Eze are fundamental in terms of creativity and ball-carrying but a long-term injury to either would heavily compromise manager Roy Hodgson’s plans.

Edouard has started the season brightly, and that needs to continue as neither Mateta nor Ayew is likely to take their goal scoring into double figures.

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EVERTON

GK: Jordan Pickford, João Virgínia, Andy Lonergan
RB: Nathan Patterson, Seamus Coleman
LB: Vitalii Mykolenko, Ashley Young
CB: Michael Keane, Ben Godfrey, James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite
DM: Amadou Onana, James Garner, Idrissa Gueye
CM: André Gomes, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Dele Alli
FW: Arnaut Danjuma, Jack Harrison, Dwight McNeil, Lewis Dobbin
ST: Beto, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Youssef Chermiti

FIRST XI (4-2-3-1)

Pickford
Patterson – Tarkowski – Branthwaite – Young
Onana – Gueye
Harrison – Doucoure – Danjuma
Calvert-Lewin

SECOND XI

Virginia
Coleman – Godfrey – Keane – Mykolenko
Garner – Gomes
McNeil – Alli – Dobbin
Beto

EXTRAS: Lonergan, Harrison, Chermiti

To no one’s surprise, Sean Dyche’s squad carries all the hallmarks of a club in constant turmoil. Everton have been through a seemingly endless turnover of managers and players in recent years and Dyche has inherited a squad while not being able to fully make his own mark due to financial constraints.

In addition to lacking an adequate backup to Pickford in goal, Dyche had to resort to bringing in the versatile 38-year-old Young on a free transfer to provide more options in defence and midfield. Luckily for Everton, the core from centre-back through centre of midfield looks reasonably dependable, but much up front depends on getting Calvert-Lewin back on the pitch as Beto and Chermiti are both unknown quantities in the Premier League.

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FULHAM

GK: Bernd Leno, Marek Rodak, Steven Benda
RB: Timothy Castagne, Kenny Tete
LB: Antonee Robinson, Fodé Ballo-Touré
CB: Calvin Bassey, Tim Ream, Issa Diop, Tosin Adarabioyo
DM: João Palhinha
CM: Sasa Lukic, Harrison Reed, Alex Iwobi, Andreas Pereira, Tom Cairney, Luke Harris
FW: Adama Traoré, Willian, Harry Wilson, Bobby De Cordova-Reid,
ST: Raúl Jiménez, Carlos Vinicius, Rodrigo Muniz

FIRST XI (4-3-3)

Leno
Tete – Diop – Ream – Robinson
Reed – Palhinha – Pereira
Wilson – Jimenez – Willian

SECOND XI (4-3-3)

Rodak
Castagne – Adarabioyo – Bassey – Ballo-Toure
Lukic – Cairney – Iwobi
De Cordova-Reid – Carlos Vinicius – Traore

EXTRAS: Benda, Rodrigo Muniz, Harris

Unusually for Fulham, the squad avoided wholesale changes in the summer. However, some of the key positions are not free of doubts. While the defence is stable, tried and tested — with arguably more cover at full-back than in the middle — the midfield only looks adequate when injury-free. Thankfully for Marco Silva, the club managed to extend the contract of influential holding midfielder Palhinha after his late move to Bayern Munich didn’t materialise. Without the Portugal international, Fulham’s spine would have weakened dramatically.

Iwobi adds energy and consistency, but though there are several attacking players who can provide spark and imagination in wide areas, one wonders whether there’s enough end product up front to make up for the departed Aleksandar Mitrovic.

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LIVERPOOL

GK: Alisson Becker, Caoimhin Kelleher, Adrian
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold
LB: Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas
CB: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Joe Gomez, Joël Matip, Jarell Quansah
DM: Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic
CM: Alexis Mac Allister, Thiago, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai, James Mcconnell
FW: Luis Díaz, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Ben Doak
ST: Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota

FIRST XI (4-3-3)

Alisson
Alexander-Arnold – Konate – Van Dijk – Robertson
Szoboszlai – Mac Allister – Jones
Salah – Nunez – Diaz

SECOND XI (4-3-3)

Kelleher
Gomez – Matip – Quansah – Tsimikas
Elliott – Endo – Thiago
Doak – Jota – Gakpo

EXTRAS: Adrian, Bajetic, Mcconnell, Gravenberch

Curiously, after a host of central midfield exits this summer, one could easily argue that — after some intensive August transfer activity — it appears the strongest area of the squad. The much-debated anchor role might not be to Mac Allister’s preference, but he has taken the challenge in his stride (despite being substituted at half-time against Wolves). The Argentina international dropping deep frees up space for the No. 8 role, where Liverpool have plenty of options. However, if Szoboszlai and Jones keep performing to their current levels, new signings Endo and Gravenberch might be reduced to becoming mere rotation players.

Liverpool kept Salah out of the clutches of Saudi Arabia in the end, so their attack is well stocked — with an array of technically and tactically diverse profiles — but the squad is short in numbers defensively. The lack of a top-level centre-back — who could also fill in at right-back — to cover for Konaté or Van Dijk is clear.

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LUTON TOWN

GK: Thomas Kaminski, Tim Krul, James Shea
RB: Issa Kaboré
LB: Ryan Giles, Alfie Doughty, Dan Potts, Amari’i Bell
CB: Tom Lockyer, Teden Mengi, Mads Andersen, Reece Burke, Gabriel Osho
DM: Marvelous Nakamba, Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu, Albert Sambi Lokonga
CM: Ross Barkley, Jordan Clark, Luke Berry
FW: Chiedozie Ogbene, Tahith Chong
ST: Carlton Morris, Elijah Adebayo, Jacob Brown, Cauley Woodrow

FIRST XI (5-2-1-2)

Kaminski
Kabore – Andersen – Lockyer – Bell – Giles
Nakamba – Barkley
Chong
Morris – Adebayo

SECOND XI (5-2-1-2)

Krul
Mengi – Burke – Osho – Potts – Doughty
Lokonga – Mpanzu
Ogbene
Brown – Woodrow

EXTRAS: Shea, Berry, Clark

Luton are facing a dilemma common to newly promoted sides. While there might be competition for places — proven by manager Rob Edwards having already utilised a fair part of his squad during the opening weeks of the Premier League — it’ll still take some time to learn which players can be depended on at the highest level.

With a limited budget in the summer transfer market, Luton failed to land any proven top-level reinforcements, opting to add versatility and bolster the core of the team. As much as there might be cover in most positions, bar right-back, Edwards is unlikely to avoid the drop by turning to the bench. If Luton are to stay up, it’ll have to be down to the collective, rather than individuals.

In midfield, the one player with some pedigree, former Everton and Chelsea star Barkley, may be shifted forward into a more defined No. 10 role with the arrival of Sambi Lokonga on loan from Arsenal, which might provide some imagination going forward. Up front, the “double No. 9” partnership of Adebayo and Morris proved effective in the Championship but there’s little so far to suggest they’ll repeat that impact.

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MANCHESTER CITY

GK: Éderson, Stefan Ortega, Zack Steffen, Scott Carson
RB: Kyle Walker, Rico Lewis
LB: Josko Gvardiol, Sergio Gomez
CB: Rúben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Aké
DM: Rodri, Kalvin Phillips, Matheus Nunes
CM: Kevin De Bruyne, Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva
FW: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Jérémy Doku, Oscar Bobb
ST: Erling Haaland, Julián Álvarez

FIRST XI (4-2-3-1)

Éderson
Walker – Akanji – Dias – Gvardiol
Rodri – De Bruyne
Foden – Álvarez – Silva
Haaland

SECOND XI (4-2-3-1)

Ortega
Lewis – Stones – Ake – Gomez
Phillips – Nunes
Bobb – Kovacic – Doku
Grealish

EXTRAS: Steffen, Carson

You’ll note that Manchester City have only 20 outfield players, with four goalkeepers. That shows that proper squad management can look relatively straightforward when you’re winning and certainly when it’s conducted by a head coach who regards each player as multipositional with no ceiling to their abilities.

With that in mind, Pep Guardiola sees no need for an excessive head count and appreciates that less can be more when it comes to keeping a group of competitive young athletes motivated. Some may argue an experienced left-back wouldn’t go amiss, or there’s room for an out-and-out centre-forward to allow Haaland the occasional breather — especially with Alvarez “undroppable” as a No. 10 in Kevin De Bruyne’s recent injury absence. But for a head coach who has used inverted full-backs and “false No. 9s,” makes a total footballer out of a centre-back in Stones and readily switches formations, there’s little point in adding to the squad for the sake of it.

In fact, once the injured De Bruyne and Stones return to action, he’ll have a real puzzle on his hands.

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MANCHESTER UNITED

GK: André Onana, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Diogo Dalot
LB: Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Sergio Reguilon
CB: Lisandro Martínez, Raphaël Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf, Jonny Evans
DM: Casemiro, Sofyan Amrabat
CM: Christian Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek, Kobbie Mainoo, Hannibal Mejbri, Daniel Gore
FW: Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri, Amad Diallo, Shola Shoretire
ST: Rasmus Højlund, Anthony Martial

FIRST XI (4-2-3-1)

Onana
Wan-Bissaka – Varane – Martinez – Shaw
Casemiro – Amrabat
Antony – Fernandes – Rashford
Højlund

SECOND XI (4-2-3-1)

Bayindir
Dalot – Maguire – Lindelöf – Malacia
Eriksen – McTominay
Pellistri – Mount – Garnacho
Martial

EXTRAS: Heaton, Reguilon, Evans, Mainoo, Mejbri, Van de Beek, Sancho, Diallo, Shoretire

As one of the biggest spenders in Europe over the past decade, there’s no shortage of depth or quality in the Manchester United squad. There are some uncertainties surrounding the goalkeeper — namely, can Onana become the long-term successor to De Gea? — and the perennial failure to upgrade the full-backs, but Erik ten Hag’s squad is undoubtedly strong and the whole second XI is made up of full senior internationals.

What has posed a genuine problem for United, however, is that few arrivals — no matter the transfer fee — manage to perform to their full potential once they arrive at Old Trafford. Having top players unavailable through injury or non-sporting issues (such as Mason Greenwood, Sancho, Antony) doesn’t do much to help their cause either.

– Dawson: Greenwood’s Manchester United case, explained

Ideally, Ten Hag would have liked another central midfielder — preferably a deep-lying playmaker like Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong — and a high-scoring wide forward on the right. And while the £64m signing of 20-year-old prospect Højlund made sense in the long term, a heavy burden rests on the shoulders of the Danish striker — Rashford seems stuck wide on the left and Martial poses little threat — to provide the goals that can keep the club in the running for a Champions League spot.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED

GK: Nick Pope, Martin Dúbravka, Loris Karius
RB: Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, Javier Manquillo
LB: Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Lewis Hall, Paul Dummett
CB: Sven Botman, Fabian Schär, Jamaal Lascelles
DM: Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali
CM: Joelinton, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Lewis Miley
FW: Miguel Almirón, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Murphy, Matt Ritchie
ST: Alexander Isak, Callum Wilson

FIRST XI (4-3-3)

Dúbravka
Trippier – Schär – Botman – Burn
Tonali – Guimarães – Joelinton
Almirón – Isak – Gordon

SECOND XI

Dubravka
Livramento – Lascelles – Dummett – Targett
Longstaff – Willock – Anderson
Murphy – Wilson – Barnes

EXTRAS: Karius, Krafth, Manquillo, Hall, Miley, Ritchie

Taking the Saudi-backed club’s high recent spending into account, manager Eddie Howe may have hoped for a more evenly composed group of players. While the selection of full-backs is among the best in the division, there’s a shortage of a top-level centre-backs to deputise for Schär or Botman. With Lascelles injury-prone, Burn recently had to step in to replace Botman and any long-term issues won’t be easy to sort.

Even in the centre of midfield there might be challenges ahead. While Guimarães, Tonali and Joelinton cut a fine midfield trio, having just Willock, Anderson and Longstaff to compete for places looks somewhat on the short side (though Newcastle narrowly beat Brentford with a new-look midfield.) The attack, meanwhile, looks better equipped to endure a whole season. There’s goal threat, pace and creativity in wide areas, while Isak and Wilson provide healthy competition for each other up front and can both score well into double figures from the No. 9 position.

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NOTTINGHAM FOREST

GK: Matt Turner, Odisseas Vlachodimos, Wayne Hennessey, Ethan Horvath
RB: Sèrge Aurier, Neco Williams, Ola Aina, Gonzalo Montiel
LB: Nuno Tavares, Harry Toffolo
CB: Moussa Niakhate, Felipe, Willy Boly, Andrew Omobamidele, Joe Worrall, Scott McKenna, Murillo
DM: Ibrahim Sangaré, Andrey Santos, Cheikhou Kouyaté
CM: Danilo, Orel Mangala, Nicolás Domínguez, Ryan Yates, Brandon Aguilera
FW: Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi
ST: Taiwo Awoniyi, Chris Wood, Divock Origi

FIRST XI (3-4-2-1)

Turner
Boly – McKenna – Worrall
Aurier – Sangare – Yates – Tavares
Danilo – Gibbs-White
Awoniyi

SECOND XI (3-4-2-1)

Vlachodimos
Omobamidele – Felipe – Niakhate
Montiel – Dominguez – Mangala – Aina
Hudson-Odoi – Elanga
Wood

EXTRAS: Horvath, Murillo, Williams, Toffolo, Kouyaté, Santos, Dennis, Origi

As a result of some frantic activity toward the end of the transfer window, it’s hard to determine how manager Steve Cooper will end up shaping his first XI once all the new signings have been properly assessed. Forest have a fairly settled back three (though 21-year-old Omobamidele will no doubt push for a regular spot) that relies more on organisation than outstanding individuals, while Awoniyi seems a lock for the centre-forward spot, though Wood and Origi will be expecting minutes, too.

While there’s sound competition for the wing-back berths, the centre of midfield might be harder to work out. Record signing Sangaré (£30m from PSV) should be first in the pecking order once he settles into the Premier League, but senior internationals such as Mangala and Dominguez will also expect to play. Chelsea loanee Santos is both talented and versatile and should eventually be in consideration too.

Though the squad is very strong in numbers, the main challenge for Cooper will be to work out his best XI and, without the extra games offered by European football, keep the second XI and beyond happy.

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SHEFFIELD UNITED

GK: Wes Foderingham, Adam Davies, Jordan Amissah
RB: Jayden Bogle, George Baldock
LB: Yasser Larouci, Max Lowe, Luke Thomas, Rhys Norrington-Davies
CB: Anel Ahmedhodzic, Auston Trusty, John Egan, Jack Robinson, Chris Basham, Rhys Norrington-Davies
DM: Gustavo Hamer, Vinicius Souza, Oliver Norwood
CM: Tom Davies, James McAtee, Anis Slimane, Ismaila Coulibaly, Ben Osborn, John Fleck, Andre Brooks
FW: Bénie Traoré
ST: Cameron Archer, Oliver McBurnie, Daniel Jebbison, William Osula, Rhian Brewster

FIRST XI (3-5-2)

Foderingham
Ahmedhodzic – Robinson – Egan
Baldock – Hamer – Norwood – Souza – Osborn
Traoré – Archer

SECOND XI (3-5-2)

Davies
Trusty – Basham – Lowe
Bogle – Slimane – McAtee – Coulibaly – Thomas
McBurnie – Osula

EXTRAS: Amissah, Davies, Larouci, Norrington-Davies, Brooks, Fleck, Jebbison, Brewster

The Blades may have lost two of their most prominent players (Berge and Iliman Ndiaye), but they appear to have recruited well and compared to the other newly promoted sides they look the more solid unit.

As a result of Paul Heckingbottom’s clear brand of football — well-organised and with distinctly defined roles — the collective is paramount for Sheffield United. Defensively, Heckingbottom relies on the back three that proved hard to break down last season. Perhaps some extra centre-back cover could have been beneficial, but playing with a back three makes it easier to slot in a wide man or a midfielder if needs be.

There’s healthy competition for places all across midfield — new signing Souza and Hamer looking particularly useful — with plenty of power in the middle and pace in the wide areas. The England under-21 duo of Archer and McAtee bring plenty of X factor, and keeping them fit could be pivotal for survival.

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

GK: Guglielmo Vicario, Fraser Forster, Brandon Austin, Hugo Lloris
RB: Pedro Porro, Emerson Royal
LB: Destiny Udogie, Ben Davies
CB: Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Eric Dier, Ashley Phillips
DM: Pierre-Emile Højberg, Oliver Skipp
CM: Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, Rodrigo Bentancur, James Maddison, Giovani Lo Celso
FW: Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson, Bryan Gil
ST: Son Heung-min, Richarlison, Alejo Veliz

FIRST XI (4-2-3-1)

Vicario
Porro – Romero – Van de Ven – Udogie
Bissouma – Sarr
Kulusevski – Maddison – Johnson
Son

SECOND XI (4-2-3-1)

Forster
Emerson – Dier – Phillips – Davies
Højbjerg – Skipp
Solomon – Bentancur – Gil
Richarlison

EXTRAS: Austin, Lloris, Sessegnon, Lo Celso, Gil, Veliz
LONG-TERM INJURY: Perisic

Many would have expected Spurs to undergo a major revamp in the summer following a disappointing campaign and the exit of star striker Harry Kane, but by way of some smart transfer moves and tactical tweaks they suddenly appear refreshed and reborn. Even players who appeared lost under Antonio Conte have found a new lease of life under new manager Ange Postecoglou.

Perhaps more important than anything else, Spurs seem to have finally landed a complementary central defensive partnership and Vicario has made a good impression as first-choice goalkeeper — though Lloris’ place out of both XIs is a sad end to his 11-year career at the club.

Dier’s fall from favour leaves only young Phillips as a reserve centre-back. In midfield, the emergence of Bissouma and Sarr has already mixed up the pecking order, with seasoned names such as Højberg and Bentancur biding their time for starting roles. Up front, Postecoglou has several interesting alternatives made up of flexible forwards to slot into his fluid system, and with only Sessegnon not having a full senior international cap among players in the second XI, Tottenham will rightfully feel confident that they have strength in depth.

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WEST HAM UNITED

GK: Alphonse Areola, Lukasz Fabianski, Joseph Anang
RB: Ben Johnson, Vladimír Coufal
LB: Emerson, Aaron Cresswell, Maxwel Cornet
CB: Nayef Aguerd, Kurt Zouma, Thilo Kehrer, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Angelo Ogbonna
DM: Edson Álvarez, Tomás Soucek, Conor Coventry
CM: Lucas Paquetá, James Ward-Prowse, Pablo Fornals
FW: Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, Saïd Benrahma
ST: Danny Ings, Michail Antonio, Divin Mubama

FIRST XI (4-2-3-1)

Areola
Coufal – Zouma – Aguerd – Emerson
Álvarez – Soucek
Bowen – Ward-Prowse – Lucas Paquetá
Antonio

SECOND XI (4-2-3-1)

Fabianski
Johnson – Ogbonna – Mavropanos – Cresswell
Kehrer – Coventry
Fornals – Kudus – Benrahma
Ings

EXTRAS: Anang, Cornet, Mubama

Despite losing Rice to Arsenal for £100m in the summer, West Ham look a stronger collective compared to last season. In fact, manager David Moyes — who usually steers clear of excessive rotation — may face some welcome selection challenges over the coming months.

Defensively, the side looks well-covered and balanced with the main question being whether to break up the Zouma-Aguerd partnership to the benefit of new arrival Mavropanos. Similar arguments may be raised when assessing the centre of midfield; Soucek, Alvarez and Ward-Prowse will all be looking to grab starting slots, though the versatility of the latter has seen him successfully fielded in front of the holding duo, which in turn leads to playmaker Paquetá being pushed wide. However, behind the central midfielders, there’s not a great deal of back-up.

In attack, Moyes can choose from Fornals, Benrahma and Kudus for quick feet, impact and tactical variation. The one part of the team that may need reinforcements in January is through the middle. With just Ings and 18-year-old Mubama as out-and-out strikers behind Antonio, Moyes may occasionally have to rely on Bowen or Kudus as makeshift frontmen.

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WOLVES

GK: José Sá, Daniel Bentley, Tom King
RB: Nélson Semedo, Matt Doherty, Jonny
LB: Rayan Aït-Nouri, Hugo Bueno
CB: Max Kilman, Santiago Bueno, Craig Dawson, Tote Gomes
DM: Mario Lemina, Boubacar Traoré, Joseph Hodge
CM: João Gomes, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, Tommy Doyle
FW: Pablo Sarabia, Pedro Neto, Enso Gonzalez, Nathan Fraser
ST: Matheus Cunha, Sasa Kalajdzic, Hwang Hee-chan, Fábio Silva

FIRST XI (4-2-3-1)

Jose Sa
Semedo – Dawson – Kilman – Ait-Nouri
Lemina – Gomes
Sarabia – Bellegarde – Neto
Matheus Cunha

SECOND XI

Bentley
Doherty – S. Bueno – Tote Gomes – H. Bueno
Traoré – Hodge
Hwang – Doyle – Gonzalez
Kalajdzic

EXTRAS: King, Jonny, Fraser, Gonzalez, Silva