From Ange to Z-Cars and handballs to PICKPOCKETS: Mail Sport's A-Z guide to the new Premier League season delivers the key talking points ahead of theĀ 2024-25 campaign
- The Premier League is back and there is plenty to look forward to this seasonĀ
- Man City will be looking to retain their title, but will they be upstaged this year?
- LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off!, available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
The 2024-25 Premier League season gets underway this weekend and there is plenty to look forward too this season.
As ever a raft of new and exciting players will showcase their skills on the world's biggest stage, with some promising talents, including the likes of Joshua Zirkzee, Niclas Fullkrug and Ricardo Calafiori all arriving in the top-flight.Ā
There will be some rule changes, with the PGMOL officials making a couple of key changes to how the game will be policed this year. There will also be talk about financial rules and Profit and Sustainability breaches, as clubs look to avoid sanctions from the Premier League.Ā
Elsewhere, Man City will be looking to retain their title, while several new and returning managers will return to the dug out this season.Ā
As the 2024-25 campaign gets underway, Mail Sport brings you our A-Z guide to the new season.Ā
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A is for AngeĀ
When Postecoglou arrived in the Premier League last summer, he was full of energy and verve. Itās all awesome, mate. But by the end of the season, he was a picture of misery. Tottenham can do that to you. Letās hope the signing of Dominic Solanke brings a twinkle to his eye. We want to see the old Ange back.
B is for the (Tractor) Boys are Back in TownĀ
Ipswichās return to the Premier League after 22 seasons away following back-to-back promotions is a great story and so much is down to manager Kieran McKenna. Ipswich racked up 193 goals and 194 points across the last two seasons with their thrilling style, so itās no wonder big clubs wanted McKenna in the summer.
C is for chargesĀ
The hearing into Manchester Cityās 115 alleged breaches of financial rules is finally expected to begin next month, Leicester could face a points deduction for breaking spending rules the last time they were in the top flight (but probably not until next year), and the investigation into Chelseaās financial dealings under Roman Abramovich is said to be āreaching a conclusionā. Nothing like swift justice.
D is for donāt hit out at VAR
Premier League chiefs have told managers to rein in criticism of any howlers. Some coaches, apparently, blame the constant questions they receive on the subject after matches. Stop asking us about controversial decisions and weāll stop complaining. Good luck with that.
![The signing of Dominic Solanke could bring a twinkle back to the eye of Ange Postecoglou](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88617139-0-image-a-137_1723847008390.jpg)
The signing of Dominic Solanke could bring a twinkle back to the eye of Ange Postecoglou
![The hearing into Manchester Cityās 115 alleged breaches of financial rules is finally expected to begin next month, with Richard Masters speaking out on the matter this week](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88509029-0-image-a-138_1723847062127.jpg)
The hearing into Manchester Cityās 115 alleged breaches of financial rules is finally expected to begin next month, with Richard Masters speaking out on the matter this week
![Premier League chiefs have told managers to rein in criticism of any VAR or refereeing howlers](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88617221-0-image-a-139_1723847141864.jpg)
Premier League chiefs have told managers to rein in criticism of any VAR or refereeing howlers
E is for Erling HaalandĀ
Only two players have won the Premier League golden boot three seasons in a row: Alan Shearer from 1994-95 to 1996-97 and Thierry Henry from 2003-04 to 2005-06. Haalandās 63 goals in 66 games in the last two seasons are 26 more than anyone else so, yes, heās going to do it again.
F is for free-kicks
The days of David Beckham curling them endlessly into the top corner are gone. Only 11 were scored last season, down from an average of 32 per season from 2007 to 2014. Even James Ward-Prowse didnāt bag one. None were scored at Euro 2024. Coaches know youāre unlikely to score so now teams often donāt bother shooting.
G is for greed
A new, unintelligible Champions League format and a massive revamped Club World Cup next summer has left Premier League chiefs so annoyed at the congested calendar that they are taking legal action against FIFA. Still, as long as they can find time for those lucrative pre-season tours.
H is for handballĀ
Howard Webb felt too many soft penalties were given for it last season (heās right) so has told officials to be more lenient with defenders moving in a natural way and especially if balls deflect wildly off another body part. Handball on the line is now only a red card if itās deliberate.
![Howard Webb felt too many soft penalties were given for handball last season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88617223-0-image-a-140_1723847174715.jpg)
Howard Webb felt too many soft penalties were given for handball last seasonĀ
![Julen Lopetegui is the new man in the dugout at West Ham after replacing David Moyes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88617251-0-image-a-141_1723847362674.jpg)
Julen Lopetegui is the new man in the dugout at West Ham after replacing David Moyes
![Omari Kellyman joined Chelsea for Ā£19m this summer and takes their squad total to 43 players](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88617293-0-image-a-142_1723847445566.jpg)
Omari Kellyman joined Chelsea for Ā£19m this summer and takes their squad total to 43 players
I is for Itās All Kicking Offā¦ again...
Not just the new season but also Mail Sportās unmissable, award-nominated podcast with former Premier League winner Chris Sutton and football editor Ian Ladyman. Itās bigger and better than ever.
J is for Julen Lopetegui
West Ham have a new man in the dugout after the departure of David Moyes but will he be the man Hammers fans crave? Lopetegui won the Europa League with Sevilla but is known for his pragmatic, cautious style. A European trophy but slightly dull football? Sounds familiarā¦
K is for Omari Kellyman
Who? Exactly. Heās just another of Chelseaās summer signings. Ā£19million, by the way. Pedro Neto is the latest through the Stamford Bridge door and takes the number of first-team players listed on Chelseaās website to FORTY THREE. Pleased someone is keeping count. Victor Osimhen could still follow from Napoli. New head coach Enzo Maresca can name 20 in his matchday squad for this weekend.
L is for laws
Itās not just handball that has changed; referees will be tough on grappling in the box and goalkeepers holding the ball too long. Encroachment only matters if it affects the result of a penalty and the ball must now hang over the centre of the spot before it is taken. Oh, and five substitutes can now warm up together instead of three.
M is for more goals?Ā
For the past two seasons, weāve seen records broken for the most scored in a 38-game campaign. More stoppage time and better finishing led to 1,246 goals, 162 more than the previous best. Itās never increased three years in a row, though.
N is for no more 100-minute matchesĀ
Last season, officials added an average of 11 minutes 36 seconds of stoppage time as they clamped down on time-wasting. They will do the same again but allow teams 30 seconds to celebrate a goal before they start the clock. They claim this will save 1min 38sec of additional time, which would take the average down to 99min 58sec!
O is for offsides
Semi-automated technology will finally arrive to make those toenail calls more accurate and, crucially, quicker. Just one problem: the Premier League are using a different supplier, Genius Sports, and itās not ready yet. Itās likely to come in after one of the early international breaks.
![Semi-automated technology will be assisted by technology capturing 100 frames per second](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88518149-0-Semi_automated_technology_will_be_assisted_by_technology_capturi-a-143_1723847553248.jpg)
Semi-automated technology will be assisted by technology capturing 100 frames per second
![Mikel Arteta (left) hired professional ones to nab his playersā phones and valuables during a team dinner to teach them the importance of staying alert](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88616639-0-image-a-144_1723847559923.jpg)
Mikel Arteta (left) hired professional ones to nab his playersā phones and valuables during a team dinner to teach them the importance of staying alert
P is for pickpockets
Mikel Arteta hired professional ones to nab his playersā phones and valuables during a team dinner to teach them the importance of staying alert, but will that be enough for Arsenal to pinch the title off mentor Pep Guardiola this season?
Q is for quest for immortality
Guardiola heads into what we expect to be his final season at City with the chance to make it five top-flight titles in a row. No English club have ever done it and City would become only the sixth club in Europeās major leagues to exert such dominance. It would be better for the league if Pep didnāt manage it.
R is for Refereeās Call
Taken from cricketās āUmpireās Callā, it is the new phrase for when VARs decide not to stick their oar in. Nothingās changed, really; itās just a new way of saying that an on-pitch error was not āclear and obviousā. In the words of Alan Partridge and his Mini Metro, āTheyāve rebadged it, you fool!ā
S is for Slotās challenge
Itās no mean feat replacing one of your clubās greatest-ever managers. Just ask David Moyes. To continue Jurgen Kloppās legacy at Liverpool is a daunting task for Arne Slot, especially with no signings and after missing out on midfielder Martin Zubimendi. When you see how important Rodri is to City, not having that kind of player makes Slotās challenge a lot tougher.
T is for tactics
Could we see a shift towards slow, methodical passing football this season? Heavy-metal coaches Klopp, Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto De Zerbi have been replaced by possession kings such as Slot, Maresca and Brightonās Fabian Hurzeler. Lopetegui at West Ham, too. Will that lead to a slump in end-to-end action?
![Itās no mean feat replacing one of your clubās greatest-ever managers and Slott has big boots to fill](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88597155-0-image-a-151_1723847670385.jpg)
![Klopp left the club at the end of last season having won a premier League, FA Cup, Champions League and two League Cups during his time at Anfield](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88596903-0-image-m-150_1723847664817.jpg)
To continue Jurgen Kloppās (right) legacy at Liverpool is a daunting task for Arne Slot (left), especially with no signings and after missing out on midfielder Martin Zubimendi
![Todd Boehly is already on to his fourth permanent manager at Chelsea, so you wonder how long Enzo Maresca (pictured) will last there](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88617381-0-image-a-152_1723847791889.jpg)
Todd Boehly is already on to his fourth permanent manager at Chelsea, so you wonder how long Enzo Maresca (pictured) will last there
U is for under pressure already
Erik ten Hagās new contract at Manchester United felt like a stay of execution and Todd Boehly is already on to his fourth permanent manager at Chelsea, so you wonder how long Maresca will last there when Boehly takes off his sunnies and realises that bald bloke in the dugout isnāt Pep Guardiola.
V is for Vardyās last party
Wily old fox Jamie signed a one-year contract at Leicester for another crack at the Premier League. Heās 37 but still bagged 20 goals last season and you would be a fool to write him off, especially if opposition fans insist on singing about his wife.
W is for waffle
The new Premier League ball has been revealed, the Nike Flight, and is ābuilt with Aerowsculpt technology with grooves debased into the casingā so that āplayers will enjoy the short seam length crafted to ensure the deftest touches on matchdayā. If that sounds like the ball for you, itās available to buyā¦ for Ā£130!
X is for, well, X
The Premier League have opened a new account on the social media site we used to call Twitter on which they will provide, for the first time, ānear-liveā explanations of VAR decisions.
![Jamie Vardy signed a one-year contract at Leicester for another crack at the Premier League](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88617395-0-image-a-153_1723847839615.jpg)
Jamie Vardy signed a one-year contract at Leicester for another crack at the Premier League
![After 132 years, Everton fans will say their goodbyes to Goodison Park before moving to a new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/16/23/88617461-0-image-a-154_1723848467339.jpg)
After 132 years, Everton fans will say their goodbyes to Goodison Park before moving to a new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock
Y is for young blood at Brighton
New boss Hurzeler is, at 31, the youngest permanent manager in Premier League history, breaking Chris Colemanās 21-year record, and the first to be born after the competitionās inception in 1992. Heās seven years younger than his midfielder James Milner. Hurzeler says heās called āThe Grounded Oneā. By his mum, presumably.
Z is for Z-Cars
After 132 years, Everton fans will say their goodbyes to Goodison Park before moving to a new ground at Bramley-Moore Dock. For one final season, supporters will roar the players on to the pitch to the music from that old police drama. One more time, for the road.