Which of the Premier League giants has had the most encouraging pre-season…
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7) Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have had a quiet pre-season as they adjust to life under Mauricio Pochettino. They have made a couple of astute signings thus far, but have not made the headlines they did last summer. They beat an understrength Celtic side 6-1 in impressive fashion last weekend, but other results have been mixed.
6) Everton
The Toffees have only played three pre-season games thus far, and their form as been somewhat underwhelming. However, they have done good business off the pitch – signing Romelu Lukaku and tying down Ross Barkley to a new contract.
5) Manchester City
The Premier League champions started their pre-season campaign with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Dundee and a narrow victory over Hearts. However, they did impress with a 5-1 thrashing of AC Milan, and were only beaten on penalties by Liverpool and Olympiacos – with many of their star names rested.
4) Chelsea
They have impressed with their signings – Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Filipe Luis and the returning Didier Drogba – but the Blues have been uninspiring in pre-season thus far, edging a series of ‘lesser teams’ with narrow victories (a 5-0 thrashing of Wycombe aside), before a reality-check against German side Werder Bremen, who beat the Stamford Bridge side 3-0 last weekend.
3) Arsenal
Were at their devastating best as they thrashed Benfica 5-1, but a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Monaco cost them the Emirates Cup – which was won by Valencia – while they were also beaten by the same score against New York Red Bulls. However, their signings have been impressive, and the Gunners squad looks the strongest it’s been in several years.
2) Liverpool
The Reds have made multiple new signings this summer, but only Rickie Lambert and Emre Can have featured regularly so far. Brendan Rodgers’ side were disappointing at the start of their pre-season campaign, but have impressed in the International Champions Cup – beating Olympiacos, Manchester City and AC Milan before losing out to Manchester United in the final.
1) Manchester United
Manchester United have made the dream start to life under Louis van Gaal, thrashing LA Galaxy 7-0 before a victorious effort in the International Champions Cup – beating Roma, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Liverpool. They have adjusted well to Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation and new signing Ander Herrera has impressed.