SkyBet is putting the wheels in motion for the start of the upcoming 2022/23 Premier League season with a new series, the ‘Start of the Season Debate’ show.
Episode one involves Roy Keane, Graeme Souness, Micah Richards and Kelly Cates, as they discuss some of the most lingering questions from host Jeff Stelling, with a few Richards laughs along the way.
The first question Stelling poses is whether the league title is already a two-horse race between Manchester City and Liverpool, as the two Northern sides finished either first and second in three of the last four seasons.
Souness responded: “No I don’t think so. Liverpool and Man City will be the outstanding favourites, but I think you’ve got to factor Chelsea into the argument.”
2021 UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea got off to a quick start last season, winning eight of their first 10 fixtures, but their form fell off towards the end, ultimately finishing 18 points behind the top two.
Stelling offers Tottenham Hotspur as a potential team to challenge City and Liverpool for the Premier League crown. Since the arrival of manager Antonio Conte last November, only the top two sides have won more points than Spurs, who have recruited heavily this summer transfer window.
But Richards seems to disagree, explaining: “Liverpool and Man City are too good, Spurs… might get top four again, but I don’t think they’re on the same level as them two.”
One team which managed to break the top two dominance of City and Liverpool was Manchester United in the 2020/21 season, highlighted by Cates.
Cates offered United to Keane as a possible side to do it again, but the former Red Devils Captain responded in the only he knows how, “well where do you want to start”, which got another burst of laughter out of Richards.
“The manager will no doubt be given money to spend. Four or five experienced players have left the club, but I think that was a good thing, but I still don’t see United competing with Liverpool and Man City,” remarked Keane.
Finally, the panellists gave their thoughts on who would win the Premier League title if it came down to City and Liverpool, with Souness picking Liverpool and both Keane and Richards opting for City.
