Managers are bluffing, squads are creaking, and soon the Premier League season starts ready or not.

One narrative. Twenty clubs. A no-spin audit before the curtain rises.

Let’s filter the noise.

In The Mixer

Mixing up the format in this issue of the Real Football Filter. Just as how managers test new formations in pre-season, writers can change layout with a look ahead to future performance.

Instead of news headlines, I am going to look at news narratives as the new Premier League campaign edges closer.

20 clubs, 20 narratives. Some stand on their own. Some are intertwined. All will shape what takes place over the next nine months.

Liverpool

The main narrative from the red half of Merseyside is Liverpool’s title defence in the rawest of circumstances. The shock passing of Diogo Jota could act as the thrust to two in a row but at the same time, it could also mean minds are rightly elsewhere.

In what was meant to be a narrative in a post-Trent era. The narrative is now switched elsewhere. A distraction away from Real Madrid’s newest star. A distraction of recent events might just be what Arne Slot and his players need.

Arsenal

The main narrative coming out of Arsenal is whether this is finally the season where they become the bride. Three consecutive years as the bridesmaid, they are in danger of becoming football’s equivalent of a spinster.

Manager Mikel Arteta has gone a long way to addressing the issues of last season and Viktor Gyokeres could be the missing piece of a rather expensive puzzle. Caught out by Liverpool being so good so early, it is they who will want to set the tempo this time.

Manchester City

The main narrative coming out of the Etihad is arguably split into two strands. The first strand is whether the Premier League will find them guilty of the 115 charges they are up against - a narrative that has almost been forgotten about in the current climate.

The second is whether Pep Guardiola’s regenerative powers are turned up to the maximum. A flurry of early summer business suggests City want to be back at the summit. Failure to do so may add weight to the theory this club is becoming a fading force.

Chelsea

The main narrative coming out of Stamford Bridge is where do the FIFA Club World Cup winners go from here. Once again, it looks to be a busy summer of ins and outs at Stamford Bridge, but will it be enough to push the Blues on under Enzo Maresca.

With even more reinforcements in both wide and central forward areas, nobody can doubt that Chelsea have enough in terms of numbers but do they have enough in terms of league winning quality?

Newcastle

The main narrative coming out of St James’ Park is that the natives are starting to feel a little restless and after the highs of last season’s trophy and subsequent Champions League qualification, further progress has yet to be made.

Missing out on key transfer targets has been a source of frustration. Sam Fender seems to be releasing a new kit every other week. God forbid Alexander Isak did move on before the end of the window. The latter is less likely but the window is far from slammed shut.

Aston Villa

The main narrative coming out of Villa Park is whether Unai Emery can sustain the efforts of the past two seasons. A slight backward step in missing out on a Champions League return should still be framed in the context of more European football.

A measure of just how far the club have come in the past couple of years but how they fare this time around is the big question. Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford not staying on after temporary moves. Things are a little quiet in this pocket of the West Midlands.

Nottingham Forest

The main narrative coming out of the City Ground is that nobody likes Nottingham Forest at the moment. Whether Nottingham Forest care or not about their new role of pantomine villains is another issue altogether.

Holding Morgan Gibbs-White ‘hostage’ and sneaking into the Europa League at Crystal Palace’s expense have done little to cement friendships in the Premier League. Now manager Nuno Espirito Santo has to cement Forest as European challengers once again.

Brighton

The main narrative coming out of The Amex Stadium is what Brighton can do in their second season under manager Fabian Hurzeler and after an impressive showing in his debut campaign, the German will now aim to push his club back into Europe.

However, just staying at the same level may have to be considered as success in itself for the Seagulls and with four major departures taking place this summer, the 32-year-old may have to fend off his own symptoms of second season syndrome.

Bournemouth

The main narrative coming out of the Vitality Stadium is what Bournemouth do in Andoni Iraola’s third season in charge. A definite exceeded of expectations last time around. Are those expectations too high for the Cherries this time around?

Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen have gone to Liverpool and Real Madrid respectively. Two components of a defensive line that impressed last season. If Bournemouth can navigate their departures, a top half finish is on. Failure to do so and a slide is on the way.

Brentford

The main narrative coming out of the GTech Community Stadium is just how fearful Brentford fans may have to be over the next few weeks and months. Goodbye to Thomas Frank, Bryan Mbuemo and Christian Norgaard already. Maybe add Yoan Wissa as well.

Not what Keith Andrews needs when he gets to grips with his first ever Premier League managerial remit. A remit that may as simple as staying in the division but with such key departures already, staying out of the bottom three may be easier said than done.

Fulham

The main narrative coming out of Craven Cottage is a feeling of disorganisation at present. Tom Cairney has left the club, the matchday tickets are eyewatering expensively even by Premier League standards, have they even released their new kit?

It just feels a little to quiet in this part of West London and although not being the current club in crisis is something to be commended, Fulham can ill afford to rest on the laurels that they earned last season. This league can very quickly pass you by if you let it.

Crystal Palace

The main narrative coming out of Selhurst Park is Crystal Palace’s demotion to the Europa Conference League and the appeal process that is now underway - a narrative that has completely overshadowed their incredible afternoon at Wembley just two months ago.

Not only that, but Palace manager Oliver Glasner will be doing his best to keep hold of Eberechi Eze before the window slams shut. The links with Arsenal simply will not go away and if a sale does materialise, the mood in South London will soon become pessimistic.

Everton

The main narrative coming out of the Hill Dickinson Stadium is precisely that. Everton’s new home is finally opening its doors for competitive activity and if Goodison Park has been the difference between survival and relegation, the new home has a job to do.

A job that could be made easier with David Moyes at the helm and with him being the perfect steward to lead Everton into their new era - one without Dominic Calvert-Lewin, it would be interesting to see if fans of the Toffees soon yearn for their old home or not.

West Ham

The main narrative coming out of the London Stadium is a feeling of unease between the board and the supporters. The mantra is ‘never do business with Spurs’ and although that mantra has been broken in the past, the latest iteration may hurt the most.

Kudus to Spurs, fury at West Ham. Not only have the Hammers lost their star player but fans perceive that he moved at less than market value. Manager Graham Potter now has to pick up the pieces but in fairness, he has not got many other pieces to play with.

Manchester United

The main narrative coming out of Old Trafford is Manchester United’s new look attack. The best part of £125m being spent on two players - Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo but are they really worth the collective expenditure afforded to boss Ruben Amorim.

The jury is out for now and not until the end of the season will we be able to guage whether the Wolves and/or the Brentford signees have lived up to expectation. Bigger names have come here and failed. The Theatre of Dreams could be a nightmare.

Wolves

The main narrative coming out of Molineux is what manager Vitor Pereira can do after the departure of arguably his most influential player. Cunha’s output played a key role in keeping Wolves in the Premier League last season, that void needs to be filled.

Fer Lopez and Jhon Arias have arrived at the club but does buying two players in the same position really do Wolves any favours. The manager’s hotseat in the Midlands has had a number of recent suitors, another change would not be the biggest surprise.

Tottenham

The main narrative coming out of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the beginning of another new project. The Ange Postecoglou blueprint has been scrapped. The Thomas Frank manual is now being adhered to as Spurs return to the Champions League/

17th place was an obvious reflection of Spurs’ overall performance in the league last season but far from an obvious reflection of the quality that it is littered through the squad. Quality that will likely fire the North London outfit to a top seven finish.

Leeds

The main narrative coming out of Elland Road is that the club have certainly been busy when it comes to transfer activity. The truth is that with the chasm between the Premier League and the Championship, the promoted sides have to spend to have any chance.

Bodies through the door will indicate that Leeds are trying to evolve after winning last season’s edition of the Championship. The question is whether this evolution comes to quickly and leaves Leeds unprepared for their return to Premier League skirmishes.

Burnley

The main narrative coming out of Turf Moor is whether Burnley’s brand of super defensive football under Scott Parker has to change for them to have any chance of staying in the division. Miserly in defence last season, a huge challenge awaits them this time around.

A challenge that Kyle Walker likes the sound of as he has been Burnley’s key capture and if his nous of winning titles can be converted to relegation battles, it will boost the Clarets’ hopes. The big question is whether manager Parker is given time to develop ideas or not.

Sunderland

The main narrative coming out of the Stadium of Light is that Sunderland may fancy their chances of staying in the Premier League this season and especially when you look at the transfer business that has already been concluded on Wearside before the season starts.

Admittedly a large of that business will also be plying their trade at the upcoming edition of the AFCON and it is here where the Black Cats may run out of luck. Like every other promoted team, it is simple: Score as many as you can. Concede as little as possible.

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 18 as we edge closer to a new season.

If you liked issue 18, tell a friend. If you didn’t like issue 18, don’t.

Back to the standard format next week but as always:

Feel free to email me to tell me what you like and what you did not.

[email protected]

Issue 19 will be out on Tuesday July 29th.

Thanks for reading

Dan