The 2022/23 football season is finally here; with fans itching to see their favourite teams back in action. While all the teams are getting ready, some should be specially watched out for due to various reasons.
Among the reasons is the fact that these teams have made exciting signings during the transfer window, while others are ready to get back on their feet after flopping last season.
Some teams are included on this list by virtue of their performances in 2021/22.
In this post, FootballOrbit brings 10 clubs you need to keep your eyes on in the upcoming campaign.
1. Tottenham
Tottenham made a statement of intent with the appointment of Antonio Conte as manager last season.
The Italian has rejuvenated the club — dramatically qualifying them for the UEFA Champions League ahead of Arsenal towards the end of the season.
Spurs are looking to build on that momentum in 2022/23 and have made signings that will significantly improve their squad.
Tottenham’s transfers so far: Ivan Perisic (from Inter Milan —Free), Fraser Forster (Southampton — Free), Yves Bissouma (Brighton — £25m), Richarlison (Everton — £50m), Djed Spence (Middlesbrough — £20m), Clement Lenglet (Barcelona — Loan), Tyrell Ashcroft (Reading — Undisclosed) and Josh Keeley (St Patrick’s Athletic — Undisclosed).
Watch out for Conte’s side has they challenge the top sides in the EPL and the Champions League.
2. AS Roma
Roma’s appointment of Jose Mourinho has revived the club’s fortunes. The Portuguese guided them to their first ever European trophy last season as they won the UEFA Conference League.
Roma have not rested on their laurels though, but have rather decided to aim higher with the signing of the likes Paulo Dybala, Rui Patrício and Nemanja Matic to their already brilliant squad that contains the likes of Chris Smalling, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Nicolo Zaniolo, Justin Kluivert, Carles Perez, Afena-Gyan and Tammy Abraham.
With Mourinho’s experience, expect Roma to mount a title challenge in the Serie A next season.
3. Arsenal
Arsenal lost star man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang last season but still performed very well. But the team’s inexperience cost them at the tail end of the season, as they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta has decided to improve the squad with the signings of Gabriel Jesus (Man City — £45m), Marquinhos (Sao Paulo — £3m), Fabio Vieira (Porto — £30m), Matt Turner (New England Revolution — £8m) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (Man City — £32m).
Arsenal have shown signs of what to expect from them in 2022/23 with excellent performances in pre-season.
4. Barcelona
Barcelona had a season to forget in 2021/22. Getting into financial crisis, losing Lionel Messi for free, crashing out of the Champions League group stages and getting eliminated from both the Europa League and Copa del Rey.
The Catalans have decided to take the bull by the horn in the 2022/23 season as they have been raising money to sign the best players in the world during the current transfer window.
Ousmane Dembele has re-signed for the club after his contract expired while the likes Pablo Torre, Andreas Christensen, Frank Kessie, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde have been added to bolster the ranks.
The Blaugranas are still active in the market as they still want to bring in more players.
Xavi’s men are a team to watch out for next season!
5. Inter Milan
Inter Milan narrowly lost their Serie A title defence by just 2 points to city rivals AC Milan on the last day of the 2021/22 season.
The Nerrazurri are truly back!
Simone Inzaghi’s side have further strengthened their squad by bringing back talismanic forward Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea.
The Belgian has been joined at San Siro by equally experienced players in Andre Onana (Ajax) and Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Roma).
6. Newcastle United
Newcastle United are on the rise after being purchased by a Saudi Arabia-led group in 2021. The Magpies are now the richest football club in the world, thanks to their extremely wealthy owners.
When the new owners took over last season, the club was battling relegation — languishing in 19th position.
Eddie Howe was quickly brought in as manager to help steady the ship and he did a wonderful job as Newcastle ended the season in 11th position.
The club has fully backed Howe in the ongoing transfer window with signings of: Sven Botman (Lille — £35m), Alex Murphy (Galway United — Undisclosed), Matt Targett (Aston Villa — £15m), Nick Pope (Burnley — £10m), Charlie McArthur (Kilmarnock — Undisclosed), Jordan Hackett (Tottenham — Free).
Apart from Sven Botman, Newcastle haven’t really signed top players because they are regularly getting priced out of deals as clubs want to take advantage of their riches.
Going by their performance towards the end of last season and their recent additions, Newcastle should be challenging for European qualification slots in the 2022/23 season.
7. Nothingham Forest
Newly promoted English Premier League side, Nottingham Forest have been very busy in the transfer market. They have astonishingly signed 13 players so far.
This includes Dean Henderson (on loan from Manchester United), Omar Richards (Bayern Munich), Neco Williams (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) and club-record signing Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin).
Returning to the Premier League after 23 years, Forest are doing everything possible to ensure survival in the top flight.
8. AC Milan
AC Milan surprised everyone last season by winning the Serie A for the first time since 2011. They dramatically pipped Inter to the title by 2 points on the final day of the season.
The Rosseneri have young players in their squad in the likes of Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez, Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer, Rafael Leao and Brahim Diaz.
The youngsters are complemented by experienced players in the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ante Rebic, Simon Kjaer, Oliver Giroud and latest arrival from Liverpool, Divock Origi.
Their brilliant goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, was among FootballOrbit’s picks for the 12 players that impressed in the 2021/22 season.
Can AC Milan defend their Serie A crown in the 2022/23 season?
9. Chelsea
Chelsea started last season strongly but their campaign got derailed by inconsistency, Romelu Lukaku and the ban slammed on former owner Roman Abramovich by the UK government.
The Blues are looking to start the 2022/23 season afresh under the ownership of Todd Boehly and have gotten rid of Lukaku — while also signing Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) and Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli).
Although they have been frustrated in the transfer window so far (missing out on their identified transfer targets to rivals), Chelsea are still looking forward to bringing in more players to Stamford Bridge.
Should Thomas Tuchel be able to get the players that fit into his system, Chelsea will be one of the teams to beat.
10. Marseille
In the 2021/22 season, Olympique Marseille finished 2nd in the French Ligue 1 — securing Champions League football for the first time since 2020.
On the final matchday, they were helped by Lens’ equalising goal in the final moments of a 2–2 draw with Monaco.
They have signed highly rated wingback Jonathan Clauss. He has been joined by Arsenal duo Matteo Guendouzi and Nuno Tavarez, as well as Chancel Mbemba.
The newly signed players will join a Marseille signed that already includes the likes of Dimitri Payet, Cedric Bakambu, Duje Caletar-Car, Kevin Strootman and Cengiz Under.
PSG have seen their dominance of Ligue 1 challenged by Monaco and Lille (who both won the title in recent seasons). Marseille may be the surprise package in France during the 2022/23 season.
