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The English Premier League is easily one of the most intense and demanding leagues in all of world football. The competitiveness and physicality of the league, in addition to multiple other competitions, has required modern English clubs to have deep squad depth. Here are the five deepest squads for the upcoming season.
#5 Leicester City
Leicester City have established themselves as a consistent top 6 Premier League club under Brendan Rodgers and have built a squad to sustain such success.
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In defense, the unfortunate injury to Fofana meant an urgent signing of Jannik Vestergaard adds to the likes of Soyuncu, Castagne, Justin, Pereira and new signing Ryan Bertrand.
Likewise, the midfield is stacked with James Maddison's retention along with Youri Tielemens, Dennis Praet, Mendy and Hamza Choudhury. Barnes and Albrighton remain the primary options on the flanks, with Ayoze Perez operating in a freerer role.
At center forward, the perennial goalscorer Jamie Vardy has a backup in Patson Daka, a player to watch for similar pace and direct ability to score, in addition to of course the in-form Kelechi Iheanacho.
#4 Liverpool
Last season Liverpool struggled due to injury and untimely suspensions. At the heart of the defense, Virgil van Dijk's return will feel like a new signing, with Joe Gomez set for a return to action as well.
New signing Ibrahima Konate should prevent a repeat of any defensive misgivings from last season, along with Matip and an able Nathaniel Phillips as cover.
Fullbacks Trent Alexander Arnold and Andy Robertson, who are so vital to Liverpool's attacking play, are supported by Neco Williams and Tsimikas, the latter of whom will start the season due to injury to Robertson.
The loss of Gini Wijnaldum in midfield weakens the pack of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago, Naby Keita, James Milner and the soon-to-return Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with all operating as interchangeable and energetic runners.
The Salah-Mane-Firmino axis has seen a fourth amigo with the rise and rise of Diogo Jota. Shaqiri and Minamino will put pressure on them to act as relieving players to make a formidable Premier League attack.
#3 Manchester United
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United have slowly been building a strong squad over his nearly three-year reign. Starting from the goalkeeper position, both David De Gea and Dean Henderson are able bodied choices, giving Ole a selection headache that will be an interesting watch as the season unfolds.
The much criticized defense has been bolstered by the sensational swoop for World Champion Raphael Varane, who is to be a surefire starter beside Harry Maguire. Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly remain ahead of veteran Phil Jones in the pecking order.
On either flank as fullback, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan Bissaka are secured starters forming one of the most solid defensive lineups in the league, rivaled perhaps only by Manchester City.
Covers in the form of Alex Telles and Diogo Dalot are all still at the club, with either the possibility of going out on loan or permanent transfer.
Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic are all viable holding midfield options in midfield. The talented but as yet underutilized Donny Van Der Beek is a wild card option in a make or break season.
In the attacking department, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and veteran Juan Mata are well respected creative forces the entire league is fearsome of.
United's attack is perhaps stacked the best ever since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson. The signing of England international Jadon Sancho was much celebrated and will add a cutting edge to the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani.
Daniel James and Amad Diallo are diamonds in the rough, capable of great speed and direct attacking ability should they stay with the squad for the season.The returning Jese Lingard will feel like a new signing as well having had a dramatic career resurgance at West Ham United.
But the big shake-up of the Premier League happened when United secured the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, bringing the Portuguese superstar back after 12 years. The 36-year old continues to defy age and expectations, having secured 101 goals in 134 games in three seasons at Juventus.
Cristiano makes United's forward line one of the best in Europe, let alone the Premier League. His signing makes United one of the favorites for the EPL title, as well as every other cup competition United will play in.
#2 Chelsea
Champions League winners Chelsea have established themselves as one of the most formidable squads in the Premier League.
The current squad is an exciting combination of a youthful spine of the likes of Mason Mount, Reece James and Callum Hudson Odoi along with world-class talents such as Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Christian Pulsic.
In defense, Thomas Tuchel's preferred three at the back system requires skilled and quick centrebacks on either side of either Thiago Silva or the emerging Andreas Christensen.
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James have been used alternatively in the right centre back slot, with Trevoh Chalobah growing in confidence as a viable and more than capable alternative. The left centre back squad has been held down by Antonio Rudiger with Kurt Zouma deputizing.
Even goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who has firmly nailed his place down, might face competition with Kepa Arizabalaga's UEFA Supercup heroics.
The wingbacks have been a key feature of Tuchel's high pressing game, with Ben Chillwell offering an assured and industrious presence in the left wingback position, in contrast to Marcos Alonso's attack-minded approach.
On the right, all three of Reece James, Cesar Azpilicueta and Callum Hudson Odoi have been preferred in alternative periods by Tuchel, with Reece being the favorite.
In holding midfield, the duo of Jorginho and Ngolo Kante have been world beaters and the preferred choice to be alternatives to Mateo Kovacic and Loftus Cheek.
Romelu Lukaku is a welcome addition to a weak frontline in attack, adding scintillating tactical options to Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic playing with a front three or two as and when required.
#1 Manchester City
In goal Ederson has firmly established himself with American Zak Steffan as a reliable back up.
Manchester City's defensive line is perhaps the strongest it has ever been since Pep Guardiola's arrival, with Ruben Dias and John Stones nailed down at the heart of defense, keeping the extremely talented Aymeric Laporte out of the team.
Nathan Ake, Zinchenko, Benjamin Mendy and Walker have all rotated and shuffled in the fullback role where Joao Cancelo has been amongst Pep's most favored personnel.
Jack Grealish's signing is the perfect example of Guardiola's footballing vision. Grealish's versatility and ability to play across the attack and in midfield would see him act as a perfect partner to Kevin De Bruyne in a fluid attacking third.
Rodri and captain Fernandinho have alternated or at times both played in Pep's midfield as a foundation to foil counter attacks and break up play. Ilkay Gundogan has become a goalscoring midfielder for his box-to-box ability and has established himself as one of Pep's favorite personnel when fit.
Despite the loss of Sergio Aguero and the stalled transfer of Harry Kane, the Manchester City frontline has options such as Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Ferran Torres and Gabriel Jesus, all of whom add versatility and movement to their forward line.
They have the strength to compete on all fronts and will once again chase the famed "Quadruple".
