English Premier League: Ange Postecoglou, Cam Burgess and Massimo Luongo ensuring an Australian presence

Australia has long had a love affair with the English Premier League, one that extended into the very fibers of the world game’s most storied and notable competition. After a barren few years in terms of Australians plying their trade in the EPL, there once again will be a slight green and gold twinge to this year’s proceedings. While this is less full-blown Aussie invasion and more signs of life, there is set to be an increased presence in Europe’s biggest league this season — and a WA angle to boot. Ange Postecoglou will get the headlines as the trailblazing coach begins season two as Tottenham coach, having guided Spurs to fifth in his first season. ‘Big Ange’ enjoyed a roller-coaster debut in the EPL, his no-holds-barred, dogmatic football resulting in plenty of wins and goals, but also losses where the dam wall burst and accompanying run-ins with the press pack. Ultimately, Spurs fans ended the season happier than they began it, when there was a healthy dollop of skepticism and some sneering at Postecoglou’s credentials. But Postecoglou’s follow-up looms as critical to show he is the man to take Tottenham forward and bring silverware to the trophy-starved white half of North London. The arrival of Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke gives Spurs an out-and-out goalscorer, but after conceding 61 goals last season and no major defensive reinforcements incoming, the pressure will be on Mickey van de Ven and Cristian Romero at centre-back. Two Australians played their part in one of the best stories in English football last season, as Massimo Luongo and Perth’s own Cam Burgess helped Ipswich Town return to the EPL for the first time in more than two decades. Luongo and Burgess helped the Tractor Boys return to the big time off the back of their second consecutive promotion in a row, playing extensive minutes for Ipswich last season. At Brighton, fellow Australians Cam Peupion and Steven Hall are very much on the fringes, as is wunderkind-turned-loanee Garang Kuol at Newcastle, while highly-rated Joe Gauci will find it hard to see action at Aston Villa, stuck behind Argentinean World Cup-winner Emi Martinez. In terms of the title race, once again it feels as if it is a matter of when, not if, Manchester City win their fifth title in a row. Their dominance has played out against the back drop of 115 charges brought by the Premier League for alleged breaches of financial regulations, and fans of all clubs will be waiting with bated breath for the outcome. Such is City’s stranglehold on top spot, Arsenal scored 91 goals and lost just five of their 38 games last season, but it was still not enough to break their grip on the title. The Gunners will once again be City’s biggest challengers, but the make-up of the rest of the chasing pack in the title race will be intriguing, with new coaches at Liverpool and Chelsea, Erik ten Hag under pressure at Manchester United, and cashed-up Newcastle yet to fully convince as a genuine contender. At the other end of the table, Ipswich and Nottingham Forest will be among the favourites to go down, as Southampton and Leicester City will look to avoid being the new ‘yo-yo teams’ and stave off second relegations from the EPL in three years, either side of promotion last season. Arsenal Pushed City all the way last year...can they go one better? Key player: Bukayo Saka Aston Villa Exceeded expectations last season, will need a mighty effort to finish fourth again. Key player: Pau Torres Bournemouth Finished 12th last year, but would take more mid-table medioctiry over a relegation scrap. Key player: Lewis Cook Brentford Can coach Thomas Frank conjure up more than 16th this season? Key player: Rico Henry Brighton Coach Roberto De Zerbi is gone, 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler has a challenge on his hands. Key player: Kaoru Mitoma Chelsea A late-season revival last year saw them finish sixth, but then swapped out manager Mauricio Pochettino for Enzo Mareca. Key player: Cole Palmer Crystal Palace Oliver Glasner made a superb impact as coach in his debut season. Key player: Eberechi Eze Everton Fought relegation and narrowly won. Fans demand plenty more. Key player: Jarrad Branthwaite Fulham Plenty of optimism abounds around Craven Cottage once more. Key player: Emile Smith Rowe Ipswich Town Back-to-back promotions have them in dreamland, but this year could be a nightmare. Key player: Axel Tuanzebe Leicester City Got promoted, but promptly lost manager Mascara to Chelsea. May struggle. Key player: Wilfred Ndidi Liverpool Jurgen Klopp’s reign is over as Arne Slot finds himself on the hot seat. Key player: Alexis Mac Allister Manchester City Will probably win it all again, but court case will loom large. Key player: Rodri Manchester United Erik ten Hag somehow avoided the axe after finishing eighth, but will likely be under pressure all season. Key Player: Marcus Rashford Newcastle Plenty of cash and quality, can mix it with the big boys, but a title challenge remains to be seen. Key Player: Alexander Isak Nottingham Forest Survived the drop last season, may not be so lucky this time around. Key player: Morgan Gibbs-White Southampton Back in the Premier League after a year away, may find it tough to stay another year. Key player: Taylor Harwood-Bellis Tottenham ‘Big Ange’ is here to stay as an EPL manager, but needs to prove he can take Spurs to the next level. Key Player: Son Heung-min West Ham United David Moyes’ squad has the bones of a decent side. Hard to predict, but will likely be around mid-table. Key Player: Mohammed Kudus Wolves Lost two of their most important players, but still have quality to finish in the top half. Key player: Mario Lemina