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Soccer

Which Premier League clubs still need to strengthen following opening-day horror shows?

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DAZN
Published by Ash Rose
24, Aug
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Which Premier League clubs still need to strengthen following opening-day horror shows?
Watch Premier League live with Fubo Sports on DAZN

Premier League football resumed this weekend, and with it an opening weekend full of reasons why it's seen as the best league in the world.

Arsenal showed they're the team to beat with a comfortable 3-0 win over Coventry on Friday night, and that was just the appetiser for an explosive first matchday in England's top flight. 

The headline acts came in the form of some deflating results for some of the division's biggest names, suggesting that there's still work to be done before the summer transfer window slams shut. 

DAZN News assesses what damage has quickly been done and what needs to be rectified before the deadline. 

Serie A on DAZN 2026-27

Manchester United 

Michael Carrick's honeymoon period well and truly ended with United's shock defeat to newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday, and highlighted that work still needs to be done on the United team. 

It was a debut to forget for new recruits Youri Tieleman and Andry Santos, who lost the midfield battle to a dogged and organised Tigers side, and it already seems more depth is on its way to bolster that department. 

Carlos Baleba looks set to join from Brighton, bringing a steel that was glaringly missing from the weekend's performance, but is that the only issue? 

United's defence also feels like a desperate need for new blood, and links to Lewis Hall come as no surprise, as it's another area where the club seem to be living in the past. 

Tottenham 

Spurs have already spent nearly £300m on new players this summer in an attempt to forget the dismal league campaigns of the last two seasons, but it felt like the same old story on Saturday against Brentford. 

A 3-0 loss, in a limp performance, where 20-year-old Archie Grey had to bear the burden of captaining a side that felt bereft of leaders and quickly went hiding against the Bees.

Boss Roberto De Zerbi's admission that the squad still isn't ready isn't exactly encouraging given that he's had a full pre-season and the majority of his new names were recruited early. 

The answer seems to be the impending arrival of Sevinho, whose 2 goals in 56 games seem to warrant an £85m price tag to boost the club's attack, along with Omar Mamoush, who is coming off an underwhelming first full campaign in England. 

Will that be the names to turn what is becoming more than just a tide in North London? 

Roberto De ZerbiGetty Images

Aston Villa 

It's been a summer of big-name departures for Aston Villa, with key names such as Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa having left the club, and Ollie Watkins the latest possibly to follow. 

And, after 40 minutes against Brighton, fans were probably rueing their exit even more as the Villans were stunned by Brighton thanks to a 4-0 first-half thrashing at the Amex. 

Getting tonked on the first day is always a surefire way to deflate any hope going into the new season, but Villa have been here before, having been thrashed by Newcastle last year and ultimately ended up having a memorable campaign. 

The losses this summer, however, feel more significant. Yes, there has been some recruitment, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mateo Ruggeri to play a bigger role in the side, but they don't feel like enough. 

With Joao Gomes already suspended following his debut red card and the jury still out on the signing of Alejandro Garnacho, Villa will need to hope new big-money buy Johan Manzambi can make a difference or more bodies will be required to prevent a downward turn for Unai Emery's men. 

Manchester City 

It turned out alright in the end for the beginning of the post-Pep Guardiola era, as Manchester City left it late to see off Bournemouth and give Enzo Maresca a debut win as the club's new boss, but the concern is real.

As was highlighted in the Community Shield, the City midfield looks far too easy to bypass right now, especially given the loss of Rodri, and so much so that Marc Guehi was asked to fill that void against the Cherries. 

The answer seems to be the club's desire to complete the deal for Moroccan teenage sensation Ayyoub Douabbi, who's set to make the move to Manchester. But it's a lot of pressure on the young midfielder's shoulders to make such a quick difference and fill a void left by a Ballon d'Or winner. 

How to watch the Premier League in Canada

Soccer fans in Canada can watch every Premier League match during the 2026-27 season on DAZN.

With Fubo Sports on DAZN, Canadians can catch Premier League action as well as Serie A. Additionally, DAZN is the home of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Bundesliga and more.

For pricing information and to sign up to watch, click here.

SpursSpursAston VillaAston VillaManchester UnitedManchester UnitedMan CityMan CityPremier LeaguePremier LeagueSoccerSoccer

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