Premier League: It’s a Whole New Era!

Leeds United vs Everton

The Premier League is back and this contest, more than most, is all about new beginnings.

Two of English football’s most historic old clubs meet in the final game of the opening weekend on Monday night and this SBOTOP writer is anticipating Premier League 2025 highlights backed by two of the most vocal sets of fans around.

Talking Points

It’s a brand new era for the blue half of Merseyside and, although officially the new chapter will begin 70 odd miles away in Yorkshire, the sentiment still applies.

As Everton Football Club aims to begin a new successful chapter in its illustrious history, it has also had an announcement over the last few days which brings its own sprinkling of star quality.

Ahead of the official first league game in its new £750 million riverfront Hill Dickinson Stadium, a player who was a £100m footballer four short years ago, is to appear in royal blue.

The season-long loan deal to bring in Jack Grealish from Manchester City has considerably lifted spirits at a club in need of fresh blood.

Although not a position which was a priority to fill, sometimes deals are more than just about improving the team.

As an Everton fan site said this week, Grealish will come in and instantly elevate the team and excite the fans. If he can get back to something close to his best form – and with a World Cup next summer, he has plenty of motivation to do so – he’s the kind of player who will get supporters off their seats.

New club owners the Friedkin Group also clearly wanted a marquee signing to showcase at the new stadium. All the briefings in recent weeks have suggested that money is no issue, implying that funds have been set aside for a high-profile deal like this.

Manager David Moyes had long been keen to inject more creativity into his side and the arrival of Grealish comes hot on the heels of the acquisition of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for £28m – one of many youngsters stuck in a congested squad at Chelsea.

Everton have finalised a loan deal for Jack Grealish from Premier League outfit Manchester City — Jack Grealish has been signed on loan by Everton from Manchester City

While he may well be the spark they need, it must be remembered there are still gaps elsewhere with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure departing.

They still have England number one Jordan Pickford, talented young centre back Jarrad Branthwaite and his centre back partner James Tarkowski, however.

Bringing Carlos Alcaraz back following a loan spell is a plus and the signing of prospect Thierno Barry from Villarreal was both essential and exciting for the Toffees who will need goals.

Now for the sting in the tail.

Calvert-Lewin has just joined the newly promoted Premier League side on a free transfer.

The 28-year-old ended his nine-year stay at Everton in June, saying it was an “incredibly difficult decision” to leave the club and, while his lack of fitness infuriated some Evertonians towards the end of his time at the club, it must not be forgotten, the one-time England marksman scored 71 goals in 273 games after joining from Sheffield United for £1.5m in 2016.

Everton’s final pre-season friendly before their league opener at newly promoted Leeds saw them go down 1-0 at home to Serie A giants Roma.

Not that the result mattered, of course, but the performance was like the curate’s egg – encouraging in parts with Dewsbury-Hall one of those who showed flashes of what he could bring.

If it’s a new era for Everton, what of their hosts on Monday night?

Relegated in 2023 and now back after a two-year absence, Leeds stormed to the Championship title last season, pipping Burnley by the closest of margins.

A 1-1 draw against AC Milan in Dublin last weekend would have done no harm for confidence, a game in which Anton Stach – a £17.3m recruit from Hoffenheim – scored an excellent second-half leveller.

Manager Daniel Farke, the one-time economics student with the look of a former heavy metal star, has achieved three promotions to the Premier League, the first two with financially challenged Norwich sides.

Now the 48-year-old German, who had to face intense speculation regarding his Elland Road future only a few months ago, has the task of keeping them there. He has done a fine job since arriving two seasons ago and has also made it clear that he wants his paymasters to strengthen his team’s attack before the transfer window closes, hence the move for Calvert-Lewin.

There is argument that Leeds have replaced the likes of Patrick Bamford and the now departed Mateo Joseph with Lukas Nmecha, who has had a decent pre-season.

Despite this, the club is still targeting that vital number 9 to sit up top with the likes of Nmecha and Joel Piroe,

Leeds have signed a number of new players this summer to date, including midfielder Sean Longstaff from Newcastle, Jaka Bijol from Udinese and Lucas Perri of Lyon – a goalkeeper who will rival Illan Meslier for the number one spot.

Of all the promoted teams, they seemed best equipped to buck the trend of the past two years which has seen every team go straight back down.

History

I was quite surprised when I read that Leeds held the upper hand in meetings between these two clubs, the first of which was back in 1924.

Since then, the Yorkshire club have triumphed on 52 occasions, but not since a 1-0 success at Goodison Park in November 2020.

Everton, who have won 36 of their clashes, with another 34 matches ending level.

Their last meeting in the top flight was in February two years ago when Seamus Coleman scored the only goal of the game. Ultimately, three months later, it was a result which proved crucial in keeping Everton up and sending Leeds down.

Earlier that season, the sides drew 1-1 at Elland Road when Anthony Gordon and Luis Sinisterra traded goals.

Everton have only won once at Leeds since November 2002 (although they have only met a handful of times) when a certain teenager by the name of Wayne Rooney netted the only goal, five minutes after coming on as substitute.