The Big Kick Off: All you need to know!
With the excitement as high as it ever gets for us fans – with the big kick off just hours away – ClaretandHugh – with the help of the BBC and Premier League website – has taken a look at the various changes which have hit the Premier League this season.
As we prepare to see the new Hammers jump into action on Sunday, here’s the key facts on a season which has seen a record summer spending spree; which manager are in and out and the new rules introduced for this campaign.
O The Premier League will kick off on a Friday for the frst time when Arsenal entertain Leicester at the Emirates this evening Kick off: 7.45
O As of yesterday clubs have invested £1.034bn on signings which should see it finally overtake the record £1.165bn of last year.
O Man City has splashed out over £200m on new signings – the first time an English club has reached that figure in a single window.
O Manchester United have completed the biggest deal of the summer so far by paying Everton £75m for striker Romelu Lukaku, while manager Jose Mourinho took Nemanja Matic off Chelsea for £40m.
O Chelsea spent £60m on Alvaro Morata and Arsenal took Alexandre Lacazette for £46.5m deal for frontman Alexandre Lacazette. and Liverpool brought in £34m winger Mohamed Salah.
Bosses in and out:
O Frank de Boer became Palace manager after Sam Allardyce’s resignation. De Boer has won four Eredivisie titles as boss of Ajax, but lasted just 14 games in an ill-fated spell at Inter Milan last season.
O Southampton axed Claude Puel and appointed former Alaves boss Mauricio Pellegrino – their fourth change in four years..
O Watford waved goodbye to Walter Mazzarri replacing him with Marco Silva, who resigned as Hull City manager after being unable to save the club from relegation to the Championship.
O Leicester City named Craig Shakespeare was confirmed on a new three year deal at leicester City after successfully taking over from sacked Claudeio Ranieri in 2016 champions Leicester City confirmed him on a three-year permanent deal.
New rules
DIVING:
O Players who dive or feign injury will face bans under new Football Association regulations. A panel will review footage each Monday looking for cases of simulation. Any player unanimously found guilty of diving will be given a suspension.
PITCH DESIGNS BANNED
Pitch patterns and designs will no longer be allowed at stadiums in the Premier League. Rules state that the playing surfaces must contain no markings other than the traditional horizontal and white lines.
NEW BALL
The official competition match ball will be the Nike Ordem V, described as giving “optimal touch and feel with its updated bladder”. A hi-vis version will be introduced when the clocks change from British Summer Time to Greenwich Mean Time in the autumn.
BETTER AWAYDAYS
Visiting fans will be able to take in the action from closer than ever before. Premier League clubs have agreed to a new rule where away supporters will be seated together at all stadiums and at least one block of away fan seats will be made available pitchside.
Tickets for away fans will remain capped at £30.
Video replays for doctors
Video technology will be allowed into technical areas in an effort to better protect players from the damages of concussion. Club doctors and physios will now be able to watch replays of any injury sooner after it has happened. Previously, footage could only be reviewed in the tunnel.