Who are favourites to win the Premier League after the transfer window?

Martin Macdonald

• 6 Sept 2021 16:02 BST
• 4 min read

We are three games into the 2021/22 Premier League season, but there is a feeling that the campaign only really kicks into gear after the transfer window closes and the first international break is over and done with.

Up until 30 August, teams were still scrambling to get deals over the line to put themselves in as good a position to gain success as possible before players are allowed to be purchased or loaned again in January.

While most of the rest of the clubs in Europe struggle financially through the pandemic, the elite in the Premier League have continued to spend freely.

FOOTBALLTRANSFERS' MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS IN THE WORLD

Indeed, both Manchester City and Chelsea have smashed their transfer records to sign Jack Grealish from Aston Villa and Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea respectively.

Man Utd, too, brought back one Cristiano Ronaldo.

So, with no new additions until January, who are the bookies' favourites to win the Premier League?

Manchester City - 11/8

Before and during the transfer window everyone expected Man City to push big for a new centre-forward, and they did eventually with Harry Kane.

However, this was only after they broke the British transfer record to sign Grealish from Aston Villa.

Certainly a talented player, but many felt that money should have been spent on a Kane or even an Erling Haaland.

Grealish has started the season well, though, and seems to be fitting in perfectly.

Even without a proven number nine in their ranks, Man City are favourites according to OddsChecker.

Chelsea - 11/4

Chelsea went on to win the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel in 2020/21.

However, there was a clear need for improvement in front of goal, as the club's top goalscorer in the league last season was Jorginho.

And so, a new centre-forward was targeted, with Lukaku subsequently being brought back to the club from Inter for a cool £97 million.

It took the big Belgian just 15 minutes into his debut to score against Arsenal, and he looks like he is going to be the man to get them firing up top.

On deadline day, Saul Niguez also came in which is a superb addition in midfield.

Even after those two acquisitions, Chelsea ended the window in profit.

Liverpool - 9-2

Many Liverpool fans aren't particularly happy with how the club has conducted business this summer as the only major acquisition has been Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig.

The Reds have, however, tied down a host of key players to new, extended contracts including Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho and Alisson, with Mohammed Salah likely to follow.

Van Dijk coming back from injury will certainly feel like a new signing for Liverpool, but they are third favourites at the moment after their lack of business.

Man Utd - 11-2

Manchester United enjoyed probably their best transfer window since the days of Sir Alex Ferguson as Jadon Sancho finally completed his move from Borussia Dortmund, Raphael Varane was signed from Real Madrid, and Ronaldo completed his emotional return.

It was already a very good window for the club with Sancho and Varane joining even before the shock news about Ronaldo emerged.

A good window, but not a perfect one though as Man Utd are still crying out for a central midfielder.

Tottenham - 33-1

Tottenham's best piece of business this summer will prove to be keeping hold of Kane rather than any player they brought in.

The England forward did not get his desired transfer away from North London and so will stay with Spurs, still probably banging in the goals.

Cristian Romero, Emerson Royal and Bryan Gil are all interesting signings, too, so new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo certainly has a good squad to work with.

Any successes this season will again be reliant on Kane and Heung-min Son, though.