Premier League 2023/24 – End of Term Report

Last weekend, the Premier League 2023/24 season came to an end, with a resounding victory for Manchester City. Their 3-1 triumph over West Ham sealed their status as Champions and underscored their dominance in the league for a fourth year in a row. Ultimately, rendering Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Everton fruitless. 

As the Premier League 2023/24 season concluded, it left us with a tantalizing question; Who will secure the remaining spots in European competition? While we know that Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa will compete in the Champions League next season, plus Tottenham will be in the Europa League, the other final spots are still up for grabs, adding a thrilling element of uncertainty. 

That’s because if Manchester United win the FA Cup, they will compete in the Europa League next season and Chelsea will play in the Conference League. However, if Manchester City win the FA Cup, Chelsea will play in the Europa League and Newcastle United will play in the Conference League.

At the other end of the table, it was a sobering season for the three newly promoted teams. Just a year after earning promotion, Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton Town were sent back to the Championship. 

Believe it or not, despite the Premier League 2023/24 season just being completed, bet365 Sport are already offering odds on next season’s title race. Manchester City are the 1.9 favourite, ahead of Arsenal at 3.25, with Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, rated at 9.00. 

In this final review of the Premier League 2023/24 season, we will rank the performances of all 20 teams with our end-of-term report.

The Rating System is as follows:

• A – Excellent
• B – Very Good
• C – Satisfactory
• D – Below Average
• E – Poor
• F – Dismal

In addition, we are awarding + and – for each rating where needed to differentiate between the grades.

Premier League 2023/24 – Club Report Cards

Arsenal – A-

So near, but yet so far for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal once again. A Champions League quarterfinal exit and short of Man City by two points is still a great campaign for the Gunners and with so many positives and a young squad, they look ideally placed to be a serious contender for major honours next season again.

Next Season’s Aim – To go one better in the league or at least win some major silverware.

Aston Villa – A-

A fabulous first full season at the helm at Aston Villa has seen Unai Emery lead his team into the Champions League. A fine league showing and a European semi-final represents an outstanding season for Villa and one that Villains fans will be hoping to see progress from next year. 

Next Season’s Aim – Continue their progress and perform well in the Champions League. 

Brentford – D

Many felt Brentford would struggle with Ivan Toney missing for the first half of the season, but the Bees actually struggled more when he came back into the team. Thomas Frank may well decide to cash in on their star striker to bolster the team in other areas to improve on their fortunes after a disappointing campaign. 

Next Season’s Aim – Improve to mid-table from this year’s lowly finish.

Brighton – C-

It is a mark of how far Brighton has come as a club that an 11th placed finish in the table is ranked as slightly below where we’d expect for them. Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club and be replaced and whoever comes in will know that a top half finish next season should be the target. To do that, their away form needs to improve. 

Next Season’s Aim – Improve away form and get back into the top half of the Premier League.

Bournemouth – B- 

Andoni Iraola’s first season in charge started woefully, but the Cherries put together two excellent runs of form to move well away from the relegation zone and to finish comfortably in mid-table. However, that looks about to be their level unless the owners can inject some real capital into the club. 

Next Season’s Aim – Build on this season and push on into the top half of the table.

Burnley – D-

Vincent Kompany’s Burnley finished 19th in the table, eight points from safety and while disappointing, relegation won’t faze them. The Clarets have been relegated before and bounced back and I think there is a very good chance that they will do precisely that next season. 

Next Season’s Aim – Sustain a challenge for immediate promotion back to the Premier League.

Chelsea – D-

Todd Boehly’s billions spent on Chelsea have not resulted in anything near to what the new owner would have wanted. A sixth place finish, snatched thanks to a five-game winning run at the end of the season flatters Chelsea and moved their grade up from an E- to a D-. They will have to do much, much better next season.

Next Season’s Aim – Champions League football with a top four finish. 

Crystal Palace – B- 

The arrival of Oliver Glasner as manager has galvanised Palace and they have finished the season as one of the top four in-form teams in the Premier League over the last six games. A season of inconsistency was ended on a much brighter note giving Eagles fans real hope for the future. 

Next Season’s Aim – Strong performance in the cup, challenge for a European spot. 

Everton – D+

Sean Dyche’s team remain in limbo with the financial issues at the club and questions over potential new owners. Until both these issues are resolved, the situation for Everton will be a tough one. The Blues could be forced to sell some key players this summer to avoid further points deductions. Another tough season seems to lie in wait for Blues fans. 

Next Season’s Aim – Sort out the ownership issues & finances and aim for mid-table safety.

Fulham – C-

Fulham’s solid home form was not matched by their performances on the road. It was those away games that cost Fulham dearly this season. The question now is whether they can hang on to key players like Joao Palhinha for next season. If they can, then Silva will be looking for a top half finish next year.

Next Season’s Aim – Improve away from home and land a top half finish. 

Liverpool – B+

The Jurgen Klopp era is over and the German left Anfield in a shower of good wishes and with a trophy in the cabinet. However, the Reds fell short in the League and Europe near the end of an injury hit season. Arne Slot will have his own methods to employ and transitioning may take time, but the Reds fans will still expect a strong showing next season and to keep a place in the Champions League. 

Next Season’s Aim – Put up another good EPL showing and remain in the Champions League picture. 

Luton Town – D

Rob Edwards Luton battled hard but ultimately could not keep the top teams from scoring goals against them. They’ll bounce back from the relegation and the parachute payments should help this exciting team have a real shot at bouncing back into the Premier League next season. 

Next Season’s Aim – Regroup and try to put together a promotion campaign in the Championship.

Manchester City – A 

Another outstanding season for City. Being knocked out of Europe in the quarterfinal stages was a big blow, but domestically they have been dominant once again and another double is on the cards. Pep Guardiola’s machine shows no signs of slowing down or releasing their stranglehold on the Premier League.

Next Season’s Aim – Five in a row and another double or even a treble?

Manchester United – E 

A second successive FA Cup Final is scant consolation for Manchester United fans, who saw their team struggle to an 8th-place spot in the Premier League. Their Champions League return fell flat, and the pressure will be on whoever is the manager come the start of next season to oversee expansive improvements in performance in almost every area of the team. 

Next Season’s Aim – Top four and Champions League football at a minimum. 

Newcastle United – C+

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle finished in seventh place after a top-four finish and now must await the result of the FA Cup Final to see if they play in Europe next season in the revamped Conference League. It is clear where the aims lie for Newcastle – improve away from home and win something for this long-suffering fanbase. I expect significant investment in the team this season. 

Next Season’s Aim – Top four and to try and win a cup competition for the Toon Army. 

Nottingham Forest – E+

Nuno Santo came in and saved Forest from the drop, but it was hardly convincing. However, he has a proven track record at this level and with the chance to work with his team in pre-season, I think Forest fans can expect to see a major improvement on this season’s poor efforts. 

Next Season’s Aim – More consistency, away from home and mid-table finish.

Sheffield United – F

104 goals conceded in 38 games, just 16 points collected and a miserable season from start to finish. Last summer, the lack of investment in the team hit the Blades hard, and neither of their managers this season stood any real chance of staying up. A promotion challenge next season is their aim next year. 

Next Season’s Aim – Sustain a challenge for promotion from the Championship.

Tottenham Hotspur – B-

Ange Postecoglou had a great start at Spurs, leading the Premier League in the early stages of the season, but form tailed off and performances dropped as teams became more tactically able to counter Spurs’ strengths. A Europa League spot was the minimum requested and they remain without a trophy. Postecoglou will have to improve on that next season. 

Next Season’s Aim – Top four and end Spurs fans long wait for a trophy. 

West Ham United – C+

The David Moyes era is over, and the Hammers finished 9th in the Premier League. Moyes’s reign will be remembered for that Europa Conference League success last season, but a lack of consistency in the league, as well as some heavy defeats, meant the Hammers never really looked like getting back into Europe this time around. That will be the aim next season. 

Next Season’s Aim – To go back to challenging for European football next season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers – D 

Gary O’Neil did a good job at Wolves for the most part, but their league form was inconsistent and they lacked the defensive solidity they have showed in previous seasons. 14th was not a great finish for a team that harbours ambitions to go to the top. A top half finish next season is a realistic aim, if they invest in the team this summer. 

Next Season’s Aim – Climb back into the top half of the table.