Frank Lampard has claimed you can’t ‘discount’ Manchester United and Liverpool as potential Premier League title contenders in the upcoming campaign.
Both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jurgen Klopp have made good use of the transfer window to bolster their respective squads.
United have signed Jadon Sancho for £73million from Borussia Dortmund and are set to complete the transfer of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane imminently, in a deal worth £45million.
Meanwhile, the Reds have brought in 22-year-old French defender Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig for £36million to help solve the problems which derailed their season last term.
And former Chelsea boss Lampard thinks both teams will be strong contenders for the Premier League title come the end of the season.
“I think you can’t discount Manchester United. They were not far-off last year and have gone again and I think brought in really impressive signings and I think Liverpool will be the same,” Lampard told Football Daily on Monday.
“They missed huge players through injury for a big part of last season and the year before they were one of the best teams we’ve seen in the Premier League, so you definitely can’t discount those.
However, Lampard has also tipped the teams beneath the two English giants to have a successful campaign after strengthening their squads in the summer window.
“As much as you can’t discount the teams pushing from beneath or just behind. Leicester, we saw them win at the weekend, West Ham have improved greatly.
“Aston Villa, they lose Jack Grealish, but they’re bringing in really strong players and have a stronger squad, so it makes for an exciting season and we’ll see."
Lampard’s comments come after Leicester beat champions Manchester City 1-0 in the Community Shield on Saturday, in a game which saw Jack Grealish make his debut.
The Foxes won the game late on thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s late 89th minute penalty.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have themselves been busy in the window, bringing in Patson Daka from Red Bull Salzburg for £23million.
The Foxes have also signed Boubakary Soumare last month from Lille in a deal worth £17million, as well as Ryan Bertrand on a free transfer.
Leicester will be looking to go one better next season and qualify for the Champions League after missing out on the final day.
Villa have also been busy spending the £100million they earned from selling star man Grealish.
Emiliano Buendia, Ashley Young, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings have all joined the club on permanent deals, while Axel Tuanzebe arrived on Sunday on a season-long loan deal.
The new Premier League season kicks off on Friday when Brentford host Arsenal at their newly opened stadium.
Man Utd will host Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds in the early kick-off on Saturday, while Liverpool take on Norwich City at Carrow Road in the day’s late game.
Meanwhile, Premier League champions Man City travel to north London to face Spurs in the final game of the weekend on Sunday.
Get your hands on your club's special edition 2021/22 annual. Find out more here .
