Premier League Pulse: The Season Ahead

The Premier League is just around the corner, and the excitement is building. Manchester City will kick off their domestic campaign with an FA Community Shield clash against local rivals Manchester United in August. Pep Guardiola’s side will begin their Premier League title defence away to Chelsea in west London in mid-August, but will officially kick-off their domestic campaign in the capital with the FA Community Shield earlier that month.

The Sky Blues will face Manchester United in the 2024 edition of the FA Community Shield on Saturday 10 August.

Manchester City, who have won the FA Community Shield on five previous occasions, qualified for the annual fixture by winning their fourth consecutive Premier League title last month, beating West Ham at the Etihad Stadium to lift the trophy for a sixth time in seven years. The Sky Blues will face local Manchester United in the match, after Erik ten Hag’s side beat Manchester City 1-2 in the Emirates FA Cup Final in May, as first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo secured a surprise victory.

“He went to a game at the end of the season and loved it. Now it’s a matter of seeing if his finances suit him,” explained a source consulted by ‘The Sun’ newspaper, which confirmed that the NBA star is considering investing “a lot of cash” in West Ham.

Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA legend, is in talks to become one of West Ham United’s owners and become the latest American sports star to invest in English soccer. The massive 52-year-old pivot became interested in becoming a shareholder of the Premier League side after watching one of the club’s matches last season.

![Shaquille O’Neal](_search_image Shaquille O’Neal West Ham) The NBA legend is considering investing in West Ham United.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have made initial contact about signing a £50m Premier League star. The Blues have already completed the signing of Tosin Adarabioyo, 26, on a free transfer. He’s a ball-playing centre-back with top-flight experience from his time at Fulham. Now, Enzo Maresca’s side have been linked with another central defender.

![Murillo](_search_image Murillo Nottingham Forest) Murillo, the 21-year-old Brazilian star, is a left-footed centre-back that fits the mould of a modern defender.

According to UOL, Chelsea are interested in signing Nottingham Forest defender Murillo. It is understood that the Blues have already made initial contact with their Premier League rivals about signing the South American centre-back. The report claims that Forest are demanding £50.7m for Murillo. Apparently, Chelsea have expressed that they won’t pay the asking price in full. However, they are considering offering cash plus two players in a deal to sign the South American centre-back.

The 2024/25 campaign could be Guardiola’s last at the Etihad Stadium, with the 53-year-old out of contract at Manchester City at the end of next season. The Blues will travel to the United States for a four-match tour next month, with friendlies against Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea all scheduled to take place across America.

The Blues will travel to the United States for a four-match tour next month.

The match will be the 194th Manchester derby, and confirms Manchester City’s pre-season plans, with Guardiola’s side set to play five matches before their Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge. The Blues will travel to the United States for a four-match tour next month, with friendlies against Celtic, AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea all scheduled to take place across America.