Buckle up for a season that is likely to be the most controversial Premier League ever

AS always, the start of the new Premier League season brings with it a series of intriguing questions for English football’s leading clubs. Can Arsenal improve again and finally get over the line? Will Chelsea continue to be a circus? Can the optimistic mood last at Tottenham? Et cetera.

- Dan Kilpatrick

For champions Manchester City, however, the uncertainty as they begin their push for an unprecedented fifth straight league title at Chelsea on Sunday is altogether more existential.

City’s hearing into their alleged 115 breaches of Premier League rules is, according to reports, finally expected to be heard by an independent commission in September, with an outcome likely at the start of next year.

The result is all but guaranteed to send shockwaves through the topflight, which are likely to be felt throughout the wider game at home and abroad.

If City are found guilty, relegation is among the possible punishments (they begin the season favorites for a seventh title in eight seasons with the bookies but as low as 8-1 to go down), which would have an enormous impact on the English pyramid.