Brad Friedel names his Premier League XI and backs Arsenal as early title favourites

Brad Friedel has named his Premier League XI for the new season and backed Arsenal as the early favourites to win the title.

Speaking exclusively to The Football Historian on behalf of BetGoodwin, the former Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham goalkeeper was asked to pick a full Premier League XI, a manager, his title winner and the first manager he thinks could face the sack.

He went with a 4-3-3 shape, starting with Emiliano Martinez in goal. “Let’s go with Martinez in goal,” Friedel said.

At right-back, he selected Reece James, while at left-back he admitted it was a close call between Luke Shaw and Nico O’Reilly.

“I like Luke Shaw and Nico O’Reilly, I like them both,” he said. “So let’s go Luke Shaw for the experience.”

In central defence, Friedel went for Gabriel and Marc Guehi.

His midfield three was Rodri, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Rogers, with Cole Palmer, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland making up the front three.

Brad Friedel’s Premier League XI

Position	Brad Friedel’s pick
Goalkeeper	Emiliano Martinez
Right-back	Reece James
Centre-back	Gabriel
Centre-back	Marc Guehi
Left-back	Luke Shaw
Midfield	Rodri
Midfield	Elliot Anderson
Midfield	Morgan Rogers
Forward	Cole Palmer
Forward	Jeremy Doku
Striker	Erling Haaland

It's a very modern Premier League XI: power at the back, control in midfield, direct runners in attack, and Haaland up front doing Haaland things.

Friedel picks Iraola as best manager shout

Asked who he thinks could be the best manager in the Premier League next season, Friedel pointed towards the amount of change at the top of the league.

He mentioned Iraola and Xabi Alonso as two names to watch, but eventually leaned towards Iraola.

“There’s been a lot of change at the top,” Friedel said.

“I have a sneaky suspicion it’s going to be between Iraola and Xabi Alonso. I think there’s probably still some more turmoil to come at Chelsea.

“Let’s go Iraola.”

Arsenal backed as early title favourites

On the title race, Friedel believes Arsenal have the early advantage. His reasoning is simple: continuity.

With several of their rivals dealing with new managers, new ideas and major change, Friedel thinks Arsenal currently look the most settled.

“Right now, I’d have to say Arsenal are the favourites,” he said.

“They got over the line, they’ve had the least amount of change, they have more continuity. This could all change after the first four weeks of the season, but with new managers at Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Man United full-time, there’s a lot of change.

“So I would probably say Arsenal have the early advantage.”

That is probably the most sensible title prediction you can make in August: Arsenal are favourites, but reserve the right to pretend you never said that after four games.

First manager sacked?

Friedel admitted this isn't normally the kind of question he likes answering, but he did give a name.

He pointed towards Hull’s manager, Sergej Jakirović, as potentially vulnerable, while stressing that his reasoning had nothing to do with him as a coach.

“I’m going to answer this, I normally wouldn’t answer a question like this, to be honest with you,” Friedel said.

“This has nothing to do with him as a manager. The reason that I say that is because I know the Turkish market very well, it’s a Turkish owner.

“I think Hull are going to find it an uphill battle and the Turkish owners are very impatient.

“I think he probably will end up going not to any fault of his own.”

That is an important distinction.

Friedel was not questioning the manager’s ability. His point was more about circumstances: a difficult Premier League season, a tough ownership environment and the pressure that can quickly build if early results go badly.

So there you have it.

Brad Friedel’s Premier League verdict: Martinez in goal, Haaland up front, Iraola as a manager to watch, and Arsenal with the early advantage in the title race.

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