The Premier League season of 2016-17 is drawing to a close, and while the title race and relegation battles are already resolved, the competition for a top-four finish has kept the excitement going right up to the final day. As teams gear up for one last push, there are several significant talking points that will define the conclusion of the campaign. The fight for Champions League spots, Chelsea’s motivation to end the season with a flourish, the Golden Boot race, the state of Manchester United, and the many farewells to players and managers are all crucial storylines as the Premier League season reaches its climax. Let’s dive into these five key talking points that will shape the final day of the 2016-17 Premier League season.
One of the most compelling aspects of the final day is the battle for the coveted top-four spots in the Premier League, which guarantee qualification for next season’s Champions League group stage. As the season concludes, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal are the three clubs in the thick of the fight, with only two spots available. This makes for a tense final round of matches, as all three teams will be hoping to secure their place among Europe’s elite.
At the top of the pack, Manchester City, who sit in third place, are in the best position to claim one of the final Champions League spots. City only need a point from their trip to Watford to guarantee their place, and even a loss may not be enough to prevent them from qualifying if Liverpool and Arsenal fail to win their respective matches. The Citizens have been one of the more consistent teams this season, and with their destiny in their own hands, manager Pep Guardiola will be confident his team can seal their spot in Europe’s premier competition.
Liverpool, who have had an up-and-down season, are also in control of their own fate. With a win over relegated Middlesbrough at Anfield, Liverpool would secure their second Champions League appearance in eight years. The Reds have been inconsistent at times, but manager Jürgen Klopp will know that a win on the final day would ensure they finish in the top four, marking a successful season for the Merseyside club. However, any slip-ups – a draw or a loss – would open the door for Arsenal to overtake them. Liverpool fans will be hoping their team can step up on the final day and finish what they started.
Arsenal, who are currently in fifth place, are the outsiders in the top-four race. While they are still alive in the competition for a Champions League spot, their hopes are dependent on winning their final match at home against Everton. Even then, the Gunners would need both Liverpool to lose to Middlesbrough and Manchester City to lose to Watford to have a chance to finish in the top four. It’s a tall order, but Arsenal’s recent form suggests that Arsène Wenger’s side has not given up on the possibility of securing a place in next season’s Champions League. Four consecutive wins leading into the final day have given the Gunners a glimmer of hope, and Wenger will be hoping to extend that winning run to end the season on a high.
While City and Liverpool have their fates in their own hands, Arsenal will need to rely on some help from other teams. Nonetheless, with the prospect of securing a 20th consecutive season in the Champions League, Wenger will be doing everything in his power to get his team over the line. The race for the top four promises to provide plenty of drama on the final day, as these three clubs battle for supremacy.
Chelsea have already wrapped up the Premier League title, confirming their status as champions with a 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion the previous weekend. It marks the club’s fifth title in the last 12 years, a remarkable achievement under manager Antonio Conte. With the title already secured, some might expect Chelsea to ease off in their final match against relegated Sunderland. However, Conte will be keen for his team to finish the season in style, especially at home in front of their own fans at Stamford Bridge.
One of the key motivations for Chelsea on the final day is the chance to break a long-standing Premier League record. With 29 wins already under their belt this season, the Blues are on the brink of setting a new record for the most wins in a 38-game Premier League campaign. If Chelsea can defeat Sunderland on the final day, it would be their 30th win of the season, surpassing the previous record of 29 wins, set in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons under José Mourinho. This record would be another feather in the cap for Conte, who has had a hugely successful first season in charge of the club.
Furthermore, while Chelsea have already secured the title, they are still motivated to put on a strong performance as they prepare for the Premier League trophy presentation at the end of the game. The final day is a chance for the players to celebrate their success with the fans, and Conte will want his team to maintain their focus and professionalism until the very end of the season. With their place at the top of the table already assured, Chelsea will be aiming for a dominant final performance to cap off what has been a memorable season.
Another intriguing storyline heading into the final day of the season is the race for the Golden Boot, awarded to the Premier League’s top goal scorer. This year, Harry Kane is in pole position to win the prestigious award for the second consecutive season. Kane, who has scored 26 goals so far this season, has been in excellent form, including a remarkable four-goal haul in Tottenham’s 6-1 victory over Leicester City in midweek. With just one game remaining, Kane is two goals ahead of second-place Romelu Lukaku and three goals ahead of Alexis Sanchez in the race for the Golden Boot.
Despite missing several months of the season due to injury, Kane’s return to form has been nothing short of spectacular. His goal-scoring prowess has been a key reason for Tottenham’s impressive season, and with Spurs’ final match against relegated Hull City, Kane will be eager to add to his tally and secure the Golden Boot for the second year running. Kane has become only the fifth player in Premier League history to score 25 or more goals in successive seasons, a testament to his consistency and quality in front of goal. If he can add another brace or two on the final day, he will become the first player since Robin van Persie in 2013 to win the Golden Boot in back-to-back seasons.
While Lukaku and Sanchez are still in with a chance of catching Kane, they will need to score multiple goals and hope that Kane fails to find the net against Hull City. Given Kane’s form and Tottenham’s motivation to finish strong, he remains the favorite to secure the Golden Boot, but it could still be a dramatic finish as the final round of matches unfold.
As the season draws to a close, Manchester United are preparing for their Europa League final against Ajax, a match that holds great significance for the club’s future. While United are already guaranteed a spot in next season’s Europa League regardless of their performance in the final, a win over Ajax would secure a place in next season’s Champions League group stage. This makes the Europa League final a crucial fixture for José Mourinho’s team, and as a result, the final Premier League match against Crystal Palace has been somewhat overshadowed.
Mourinho has expressed frustration with the scheduling of the Palace game, suggesting that it should have been moved to allow United extra preparation time for the Europa League final. As a result, Mourinho is expected to field a weakened team against Palace, giving some of the younger players a chance to prove themselves. Players like Joel Pereira, Demetri Mitchell, Scott McTominay, Axel Tuanzebe, Matty Willock, Josh Harrop, and Zachary Dearnley could all feature on the final day, and for many of them, this could be the biggest match of their careers. These youngsters will be eager to impress and make a case for more regular first-team involvement next season.
While United’s focus will be on the Europa League final, the match against Palace will still be an important occasion for the club. It marks the end of another season under Mourinho’s leadership, and while the team has made progress in certain areas, there is still much work to be done. United’s season has been one of transition, and Mourinho will be looking to strengthen his squad over the summer to close the gap on the top teams. The final match of the season will be a chance for the team to end the campaign on a positive note and build momentum ahead of next season.
The final day of the Premier League season is always a time for farewells, and this year will be no exception. Several players and managers are set to leave their respective clubs, marking the end of an era. One of the most emotional goodbyes will come from Chelsea captain John Terry, who will play his final match for the club after 22 years at Stamford Bridge. Terry, who has made 717 appearances for Chelsea, will lift the Premier League trophy in front of the home crowd, a fitting end to his illustrious career at the club. Terry’s departure signals the end of an era for Chelsea, and the final day will be an emotional occasion for both the player and the fans.
Other farewells could come from figures like Arsène Wenger and Wayne Rooney. Wenger, who has been at the helm of Arsenal for over two decades, could be preparing to say goodbye to the Premier League, even though he still has the possibility of securing a top-four finish. Rooney, too, could be saying farewell to the league, as his future at Manchester United remains uncertain. The final day of the season is always a time for reflection, and this year will be no different, with several high-profile figures potentially bidding farewell to the Premier League.
In addition to the big-name farewells, there will also be players leaving their current clubs. Managers like Walter Mazzarri will also be on their way out, and teams like Hull, Middlesbrough, and Sunderland will definitely be saying goodbye to the Premier League for now. As players like Harry Maguire, Jordan Pickford, and Jermain Defoe look set to remain in the Premier League, many others will be moving on, potentially to different clubs or even different leagues. The summer transfer window promises to be a busy one, with plenty of high-profile moves expected
The final day of the 2016-17 Premier League season is shaping up to be a dramatic and emotional occasion. The top-four race remains wide open, with Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal all vying for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, the newly crowned champions, are motivated to finish the season with a record-breaking performance, while Harry Kane is on the brink of securing his second consecutive Golden Boot. Manchester United are focused on their Europa League final, and several players and managers are set to bid farewell to the Premier League. As the season comes to a close, the final day promises to deliver plenty of excitement, drama, and memorable moments.
