Premier League: Avoiding relegation high on priorities for Aaron Mooy, Mat Ryan as season kicks off

THE circus that is the Premier League kicks off this weekend with a relegation battle expected to occupy the thoughts of Australia’s only two players - Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan.

AAP

2 min read

August 9, 2018 - 10:15AM

AAP

It going to be a big season for Alisson, Aaron Mooy, Riyad Mahrez and Mat Ryan.

EPL

Don't miss out on the headlines from EPL. Followed categories will be added to My News.

THE circus that is the Premier League kicks off this weekend with Socceroos stars Mat Ryan and Aaron Mooy battling to keep their sides at the top table of English football.

With Brad Smith leaving Bournemouth for MLS side Seattle Sounders on loan, Mooy and Ryan, who played in all three World Cup matches in Russia, are now the only two Australian representatives in the EPL.

Mooy’s Huddersfield are the bookmakers’ favourites to go down, as they were last year, and Ryan’s Brighton are predicted to be among the teams struggling for survival.

DREAM MOVE: Courtois signs with Real Madrid

Mat Ryan had an outstanding debut season with Brighton.

Both clubs have added to their squads in the off-season with the transfer window closing on Thursday night (EST) - just 24 hours before the season opener between Manchester United and Leicester at Old Trafford.

Huddersfield have made eight signings, highlighted by the recruitment of Swiss defender Terence Kongolo for a club record $31 million, but Mooy will once again be a key figure in the Terriers’ midfield.

The 27-year-old had been linked with a move away from West Yorkshire but the Sydneysider said recently he was fully committed to the club - for now.

“I am very happy at Huddersfield,” Mooy said.

“It’s a great club for me and I’m proud to be there. I’m just trying to get better, keep pushing myself and see where that takes me.”

Ryan, who was voted Brighton’s player of the year last season, was ranked as the best value for money goalkeeper in the division in a recent analysis of the 2017/18 season.

It declared Ryan represented the greatest value for the amount of saves he made compared to his transfer fee and wage following his arrival from Valencia last year.

Aaron Mooy will have a vital role to play again for Huddersfield.

Ryan made 38 appearances for the Seagulls, recording 10 clean sheets and conceding 54 goals, for an average of 1.42 goals per game.

The former Central Coast Mariner made the third most saves in the Premier League last season with 124, and it was calculated that every save cost Brighton less than $104,000.

Ryan continues a fine tradition of Australian goalkeepers who have graced the EPL, following in the footsteps of Mark Bosnich and Mark Schwarzer. He will need to be in fine form from the start with Brighton facing a tricky opening fixture away at Watford before taking on Liverpool and Manchester United.

Record-breaking Manchester City are heavily fancied to become the first team in over a decade to defend their title with the addition of Riyad Mahrez from Leicester bolstering an already potent attack.

Liverpool, who have not won a title since 1990, are hopeful the addition of Brazilian gloveman Allison will be the final piece of their puzzle after finishing fourth in a season marred by goalkeeping howlers from Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet.

Manchester United and Tottenham - who finished second and third respectively - have been quieter in the transfer market, much to the chagrin of Jose Mourinho who has spent the pre-season bitterly complaining about a lack of signings.

Both sides will be in contention for a top-four finish once again with Arsenal, in their first season without Arsene Wenger in the dugout in 22 years, looking to return to the Champions League under new coach Unai Emery.