Premier League Review: Key Insights from the 2023/24 Season
Premier League Review: Key Insights from the 2023/24 Season
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| Andoni Iraola, Manager of AFC Bournemouth, interacts with the Match Officials after the team's defeat in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on May 04, 2024 in London, England.(Image-Getty) |
By The Scout - 30 May 2024
Overview
The 2023/24 Premier League season brought significant changes, especially with new managerial appointments that transformed team performances and individual player successes in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). This article delves into these transformations, focusing on the clubs that saw the most notable improvements in their Expected Goals (xG) and player performances.
Bournemouth’s Revival Under Iraola
The appointment of Andoni Iraola as head coach last summer marked a turning point for Bournemouth. The Cherries recorded an xG of just 39.46 in the 2022/23 season, ranking among the lowest in the league. However, under Iraola's leadership, their xG surged to 56.59 in 2023/24, an improvement of 17.23—the third-best in the league.
| Club | 2022/23 xG | 2023/24 xG Improvement |
|------------|------------|------------|-------------|
| Chelsea | 50.1 | 75.3 | +25.2 |
| Liverpool | 70.8 | 89.4 | +18.6 |
| Bournemouth| 39.5 | 56.7 | +17.2 |
| Aston Villa| 49.5 | 64.7 | +15.2 |
| Spurs | 57.7 | 68.9 | +11.2 |
Dominic Solanke was a major beneficiary of this tactical shift. In the previous season, Solanke had nine big chances and an xG of 9.20, converting just 7.9% of his shots. This season, under Iraola, Solanke enjoyed 28 big chances and an xG of 19.6, scoring 19 goals with a 17.4% conversion rate, helping him achieve 175 FPL points—45 points more than his previous best.
| Season | Big Chances | xG | Goals | Conversion Rate |
|---------|-------------|-----|-------|-----------------|
| 2022/23 | 9 | 9.2 | 6 | 7.9% |
| 2023/24 | 28 | 19.6| 19 | 17.4% |
Spurs’ Offensive Boost with Postecoglou
Ange Postecoglou's arrival at Spurs, despite the departure of top scorer Harry Kane to Bayern Munich, significantly enhanced the team’s goal threat. Spurs’ xG increased from 57.74 under Antonio Conte in the previous season to 68.95 in 2023/24, an improvement of 11.21.
This tactical shift greatly benefited Son Heung-min, who saw a resurgence in his form. Son scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists, totaling 213 FPL points—61 points more than his previous season. He was involved in 43% of Spurs' goals under Postecoglou, compared to 28% under Conte.
| Season | Big Chances | Big Chances Created | Goals & Assists | Goal Involvement |
|---------|-------------|---------------------|-----------------|-----------------|
| 2022/23 | 14 | 8 | 16 | 28% |
| 2023/24 | 19 | 20 | 27 | 43% |
Impact of New Management Across the League
The analysis of xG improvements across the league indicates that eight of the nine most improved teams experienced changes in management. Alongside Bournemouth and Spurs:
Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers
began the 2023/24 season with new managers.
Aston Villa and Everton
enjoyed successful first full seasons under Unai Emery and Sean Dyche, respectively.
Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest
changed their managers mid-season and are expected to improve further in 2024/25.
Other clubs, including
Liverpool, Brighton & Hove Albion, and West Ham United
, will look for similar positive impacts from their new managers in the next season.
Conclusion
This season demonstrated how managerial changes could drastically alter a team’s attacking dynamics, significantly impacting FPL outcomes. As teams prepare for the 2024/25 season, these insights provide a foundation for predicting future performances and making strategic decisions in FPL.
