The return of the Premier League is only around the corner, with just over three weeks until the season kicks off again. Last time out Liverpool were crowned champions for the first time in 30 years, but it is likely that this next season will be as competitive as ever with other clubs gunning to try and contend for the title one more.
The Reds will be hoping to win back to back titles for the first time since 1984 – and will have a task on their hand given the quality and competition that the Premier League possesses. There will also be plenty of action at the other end of the table, with new boys Leeds, West Brom, and Fulham all hoping to stay up in the league.
The wait for the kit releases is no more, with almost all the clubs having promoted their new away kits – but how well do they rank against each other across the league?
Burnley, Brighton, Fulham, and Wolves – Unclassified
Sadly the four clubs haven’t released their away kits yet, nor has there been any leaked images – so automatically they go joint last due to this.
It is rather late into the kit calendar as well so let’s hope we get to see them soon.
16. West Bromwich Albion
I don’t even know where to start, what even is it? Doesn’t look like a football kit.
I’m desperate to put it behind the four aforementioned clubs as it would be very impressive to make a kit as bad as this one. The design worked okay for the colours of the home shirt, but this is atrocious and lazy for Puma to just use the same template and just change the colours. The green and yellow just slap you in the face, it’s even worse than Norwich’s away kit from last season – this needs to go straight in the bin, and maybe burnt as well.
15. Leicester
The reported Leicester away kit is just a bit average. It’s not horrible, it’s just really boring. Typical white with a bit of Adidas three stripes gold trim down the side – not a fan.
A lot of the other clubs in the league have been daring with their away kit designs which is why Leicester goes straight at the back of the pile – dull.
14. Newcastle United
The print and style are great – just the colour lets it down. I like the button collar and the pattern across the shirt is really nice, I’m not sure the colour works with it though.
I can handle a bright vibrant colour but just not sure on this shade of neon yellow – not awful but not amazing, just meh.
13. Aston Villa
Again it’s just a bit plain – the pinstripe pulls it up above the previous however, and the colour scheme works moderately well. The button collar works well just like the Newcastle kit, but if the leaks are true then Villa fans will ikely forget about this kit after this season.
Kappa usually do a nice job – but this doesn’t hit the mark in my opinion.
12. Everton
Hummel are great, and often outside the box. The kit takes inspiration from the clubs 1970’s amber/yellow away kit – and it actually. It’s not my most preferred colour scheme, but it works for the club and the design of the kit.
The striped/faded Hummel V across the shoulder pannels looks good rather than the block like it is on the home strip.
Just get rid of the awful sponsor and you’re on to a winner.
11. Manchester United
The club has differed a little from last seasons away kit – the colour shceme has changed to bulk black witht the white Adidas stripes, and features a sort of ripple effect across the kit which works with the colour.
It’s not a barnstormer of a kit but it sure is a lot better than their home jersey for this season, and the United fans should maybe opt for this purchase rather than that bus seat inspired home strip.
10. Leeds
Leeds back where they belong – with an away kit that isn’t half bad.
I like the colour scheme used for the kit, and it works in a stripe pattern. The typical Adidas tenplate has been used as expected, but the gold three stripes across the shoulder pannels really works, and the club badge ties in really well with the design and colour scheme of the kit.
Let’s just hope the kit isn’t ruined by a giant awful sponsor right in the middle of it.
9. Southampton
Not bad at all from the Saints.
The sponsor is a letdown but it’s sports-related for a change, but I love the deep rich blue with the yellow trim here and there. The shield style badge works well as it does on the home kit too – and again with the scarf detail and the phrase ‘We March On’ on the inside of the collar. Southampton and Under Armour have produced a smart one here, well done.
8. Crystal Palace
C’est manifique.
This is as France as it can get – but I really like it. It takes the same design as the home kit, but unlike the West Brom away kit the colour scheme actually works. The sponsor is okay and stands out well against the kit – I can easily get behind this kit, it’s a great addition by Puma and the Palace faithful will surely be happy.
7. West Ham
Smart as they come. It’s a simple design but it looks great.
The club has changed the colour scheme compared to last seasons away kit, and this one is almost as good as it. The two claret stripe panels either side of the sponsor work really well, and the 125-year anniversary badge adds to the simplicity of the kit.
I often enjoy a lairy away kit, but when they’re done simply like this you can’t help but admire.
6. Sheffield United
It’s pink!
Very happy with this one, and much better than their strange home strip. There’s a faint army type print that features across the whole of the kit in a shiny and lighter pink – and I really like it.
It’s a brave and bold move to go for a pink kit and it has to be done well to pull it off, much like Leicester’s away kit from last season. The slight black detail on the trim of the sleeves and the three stripes on the shoulder panel suits too.
Blades fans, you lucky bunch.
5. Arsenal
Funky, Fresh, Vibrant, MARBLE.
I like this one, I like it a lot. The club has gone bold once again after them and Adidas revisited the bruised banana last season, and this is a lovely follow up to such an iconic design.
The off-white colour goes fantastic with the sharp red marble print that runs across the kit – and the sponsor, kit manufacturer badge and club badge work best in just the plain back to match the trim details on the shoulders. The Gunners will be skipping around the Emirates with this one.
4. Tottenham
Finally, Spurs have another top-four finish. I’m not usually a fan of green, but Nike has pulled off a dead ringer for Spurs this season.
The neon pink trim with the contrast side panel on each side of the kit works wonders, and if you are able to see closely enough the club and Nike badges are 3D with a slightly peachy pink layer across the bottom – a nice touch.
It is a fantastic kit and will look great next season alongside the club’s equally great home kit.
3. Chelsea
Now we’re getting to the big guns.
Nike again has pulled it off with this Chelsea away strip for this season – I love the sketchy little zig-zag pattern across the kit in the different shades of blue. The colour scheme works so well, and to have the badges and sponsor in the same colours just adds to the classiness of it all.
It’s just a great kit, simply put, and Chelsea fans are over the moon with it.
2. Liverpool
It’s such a close call, but unlike this year the Reds have just missed out on the top spot.
This has to be one of the most out-there away kits that Liverpool has had for years – and it’s beautiful. The pattern across the short looks a little like some sort of torn French Renaissance Wallpaper, and I’m all here for it.
The bright blue with the black trim on the sleeves and around the collar of the shirt just enhances the whole design, but the white trim on the badges and sponsor helps to make them pop against the pattern and colour of the whole top.
Nike has truly started their journey with the Reds in a good place.
1. Manchester City
As a Liverpool fan, it pains me to say it – but this kit is incredible.
The design that Puma has used looks unbelievable, along with the bronze used for the badges and the sponsor just plays off of it so well. They’ve used a base standard black, but it all just looks so good with the print, which looks like a type of blue colour but is hard to make out unless you were to have the kit in your hands.
Puma let the club down with their home kit – but all has been settled with this masterpiece, a truly remarkable away kit.
