Q&A: Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher on the new Premier League season

The start of the new Barclays Premier League season is upon us with 14 live clashes on Sky Sports throughout August including some heavyweight tussles such as Manchester City versus Chelsea and Liverpool’s trip to Arsenal for Monday Night Football on 24 August.

To say Sky Sports’ football pundit has an interest in that last clash is an understatement with the former-Liverpool defender forming part of Monday Night Football’s punditry team and we caught up with him to get his thoughts on the start of the new campaign and how it feels to be on the other side of the Sky cameras.

Why is the Premier League so popular?​

I think it’s the way we play the game. It’s very much full-blooded and full of passion on the pitch and as well as from the fans. There’s no doubt that the Premier League is the most entertaining league in the world and that’s why people love it so much.

How good was last season’s campaign?​

It was a good season but I’m expecting a lot more from this Premier League season. The way Chelsea ran away with it meant it wasn’t too competitive at the top and I think a few clubs won’t have been happy with their performances last year so they’ll be looking to put that right this time around. I’m very excited for the new season as I always am at this time of year. I always get a buzz as the season approaches and keep an eye on all the transfer activity with who’s signing who and it looks like next season is shaping up to be a very good season.

Standout players?​

The two standout players for me last season were Harry Kane and Eden Hazard. Kane’s performances came from nowhere and Spurs would have really struggled if it wasn’t for his goals, his form last year will be of great benefit to not only his club but also for England.

What are you expecting from Liverpool this season?​

No doubt last year was disappointing from Liverpool’s point of view. The aim will have been a top four finish so to have finished down in sixth will have left a bitter taste and they’ll be determined to improve on that this time around. Top four will be the target again this season I would think and there has been a lot of good transfer activity early on which looks to be a change in policy from the club to get their business done early.

Thoughts on how the three promoted clubs will fare?​

The three sides who come up will always be favourites to go straight back down but hopefully that’s not the case. Eddie Howe has done a brilliant job at Bournemouth and picked up Manager of the Decade at the recent Football League awards so they’ve got a chance of staying up while Alex Neil at Norwich has also done a good job since joining. For Watford, it won’t be easy given they’ve got a new manager in Quique Flores. He has been successful abroad but it’ll be a different proposition in the Premier League so it won’t be easy for them. You always expect one, if not two of the promoted sides to go down but hopefully it won’t be all three.

How have you found being on the other side of the camera?​

I do miss playing and sometimes I would love to still be out there. I miss the big games when Liverpool are playing Everton or Man United but all things have to come to an end and now I look forward to the games in a different way by watching on Sky. I’ve now got more to think about when I’m watching the matches which is something I’ve enjoyed during the last two seasons.

What are your thoughts on Sky’s coverage of the Premier League?​

When you think of the Premier League you think of Sky Sports, Sky Sports and the Premier League just go together. They’ve been there since the start of the competition and they’ve helped take the Premier League to a higher level. Where they’ve taken the game with their coverage and analysis is bigger and better than ever before.

How does it feel to be a part of the Sky Sports football team?​

In the same way that I was part of a team at Liverpool I think of myself as being part of a team at Sky. In that sense Sky is my new team and one I’m delighted to be a part of. On Monday Night Football, along with Gary, we are always looking to help each other out and always looking for ways to improve the show to make sure that the viewers continue to enjoy watching it.

How beneficial is Sky’s football coverage for the licensed trade?​

The Premier League is huge for pubs and bars. Even now I still go to the pub with my mates to go and watch the football and always look for an excuse to go do so because it’s great to watch football at a pub. It doesn’t matter who you are watching it with, even if it’s with rival fans, it’s an opportunity to socialise and it always creates a debate.

This article first appeared in Preview magazine.​

All Sky pub and club customers receive ​Preview, a free monthly magazine which is sent directly to them, giving them all the information they need for the month ahead on Sky Sports, as well as helpful and easy to implement business advice, and sports news and insight from Sky Sports and the best pundits in the business. To find out how Sky Sports can increase trade for your pub or bar, please call 08448 245 680.​​

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