Five sliding doors moments from the 2024/25 Premier League season | OneFootball

Sometimes fine margins decide the outcome of a Premier League season, inconsequential moments that ripple on throughout the campaign.

As the 2024/25 season comes to a close, we’ve looked at five sliding doors moments.

Five sliding doors moments from the 2024/25 Premier League season

What if West Ham had landed Duran?

West Ham were keen on a deal to sign Jhon Duran from Aston Villa last summer, while the interest in a transfer was mutual. The Colombian, frustrated with a lack of football, even went as far as to cross his arms to make an Irons-shaped gesture during an Instagram live video, amid ongoing interest from West Ham.

A deal failed to materialise, with Duran given his chance at Villa. He took it in fine style, scoring 12 times across the first half of the campaign to earn a €77m move to Al-Nassr. He’s added nine more goals in Saudi Arabia to take his total to 21 for the season in all competitions.

West Ham have stumbled through the season without a reliable goalscorer, with Niclas Fullkrug and Michail Antonio enduring injury-hit campaigns.

What if Rodri had not got injured?

Probably the sliding doors moment of the season. If there was one player that Manchester City could not afford to be without, it’s Rodri. September’s showdown with Arsenal saw Rodri sustain an ACL injury that would all but curtail his campaign.

City lost their metronome, a player soon-to-be named as the winner of the Ballon d’Or. In his absence, a City side that had started unbeaten slowly started to falter. An ageing midfield was exposed as City lost four consecutive league games between November 2nd and December 1st to drop down the table. Pep Guardiola’s side were unable to recover, ending a season trophyless for the first time since 2016/17.

What if Liverpool had signed Zubimendi?

Liverpool’s failure to sign Martin Zubimendi was mocked by rival fans last summer, with the Spaniard snubbing a switch to Anfield. As one door closes another opens, however, and it was an event that turned out to be the making of another.

Instead of signing an alternative, Slot put his trust in Ryan Gravenberch. The midfielder had struggled for football in his debut season at Liverpool and was accustomed to a more advanced role.

However, Gravenberch thrived in his new position, emerging as one of the stories of the season. The 22-year-old’s comfort receiving the ball and athletic duel-winning made him the perfect fit as Slot’s six. So good has he been, he was named Premier League Young Player of the Season.

What if Arsenal had signed a striker?

Arsenal’s failure to sign a striker last summer surprised, with Mikel Arteta opting to put his faith in Kai Havertz. The German started the season well but was struck down by a hamstring injury in February. With Gabriel Jesus also out, Arsenal lacked a recognised forward.

A late bid for Ollie Watkins failed to materialise in reinforcements, with Mikel Merino forced into an auxiliary number nine role. Arsenal were within six points of Liverpool at the time of Havertz’s injury, a gap that has extended to 12 heading into the final fixtures.

In Europe, the Gunners lost to PSG despite dominating the xG count over the two legs. Their lack of cutting edge was apparent on more than one occasion.

What is Leicester had stuck by Cooper?

Steve Cooper was not a popular appointment at Leicester last summer but it’s fair to say he started the season in solid enough fashion.

When the Foxes made the call to sack Cooper in November, Leicester had gone four without a win but were outside the relegation places. Leicester sat 16th with 10 points from 12 games but nosedived in form after their managerial change.

Ruud van Nistelrooy won on debut and drew with Brighton but things soon went south. A run of one win in 19 games, including 16 defeats, saw Leicester limp to relegation.

Hiring an inexperienced coach to replace one with previous Premier League survival success on their résumé was a gamble that backfired.

Read – Choosing every Premier League team’s Player of the Season

See more – Scott-etto McTominay, Ange Season 3, trophy droughts ended

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