5 Biggest Storylines Heading Into the Final Day of the 2021 EPL Season

The final day of the 2020-21 Premier League season is quickly approaching, with many unanswered questions still to be resolved.

Man City locked up the title for the third time in four years, and the three relegated teams are set in stone, but European qualification and the future of some of the league’s brightest stars remain in doubt.

Here are the biggest 5 storylines heading into championship Sunday.

Liverpool’s Top 4 Chase

Liverpool just hasn’t been on the same side this season as they were during their title-winning campaign in 2020. Injuries to key players like Virgil Van Dijk derailed Jurgen Klopp‘s dreams for back-to-back titles. After a stretch in February that saw the Reds lose four straight league games, including three at Anfield, Liverpool looked well and truly out of the top 4 race. But of course, Klopp’s tenacious side wasn’t going to go away quietly.

They haven’t lost in the EPL since March 15, and thanks to that stunning game-winning header in stoppage time by Alisson against West Brom, Liverpool finds themselves very much in the top-four race. A dominant win on Wednesday against Burnley further helps their cause. If Liverpool beat Crystal Palace on Sunday, they would likely secure a top 4 finish and make their fifth consecutive Champions League.

Is Kane Leaving Tottenham?

Harry Kane made his 400th appearance in club football on Wednesday as Spurs lost 2-1 to Aston Villa. However, that wasn’t the big story surrounding the England national team captain. On Tuesday, reports came out that Kane informed Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy of his wish to move on from the club this summer. There are obviously still a lot of kinks to work out. Who knows if these reports are even true? It would make sense for Kane to move on to a new challenge, especially with Spurs not in the Champions League next season.

The cost will be exorbitant, with signs pointing to a transfer fee close to £150 million. Man City, Chelsea, and PSG are the early front runners to sign Kane. Only time will tell if Tottenham’s star man will play his last game for the club on Sunday.

Tottenham’s Next Manager

Now that it seems like Kane may leave Spurs, the next manager of Tottenham will have the difficult task of building the team back up after losing such a crucial piece. Many names have gone through the rumor mill surrounding the job over the past week. Fulham manager Scott Parker and Brighton gaffer Graham Potter are the in-league favorites. Still, it’s quite possible Levy will try to snag a bigger name like former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri.

Ryan Mason was named interim manager after the sacking of Jose Mourinho, but it’s evident that he doesn’t have the experience to lead Tottenham for the long term. It wouldn’t shock me if Spurs’s next manager is announced in the days following their final game on Sunday against Leicester.

Arsenal Possibly Missing out on European Football

The last time Arsenal didn’t play European football was during the 1995-1996 season, the year before legendary manager Arsene Wenger came to the club. Arsenal never really looked like a team that deserved European football throughout this season, but they’ve still managed to stay in the hunt for the last spot in continental competitions.

Whether they make it or not, this season will still be considered a massive failure for Mikel Arteta, especially after winning the FA Cup in his debut campaign.

Even if they qualify, they’d likely be playing in UEFA’s new third-tier competition: The Europa Conference League. Arsenal has already gone through embarrassment on top of embarrassment since Wenger left the club. Playing in the Conference League or being out of Europe altogether is yet another blow to Arsenal’s faltering reputation in the football world.

The Golden Boot Race

Things are very tight in the golden boot race. Kane and Mo Salah are tied at the top of the leaderboard with 22 goals apiece as we enter the final match week. Both players have already won it twice, with this year’s winner becoming only the seventh player in English football history to win the top-flight golden boot in three different seasons.

It’s yet another storyline in what is shaping up to be a thrilling final day of Premier League football.