In the eyes of many German football fans, the league is already decided even though it is yet to begin. Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola notably stated that his team will be judged in Europe. Even those who are willing to stand on the fence as neutrals will be wishing for a more competitive season, which is good for the fans and good for the game.

Champions Bayern Munich have sold the engine that is Bastian Schweinsteiger and will begin this season without Xherdan Shqiri. However, they have strengthened their midfield with the like-for-like acquisitions of Chilean Arturo Vidal and Brazilian speedster Douglas Costa. Put these two internationals into their supposed roles and you have an equally talented Bayern outfit, if not better. The confusion that is Guardiola’s place at the club is another matter.

Vfl Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund will be looking to mount a challenge on the league summit. Bayern ended the season some 10 points ahead of  their closest rivals; the scary thing is that they look a team missing a weakness. With that said, each of the above clubs have made marked improvements to their squad and are ready to launch an attack on the throne.  

Kevin De Bruyne and company at Wolfsburg gave the Bavarians a run for their money throughout the 2014/2015 season. Their potent attacking trio of Andre Schurrle, Bas Dost and De Bruyne (if he stays) will be boosted by the equally potent Max Kruse, who signed from rivals ‘Gladbach for 12 million euros. Having said that, they will get nowhere if the defence does not improve.

Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt made a bigger splash this summer by making five first-team signings. Chilean star Charles Aranguiz is the marquee transfer while young centre backs Kyriakos Papadopoulos and Johnathan Tah also made the permanent switch to Bay Arena. Josip Drmic and Gonzalo Castro are the main casualties from last season’s squad.

The two Borussias – ‘Gladbach and Dortmund – might be on the outside looking in. ‘Gladbach replaced Max Kruse with Josip Drmic, paying 10 million euros, and made Thorgan Hazard’s move from Chelsea permanent but lost midfield patrolman Christoph Kramer. The biggest transfer news coming out of Dortmund this summer has been the departure of Jurgen Klopp. After a torrid season, new manager Thomas Tuchel has decided not to splash the cash, with Gonzalo Castro being the most notable purchase from Leverkusen.

What of this season’s new teams? Ingolstadt 04 and Darmstadt 98 will be teams fans are not familiar with. From a small ‘non-football’ town Ingolstadt was formed in 2004 and their first Bundesliga appearance marks a remarkable rise up the ladder in just over 10 years. On the other hand, Darmstadt will be making their first Bundesliga appearance since 1981-82 after notching back to back promotions. The aim will be nothing more than finishing above 16th

 place.

After all the excitement of the transfer window, it’s down to business. We are merely hours away from the start of the new German football season and with 34 games before it culminates, we wait with bated breath on the excitement that is about to encapsulate our television screens and Twitter feeds.

The uncertainty surrounding Pep Guardiola contract might prove to be the distraction some clubs need to close in on Bayern Munich and make this a fight for supremacy. Wolfsburg and Dortmund should be there or thereabouts to make this season’s end more exciting than the last. Until then, let’s enjoy the show.