It's back! Well, sort of. This is what every supporter can look forward to once their club's friendly matches get under way.
Seeing your team again
Summers are torturous.
The grass has been mown and mown again, nagging DIY jobs have been attempted (and quickly aborted), and it’s becoming difficult to busy yourself.
The Confederations Cup was alright while it lasted, but no substitute for following your own team.
So after a fallow six-week period, seeing your players stroll out for a friendly against the local non-league side is enough to make you giddy.
A comfortable win in a match played at half pace later, and you’re already confident that this is absolutely, definitely your season.
Playing against decent opposition
Leicester’s pre-season last term was supplemented with matches against Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.
Who have your team got this year? Malaysia XI away.
Tough place to go…
New kits
The new kit was released over a month ago, but nothing beats seeing and feeling it in person.
A phone screen simply doesn’t do justice to that new take on what could otherwise be mistaken as the same shirt as last season, such as the minute detailing around the collar.
It’s the classy addition of pinstripes, however, that make it worth parting with £54.99.
It’ll look great in the pub pre-match. Honest.
New signings
It’s finally time to get a glimpse of all the new arrivals.
The striker who top scored in the Belgian second division starts, along with the back-up goalkeeper who’s come from Spain.
The £50m record signing, meanwhile, has been rested for the tour of Asia. Bummer.
That lad from the academy
It’s half-time in the first friendly and on come the obligatory glut of substitutions.
With them is number 64, that winger from the youth team who got on the bench a couple of times last season.
“This lad’s going places,” you tell your mates after a couple of promising mazy runs that ultimately come to nothing.
A tap-in in the next match and you’re sold, failing to realise he’s only in the team because the internationals are still on holiday.
Still, after season on loan in the Championship, he’s sure to be first-team ready.
A summer holiday
A family holiday to Florida is sure to please everyone.
There’s Disney World, Universal Studios and, better yet, you can also catch the International Champions Cup.
A transatlantic trip doesn’t come cheap, though.
If it’s too pricy, Austria is supposed to be lovely this time of year and definitely worth considering.
With three Premier League clubs basing training camps there, along with another three in neighbouring Germany and one in Switzerland, you’re sure to get your fix.
Silverware
Vincent Janssen lifting a pre-season trophy like it’s the Champions League warms the heart. pic.twitter.com/l3qGELdVJ6
— Andy Ha (@_AndyHa) May 26, 2017
That’s right, West Brom and Crystal Palace fans. You could be about to win something.
Sure, the Premier League Asia Trophy and might not have the same prestige as the league title or FA Cup – or the Checkatrade Trophy, for that matter – but silverware is not to be sniffed at.
If that doesn’t take your fancy, there’s still the Emirates Cup or Amsterdam Tournament to peruse.
Best prepare the open-top bus and make some space in the cabinets.
