The Premier League returns this week with all 20 teams raring to go for the 2022/23 campaign.

Manchester City will defend the crown once again with Liverpool again hunting them down as has been the case over the last few seasons, while Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all fight to return to the top.

Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Fulham are tasked with retaining Premier League status following promotion from the Championship, in what is set to be an all-action season with drama from top to bottom in the table.

What to expect from the 2022/23 Premier League

The race to secure European football remains tighter than ever with West Ham and Leicester expected to be in the hunt once again. Aston Villa, Newcastle and Wolves are all considered sides to watch this season, as are Patrick Vieira's much improved Crystal Palace outfit.

Erik ten Hag takes to the dugout at Old Trafford in his first season as United manager and must improve on a dismal 2021/22 campaign, while Arsenal have turned heads following a perfect pre-season campaign and a number of astute signings, namely Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko from City.

But with all the eyes on how each club's new arrivals settle in and what business might still be completed before the transfer window slams shut, continuity is an underrated and vitally important factor that is being overlooked.

Advanced Fofana talks! (Football Terrace)

For all the major incomings and outgoings at clubs up and down the Premier League table, what is important is consistency. New signings need to be able to turn to experienced heads at the club, especially with the season being so long and interrupted by the 2022 World Cup this winter.

A graphic produced by the Premier League has done the rounds on Reddit, displaying the longest serving active player at every club for the 2022/23 season. And some of the names involved are intriguing.

Let's check it out.

The longest serving active player

Brentford's longest serving player, Rico Henry, has only actually been at the club since the summer of 2016. It's yet another example of the Bees breaking the mould, with them known for their shrewd transfer business.

Elsewhere, it's Everton who have the longest tenure for the longest serving player in the Premier League, with Seamus Coleman still in the squad following his 2009 arrival from Sligo Rovers. The 33-year-old is beginning to show cracks, but for a transfer fee of just £60,000, he has proven one of the league's greatest value for money signings in recent times.

David de Gea and Phil Jones both signed for United in 2011. The Spaniard continues to be a vital part of the first team operations after over a decade of service, but injuries have completely ruined Jones' ability to nail down a spot in recent years and to see him still wearing the United shirt is a surprise - and a concern for many fans.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 03: Seamus Coleman of Everton celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Burnley FC at Goodison Park on May 03, 2019 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Arsenal could well lose their longest serving player if Hector Bellerin completes a move away from the club before the window shuts. Bellerin spent last season on loan at Real Betis and thrived in La Liga after falling out of favour under Mikel Arteta.

Jordan Henderson continues to play a major role in the heart of Liverpool's midfield and has developed into an undoubtedly world class midfielder since arriving from Sunderland in 2011, having now lifted the Champions League and Premier League as club captain.

Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne officially takes over as the longest serving player at City with Fernandinho leaving the club this summer. Since signing in 2015, De Bruyne has staked his claim as quite possibly the best midfielder in the world and has already forged an immense legacy at the club.

Legacies are important and having leaders in the dressing room will again prove vital for all 20 sides this season, but what counts is the points tally at the end of the season. The coming season presents all players with a chance to write their own history and become heroes, no matter how long they've been around.