Now we are into the later stages of July, the transfer
market will start to hot up with teams intensifying their preparations for the
new Premier League season. Looking at the premier league, the competition seems
stronger than ever with many teams strengthening so far this summer but very
few quality players have headed for the exit door. I will evaluate where each
team needs to strengthen in this transfer window and their realistic
expectations for the next season.
Arsenal
Another summer involving a flurry of speculation has followed
another season of Arsenal being seemingly happy to finish fourth. This is not
surprising given their significant weaknesses in the squad compared to the top
three. Attempts are being made to strengthen with a new striker being the main
target and Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez have both been mentioned as targets.
Arsenal are definitely in need of a goalscorer with no Arsenal player hitting
the 15 goal mark last season as Theo Walcott top scored with 14. However, if
Arsenal are to make a serious title challenge this season, other areas also
need to be strengthened particularly with all their rivals looking to
strengthen. The centre of the midfield looks to lack depth taking into account
the injury proneness of Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere. Mikel Arteta is ageing
and Arsenal could do with a couple of defensive minded midfielders to free up
their star player Santi Cazorla to maraud forward. Whilst Arsenal’s first
choice defence looks strong on paper, they could do with an additional centre
back to challenge Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker. This
could be the year Arsenal finally finish outside the top 4 with the other clubs
in contention all looking to be strengthening and significant investment is
needed to put them on an even keel with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester
United, Manchester City and Tottenham.
Prediction 5th
Key Man- Santi Cazorla
Aston Villa
The Jekyll and Hyde team of the Premier League last season
and it’s difficult to know what to make of their prospects for next season.
They have already added 6 new signings and whilst all of them are quite young,
they all have a decent amount of first team experience with the exception of
Jed Steer. Despite this there is still a clear lack of experience within the
squad and Paul Lambert could do with adding a couple of experienced heads to
the squad. However, with 6 signings already made, I can’t see there being many
more incomings now they’ve secured the future of Christian Benteke. This
youthful Villa squad will only improve after a tough season of premier league
football last time out and I can see them finishing safely in midtable.
Prediction 12th
Key Man- Christian Benteke
Cardiff City
For me, Cardiff are the strongest of the newly promoted
clubs. They possess a solid defensive unit and possess several useful striking
options. In Craig Bellamy they have a player who may miss a few games through
injury, but is capable of being a genuine match winner which is invaluable in a
relegation battle. For me, they could do with a quality winger and also a
defensive midfielder, but the bids made for Victor Wanyama and Tom Ince shows
they have funds to spend and so I expect Cardiff City to safely avoid
relegation this season.
Prediction 15th
Key Man- Peter Whittingham
Chelsea
For me, Chelsea are the team to watch in the Premier League
title race this season. They have high class throughout the team and with Jose
Mourinho returning to Stamford Bridge, they are my tip for the title. I expect
Eden Hazard to be even better next season and the addition of Andre Schurrle
adds even more flair to their attacking unit. I believe Romelu Lukaku will
shine in attack in the aftermath of a hugely successful loan spell of West Brom
and whilst they could do with a world class option to compete with Lukaku and
Fernando Torres (as I expect Demba Ba to leave) and a holding midfielder to
compete with John Obi Mikel they have genuine quality in all positions already
in their squad.
Prediction 1st
Key Man- Juan Mata
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace for me, will have a hard time remaining in
the Premier League. I see a squad made up of solid championship players but
many of which have had opportunities at premier league level before and never
looked comfortable at that level. The likes of Peter Ramage, Jerome Thomas,
Danny Gabbidon and Stephen Dobbie have all been part of premier league clubs
and have either performed poorly or not been given appearances at their former
clubs. The loss of Wilfried Zaha provides a huge hole in the team and Glenn
Murray could miss the start of the season leaving Palace in a pickle. Much will
depend on Dwight Gayle and how he adapts to the premier league, but this is a
pressure he hasn’t faced before playing at the top level and it is harsh to
expect so much of him at such a young age. As regards to strengthening, the
midfield is the key area that needs strengthening but reinforcements would be
good all over the park. Whilst I see Palace as doomed, they proved the doubters
wrong last year to gain promotion and with Ian Holloway at the helm, anything
is possible.
Prediction 19th.
Key man-Dwight Gayle
Everton
Everton will be an interesting team to watch this season.
Not least because Roberto Martinez will try to get his team to play in the
style of his Wigan side which contrasts to Everton’s successful tactics in recent
years being built on using the aerial presence of Maroune Fellaini. Keeping
hold of Fellaini and Baines will be a big test of the new manager’s
capabilities and if they should leave, it would be imperative that Martinez
spends the money correctly. David Moyes has worked wonders at the club on
limited resources and it will be very tough for Martinez to replicate Moyes’s
success. In terms of the transfer market, Everton’s main weakness looks to be
in central midfield where they could do with adding a couple of quality players
and I would not be surprised if Martinez made another signing from Wigan in the
shape of James McCarthy, particularly if Fellaini leaves the club. Arouna Kone
looks to be a good addition to an Everton side that struggled to find a
goalscorer due to a poor season last time for Nikicia Jelavic. However, I can
see Everton struggling to adapt to the transition of manager and falling short
of their points tally from last season.
Prediction 8th
Key Man- Kevin Miralles
Fulham
Fulham have a strong first team line up but lack depth. The
course of their season depends on if they can keep their key players fit. They
lack depth in the fullback department, in central midfield and especially
upfront where a long-term injury to Dimitar Berbatov or Bryan Ruiz could see
them fall into the relegation battle. However, with the backing of the new club
owners I expect them to bolster their squad and to finish safely in midtable
once again. In terms of their first team, a quality centre-midfielder would
increase their prospects of a top half finish and maybe even a push for Europe.
Prediction 10th
Key Man- Bryan Ruiz
Hull City
In my opinion Hull City will face an uphill struggle to
survive this season. Their defensive unit looks strong enough, but they are
lacking attacking potential in their squad. Danny Graham is a good loan signing
and he will score goals but he can’t do it on his own and I can’t see where the
rest of the goals are coming from. In my opinion Hull need to sign 2 wingers
and 2 strikers to have a chance of survival. The likes of Robert Koren, George
Boyd and Ahmed Elmohamady will have to perform exceptionally for Hull to have a
good season.
Prediction 20th
Key Man- Sone Aluko
Liverpool
Liverpool will start the season aiming for a top 4 finish
and I expect them to be in contention. Brendan Rodgers has improved their
attacking options in recent months and a fluid attacking formation has led to
some impressive performances not least the 6-0 drubbing of Newcastle, but they
need to cut out the inconsistencies in their performances. I do think they need
to replace Jamie Carragher with a top class centre-back as Sebastian Coates has
not been trusted by Brendon Rodgers and Kolo Toure is not the defender he used
to be and should be used sparingly. I can see Luis Suarez leaving this summer
and he would have to be replaced with a high class striker. If they are serious
about challenging for the champions league, a centre midfielder is also a must
due to the lack of depth in the position. However, I expect them to fall just
short of the top 4 as I think their midfield lacks the quality options that
Tottenham have.
Prediction 6th
Key Man- Steven Gerrard
Man City
The additions they have made so far have been impressive and
have ironed out issues leftover from last season. Jesus Navas gives them
increased width, Fernandinho adding increased quality to the defensive midfield
position and Alvaro Negrado offering more depth upfront. An additional striker
is still needed but that seems to be close to happening with Stevan Jovetic
close to joining. I still believe they could do with another defensive
midfielder and also a centre back due to the problems caused by the absences of
Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure in key games last year. I think they will finish
2nd to Chelsea but I think it will be a close run thing they will
need returns to form for David Silva and Sergio Aguero for this to happen
however.
Prediction 2nd
Key Man- Yaya Toure
Man United
It will be interesting to see what happens at Manchester United
in the wake of Ferguson’s departure. As ever there is a need to strengthen in
midfield to provide a high class partner for Michael Carrick. I think they
could also do with strengthening out wide with Nani and Ashley Young flattering
to deceive for large parts of last season. In defence they look strong although
if they could sign target Leighton Baines it would be a welcome addition. Upfront,
there would be a need to replace Wayne Rooney should he depart but if he stays
I can’t see any need to strengthen upfront. Whilst David Moyes is a high class
manager I think it will be a difficult first season for him as he attempts to
live up to Ferguson’s legacy, I hope they give him time though as I think he
will be a success in the long-term.
Prediction 3rd
Key Man- Michael Carrick
Newcastle United
Being the only club yet to sign a senior player means that
Newcastle fans are restless. The main frustration for many Newcastle fans is
that they only need a couple of players to have a decent squad. Fans have lost
faith in Alan Pardew due to his insistence on playing players out of position.
Looking at the squad they need at least another 2 strikers and probably 3
should Papiss Cisse leave the club. It is likely that Yohan Cabaye will leave
the club so Newcastle need to replace him and use some of the money to buy a
goalscorer. I fear for Newcastle however, if they can keep Hatem Ben Arfa and
Sylvain Marveaux fit I think they will avoid the drop.
Prediction 16th
Key Man- Hatem Ben Arfa
Norwich City
Chris Hughton has made some impressive signings already in
this transfer window and is still looking to add to these. He’s recognised that
a lack of goals last season was the major problem for Norwich and has invested
in Ricky Van Wolfswinkel who has an impressive scoring record abroad. They
could do with another striker to share the goal scoring load and another centre
midfielder to add some creativity to the middle of the park due to their
signings I expect Norwich to be safely in midtable.
Prediction 11th
Key Man- Ricky Van Wolfswinkel
Southampton
The future looks bright for Saints fans, the chairman Nicola
Cortese is splashing the cash and Southampton have a young and exciting team
and manager. Last season they played some fantastic football and were let down
by being weak defensively, the additions of Dejan Lovren and defensive
midfielder Victor Wanyama should make them stronger in defence. They should be
even stronger in attack next season as Gaston Ramirez showed signs at the end
of the season that he was adapting to the division, whilst Luke Shaw and
Nathanial Clyne will continue to improve. Whilst more defensive reinforcements
are necessary I can see a top half finish for the Saints.
Prediction 9th.
Key Man- Gaston Ramirez
Stoke City
In my opinion Tony Pulis’s Stoke had gone stale in the last
2 seasons. Early in their premier league stay Stoke produced goals from good
play from wingers Matty Etherington and Jermaine Pennant. In recent seasons,
Pulis has chosen to deploy teams with little width with the likes of Charlie
Adam patrolling the flanks. The challenge for Mark Hughes is to bring that
width back. For me Stoke need to strengthen all across their midfield, upfront
and at fullback to progress and I’m not sure Mark Hughes was the right
appointment to move Stoke forward. The ageing Peter Crouch showed signs of being
on the decline and it is tough to see where their goals are coming from next
season. Whilst Huth and Shawcross provide strength in defence, the backup
options look limited with a lot of pressure being placed on Marc Muniesa and
history shows that young defenders can take their time to adjust to premier
league football. I’m predicting a tough season for Stoke.
Prediction 18th
Key player- Ryan Shawcross
Sunderland
Of all the teams previewed, Sunderland are hardest to
predict in regards to next season. There has already been a flurry of new
signings, many of whom are from the Italian league fuelling optimism in the
North-East. However, as has been shown many times over the years, too many
changes to the squad could cause catastrophic ends. Sunderland’s desire to offload
experienced heads such as Lee Cattermole and Phil Bardsley could leave
Sunderland with a lack of premier league experience, with several new signings
trying to find their feet at the same time in a tough league. Furthermore,
Paulo Di Canio is a volatile manager who has yet to experience a sustained period of failure in his short
managerial career and with Sunderland it is likely a bad patch will come at
some point in this season. Seeing how Di
Canio’s caused friction with players over his managerial career even in
successful sides it is possible that a feud between the players and the manager
could ensue before the end of the season.
Key Player- Steven Fletcher
Swansea
This time last season I was predicting Swansea for
relegation, I wasn’t sure how they’d respond to a change of manager. I’ve been
made to look very stupid as Swansea under the guidance of Michael Laudrup
played some excellent passing football last season. This summer they have
strengthened from a strong position already including the marquee signing of
Wilfried Bony. For me, Swansea are the team to watch this season and if anyone
can challenge last season’s top 7 it’s them I think. If I was looking at where
they should strengthen I’d say in defensive midfield but in every other
position, I’d argue they look very strong and they look a very good bet for a comfortable
top half finish.
Prediction 7th
Key Player- Michu
Tottenham
I think Andre Villas- Boas has taken Tottenham to the next
level in his management. He’s got them playing fluid football and Gareth Bale
in particular has thrived under this interchangeable football. They have
already added Paulinho to their squad and I think they are only 2 or 3 quality
signings away from a title challenge. I think a top quality striker is on the
agenda for Tottenham with Emmanuel Adebayor flattering to deceive and Jermain
Defoe whilst being a very good goalscorer, does not connect the play well
enough to be the main striker at a top 4 club. A winger to provide competition for
Aaron Lennon would be useful as Spurs look light in that area and lastly a
fullback to replace Benoit Assou-Ekotto who doesn’t have the positional sense
required in my opinion to be a top 4 fullback. I think Spurs will make
additions this summer and will pip Arsenal and Liverpool to 4th
place.
Prediction 4th
Key Player- Gareth Bale
West Brom
West Brom had a great season last time out under Steve
Clarke. This year they will have to do it without Romelu Lukaku’s goals and I
think this will have a detrimental impact to their squad despite the addition
of the ageing Nicolas Anelka. Peter Odemwingie looks set to leave and Markus
Rosenberg had an unimpressive first season so it is clear that Steve Clarke
needs to add to his options in attack. For me, they could also do with adding a
couple of quality wide men and a creative centre midfielder. I don’t expect
West Brom to have as good a season as they had last time out but I don’t see
them being drawn into the relegation battle.
Prediction 14th
Key Player- James Morrison
West Ham
West Ham had a solid return to the Premier League last time
out and I expect them to continue in a similar fashion next season. The
permanent addition of Andy Carroll is a fantastic signing for them but they
could do with some cover and competition for the powerful target man. In
addition, I think West Ham could do with a bit of added quality in the centre
of the park and maybe an extra winger as I’m not convinced about the
capabilities of Ricardo Vaz Te. I can’t see West Ham being dragged into the
relegation battle and they may even threaten the top half if things go their
way.
Prediction 13th
Key Player- Andy Carroll
No comments:
Post a Comment