We’re at that (slightly later) time of the year again where the Premier League season gets back underway, and of course it comes with its unique speculation and predictions. We thought we’d throw our hat in the ring starting with the first half of our preview: The Top Ten. Enjoy!
MANCHESTER CITY
2019/20 Finish: 2nd
Predicted 2020/21 Finish: Champions
Key Man: Kevin de Bruyne/Gabriel Jesus
Other than the two Manchester clubs, the Premier League has not seen back-to-back winners since Chelsea in 2006. And we do not see that changing. Whilst City may have looked a world apart from Liverpool at times last season, we’re predicting them for the title this year in what may be a very tight race. 18 points is a lot to make up, but if anyone can do it, its Man City.
City have possibly the strongest squad in the Premier League and it’s about time they showed it on a regular basis. Undoubtedly, the departure of Leroy Sané may damage the explosiveness of the Blues attack, but we’re tipping Gabriel Jesus to shoulder the offensive burden as Sergio Agüero’s injury concerns continue. With no immediate incoming striker, Jesus’ role will be crucial if City are to kick on and take Liverpool’s crown. Another man that is always pivotal to everything City do is Kevin de Bruyne. Earning himself PFA Player of the Year last year, de Bruyne will no longer have the safety net of David Silva in the midfield and thus will have to ensure City’s metronome is ticking just fine. Sheikh Mansur will also be hoping the Blues can kick on in the Champions League, failing to get past the Quarter final stage.
With 102 goals last season, it is not the final third of the pitch that City have difficulty with. Pep’s side also lost nine matches; more than third-placed Man United and equal to ninth-placed Wolves. Pep will need to ensure his side are able to roll over the smaller sides in the league and get closer to the three losses a season that Liverpool were able to limit last campaign. We predict that, with the arrival of Nathan Aké and possibly Kalidou Koulibaly, City will be able to sort these defensive woes and find a partner for Aymeric Laporte in the heart of the defence. You have to think that with a strong spine, City could be unstoppable this season. SM
LIVERPOOL
Last season Finish: 1st
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Key Man: Virgil Van Djik
Liverpool’s first Premier League title seemed like a formality from after their success in the Christmas period and raced 23 points clear after just 18 games – only dropping points in a draw at Old Trafford back in October. Jurgen Klopp’s side were relentless; winning game after game, eventually finishing the season on a staggering 99 points with just three losses all season and an unbeaten home record. However, despite the success of the Reds, there was an uncharacteristic drop off after the restart with poor performances against Everton, Arsenal and Burnley.
At the time of writing, Liverpool have only made one addition to their title-winning squad in the form of Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas, whilst letting go of various squad players including Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Nathaniel Clyne. Whilst Liverpool’s squad doesn’t immediately appear to be in need of signings, the lack of a new centre-half and centre-forward to provide some competition for Gomez and Firmino, respectively, could be telling. If Barcelona get their man in Gini Wijnaldum, Liverpool could be without a dynamic midfielder to break through the lines and run into the box. AB
CHELSEA
2019/20 Finish: 4th
Predicted 2020/21 Finish: 3rd
Key Man: Thiago Silva
Chelsea are the most interesting team going into this season. The introductions of Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech add an excitement to the already youthful setup at Chelsea; one that stretches through the management team with Frank Lampard only 42. Whilst these youngsters may light up the league in the final third, Chelsea’s key man has to be the incoming Thiago Silva. Although Frank’s side scored a very competitive 69 goals last year, they also shipped 54: the highest total in the top half of the league last season. The very experienced newcomer Silva will have to shore up the back line if Chelsea are to fulfil the hype surrounding them.
But of course, all eyes will be on Ziyech, Havertz, Werner and Pulisic. Possibly amongst the most sought-after young players in the world, it will be interesting to see whether these four can combine to threaten the offensive authority of Manchester City and Liverpool’s attacks in more recent years. With possibly the best transfer additions during the summer window, Chelsea’s newcomers will be vital if they are to improve on last campaign’s position in the increasingly attack-reliant Premier League. We predict Silva’s impact will be considerable enough to earn Chelsea a narrow third-placed finish behind the big guns. SM
MANCHESTER UNITED
Last Season: 3rd
Predicted Finish: 4th
Key Player: Bruno Fernandes
Manchester United enjoyed a mixed season: finishing third in the league and reaching three different semi-finals. Unfortunately, they were unable to progress through the penultimate rounds of these tournaments. United’s form drastically improved with the introduction of Bruno Fernandes, who they singed in January from Sporting Lisbon. Since his arrival, United went unbeaten in the league and climbed above their top six rivals to finish an impressive third from a relatively poor start.
There is still a lot of work to be done. While Mason Greenwood has helped to form a formidable front three with Martial and Rashford, defensively they are still shaky. Without a reliable second centre-back to play alongside Harry Maguire, United may struggle to form a cohesive unit at the back. AB
ARSENAL
2019/20 Finish: 8th
Predicted 2020/21 Finish: 5th
Key Man: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Once the most scintillating side in the league, Arsenal are as erratic as they come. Mikel Arteta’s side certainly improved last campaign but finished with an inconsistent two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five. Like Chelsea, Arsenal shipped more goals than Sheffield United last season (48) and will be reliant on the performances of one their youngsters, either William Saliba or Gabriel, alongside David Luiz to steady the ship in front of Bernd Leno. With Saliba being compared to Raphael Varane, we are trusting the hype in plotting Arsenal’s route to a fifth-placed finished.
If Arsenal can sort out their defensive woes, which could be likely, they surely have enough going forward to trouble most teams coming into 2020/21. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will consistently be Arsenal’s key man and leader despite his move to the left flank in recent years. The introduction of Willian, alongside Nicholas Pepe, Alex Lacazette and Bukayo Saka give Arsenal a noticeable attacking threat up there with the best in the league. If Arteta can sort out Özil’s differences with the club, Arsenal have a lot of attacking firepower to combine with their new-look defence and the improving Xhaka in midfield. SM
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
2019/20 Finish: 6th
2020/21 Predicted Finish: 6th
Key Man: Harry Kane
At this point in time, Spurs might be the most stagnant side in the top half of the league. After peaking at second in the table in 2016/17, Spurs’ lack of meaningful signings have left them a declining squad with wasted talent (yes I’m thinking of Dele Alli). This stagnation is exemplified by our prediction of a sixth placed finish, signalling the lack of progression made in the post-season by Jose Mourinho. Sure, the introduction of Matt Doherty might plug the gap at right back and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg could add needed depth to the midfield, but these are not the type of signings that a progressive side makes. Whilst most teams have noticeably improved in the transfer window, Tottenham have done little of note.
If Spurs are going to kick on and surprise us this season their star striker is going to have to put the team on his back. Harry Kane could probably force his way into any side in the League and has to, at times, play as a striker and midfielder for a Spurs side struggling to find their identity in the post-Pochettino era. Until Mourinho can get a capable attacking midfielder to replace Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, and to some extent Heung-Min Son, will have the burden of carrying Tottenham Hotspur to a respectable sixth-placed finish. SM
WOLVES
Last Season Finish: 7th
Predicted Finish: 7th
Key Player: Diogo Jota
The loss of Matt Doherty to Spurs will be felt, as he was often a key part in the slower built-up attacks. However, with the improvements elsewhere on the pitch, including the loaning and buying of highly rated Portuguese youngsters Vitinha and Fabio Silva – the latter of which was for a club record fee – will bolster their attacking options and hopefully lead to a decreased reliance on Raúl Jiménez.
Back-to-back successful seasons from Wolves under Nuno Espirito Santo has left them in a strong position going into the new campaign. A combination of acute signings and a variation of targeted game-by-game playing style have made Wolves a formidable force. Jota and Traore are an explosive force going forward as both are able to stretch the defensive line out of position through the passing ranges of Neves and Moutinho. The pair also allow Raúl Jiménez the space and time in the box where he can deliver: 17 times in the league last season. AB
LEICESTER CITY
Last Season Finish: 5th
Predicted Finish: 8th
Key Player: James Maddison
After a strong start to the season, second at Christmas behind eventual champions Liverpool, Leicester faltered as the season went on. They eventually fell out of the Champions League places and ended the season in fifth placed: qualifying for the Europa League. Jamie Vardy led the Foxes’ line in typically fierce fashion, finishing as the league’s top goalscorer, with 23. He beat Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and fellow Englishman Danny Ings to the achievement: a superb achievement considering the attacking quality other teams in the top 6 had at their disposal.
Leicester had a torrid time after the restart, only winning three of their remaining nine games, with wins to relegation-threatened teams such as Villa, Palace and a tiring Sheffield United side. This record meant they ultimately fell out of the Champions League places.
Squad depth is going to play a huge role this season, with Europa League football undoubtably taking its toll on this Leicester side. With the departure of the ever-reliable Ben Chilwell and no reinvestment of the £50m intake, it could be a tough season for the Foxes, especially as the top 6 teams around them have improved squads. As Vardy is seemingly still in his prime, it could be a pivotal third Premier-League year for James Maddison who now has some support behind him in the form of the ever-improving Choudhury, the dynamic Ndidi, and transitional Tielemans. These figures mean Leicester have one of the most balanced and well-rounded midfields in the league. AB
EVERTON
Last Season Finish: 12th
Predicted Finish: 9th
Key Player: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
After a less-than-impressive start to the season, Everton called in one Europe’s best manager in the form of Carlo Ancelotti to restore the club’s competitive name as a side seeking European football – something that has been far too long in the making. Before Ancelotti’s signings, the Toffees were sitting 16th in the table, amassing just 18 points from 17 games, and sitting just three points off the drop zone. What followed was quite remarkable, with players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin finding their stride under the new manager. Incidentally, Calvert-Lewin ended the season on 13 goals, a vast improvement on the six he managed the year prior.
In typical Everton style, they have spent a lot of money in the summer bringing in the likes of James Rodriguez, a player who still has a lot to show in rebuilding his reputation back to his Rio 2014 heights. Ancelotti has clearly been using his Napoli links to bring players in such as Allan, a ball playing DM with fight and grit – something Everton have missed in recent seasons – and Abdoulaye Doucoure, who has plenty of Premier League experience. James and Doucoure could form a good partnership with Allan, who takes the ball and breaks through defensive blocks.
Everton have once again bought in waves of talent, which in the past hasn’t always paid off. However we believe that this year, with Ancelotti, things could be on the up for The Toffees. AB
NEWCASTLE
Last Season Finish: 13th
Predicted Finish: 10th
Key Player: Martin Dubravka
Newcastle’s season was once again filled with doubt and turmoil from the top down as the £300m Saudi takeover bid fell through, leaving Magpie fans dissatisfied with yet another season with Mike Ashley at the top of the pile. Despite this however, there have been more promising signs on the pitch with the introduction of Saint-Maximin last season providing a much-needed spark. Rather-out-character, Mr Ashley also dug into his pockets this summer in securing Callum Wilson from relegated Bournemouth for around £20m, a proven striker at Premier League level and a must-have signing after just the 2 league goals scored by Brazilian flop Joelinton last season.
While going forward is an issue that needs to be rectified, defensively Newcastle were extremely solid last season, as goalkeeper Martin Debravka outsaved his xG by 8.7 – the third highest by a goalkeeper in the league. If Wilson can avoid injury and get a good run of games in, getting on the end of balls from midfield and wide positions – it could be a promising season for the Magpies. AB
Stay Tuned for Part II
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