After an exciting 2016 seasoN, where underdogs Leicester triumphED, the new season HAS a lot to live up to. The 2016/17 season has already provided us with A spending a record - OVER A billion POUNDS on new signings.
The new Premier League season is bound to be more competitive than the last, with new world-class managers and inclusion of the marquee signings. However, I believe that Manchester City will have the edge on Manchester United to take the premier league crown.
Manchester City have brought in quality additions like John Stones, Nolito and Claudio Bravo, who will be vital to success. I believe that Pep Guardiola will make the most difference in the race to the premiership title. Guardiola has won an astonishing 21 trophies over seven seasons whilst managing Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively. He has brought a quick attacking style of play to the Etihad, which is bringing the best out of sensational players like Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling. On the other hand, Manchester City lack leadership in defence with Captain Vincent Kompany spending a lot of time on the side lines and Joe Hart’s loan move to Torino dividing many City and England fans. Keeping Sergio Aguero fit could also be a problem, as Manchester City’s main man has a long history of injury. However, when he plays he is a sensational goal-scorer. Overall, I believe Manchester City will end up victorious but Manchester United will be with them right until the end.
Manchester United had a very productive transfer window, where they brought in Paul Pogba (a record breaking transfer of £89 million) and Zlatan Ibrahimović on a free transfer, along with other notable players. These signings show real intent from the club and perhaps a belief that new manager Jose Mourinho can restore the glory of former years under Sir Alex Ferguson. In comparison to Manchester City, Manchester United are considered to have the second best goalkeeper in the word, David De Gea. However, I believe that Manchester United have a weaker back four, and will not have the same intricate interplay as Manchester City.
Two teams that I believe are going to be right up there in the top four battle this season are the two Merseyside clubs. Everton and Liverpool are two clubs who have a very respectable history but in recent seasons have not flourished.
Everton will be considered to be the “dark horses” for the top four by many. However, the Toffeemen have a strong spine with a wealth of experience in the Premier League, plus a lot of youth players who are showing great potential. None more than English midfielder Ross Barkley. Everton’s appointment of Ronald Koeman from Southampton is an exceptional piece of business. He could be the man Everton are looking for. Although if Koeman pulls off wonders, he may be tempted by the lure of a bigger club. If Koeman can harness the goal-scoring threat of Everton’s main man Romelu Lukaku, Everton have everyone chance of top four.
Since the 2013-14 season, when Liverpool came second, it is safe to say they have been performing under par. However, with Jürgen Klopp as their manager it looks like Liverpool are returning to their form. Klopp is building a squad with strength and depth, but he getting the best of his stars. Adam Lallana is bringing goal-scoring to the his creativity while who would consider James Milner would make an excellent left back? Goalie Simon Mignolet has been erratic so it will be interesting to see is Thomas Karius of Mainz replaces him after he recovers from injury. I am predicting big finishes for these two North West power houses.
As we all know the Premier League is well known for surprises. Who would have thought that Leicester would have won the title last season? I do not see them achieving that mark once again, but I still feel that they will be as competitive as last season, if not better. There is still the issue of Champions League football too. Will it be too much for the Foxes?
For the 2016/17 season, I am predicting further shocks with Arsenal finishing outside the top four and Watford making the top eight.
Arsenal, in my view, have failed to develop a side capable of a top four finish let alone the Premiership crown. A lack of transfer activity is to blame and without the much needed strengthening of the defence, Arsenal will find it tough. Whilst Arsenal have a very solid goalkeeper in Petr Cech and quality defenders in Laurent Koscielny and Hector Bellerin, improvements are needed in the depth of the squad at the back. Arsene Wenger did strengthen the centre-back position with Skhrodan Mustafi, but what happens if Mustafi or Koscielny get injured? That would leave Mertasacker, Gabriel and Chambers filling in. I do not consider these players skilled enough for a top four finish. The other reason is the lack of a world-class striker; despite searching, they still haven’t found their star. Whilst they did sign Lucas Perez, who has potential, the question is will he realistically be a 20-30 goal per season striker? I think not. However, Alexis Sanchez is very effective as a main striker, but Arsenal desperately need another.
At the other end of the spectrum, I believe that Watford will prove pundits wrong about a supposed inevitable relegation. It was a big shock when the board decided to dismiss Quique Sanchez Flores after smashing the original objectives of avoiding relegation and reaching the FA Cup semi-final. However, as a Watford season ticket holder, I have to admit that he was a very negative-minded coach and showed too much faith in players who clearly lacked quality. This is why new manager, Walter Mazzari, is a better fit as he plays more attacking football and has pulled off some marquee signings like Roberto Pererya from Juventus. This season Watford have a lot more quality in depth which was one thing they really lacked last season. Therefore I predict a seventh placed finish for Watford.
The question of relegation is always a contentious subject as many teams could drop out of the league. However, I believe that Sunderland, Burnley and Swansea are destined for demotion. Sunderland have somehow pulled off wonders by staying in the league for the last five seasons, but I believe they have made the wrong appointment in David Moyes and their squad lacks the strength of a premiership side. Jermaine Defoe will be vital to their hopes.
Burnley have a good up-and-coming manager in Sean Dyche, but the lack of adaptability and Premier-league standard players in their team makes a return to the Championship highly probable. I hope the bright young English manager proves me wrong. Swansea have a decent spine but losing Ashley Williams leaves them without a natural leader on the pitch which could cause complications at the back. Compared to Sunderland and Burnley, I believe that Swansea have a greater chance of survival but it will be very close with teams like Bournemouth, Hull, Middlesbrough and West Brom falling into that category.
One thing is for certain we are in for an exciting 2016/17 season and the beauty of football is that anything can happen and you cannot rule out an underdog taking the prestigious Premiership title. Watch this space…