Worst and Best kits - EPL season 2016/17

Kits are an essential part of modern day football. Not only are they a source of revenue but a symbol of pride and passion. It's essential that clubs get their kit spot on, so much that the most macho of football supporters, pints in hand and a relentless bravado,  will sport a bright pink shirt accompanied with a McDonald's logo. Ahead of the start of the season we will be outlining the most attractive or as my tech teacher put it 'most aesthetically pleasing' shirts in addition to the horrific jerseys that barely pass as clothing.

La creme de la creme 

Leicester City 

In spite of looking like a classic teenage squad photo with each and every individual puffing out their chest and mastering a fearless stare I must admit the kit is at the top of the clothing food chain. The shirt is glossy ans simple, the logo is not too overpowering either. Perhaps Leicester's title victory against all odds eases me into liking their shirt one more than usual however it's undeniably a very good effort with gold trims and a suitable collar. However there is no Mahrez in the photo, the plot thickens!


Everton FC

Similarly to Leicester this shirt is fairly simplistic, the colours of blue, white and a dash of yellow compliment each other well. The kit is neither too flashy for grown, (bearded) men nor too boring that it becomes just another piece of merchandise. Unlike Leicester Everton have not opted for a collar, instead a white band as of such at the neck, this makes the shirt much more classic and more unique compared to other kits nowadays.





Bournemouth FC

Bournemouth's latest kit is vibrant and stands out - unlike their end of season slump last season. Callum Wilson is pictured, a striker who netted 5 goals in 7 premier league games at the start of Bournemouth's first season in the Premier League before a frustrating injury saw him sidelined. Cherries fans will be hoping to see the 24 year old in the striped jersey more often than not come the 2016/17 season. Hints of white contrast well with the black on the arms, the logo also fits suitably colour-wise.

The other end of the spectrum 

Southampton FC

Southampton's new deals with the likes of Under Armour and Virgin Media have not done their kit any favours, many believe Southampton should try and keep the classic look.  The Virgin Media logo looks awfully out of place - as if it's gatecrashing the classic stripes look. Furthermore the white patch on the upper half of the kit is rather hideous and unnecessary, a red background would do. It's also notable that the players pictured include Romeu, Austin and Rodriguez, the latter has suffered a series of injuries whilst the others have only recently joined the club. Southampton are making sure those displaying the questionable jersey are there to stay and not follow the lead of the likes of Mane and Wanyama.



Middlesbrough 

As you look down the kit it appears suitable, a vibrant red colour with dashes of white, that is until you meet the fat strike across the torso. The ghostly white stripe accompanied with a thin blue changes an acceptable kit into a nightmare. Whilst it's understandable that clubs want to make their kits unique and different from previous years I think this is a stripe too far. Fortunately for Middlesbrough their odd kit isn't affecting transfers, the newly promoted club can boast the likes of Valdes and Negredo in their squad to name a few.




Chelsea 

Clothing comes down to opinion, every item will have it's admirers on one side and critics on the other. However Chelsea's latest top will certainly have an unbalanced mix of critics and admirers, not only for Oscar's comical pose but also the lion silhouettes dotted around the shirt which make it more like a child's duvet than a professional's gear.  The price tag of as high as £65 does poor Oscar no favours. My advice to Chelsea fans would be to keep hold of the 2015/16 shirts which are vastly superior to the current ones - then again you may want Batshuayi on the back (if it fits!)

Top 5 Central Defenders EPL preview - Does Man City bound Stones make the cut?

With the first Premier League games on the 13th of August fast approaching we highlight 5 of the best centre backs in the Premier League who will be hoping to see their teams to clean sheet after clean sheet. The best of those in the heart of defence have intelligent positioning, physicality and an aerial presence in abundance to halt all attackers in their tracks. Who will the top 5 be come the end of the 2016/17 season?

#5 Vincent Kompany - Manchester City

The Belgium defender joined Manchester City in 2008 for £6 million as a holding midfielder, however Kompany went on to establish himself as a centre back where he has excelled ever since. Kompany endured a difficult 2015/16 campaign as a result of injury in addition to missing the Euros, yet he still has undeniable quality. If Kompany were to partner Stones in City's defence next season it would be unsurprising to see them at the top of the table. Whilst two seasons ago he was undoubtedly the most reliable defender now a days it appears he has more Kompany for pole position...



#4 Virgil Van Dijk - Southampton FC

The Dutchman arrived at Southampton from Celtic for a fee of £12 million last season and was immediately their first choice centre back alongside Fonte. The 25 year old marked 3 times in total on top of 7 MOTM performances, more than any other Southampton player. Van Dijk is immense in the air, he comes better off in aerial duels on average 5 times a match, furthermore he's not lacking in pace nor physicality. Fortunately for Southampton fans Van Dijk signed a 6 year contract in May to ensure his commitments to the club for many as season to come.

#3 Toby Alderweireld - Tottenham Hotspur

From one Southampton player to a former, Alderweireld spent a season on loan on the South coast from Atletico Madrid in the 2014/15 season. Despite Southampton's best attempts the 27 year old opted for a permanent move to London for £12 million where he put in a fantastic display throughout the season. Alderweireld is very versatile, he's not only a CB but can also be deployed as a right back, the rapid Walker made sure this wasn't the case however. Alderweireld started all 38 games last season, in which he scored 4 times and also registered 2 assists. Alderweireld partnered up well with his compatriot Vertonghen, by consequence expect another strong showing from the two next season.

#2 Chris Smalling - Manchester United

Smalling has come a long way in recent years since he boarded the train of improvement. The 26 year old is not only Manchester United but also England's starting centre back, it's unsurprising given he saw the Red Devils to as many as 18 clean sheets last season, the best in the league by 5! On top of that Louis Van Gaal's men conceded less than a goal a game on average thanks to Smalling's aerial presence and impressive pace for a man at the back. Credit must also be given to the resilient David De Gea in net. Chris Smalling will be tasked with instructing new signing Eric Bailly who possesses potential but additionally a rashness about him.

#1 Laurent Koscielny - Arsenal FC

With Mertesacker injured even more pressure is heaped upon the Frenchman who put in a class performance at the Euros for France. Rumours of a £20 million bid for Mustafi are whispered around the Arsenal camp however for now Koscielny and either Chambers/Gabriel will start against Liverpool in the first match of the season. Koscielny has all the qualities needed in a CB, he's not afraid to pass it out, he's an aerial threat in his own and opposition's box (4 goals last season) and he has developed a good relationship with Mertesacker for the Gunners. Koscielny will be hoping his performances can see Arsenal to a title that has eluded them all to often in recent years.

Notable Mentions 

John Stones - Everton FC
Wes Morgan - Leicester City

For similar articles be sure to check out: 

Top 5 Goalkeepers
Top 5 Full Backs
Top 5 Holding Midfielders
Top 5 Wingers
Top 5 Central Attacking Midfielders
Top 5 Strikers

Do Arsenal need to splash out the cash on a striker?

Bergkamp scored 87 goals for Arsenal

Ever since Robin Van Persie left to Manchester United in 2012 Arsenal fans have been crying out for a world class striker to fill the void and compete alongside Henry or Bergkamp as one of their best ever forward men. However in spite of more rumours than sweets in a pick and mix Gunners supporters have been left disappointed, often at Wenger, for not spending big on a front man to go that extra mile and finish a season victorious. It is peculiar that the Frenchman decides to spend money elsewhere, the arrivals of Ozil and Sanchez, totaling £70 million, have proven big successes in London. So where has the money gone each season and is the current transfer window Wenger's last chance to spend up top?

2012/2013 

Notable Ins: Olivier Giroud (£13 million), Santi Cazorla (£15 million)

Notable Outs: Robin Van Persie (£24 million), Alex Song (£15 million)

2013/2014

Notable Ins: Mesut Ozil (£42 million)

Notable Outs: Gervinho (£8 million)

2014/2015 

Notable Ins: Alexis Sanchez (£31 million), Mathieu Debuchy (£12 million), Danny Welbeck (£16 million), Callum Chambers (£16 million), Gabriel Paulista (£14 million)

Notable Outs: Thomas Vermaelen (£15 million)

2015/2016 

Notable Ins: Petr Cech (£11 million)

Notable Outs: /

2016/2017 

Notable Ins: Granit Xhaka (£32 million)

Notable Outs: /

Giroud arrived from Montpellier in 2013

All in all Arsenal have signed just two strikers in the past 5 seasons, spending £28 million up top. Compare this to Chelsea's £32 million move for the young Batshuyai, Manchester City's £38 million on Aguero and £28 million on Bony or Manchester United's £36 million for a 19 year old. It's easy to see why Arsenal fans are frustrated with Wenger's spending - clubs are spending more on individual strikers than the Gunners have spent up front in the past 5 seasons!

Goals scored by teams in 2015/16 

Aguero is undoubtedly one of the most talented forwards in the EPL

Manchester City: 71
Spurs: 69
Leicester: 68
West Ham:  65
Arsenal: 65

Goals scored by teams in 2014/15

Manchester City: 83
Chelsea: 73
Arsenal: 71
Manchester United: 62
Spurs: 58

These stats don't suggest Arsenal are struggling for goals, they are only ever consistently beaten by Manchester City's monstrous attack of Aguero, De Bruyne and Silva. However Arsenal fans know that they should be topping the goal scoring charts with the creative talents of Ozil, Sanchez, Ramsey and Cazorla at their disposal, the man leading the line is often the scapegoat for any missed chances...

Are Giroud and Welbeck good enough to win the League? 

I think Giroud fits Arsenal's style very well, he has the ability to hold up the ball and allow the likes of Sanchez and Ozil run past him, alternatively he offers scrumptious flicks which all too often result in goals. Giroud's aerial ability is superior to the likes of Aguero, Kane, Sturridge and Lukaku however all too often his only problems are pace and being clinical in front of goal.
I think Giroud would be well suited with a strike partner, Lacazette for example, who could feed off his flicks ons and also return the favour. At his best Giroud could score well over 20 goals in my opinion, on reflection the £12 million transfer of Giroud was very valuable given the Frenchman's 57 goals in 135 games for Arsenal. Giroud is a very good asset in a squad and Arsenal should certainly keep hold of the 29 year old despite speculation of a move to Napoli.

On the other hand I am less of a fan of Danny Welbeck. 'Building for the future' and 'potential' are often associated with the now-25 year old. The former Manchester United man has been set back by injuries as of late, one ruling him out of the opening months of the 2015/16 season, a second knee injury saw him miss out on the Euros and is only to return to Arsenal's first team until 2017 at the earliest. Like Giroud Welbeck is all too often wasteful and doesn't possess say Kane or Aguero's clinical finish. Whilst Welbeck does offer pace and power in equal measure up top he is not a star man for a top team and I can't see him ever surpassing more than 10 goals in a season in an Arsenal shirt.

However neither of these players can change a game on their own, look no further than Harry Kane's marvelous strike in the North London derby or Aguero's dazzling run and finish against Norwich or Liverpool.

Which strikers is Arsene Wenger rumoured to be interested in?

Since the start of the transfer window Jamie Vardy has turned down the opportunity to play for Arsenal in spite of an agreed £20 million fee. Furthermore long term target, Gonzalo Higuain, left Napoli for Juventus for a fee of £75 million to become the third biggest transfer of all time. Who is left in the market to start up front for Arsenal next season?

Wissam Ben Yedder (Toulouse) - The 25 year old is valued at about £8 million however Arsenal are not the only EPL team interested, West Ham and Tottenham are also thought to be in contact with the Frenchman. Ben Yedder scored 17 times in Ligue 1 last season in addition to 5 assists. Many feel that whilst the forward is solid he is not the star man Arsenal are in desperate need for and would not start ahead of Giroud.

Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) - Arsenal reportedly offered £29 million for the Frenchman however Lyon are not willing to part with the man who scored 21 goals last season for a fee less than £40 million. Once again Arsenal are not the only Premier League team searching his signature, West Ham have also seen a bid rejected as they look to step up on big man Andy. Lacazette is remarkably quick and has the clinical sharpness of a machete, something Giroud and Welbeck only dream of. Lacazette would be a perfect fit at Arsenal, he would certainly link up well with Sanchez and Ozil and I reckon would win Arsenal the title within 2 seasons at the club.

Edison Cavani (PSG) - Probably the least likely move for Wenger given a certain Ibrahimovic's move away from France this summer. The former Napoli man is valued at around £40 million thanks to his prolific form in front of goal and versatility as a wide man or lone striker. The 29 year old would be widely accepted by Arsenal fans however a move is more likely than not not on the cards after the Uruguayan said he was eager to take Ibra's striker spot at PSG.


How will Arsenal most likely line up against Liverpool on the 13th of August if their squad stays the same? 

Cech keeps the goalkeeper spot after winning the Golden glove last season.

Monreal stays as Arsenal's first choice left back ahead of Gibbs after a solid 2015/16 campaign.

Koscielny is by far Arsenal's first choice central defender after impressing for France at the Euros.

With Mertesacker injured until 2017 unless Wenger takes action in the transfer market Gabriel or Chambers will be forced to start alongside the Frenchman. I would opt for Chambers as he is less prone to individual errors.

Blistering Bellerin is sure to start so long as Manchester City don't come calling!

New boy Granit Xhaka will hope to dictate play with well weighted through balls and crunching tackles from the centre of the pitch. Alongside him is Ramsey who in my opinion was the most complete midfielder at the Euros in a handful of impressive performances for Wales.Alternatively Coquelin may come in for more tactical/cagey affairs.

Ramsey may alternate with Cazorla in the more defensive midfield role. The 31 year old Spaniard has returned to full fitness after seeing an inspiring first half of the season display cut short by injury.

Sanchez will be hoping to maintain his Copa America form for Arsenal this season in spite of a slight injury concern which has seen him out of pre-season in the USA.

Ozil will start on the opposite flank to Sanchez however he will adopt a free roaming role to find the pockets of space in between Liverpool's midfield and defense which is where he is most prolific.

Assuming Arsenal are quiet in the transfer market Giroud will act as their main focal point as a lone striker. Wenger will be hoping the Frenchman can challenge Liverpool's new boy Matip in the air as well as offering the esquisite hold up play Giroud is known for.

Alternatively if Wenger goes on a spending spree... 

Arsenal are linked with a £20 million move for Germany and Valencia central defender Mustafi, who featured at the Euros for Germany.
Likelihood: 4/5

Leicester's Mahrez may also come into the Arsenal set up in place of Cazorla which would also shift Ozil centrally as a CAM (his preferred position). Mahrez is a natural winger who can beat a man and put in a wicked cross, something Arsenal have been lacking?
Likelihood: 3/5

Lacazette would start if he was ever to wear a red and white jersey. Whilst I believe he would be effective partnered alongside Giroud it would be a startling decision to drop Ozil, Sanchez or Mahrez for the former Montpellier man.
Likelihood: 3/5

I think Arsenal would win the league with this potential team, don't forget the likes of Giroud, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Elneny, Wilshire and the promising Iwobi would be options on the bench and provide rotation in an Arsenal team that all too often fades in the later stages of the Premier League. Furthermore Mertesacker and Welbeck will return from injury in 2017 and provide further squad depth to an already talented side. However I don't think the signings will materialise and Wenger will be left with another underwhelming third place!

Prediction: 3rd place
Top Scorer: Alexis Sanchez
Player of the Season: Aaron Ramsey
Young Player of the Season: Hector Bellerin

My Fantasy Football Team - No Aguero?!

With the Premier League just around the corner many have started to build their Fantasy Football team alongside friends, fellow schoolmates or work colleagues. Ahead of the first gameweek I highlight my 15 man squad which I believe can see me to the top of every leaderboard around - until every player is injured in the first 15 minutes that is.

Click here for a Fantasy Football guide and top tips!

Name: Names are a Clichy 

Transfer Budget remaining: £0.5 million

Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes (Middlesbrough) vs Stoke City (H)

The Spaniard joins the Premier League newbies for what could be a super season for Middlesbrough with the likes of Negredo and Fischer joining the club. Middlesbrough's opening fixtures include matches against Stoke, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and West Brom, Valdes will have a strong opportunity to obtain a clean sheet in each of these matches which is worth 5 vital points. Furthermore being a goalkeeper for a 'lesser' side usually entails more shots on goal which hopefully for Middlesbrough fans means more saves for Valdes! (Every 3 saves = 1 point) 

Defender: Danny Simpson (Leicester City) vs Hull City (A)

Whether Leicester can maintain their title winning form remains to be seen, especially given the odds that a Leicester relegation is more likely than retaining the Champions trophy. However one thing that is fairly certain (at this moment in time) is that the 29 year old will continue as Leicester's right back come next season. Matches against Hull,Swansea and Burnley in the opening 5 games provide Simpson with a chance to score points at either end of the pitch. At £5.0 million in game he is cheaper than left back Fuchs and on par which centre backs/rocks Morgan and Huth.

Defender: Federico Fernandez (Swansea City) vs Burnley (A)

For £4.5 million Fernandez is a steal in defence in a Swansea side with a strong focus at the back thanks to the likes of Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor who proved their capabilities at keeping the shop shut at the Euros for Wales. Excluding Gray Burnley have very minimal goal threat by consequence I think the Swansea back line will be disappointed to concede against the newly promoted side. A home match vs Crystal Palace is also a promising prospect for points on the board.

Defender: Gael Clichy (Manchester City) vs Sunderland (H)

Clichy is likely to be selected ahead of Kolarov for the left back spot, however Mangala is also an option in the Sky Blues back line given Kompany's injury doubts. Clichy will be hoping the likes of Aguero, Nolito and De Bruyne away can put away some of his dangerous crosses and accurate pull backs to put some points to his name and improve on the 1 assist he achieved last season. Given my team name 'Names are a Clichy' it seemed rude not to include the Frenchman in my initial squad, whether he stays is another question...

Defender: Gareth Mcauley (West Brom) vs Crystal Palace (A) 

The Northern Irish defender may slip under the radar in spite of his consistent performances however a £4.5 million price tag for a nailed down starter in a defensive minded West Brom team is certainly a shout. Furthermore Pulis incorporates a strong focus on set pieces, don't be surprised to see Mcauley on the scoresheet.

Defender: Eric Bailly (Manchester United) vs Bournemouth (A)

Mourinho's first signing is a guaranteed starter at CB alongside Chris Smalling in a startingly expensive Manchester United team given his £30 million value. Bailly is somewhat a powerhouse, with Smalling, Shaw and the remarkable De Gea by his side expect clean sheets a plenty this season at Old Trafford. Bailly is slightly cheaper than his counterpart Smalling at £5.5 million in game, all the more reason to select the 22 year old!

Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) vs Sunderland (H) CAPTAIN

The Belgium is perhaps the most creative talent in the Premier League alongside Arsenal's Ozil, however I opted for the 25 year old ahead of the German playmaker given his greater goal threat. De Bruyne registered 7 goals last season with 2000 minutes to his name last season. On the other hand Ozil marked 6 times, once less than the Belgium in spite of playing 1000 more minutes! De Bruyne is £10.5 million in game, making him the 2nd most expensive player, however I believe with Aguero just ahead De Bruyne will register assist after assist whilst his intelligent runs and fierce long shots can help acquire points for goals. No surprise he's my captain! 

Midfielder: Willian (Chelsea) vs West Ham United (H)

Willian was undoubtedly Chelsea's top player in an otherwise embarrassing last season, Blues fans will be hoping the Brazillian maintains his sparkling skills and wicked delivery. The 27 year old is reaching the peak of his career and will be hoping to improve on the 15 goals and assists last season, especially given Batshuayi will provide a powerful target man. However if Conte deploys a 3-5-2 then Willian's defensive duties may restrict his influence further forwards... 

Midfielder: Jordan Ayew (Swansea City) vs Burnley (A)

Swansea boss Guidolin has hopes of deploying Ayew as a lone striker for the Welsh club despite this he is listed as a midfielder in the FPL. To take advantage of this the Ghana man makes my squad given his greater chance of hitting the back of the net when further forwards. In addition Ayew is great in the air and is supported by the creative likes of Sigurdsson, Montero and Routledge. I would be surprised if Ayew fails to mark against either Burnley or Hull, then again newly promoted sides often start leagues with cagey and defensive set ups which could ultimately reduce the 26 year old's influence.

Forward: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea) vs West Ham United (H)

The Belgium man has a lot to prove in London thanks to his astonishing £32 million price tag. The midfield talents of Willian and Hazard should certainly help him on the road to goals as well as the competition for a starting place with Costa. 17 goals last season suggest that the 22 year old is clinical, however all too often the Ligue 1 standard is substantially less than that of the Premier League (Sakho of Liverpool struggled after arriving from PSG).

Forward: Shane Long (Southampton) vs Watford (H) VICE CAPTAIN

Long's deadly combination of sheer pace and endless desire make him a defender's nightmare, especially when coupled with his aerial ability and untraceable movement. At £6.5 million in game, Long is a great budget forward, he is pretty certain to start up front for the Saints, whether it be as a lone man or perhaps alongside Austin. Watford, Sunderland and Swansea are all potential victories for the Red and Whites, all of which the Republic of Ireland striker will hope to leave his mark.

Substitutes

Goalkeeper: Kaspar Schmeichel (Leicester) vs Hull (A)

Leicester excelled in both defence and attack last season, Schmeichel will be hoping that Leicester better their loss record of 3 last season, 2 vs Arsenal and a single vs Liverpool. Schmeichel made a total of 100 saves last season which equates to 33 points for saves alone. Those with the £5.0 million in game keeper will be hoping that he performs despite being cheaper than the likes of De Gea, Courtois and Hart. 

Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) vs Arsenal (A)

Coutinho's long shots make him a pivotal player however he doesn't make the starting XI given the difficulty to score away at the Emirates in what will most likely be a cagey affair. Then again Coutinho will be a hot prospect against the likes of Burnley in Liverpool's second match of the season. The Brazillian CAM is in fact cheaper than the likes of Mane and Sturridge who are Liverpool's alternative goal threats.

Midfielder: Nathan Redmond (Southampton) vs Watford (H)

At £6 million Redmond is significantly cheaper than the likes of Tadic, Rodriguez, Austin and Long who also feature in the Southampton set up. Redmond proved his worth last season with 10 goals and assists despite over half his appearances coming off the bench. Redmond's pace and trickery are key and he is sure to provide an admirable replacement for Mane, his delivery is one step better, especially with the likes of Long and Austin in the mix. 

Forward: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) vs Arsenal  (A)

I expect Sturridge to have his best season yet in a Reds shirt and to finish as Liverpool's top scorer, this confidence bestowed in Sturridge may however be thwarted by the Merseyside Red's fixtures against Arsenal, Tottenham, Leicester and Chelsea in the first 5 games. All the same the 26 year old often performs in the big games (England vs Wales, Liverpool vs Sevilla) and I expect him to rack up the points.

Click here for a Fantasy Football guide and top tips! 

Top 5 Goalkeepers EPL season preview - Is De Gea the best around?

With the first Premier League match just 20 days away we will be looking at the top 5 keepers in the EPL who will help their teams to clean sheet upon clean sheet along the way. Who is our predicted #1 and will come out with a Golden Glove to their name?

#5 Jack Butland - Stoke City

Butland first featured in the Football League for Cheltenham Town. 

The 23 year old is somewhat a forgotten man after an ankle injury saw him miss the end of last season in addition to the Euros in France. The Stoke keeper had gained the applause of many after a handful of inspiring displays against the likes of West Ham and Newcastle where he made 9 and 6 saves respectably to see Stoke to clean sheets. The former Derby man oozes confidence whether it be shot stopping or coming out the better in 1vs1's. Butland will be hoping to challenge for England's first choice goalkeeping spot after Hart's miserable performances in France this summer, however Frazer Forster will almost certainly also have his eyes on the prize.


#4 Frazer Forster - Southampton FC

Speaking of the BIG man, Forster will be hoping to continue where he left off. An injury prevented the former Celtic man from featuring early on in the campaign, however his return to the starting line up saw Southampton to 6 straight clean sheets including a phenomenal performance vs Arsenal where the 28 year old made 10 saves! Saints will look at Forster in addition to Van Dijk and the experienced Fonte in defence to see Southampton further than their already impressive 6th place finish last season, especially after the loss of a key defensive minded player in Wanyama.

#3 Petr Cech - Arsenal FC

Cech could not help the Czech Republic past the group stages at the Euros

Cech's opening game for the Gunners after a £10 million move from London rivals Chelsea was far from a confidence booster for Arsenal fans who were hoping they had at last attained a solid keeper when compared to the inconsistent Szczesny or Almunia. After being caught in no man's land for a Kouyate header as well as a painfully slow dive saw West Ham leave the Emirates with a 2-0 victory. However the 34 year old got better and better with each game for Arsenal which was unusual given his age, Cech produced many fabulous saves including a brilliant stop vs Liverpool to ultimately win the Golden Glove. Additionally Cech beat a Premier League record with over 170 clean sheets to his name! Arsenal hope Mr. Consistent has another season in his locker, which will be aided by the fact he retired from International duty recently.

#2 Hugo Lloris - Tottenham Hotspur

Lloris only missed one game last season

Lloris proved why he was one of the best goalkeepers around at the Euros in France, the Spurs keeper can hardly be faulted for any of the 5 goals France conceded, 2 of which were penalties. The Frenchman kept 13 clean sheets last season, furthermore he made 87 saves in all, more than the likes of Hart,De Gea and Courtois, however this may speak more about each team's defensive capibilities than goalkeeper quality. All the same the 29 year old is a fantastic keeper who specialises in reflex saves, look no further than his performance vs Germany!

#1 David De Gea - Manchester United

A man bound for Real Madrid for the 2015/2016 season in fact stayed in Manchester in spite of a £29 million accepted bid. Whilst De Gea makes the odd mistake unlike the more reliable Lloirs or Cech he also pulls off mesmirising, seemingly impossible saves that leave strikers' open mouthed (most of all Harry Kane). De Gea incredible reflexes and rapid movement means he is very rarely beaten, fortunately for Manchester United the interest for De Gea has dropped significantly since and the star man looks to be staying at Manchester United for the coming season - to every Red Devils' relief. After Neuer's questionable Euros display perhaps the Spaniard is the best around?

Notable Mentions:

Joe Hart - Manchester City 
Kasper Schmeichel - Leicester City
Thibaut Courtois - Chelsea FC

• If you came here looking for a Fantasy Football keeper check our top Fantasy Football Tips out for further insight on how to top the leaderboard

For similar articles be sure to check out:

Top 5 Central Defenders

Top 5 Full Backs
Top 5 Holding Midfielders
Top 5 Wingers
Top 5 Central Attacking Midfielders
Top 5 Strikers

Does Liverpool's squad depth in midfield make them title contenders?

Liverpool have signed Wijanldum for £25 million from Newcastle United. The 25 year old joins a handful of midfield talent at the Merseyside Reds in what will be a tightly contested competition for starting spots. Liverpool possess youth (Can,Grujic), experience (Henderson, Milner), flair players (Coutinho, Firmino) and those with pace in abundance (Mane, Wijnaldum) all in the centre of the park. Assuming Liverpool play a 4-2-3-1 they have a total of 12 options for thes 5 midfield slots in behind of their main threat Sturridge. Who will they choose and who will occupy the bench in frustration?

A predicted 4-2-3-1 formation however a 4-3-3 is also an option

Central Defensive Midfielders:

• Henderson
• Milner
• Can 
• Lucas
• Allen

Central Attacking Midfielders/Wingers:

• Coutinho
• Firmino
• Mane
• Lallana
• Wijnaldum
• Grujic
• Markovic 

Expect Henderson and Can to occupy the holding roles with Milner on the bench. Allen is set for a £13 million move to Stoke whilst Lucas is looking to reunite with former manager Benitez at Newcastle. Can impressed last season with his gritty tackling and confidence on the ball whilst Henderson is a solid choice who will also score the occasional goal.

Further forwards it's not as clear, it's most likely that Klopp will look to rotate the creative 3 for every match depending on each player's form. Mane and Wijnaldum will more often than not play at the same time as their pace and competence out wide will stretch defences and allow Liverpool to operate on the counter attack. The likes of Lallana and Firmino may come into play when Klopp's men are looking to break down a packed defence with a smooth turn or delicate pass. However Wijnaldum should jump in ahead of Lallana given the new arrival was more of a goal threat last season with 11 goals to Lallana's 4 as well as a 20% conversion rate to the former Southampton man's 9%. Overall out of all these CAMs I think Coutinho will be the first on the team sheet given his proven ability in the EPL and Europa League in addition to his magical long shots.

Sturridge will be Liverpool's main outlet up top (assuming injuries are a thing of the past). The 26 year old has returned to full fitness and beats the likes of Origi and Ings to the starting spot, meanwhile Benteke and Balotelli's futures remain in doubt. The former Chelsea and Man City player will be hoping to break his record of 21 Premier League goals in a single season.

Have Liverpool fixed their shaky defence?

Matip will be hoping to nail down a starting spot in defence

Klopp will be hoping the introduction of Karius in net as well as Matip at the heart of defence will help shut up shop for a team who conceded 11 goals from set pieces last season. Karius is a 23 year old German keeper who was voted the second best in the Bundesliga behind Neuer, expect him to replace the inconsistent Mignolet. The arrival of Matip sees either Lovren or Sakho heading towards the bench, most likely Lovren will start after a much improved second season when compared to Sakho's unorthodox defending and poor passing. In terms of full backs Clyne has presented himself in a great light at Euro 2016 where he created 7 chances in a single game. On the other flank Moreno offers a similar attacking eagerness however many Liverpool fans are questioning the Spaniard's defensive qualities and whether a replacement needs to be brought in.

Does Wijnaldum signal the end of Liverpool's transfer window? 

Far from it, Liverpool continue to work the transfer mill with players constantly being linked in and out. Those who may be moving away from Merseyside include Allen (Stoke,Swansea interested), Lucas (Newcastle), Benteke (Crystal Palace), Markovic (Florentina), additionally Balotelli has been told to 'find a new club' by Klopp. Kolo Toure is set to return to Brendan Rodgers in a proposed move to Celtic after a surprisingly positive season for Liverpool.

In terms of further arrivals in addition to: Karius, Manniger, Matip, Klaven, Mane, Grujic and most recently Wijnaldum, the most important area Klopp should strengthen is left back given Moreno's defensive incompetence last season. Potential replacements include Aston Villa's Amavi, Germnay's Hector or even Douglas Santos. In spite of their already crowded midfield Liverpool are still being linked with countless players such as Ivan Rakitic, Max Meyer, Lucas Moura and also Cristian Tello, unfortunately for Liverpool fans these are unlikely to go ahead unless perhaps PSG or Barcelona come calling for Coutinho.

Season prediction: 

At 22 years old Can plays an integral defensive part in the Liverpool set up

I think Liverpool will improve leaps and bounds in defence next season thanks to the key introduction of Matip. Goal scoring should not be a problem, it would not be surprising if Mane, Sturridge, Wijnaldum and perhaps Coutinho all mark over 10 goals next season if they stay fit and start consistently. Unfortunately for Liverpool the mass spending of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea on the likes of Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan, (Pogba), (Mahrez), Xhaka and Batshuayi will see the overall EPL quality improve.

New managers in Mourinho, Conte and Guardiola may also see tighter tactical affairs in what could be make or break matches for Klopp. Overall I expect Liverpool to put in an impressive campaign full with flair and pace with a large focus on attack as a result I predict:

Prediction: 4th place
Top Scorer: Daniel Sturridge
Player of the season: Joel Matip
Young Player of the season: Emre Can

Fantasy Football Top 6 tips!

With the FPL live millions of fans around the world are about to pick 15 players who will ultimately define who is crowned the be  'football genius' in each and every social group... until next season. Before the first match, Hull vs Leicester, on Saturday 13th August, we offer 5 tips on how to set up and excel at Fantasy Football before the first ball has been kicked!

1) Use the official Fantasy Premier League site

There are many different websites offering Fantasy Football, the Telegraph, Sun and the Mirror all give users the chance to select players for one's squad. However we recommend the official Fantasy Premier League site since it is the largest, neatest and most in depth of all which will give you the best experience. There are very few limitations on this site, unlike the Mirror version you can join multiple leagues which is useful for different social groups. Furthermore one use only features such as a 'wildcard' and 'triple captain' add an exciting element to the game which diversifies it from other formats.

2) Get a good team name 

To become a true Fantasy Football legend one must come up with a team name which is original and witty in equal measure. The best team names integrate a player's name into the mix, one of the most common names being: Michu at De Gea bar. Try and avoid names like 'Tom's team', 'Will's winners' or 'Sam's squad' which are boring and forgettable. Some good names in the past, for inspiration not copy and pasting are:

• Wanyamas in pajamas
• 50 Shades of O'Shea
• Who ate all Depay 
• Bacuna matata

3) Set up a League with your friends

The best part about Fantasy Football is arriving to school/work on a Monday morning having seen your captain, Joe Allen, score a hat trick to send you to the top of a 7 man leaderboard. To ensure you feel this jubilation set up a League well in advance, you can share this League on social media alongside an entry pin to allow as many of your mates to enter as possible. We reinforce to set it up ASAP since a League is not the same if someone joins in September, 100 points off 2nd from bottom with no hope of catching up despite using all possible bonuses. 

Click here to set up a League! 

4) Watch out for fixture clashes! 

For example say you rate Thibaut Courtouis and Gary Cahil, you think they are some of the best defensive players in the game and many will struggle to get past them. Further forwards you saw Payet at the Euros for France and that free kick against Crystal Palace that you watched on Facebook over and over is in the back of your mind, so you draft him in. You go one step further and make him your captain, West Ham are your second favourite team after all! However this is an all too common mistake, you have already limited yourself as if Payet scores then Cahil and Courtois can't keep a clean sheet and vise versa. To gain maximum points ensure teams aren't clashing, however this isn't as essential with two offensive players on opposite teams (Costa and Payet) as they aren't affected by clean sheets. 

5) Have a clear understanding of how points work

Players are seperated into 4 positions : 

• Goalkeepers
• Defenders
• Midfielders
• Forwards

Each position receives a different number of points for contribution (goal,assist, clean sheet) as shown below: 

Contributions such as tackling and heading don't result in additional points as a result a defensive player like Wanyama will be uncommon in teams whereas someone further like Eriksen will be much more common as he is more likely to be involved in a goal. Whilst Wanyama is more likely to contribute to whether Tottenham receive a clean sheet he will receive the same number of points (1) as Eriksen if they do, as a result I would suggest avoiding defensively minded midfielders like Matic, Kante, Dier, Schneiderlin, Wanyama etc. as they won't be involved further forwards.

Be aware that players can only be classed as a position once (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or forward) and this can't be changed halfway through the season. This could either be a hindrance or a benefit, for example: 

Daley Blind: 2015/2016 

Blind was classed as a midfielder however was more commonly deployed as a centre back. As a result he had less chance further forwards yetc would only be awarded 1 point for a clean sheet despite playing in defence whereas Smalling would receive 4 points. Hindrance. 

Alberto Moreno: 2015/2016

Moreno was originally classed as a left back however under Klopp he played further forwards as a left midfielder (because his defensive incompetence was showing!) This was a benefit for those with Moreno in their squad as further forwards he was more likely to score and would receive 6 points for doing so whereas say Coutinho would receive 5 as he's classed as a midfielder. 

For further explanation click here! 

6) Check your team closer to the date (12th August) 

It's all very well picking your team in July however given the open transfer window and some teams reckless and wild approach any move is possible which could affect your whole squad. For example: 

Javier Hernandez: 2015/16

The former Manchester United striker left the club on the 31st of August 2015 to Bayer Leverkusen for £7 million. As a result those unlucky few who had selected him prior to the move had wasted a valuable position in their 15 man squad since the Mexican could earn them no points at all. 

Anthony Martial: 2015/2016

Martial was a surprise deadline day move last season and after 11 league goals he was Manchester United's most influential outfield player. Some will be tempted to add new players as they come in to give them the advantage over dozing competitors. 

Bear in mind that the first match is the 13th August so transfers can come thick and fast before then (Paul Pogba perhaps?) We recommend checking your team the day before for both transfers in and out and also injuries, an icon next to players will notify you whether they are out of contention, a doubt or fully fit. Further along the line you must be wary of suspensions. 

Is the EPL the best league in the world?

For a long time the Premier League has been seen as the best league in the World however after abject performances of British teams in the Champions League and mediocre displays from Premier League players in the Euros for example questions have been raised over the Premier League's standing.

To analyse this issue we must define 'best':

Best can either refer to entertainment from a fan's perspective or the overall quality in the league.

Entertainment wise: 

Past 5 League champions 

Liga BBVA (Spain) : Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid

Bundesliga (Germany): Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund

Serie A (Italy): Juventus

Ligue 1 (France): PSG, Montpellier

EPL (England): Leicester, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United

The Premier League is not dominated by a one, two or three clubs unlike the other major leagues. Juventus have won the past 5 titles, Bayern Munich and PSG the past 4, there is less of a pattern in La Liga where Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have drawn closer in recent years. The diversity in the Premier League makes it much more engaging from a neutral perspective, this is no better epitomised by Leicester's infamous 5000/1 title victory. This just goes to show how unpredictable a league has become with so many teams competing at the top.

Goals wise 

The EPL has average 2.79 goals a game in recent seasons, this is greater than both the Serie A and La Liga and narrowly pipped by the Bundesliga (2.94). However last season the top scorer in each league recorded:

• La Liga: 40 goals (Suarez) 
• Ligue 1: 38 goals (Ibrahimovic)
• Serie A: 36 goals (Higuain)
• Bundesliga: 30 goals (Lewandowski)
• EPL: 25 goals (Kane)

Whilst initially it appears as if the EPL is worse off think again. In Leagues such as La Liga the likes of Suarez find that most of their goals come in large, high scoring victories (Suarez netted 4 in an 8-0 victory over Deportivo). This tells us that often in some Leagues there is a large gap in quality so competitiveness is reduced which makes matches less entertaining for fans as they are often routs with matches over in 20 minutes. On the other hand the Premier League offers closer matches due to a higher quality of defending which will become more engaging for fans since matches are tightly contested and rarely unbalanced. Manchester City slumped to a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa last season despite the latter's torrid form and the likes of De Bruyne and Aguero featuring. This reinforces the idea that matches are closer in the Premier League when compared to Liga BBVA or Ligue 1. 

Biggest win margin 2015/16: 

Ligue 1: PSG 9 Troyes 0 

La Liga: Real Madrid 10 Rayo Vallecano 2

Bundesliga: Wolfsburg 6 Werder Bremen 0 

Serie A: Napoli 6 Bologna 0

EPL: Liverpool 6 Aston Villa 0

As you can see the largest gaps in quality are significantly less in the EPL and Serie A compared to Ligue 1 or La Liga. Some will say this makes it less entertaining as their are fewer routs whilst others argue closer games are much more engaging, most of all from a neutral's perspective.

Quality wise: 

The shortlist for UEFA best player (Ballon D'or) has recently been released. It consists of 10 players who have been voted for by 55 journalists from each UEFA country. The top 10 were as followed (ranked in leagues):

Serie A: Gianluigi Buffon (1)
Bundesliga: Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer (2)
La Liga: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, Pepe, Antoine Griezmann, Toni Kroos (7)

EPL players (as of last season): 

11) Riyad Mahrez

12) Jamie Vardy
13) Dimitri Payet
17) Ngolo Kante
19) Eden Hazard

This suggests that players in the EPL are nowhere near as good as those in La Liga for example, this is supported by the Champions League:

2015/16: Semi Finalists: Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Manchester City
2014/15: Semi finalists: Juventus, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich
2013/14: Semi Finalists: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid
2012/13: Semi Finalists: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich, Barcelona

Whilst English clubs have rarely featured in the latter stages of the Champions League in recent years they still surpass the number of Serie A (1) and Ligue 1 (0) sides in the Semi Finals. La Liga once again is on top with Barcelona and Real Madrid constantly featuring in the later stages of the competition, more recently alongside Atletico Madrid.

The top 10 players at the Euros in France this summer were:

Ronaldo, Bale, Griezmann, Payet, Pepe, Ramsey, Lloris, Chiellini, Kroos and De Bruyne.

4 of these players are in the EPL which suggests it's far from drooping! Outside of Europe the likes of Sanchez and Aguero are some of the best players in the EPL, to say quality is very low is ridiculous given the likes of Hazard and Ibrahimovic in the EPL.

Overview

Financially the EPL is the most well supported league in the World with deals as high as £5 billion for TV showing rights propelling the League forwards. Transfer spending in the EPL is higher than any other league, look no further than a potential £100 Pogba move! As a result I would still say the EPL is the best League in the World in spite of being outranked by La Liga in terms of quality. However the EPL retains its crown ahead of the Spanish League thanks to its competitiveness and unpredictability.

Does the selling ever stop: Southampton FC

Southampton's recent rise from League One football to rivaling the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool for top places in the Premier League is truly remarkable. To go from the Johnston's Paint Trophy to Europa League is amazing, despite their sucess Southampton fans will be hoping the journey doesn't end there. The road has not always been smooth for the Saints however, they have lost influential players along the way at the end of almost every season. Only Jose Fonte and Kelvin Davis, who is to retire, can showcase their 'Southampton loyalty cards' from the League one days. In spite of losing high quality players Southampton seem to get better year after year, last season a 6th place finish was a record in the club's Premier League history. So who has taken another path along the way, were they right in doing so?

Gareth Bale --> Tottenham Hotspur for £7 million in May 2007

Southampton's first major sale was perhaps their biggest loss, however Bale was not the powerful machine up top that he is today, instead Bale started out as a left back. All the same Bale still possessed astonishing pace, at the age of 14 he could run the 100m in 11.4 seconds. The Welshman took 25 caps to win at Tottenham, from then on he got better season by season, putting in man of the match performances left, right and centre. A hat trick against Inter Milan in the Champions League gained attention followed by winning Player's Player and Player's Young Player of the 2013/14 season. From then forth a £85 million move to Real Madrid and a Euros Semi Final with Wales have been the 27 year old's highlights.

Success since: YES

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain --> Arsenal for £12 million in August 2011

Chamberlain became Southampton's second youngest player to feature when he came off the bench against Huddersfield. In total he made 36 appearances for the Saints and recorded 9 goals during his time there, as a result bigger clubs were interested in the teenager, especially after making the PFA League One Team of the Year. Since his move to Arsenal the 'Ox' has struggled and scored just 7 times in as many as 100 appearances. All the same at 22 years of age he still has bags of potential in equal measure to his relentlessness pace.

Success since: NO

Luke Shaw --> Manchester United for £30 million in June 2014

Shaw became the most expensive teenager in the world after moving to Manchester United. Shaw started off very well at Manchester United and made 21 appearances for the Red Devils until a horrific double leg fracture against PSV saw him out of action until 2016/1017 pre season where he made his first start in months. Expect Shaw to be an integral part of both the Manchester United and England team for years to come.

Success since: YES

Rickie Lambert --> Liverpool for £4 million in June 2014

Lambert had always been a Liverpool fan and few Southampton fans will feel angry that Lambert followed his dream move through in 2014. The stocky striker did not have a big impact at Liverpool, just 2 goals in 25 caps saw him off to West Brom where he has failed to recapture the Southampton form which saw him mark 106 times in just over 200 appearances. All the same Southampton fans are sure to always have a soft spot for the clinical forward who raised Southampton form the pit that is League One.

Success since: NO

Dejan Lovren --> Liverpool for £20 million in July 2014

Out of all the departees Lovren is probably the most hated in the eyes of Southampton fans. After just one season at Southampton the Crioatian was persistent on a move away and even stated 'my head is already in Liverpool' - before the move went through! It's unsurprising that Saints fans' eyes fill with glee given Lovren's woeful performances in Merseyside which have caused him to become somewhat of a joke at times. All in all Lovren is still a capable defender and is likely to start alongside Matip in central defence next season.

Success since: NO

Adam Lallana --> Liverpool for £25 million in July 2014

Lallana has not progressed significantly in a Liverpool shirt when compared to his Southampton days. Yes, he provides a beautiful touch or flick. Yes, his crosses from either foot are always on a plate for forwards. Yes, he lacks composure in front of goal and often struggles to finish. Yes, his second half performances are jaded and often anonymous, like a child on a day trip he starts off buzzing and full of energy however by midday he is slumped and disinterested. 9 goals in 57 games for Liverpool is neither embarrassing nor remarkable, Lallana needs to add that little extra to his game to stand out for the Merseyside Reds ahead of Coutinho, Firmino and now Mane.

Success since? : NO

Calum Chambers --> Arsenal for £16 million in July 2014

Chambers was purchased as a 'young prospect' by Arsene Wenger in 2014. The Englishmen predominantly featured for the Saints as a right back however given his height and build Wenger deploys the 21 year old centrally. Despite some shaky performances (Chambers was torn to pieces by Montero) the Englishman is still seen as a potential future England and Arsenal starter. However 'potential' only lasts so long and some feel Chambers has to perform in 2016/17 to show his class as a top team defender.

Success since?: NO

Nathaniel Clyne --> Liverpool for £13 million in July 2015

Clyne has proven himself as one of the best right backs in the league last season alongside Bellerin and Walker, unfortunately the latter swooped in as England's starting right back ahead of Clyne at the Euros. Clyne is fairly quick and has the confidence to get forward, Clyne created 7 chances at the Euros despite only making one appearance, in fact no other full back created more chances in the whole tournament! At £13 million Liverpool will feel they have certainly got their money worth for the 26 year old, Southampton know just how good the bombarding full back is since neither Cuco Martina or Cedric have filled his boots.

Success since?: YES

Morgan Schneiderlin --> Manchester United for £24 million in July 2015

In the 2014/15 season Schneiderlin and Wanyama provided Southampton with at times an impregnable defence, by consequence the Saints kept as many as 13 clean sheets, only beaten by Manchester City. It seemed time overdue that one of the 'top' clubs swooped in for the Frenchman who's tidy and simple playstyle made him a perfect fit as a CDM. Schneiderlin started off well, impressing in his debut in a 1-0 victory over Tottenham, furthermore he even scored against Everton in the opening months of the season. Unfortunately the 26 year old had fallen out of favour in the Manchester United team selection nor did he feature in France's Euros campaign. The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Everton however some feel he would be a key player to sit behind Pogba if the £100 million transfer goes ahead.

Success since?: NO

Sadio Mane --> Liverpool for £34 million in July 2016

Mane has been one of Southampton's best players since arriving in 2014, the Senegalese striker recorded 36 goals and assists for Southampton in as few as 70 games, a remarkable record. Then again Mane can be a very inconsistent player, he went 13 games with neither a goal nor assist to his name, but when he does perform his sheer pace and ability to beat a man makes him an instant threat. Expect Mane to start off eager to impress given the competition for places in a packed Liverpool squad brimming with talent.

Success since?: N/A

Victor Wanyama --> Tottenham Hotspur for £11 million in July 2016

Wanyama has gone periods where he was regarded the best CDM in the EPL with Matic out of form and Schneiderlin on the bench. Wanyama's tackling is second to none whilst his physicality is frightening. Despite these qualities questions remain over the Kenyan captain's discipline and capability on the ball, passes are often astray and rushed. Furthermore whether Wanyama will start instead of or alongside England's Eric Dier remains to be seen, it's unlikely Wanyama will act as his deputy seeing he will be paid substantially more than the 21 year old who put in very professional displays in France.

Success since?: N/A

Graziano Pelle --> Shandong Luneng for £12 million in July 2016

Turning down a 225% wage increase of £260 000 a week would be a startling decision in any profession, especially when considering Pelle is 31 and career would otherwise be on a downward path. All the same Pelle certainly put in a shift for the Saints and will be remembered for some fabulous goals, celebrations and hairstyle. Unlike every other departure it was in fact Southampton's fault that the player left elsewhere, Southampton reportedly were uninterested in renewing the Italian's contract, in spite of two goals at the Euros.

Success since?: Whatever his performance Pelle will be a financial sucess! 

Total Sales: £208 million

See similar:

Does the selling ever stop: Borussia Dortmund!