20)
Hull city
It would truly remarkable if
Steve Bruce's men were to stay up as, as of writing they are manager-less with only 11 experienced players - in a friendly against Barnsley just 11 had started a league game for the Tigers. When Hull were promoted via the play offs Bruce outlined that they needed to make 6 signings to compete at the top, since then Hull have spent nothing and their Premier League hopes are threatened by injuries to Dawson, Livermore, Huddlestone and Maguire on top of the loss of key man Diame to Newcastle. Irreparable? It appears the hull (whole) squad is a mess!
Player of the Season: Robert Snodgrass
Young Player of the Season: Andrew Robertson
19)
Sunderland
Similarly to Hull Sunderland have not really grasped the concept of the transfer window. Excluding £8 million on former Chelsea defender Djilobodji David Moyes' side have been rather inactive as a result of Allardyce's move as England manager. Moyes has promised further signings, a right back and striker are needed to bolster a short squad, on top of this moves for Fellaini, Januzaj and M'Vila have all been reported. Sunderla's squad seems lacklustre with very few players standing out other than Kone (linked to Everton), Defoe (ageing), Lens, Kirchhoff and van Aanholt. I once again fear for Moyes' reputation.
Player of the Season: Jeremain Lens
Young Player of the Season: Paddy Mcnair
18)
Swansea
The loss of Gomis may have been a relief at first for Swansea fans however with Ayew, Eder and Paloschi also departing the Welsh club are entering somewhat of a crisis - not to mention the imminent move of Williams to Everton. Swansea could lose their top scorer and captain in the same week! The loss of 2 of their 3 most influential players (Sigurdsson has signed a new contract) is why I'm predicting Swansea to play in the Championship next season, perhaps Cardiff vs Swansea is on the cards? The likes of Fabianski, Taylor, Naughton, Amat, Cork, and Britton are all likely to start next season, none of those strike out as leaders or game changers. It seems the pressure on Sigurdsson, Llorente and Fer is mounting, hopefully signing Baston would tip the balance in their favour.
Player of the Season: Leroy Fer
Young Player of the Season: Stephen Kingsley
17) Burnley
I think it'll be tight at the bottom, very tight indeed. So tight that a single player can decide whether fans are elated or dejected come the final day of the season, that player for Burnley is Andre Gray. The 25 year old scored NINE GOALS, yes nine, in six pre season matches on the back of winning the Championship Player of the Season award. In addition to the Englishman Burnley also have Flanagan as well as Vokes who are both fairly experienced and add something different to a Dyche's set up.
Player of the Season: Andre Gray
Young Player of the Season: John Flanagan
16) West Brom
West Brom are another team whose squad hardly fills fans with confidence. Matt Philips is Tony Pulis' sole addition to a weak West Brom side who may struggle for goals if Berahino does ultimately depart and they are left with Rondon and Lambert. However West Brom's trump card is Tony Pulis and their strong defensive minded approach. West Brom are rarely beaten by a large margin thanks to the likes of Evans, Ollson and Dawson and also pose the biggest threat in the League from set pieces. Still may need to look in some more attacking minded players, an out of favour winger such as Januzaj would be a fruitful addition.
Player of the Season: Salomon Rondon
Young Player of the Season: Saido Berahino
15) Watford
The Hornets have done very well to keep hold of Ighalo and Deeney who ensured their Premier League survival last season with a combined 30 goals last season. In fact only Watson and Prodl were the only other players to score more than 1 goal! New manager Mazzarri will be hoping new signings will help tell a different story in Watford's bid to beat second season syndrome. Mario Suarez is a key addition from Fiorentina as he makes their midfield much more powerful and should reduce the number of goals conceded.
Player of the Season: Odion Ighalo
Young Player of the Season: / Watford are by far the oldest squad in the Premier League and lack young first team starters.
14) Bournemouth
Bournemouth's signing of Jordan Ibe for £15 million shows their intent, then again Newcastle spent over £80 million last season yet couldn't beat the drop! Bournemouth have replaced former star man Ritchie with Ibe who may not be as technically gifted as the Scotsman but has bags upon bags of pace and trickery. However Bournemouth's biggest addition to the starting team is not a new signing however Callum Wilson who returns after a devastating injury which saw him only muster 7 appearances last season (in which he scored 5!). A blistering front three of Ibe, Wilson and Gradel will all but guarantee goals for the Cherries who don't possess the strongest midfield or defence.
Player of the Season: Callum Wilson
Young Player of the Season: Jordan Ibe
13) Middlesbrough
Negredo. Valdes. Fischer. Middlesbrough don't look like they want to return to the Championship anytime soon given the big names being brought in. The only issue on Karanka's mind will be whether these new arrivals will disrupt the balance of an already successful squad which includes prolific players in Downing and Rhodes. If the latter and former Manchester City man Negredo form a partnership Middlesbrough could start preparing for the 2016/17 season as goal after goal will see them up.
Player of the Season: Jordan Rhodes
Young Player of the Season: Victor Fischer
12) Crystal Palace
The potential loss of Bolasie should not heavily affect Palace since Townsend who arrived from Newcastle for £12 million is a more consistent and equally threatening wide man. In addition to Townsend Puncheon and Zaha also provide creativity in midfield the question is will Benteke be the man tasked with converting these chances. Crystal Palace have been heavily linked with the Belgium who is behind Sturridge, Origi and Ings in Liverpool's impressive pecking order. I think Palace will survive the drop with ease, especially after replacing the erratic Hennessey in net with a more experienced Mandanda.
Player of the Season: Wilfred Zaha
Young Player of the Season: Wilfred Zaha
11) Stoke
Perhaps this will be the season where Shaqiri and Imbula can really show their class and propel Stoke up the leaderboard. Unfortunately for Mark Hughes' men I think they fall just below par to challenge for a Europa League spot in spite of the quality players such as Butland, Shawcross, Imbula, Arnautovic and Shaqiri. What the Potters are lacking is a top class striker, a £20 million bid for Berahino is rumoured to be on the cards to Walter's dismay. Stoke should aim for a cup run as that could be their best route into a European spot which would be key in keeping the talents of Shaqiri etc.
Player of the Season: Giannelli Imbula
Young Player of the Season: Jack Butland
10) Everton
Similarly to Stoke and Southampton I think that higher teams will be of a different class next season and restore the faith in the quality of the Premier League. Selling Stones for £47 million and replacing him with Williams for a quarter of the fee is truly remarkable, whether Koeman can go one further and bring in Kone on top of this remains to be seen. Another imminent move to Merseyside is Bolasie, the tricky winger who seemingly has a staggering £30 million price tag, in spite of his value Everton could start off with a devastating front four of Bolasie, Barkley, Deulofeu and Lukaku with the likes of Mirallas and Lennon on the bench if the formers' pace is not satisfactory.
Player of the Season: Gerard Deulofeu
Young Player of the Season: Gerard Deulofeu
9) Southampton
Like Leicester I can't see Southampton maintaining their remarkable against all odds performances. In spite of
selling key players on the back of successful Premier League campaigns from Lallana to Shaw the Saints have always seemed to have stepped up on the previous season. This time around I think the losses of Mane, Wanyama and Pelle may have more of an impact, Redmond is a step down from the Senegalese and Hojbjerg is inexperienced and won't possess the presence of Wanyama however with Long, Austin and Austin in attack the Saints shouldn't struggle for goals. With Europa League football Southampton will be tested more than ever, by consequence I expect a dip in League position which is understandable.
Player of the Season: Dusan Tadic
Young Player of the Season: Pierre Emile
Hojbjerg
8) Tottenham Hotspur
The most radical prediction of the lot however I feel that Tottenham are stumbling behind other clubs in the transfer race, then again the Premier League is a marathon not a sprint. The addition of Janssen up front is understandable yet it's unlikely that Spurs fans would take the Dutch striker ahead of the likes of Mkhitaryan, Ibrahimovic,, Batshuayi, Mane, Wijnaldum or the mighy Takuma Asano. All it takes is an underconfident Alli after the Euros and an under pressure Kane for Tottenham's season to take a downward spiral. On top of this Dembele, a true powerhouse last season, is suspended for the opening matches which could see Spurs off to a poor start.
Player of the Season: Cristian Eriksen
Young Player of the Season: Eric Dier
7) West Ham United
The acquisition of Ayew is really promising for Hammers fans as alongside Feghouli, Payet, Carroll, Antonio, Valencia, Sakho and Lanzini they have a wealth of attacking options at their disposal. In midfield the likes of Kouyate and Noble are solid options whilst they are also defensively sound with Cresswell, Reid and Collins. That man Payet will bring further spark to an already eye catching team who could very easily challenge for a top 4 spot!
Player of the Season: Dimitri Payet
Young Player of the Season: Arthur Masuaku
6) Leicester
Leicester have proven against all odds that they can do the impossible over and over again, so why won't they emulate last season's astonishing title victory this year round? The answer is the fact that other teams (Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool) have all been spending heavily and as a result the overall quality in the Premier League has risen. The loss of Kante will be massive however Ranieri has not panicked in the transfer window and instead made intelligent signings such as Musa and Kupustka, who both look like hot prospects. A 6th placed finish would not be disastrous for Leicester however foxes fans may feel they are being written off all too early once again.
Player of the Season: Ahmed Musa
Young Player of the Season: Demerai Gray
5) Chelsea
Do not expect a complete turn around from last season's woeful efforts but a revival of sorts is more than on the cards. Whilst both Manchester clubs and Liverpool have seemingly ended their spending I would not be surprised to see Conte add one or two more names alongside Kante and Batshuayi. Chelsea have a wealth of options varying from a 3-5-2 with a deadly partnership between Costa and Batshuayi or alternatively the classic 4-2-3-1 to incorporate both Matic and Kante in what could be the sternest midfield ever seen.
Willian and Hazard should provide effective outlets however I think they are lacking a number 10,
a game changer similar to De Bruyne, Ozil or Coutinho. Oscar is out of favour whilst Fabregas does not have a large enough goal threat. Defensively the Blues are linked with Koulibaly of Napoli since Terry is not deemed a suitable starter.
Player of the Season: Eden Hazard
Young Player of the Season: Michy Batshuayi
4) Liverpool
Liverpool have impressed thus far in terms of spending as well as pre season friendlies (not only beating Barcelona but Wigan too!)
The introduction of Mane and Wijnaldum provides fresh competition for starting places up top which is sure to drive players to work harder, in addition to this both Origi and Ings, even Firmino, have proven their competence in replacing Sturridge if the opportunity arises. Furthermore Liverpool seem to have solved the defensive problem with the arrival of Matip and Klaven, two solid no nonsense centre halves. Their weakness and key reason they wopn't finish higher is down to a lacking in central midfielders, Can and Henderson are set to start however the latter is mediocre at best and it will be a big step up for the 22 year old German.
Player of the Season: Joel Matip
Young Player of the Season: Emre Can
3) Arsenal
Arsenal will once again fail at the final hurdle simply because they haven't stood alongside Manchester clubs in terms of spending. I believe if roughly
£90 million was spent acquiring the trio of Lacazette, Mahrez and finally Mustafi then the title is all but in their grasp. As it appears however Wenger has once again cut spending short to the frustration of Gunners fans. Similarly to Manchester City and Liverpool Arsenal have a huge squad depth, yet given their luck injuries mean Holding and Chambers are set to start against Liverpool on the 15th. This lack of spending epitomises Arsenal in the last 10 years, as a result I expect this to be Wenger's last season in charge assuming Arsenal don't reach the peak.
Player of the Season: Aaron Ramsey
Young Player of the Season: Hector Bellerin
2) Manchester United
With the additions of Mourinho,
Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan and now Pogba Manchester United are now real title contenders. You would like to think so given the £144 million spent! However I don't think the Red Devils will finish as King of the EPL, why, because I still think they are lacking quality in positions. They are a vulnerability at right back as neither Valencia (a former winger) or Darmian are capable defensively, on top of this I think
Bailly may be rash and reckless at times. Further forwards I think that they will struggle to create the fluidity of Barcelona/Bayern's passing football in spite of such quality footballers simply because players will be played as a result of the name on the back of their shirt (Rooney at CAM) as opposed to the most effective players (Mata). Manchester United have real quality this season, then again so do Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, it comes down to manager's tactical nous, is Mourinho really the special one? I'm not so sure.
Player of the Season: Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Young Player of the Season: Luke Shaw
1)
Manchester City
I believe City can go one step further than their neighbours given their undeniable squad depth which will mean they are less affected by injuries - a factor which destroyed their campaign last season. In 2015/16 injuries to Aguero, De Bruyne and Kompany at various points saw a dip form however come next season and Guardiola will have Otamendi, the promising Ihenacho/Bony as well as a handful of creative midfielders (Silva, Nasri, Sterling) to bring into the starting 11. Manchester City will feel such a well rounded team should see them past competition especially if Aguero and
De Bruyne maintain last season's illustrious displays. The signing of Stones means that their only real liability may in fact be none other than
Joe Hart, the Englishman has made a
multitude of errors at the Euros and pre-sesason friendlies which could threaten City's title campaign.
Player of the Season: Kevin De Bruyne
Young Player of the Season: Leroy Sane
