Deadbat
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Here it is....pin it and come back in May to tear it to pieces!!!
Premier League Predictions 19-20
It’s time to have a complete punt at where everyone will finish this season. You can quite easily split the league in three….the top 6 – then the middle teams hoping to push on…Wolves, Leicester, Everton and maybe West Ham/Watford….then the rest which is half the division.
I will predict where I see each team finishing, discuss their key player, manager and best case/worst case scenario and look at the transfer business (*correct as of August 4th, 2019)
1. Liverpool
Went so close last year. Any other year they would be champions. Klopp will be determined to go one better and take the holy grail. They have Joe Gomez back to partner Van Dijk. I was a bit surprised they did not add anyone in the summer though but they have a strong starting line up and I expect more from Keita and Fabinho in their second season. Up top they have a range of options and Origi will play more this season. I also think we will see quite a bit of young Rhian Brewster from the bench and possible even Harry Wilson who impressed at Derby. Will always score goals due to the pace and way they can break through but if they can get more from the midfield area; then they could do it this year.
Key Player: Sadio Mane
Salah is the main man up top and Van Dijk might be the best defender in the World but take Mane out and I think they are not the same team. He gives them assists, goal threat and the ability to run through the last third at such pace.
Manager: Jurgen Klopp
I like Klopp. He is crackers but in a good way. He is like a good, more likeable Warnock. Has banked on them taking the next step without any further investment. He has got them back amongst the elite and the spine is young enough to keep getting better.
Best Case Scenario: Win the League. The front three continue to be prolific. Van Dijk improves his game even more being able to come out of defence and use it even better. They have another chance of European glory too.
Worst Case Scenario: Miss the top 3. The goals dry up. Van Dijk or Allison get injured and the lack of real squad depth in quality comes back to haunt them.
In
Sepp van den Berg (PEC Zwolle) Undisclosed
Harvey Elliott (Fulham) Undisclosed
Out
Alberto Moreno (Villarreal) Free
Daniel Sturridge (Released)
Connor Randall (Released)
Adam Bogdan (Released)
Sheyi Ojo (Rangers) Loan
Rafael Camacho (Sporting)
Marko Grujic (Hertha BSC) Loan
Danny Ings (Southampton) £20m
Allan Rodrigues de Souza (Fluminense) Loan
Kamil Grabara (Huddersfield Town) Loan
Ben Woodburn (Oxford) Loan
2. Man City
Almost had the perfect season last time out but a few VAR decisions against Spurs and they narrowly missed out on the possibility of all 5 trophies. They kept their nerve to run the table in the final weeks and regain the title. Like Liverpool, the changes are minimal. They have lost Kompany and he will be a loss in leadership and defensive calmness but Laporta had an excellent season. The big addition was Rodri who can come in and provide the same shield that Fernandinho offers in midfield. Still uncertainty over Leroy Sane but he remains for now and with the two Silvas and De Bruyne they have the best midfield trio of players in the league by a distance. The two full backs are erratic at times and not sure Zinchenko has been properly tested yet over a period of time. Just feel to win three in a row and keep to the same level of excellent might be tough. They will really zero in on the Champions League knowing it is the one trophy that had alluded them.
Key Player: Bernardo Silva.
A lovely footballer that will at 24 still has his best years ahead of him. With David Silva in his last year at the club look for the touch to be well and truly passed.
Manager: Pep Guardiola
The main concern is how long he has stayed at clubs. He did four years at Barca and three at Bayern. This is his fourth season at City. Will he hang around after this season? He continues to get high standards out of the group gradually bringing the age down of the squad but keeping the talent level up. Look for Foden and Garcia to be brought through even more keeping with that trend. The only concern is how bored he may get and whether he will want another challenge. It might be the best and worst thing thus, if City win the Champions League.
Best Case Scenario: Win the three peat and win the Champions League. They avoid a transfer ban and add a top quality centre back and another striker. The domination continues and Pep signs a long term contract to stay.
Worst Case Scenario: Dip out on the League and fail to reach the final stages of the Champions League. Aguero gets an injury and they are given a transfer ban so they cannot sign replacements. Pep then resigns going to PSG.
In
Angelino (PSV Eindhoven) £5.3m
Rodri (Atletico Madrid) £62.8m
Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew) £7m
Out
Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht) Free
Patrick Roberts (Norwich City) Loan
Pablo Mari (Flamengo) £1.5m
Tom Dele-Bashiru (Released)
Aaron Nemane (Released)
Matt Smith (QPR) Loan
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) Loan
Yangel Herrera (Granada) Loan
Aro Muric (Nottingham Forest) Loan
Zack Steffen (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan
Philippe Sandler (Anderlecht) Loan
Fabian Delph (Everton) £8.5m
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) £16.8m
Yangel Herrera (Granada) Loan
Tosin Adarabioyo (Manchester City – Blackburn) Loan
3. Tottenham
With a number of injuries and the stadium saga they still reached the Champions League final and finished in the Champions League players. They are now settled in their new home, have for now kept Eriksen and Kane is back fully fit. New midfielder Ndombole is a defensive midfielder that can hopefully allow the likes of Alli, Eriksen and Son to really attack at will. They have some good young players led by the excellent Harry Winks and some really underrated performers in the likes of Son Heung Min and the two centre backs who continue to quietly excel. Maybe lack the squad depth once again and also the two full back positions are still a bit of a concern. Also not sure they have enough cover at the top of the pitch as Son and Moura play more off the front two and Llorente was allowed to leave.
Key Player: Harry Kane
Seems a predicable thing to say but he is their talisman and focal point for everything they do. Will score goals, hold up play and link with others. If the goals dry up or the injuries return then Spurs will drop off considerably.
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
A great manager who can set his team to play up in a variety of ways as the Champions League run evidenced. Tactically he is outstanding, he is also a great motivator of players and has recruited well too. You worry that he may depart for Real Madrid or a club of similar standing if Spurs do not push on – it is hard to see them keeping up with Liverpool and City above them and then you wonder what might happen next summer.
Best Case Scenario: Make a really strong challenge for the league and the young players continue to develop. They make more signings (Sessegnon) to gradually improve the depth and have another good run in Europe. The home stadium becomes a real fortress too.
Worst Case Scenario: Do not make the top 4, Arsenal overtake them and they crash out in the group stages of the Champions League. Kane gets another injury and then at the end of the season Pochettino decides he cannot take them any further and walks.
In
Kion Etete (Notts County) Undisclosed
Jack Clarke (Leeds) £10m
Tanguy Ndombele (Lyon) £55m
Out
Michel Vorm (Released)
Dylan Duncan (Released)
Charlie Freeman (Released)
Tom Glover (Released)
Connor Ogilvie (Released)
Jamie Reynolds (Released)
Luke Amos (QPR) Loan
Jack Clarke (Leeds) Loan
Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) £20m
Vincent Janssen (Monterrey) £5.6m
4. Arsenal
Emery came in and they finished with 7 more points and one place higher in 5th than the last campaign under Arsene Wenger. They got the final of the Europa League (although well beaten by Chelsea) and gradually they started to move out more of the deadwood. The side will soon look unrecognisable from the one from a few years ago. The front two Aubameyang and Lacazette will score goals again and they have brought in Pepe, an exciting wing threat. Saliba will go back to St Etienne on loan and Martinelli is more of a player for the future. Ceballos played 23 games for Real Madrid last season so can give them a steadying presence in midfield an area that lacks a top-level performer still. They still worry me at the back and Koscielny seems set to depart. The keeper Leno was up and down last season. They will excite going forward but continue to struggle defensively and do not look a side that can go on 6 or 7 game winning runs due to the youth and lack of experience. The new kit is great though!
Key Player: Aubemeyang/Lacazette
You cannot split them. Both of these are so key. They need to score goals and hopefully together in a pair. If one or both struggle, Arsenal finish out of the top four placings.
Manager: Unai Emery
Not quite sure what his style is and whilst they at times have shown more attacking threat, the same defensive vulnerabilities remain. They are a bit more direct perhaps now than the tippy tappy stuff from a few years ago as they look to utilise the pace, they have up top. He seems an affable sort of bloke but without further additions finishing 4th is about as good as it will get next season.
Best Case Scenario: The front two both score a hatful. The new lads come in and gel and the defence finally stop conceding silly goals. They surprise and may a run for the title staying right in touch with the top teams all season long giving them a platform for years to come.
Worst Case Scenario: A poor start and the inexperienced backline is a mess shipping goals all over the place. Emery rotates the two strikers rarely playing them as a duo and the crowd turns on him as they finish in 6th-8th place. He is sacked and they have to start again.
In
Nicolas Pepe (Lille) £72m
Gabriel Martinelli (Ituano) £6m
William Saliba (Saint-Etienne) £27m
Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) Loan
Out
Aaron Ramsey (Juventus) Free
Petr Cech (Retired)
Danny Welbeck (Released)
Cohen Bramall (Released)
Charlie Gilmour (Released)
Stephan Lichtsteiner (Released)
Julio Pleguezuelo (Released)
Jordi Osei-Tutu (VfL Bochum) Loan
Daniel Ballard (Swindon Town) Loan
David Ospina (Napoli) £3.1m
Vontae Daley-Campbell (Leicester) Undisclosed
Ben Sheaf (Doncaster Rovers) Loan
William Saliba (Saint-Etienne) Loan
Xavier Amaechi (Hamburg) £2.25m
Krystian Bielik [Arsenal - Derby] Undisclosed
5. Man Utd
Not sure Ole is the man for the job and they have an unbalanced squad that lacks quality and leadership in all departments. There is talent there but no real cohesive plan on playing style or solid consistency in terms of who plays where. They will hope De Gea get back to form now he had a new contract. The Pogba row carries on and it would be best for all concerned if he moves on. Incoming are the talented young defensive pair Maguire and Wan Bissaka, but it still a big step up in terms of what will be needed week in, week out at a much bigger club with greater expectations. The size of the fees may not help these two. As it stands the Dybala – Lukaku swap has not happened. They will hope it does to give much needed creativity in the middle of the field. The rest of the team is a bit confused. They have talented front players such as Rashford and Martial. Look out for youngster Mason Greenwood who could really push on this season. This team still has enough quality to be in the top 6 but don’t feel they will go any higher and will need further investment and managerial ideas to push nearer to the top sides.
Key Player: Marcus Rashford
With Lukaku moving on, Sanchez a total flop and Martial in and out, he now will be expected to be the main man up top. Still only 21, but he will be expected to show more consistency this season. He only scored 10 goals last season and for someone who will play more down the middle needs to be looking to almost double that figure.
Manager: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
I was very surprised they gave Solskjaer the full time job. They reacted too early to his great start giving him the job. If they had waited till the end of the season, I am fairly certain he would have been relieved of his temporary duties and they would have gone elsewhere. I am unsure he is the answer long term and he may not see the season out. If they get a bad start, he could be gone early. There is still talent there though but it is still a bit of a mess.
Best Case Scenario: The new young signings hit the ground running and fit in. Rashford becomes the main man up top. Pogba is sold and they quickly reinvest the money in a couple more first teamers that can come in straight away. They are right amongst the top sides and win a domestic cup. They begin to find an identity. I actually think the best cased scenario is they start badly, Ole is sacked they bring in someone who can galvanise the team (Simeone/Pochettino) and then build from there.
Worst Case Scenario: The Pogba situation carries on and continues to cause unrest. They have a mixed start but not bad enough to change the manager but not good enough to contend for the top 4. However the crowd begin to turn on Ole and the new defensive signings begin with erroneous showings that sees many question the huge transfer fees.
In
Daniel James (Swansea) £15m
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace) £50m
Harry Maguire (Leicester) £80m
Out
Ander Herrera (PSG) Free
Antonio Valencia (LDU Quito) Free
Matthew Olosunde (Released)
James Wilson (Aberdeen) Free
Regan Poole (Released)
Kieran O'Hara (Burton Albion) Loan
Dean Henderson (Sheffield United) Loan
6. Chelsea
Lampard clearly believes in the youth and Hudson Odoi and Loftus Cheek are clearly a big part of his plans moving forward. Pulisic is the only newcomer and the American is a dynamic attacking player but he is no Hazard and there is no doubt they will massively miss him. Like Man Utd and Arsenal above, there is lots of talent but they don’t have the same top drawer talent like Man City and Liverpool and even Spurs (at least in the attacking areas). They have some solid and reliable defenders such as Azpilicueta, Alondo and Kante They also have some flair players in Willan and Pedro. Rudiger, Jorginho and Kovacic all need to improve from their so so starts at Chelsea and they lack goals at the top of the field for me. Batshuayi, Abraham and Giroud were all a long way down the pecking order in the past but now are the players counted on for goals.
Key Player: N’Golo Kante
Played in a more attacking role last season which was odd. Surely Lampard puts him back into a more defensive role where his strengths lie? The best of his type maybe in world football.
Manager: Frank Lampard
I personally feel it was too soon for him to be given the job and it could be a case of right club but wrong time. He needed a few more seasons at a lower level before getting his ‘dream job.’ He now has to learn on the fly. He will have more talent at Stamford Bridge than Pride Park but with Hazard gone and a transfer ban – he will have to get the best out of what he has – although still has 15 players out on loan!
Best Case Scenario: Lampard comes in and they get off to a great start getting the crowd even more behind him. The young players push on and he gets goals shared around. The players with question marks last year improve and Pulisic comes in and at least does a fair impression of replacing Hazard. They compete for all honours and offer a more attacking brand of football than they saw last season.
Worst Case Scenario: Lampard has a disastrous start and looks way out his depth. Players do not respond to his instructions; tactically he looks clueless and Chelsea get some beatings to the bigger clubs. The team end up mid table and the Lampard experiment is aborted and he is sacked mid season. They bring in John Terry as his replacement who fares no better and he too leaves before the end of the season.
In
Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid) £40m (had been on loan previously)
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dormund) £73m
Out
Gary Cahill (Released)
Fankaty Dabo (Coventry City) Free
Rob Green (Retired)
Eden Hazard (Real Madrid) £88.5m
Todd Kane (Released)
Ola Aina (Torino) £8.7m
Nathan Baxter (Ross County) Loan
Richard Nartey (Burton Albion) Loan
Jay Dasilva (Bristol City) £2m
Eduardo (Released)
Kyle Scott (Released)
Tomas Kalas (Bristol City) £8m
Mario Pasalic (Atalanta) Loan
Charly Musonda (Vitesse Arnhem) Loan
Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid) £50m
Nathan (Atletico Mineiro) Loan
Lewis Baker (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan
Ethan Ampadu (RB Leipzig) Loan
Matt Miazga (Reading) Loan
Jake Clarke-Salter (Birmingham) Loan
Lewis Baker (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan
Conor Gallagher (Charlton) Loan
Kasey Palmer (Bristol City) Undisclosed
Dujon Sterling (Wigan) Loan
Premier League Predictions 19-20
It’s time to have a complete punt at where everyone will finish this season. You can quite easily split the league in three….the top 6 – then the middle teams hoping to push on…Wolves, Leicester, Everton and maybe West Ham/Watford….then the rest which is half the division.
I will predict where I see each team finishing, discuss their key player, manager and best case/worst case scenario and look at the transfer business (*correct as of August 4th, 2019)
1. Liverpool
Went so close last year. Any other year they would be champions. Klopp will be determined to go one better and take the holy grail. They have Joe Gomez back to partner Van Dijk. I was a bit surprised they did not add anyone in the summer though but they have a strong starting line up and I expect more from Keita and Fabinho in their second season. Up top they have a range of options and Origi will play more this season. I also think we will see quite a bit of young Rhian Brewster from the bench and possible even Harry Wilson who impressed at Derby. Will always score goals due to the pace and way they can break through but if they can get more from the midfield area; then they could do it this year.
Key Player: Sadio Mane
Salah is the main man up top and Van Dijk might be the best defender in the World but take Mane out and I think they are not the same team. He gives them assists, goal threat and the ability to run through the last third at such pace.
Manager: Jurgen Klopp
I like Klopp. He is crackers but in a good way. He is like a good, more likeable Warnock. Has banked on them taking the next step without any further investment. He has got them back amongst the elite and the spine is young enough to keep getting better.
Best Case Scenario: Win the League. The front three continue to be prolific. Van Dijk improves his game even more being able to come out of defence and use it even better. They have another chance of European glory too.
Worst Case Scenario: Miss the top 3. The goals dry up. Van Dijk or Allison get injured and the lack of real squad depth in quality comes back to haunt them.
In
Sepp van den Berg (PEC Zwolle) Undisclosed
Harvey Elliott (Fulham) Undisclosed
Out
Alberto Moreno (Villarreal) Free
Daniel Sturridge (Released)
Connor Randall (Released)
Adam Bogdan (Released)
Sheyi Ojo (Rangers) Loan
Rafael Camacho (Sporting)
Marko Grujic (Hertha BSC) Loan
Danny Ings (Southampton) £20m
Allan Rodrigues de Souza (Fluminense) Loan
Kamil Grabara (Huddersfield Town) Loan
Ben Woodburn (Oxford) Loan
2. Man City
Almost had the perfect season last time out but a few VAR decisions against Spurs and they narrowly missed out on the possibility of all 5 trophies. They kept their nerve to run the table in the final weeks and regain the title. Like Liverpool, the changes are minimal. They have lost Kompany and he will be a loss in leadership and defensive calmness but Laporta had an excellent season. The big addition was Rodri who can come in and provide the same shield that Fernandinho offers in midfield. Still uncertainty over Leroy Sane but he remains for now and with the two Silvas and De Bruyne they have the best midfield trio of players in the league by a distance. The two full backs are erratic at times and not sure Zinchenko has been properly tested yet over a period of time. Just feel to win three in a row and keep to the same level of excellent might be tough. They will really zero in on the Champions League knowing it is the one trophy that had alluded them.
Key Player: Bernardo Silva.
A lovely footballer that will at 24 still has his best years ahead of him. With David Silva in his last year at the club look for the touch to be well and truly passed.
Manager: Pep Guardiola
The main concern is how long he has stayed at clubs. He did four years at Barca and three at Bayern. This is his fourth season at City. Will he hang around after this season? He continues to get high standards out of the group gradually bringing the age down of the squad but keeping the talent level up. Look for Foden and Garcia to be brought through even more keeping with that trend. The only concern is how bored he may get and whether he will want another challenge. It might be the best and worst thing thus, if City win the Champions League.
Best Case Scenario: Win the three peat and win the Champions League. They avoid a transfer ban and add a top quality centre back and another striker. The domination continues and Pep signs a long term contract to stay.
Worst Case Scenario: Dip out on the League and fail to reach the final stages of the Champions League. Aguero gets an injury and they are given a transfer ban so they cannot sign replacements. Pep then resigns going to PSG.
In
Angelino (PSV Eindhoven) £5.3m
Rodri (Atletico Madrid) £62.8m
Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew) £7m
Out
Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht) Free
Patrick Roberts (Norwich City) Loan
Pablo Mari (Flamengo) £1.5m
Tom Dele-Bashiru (Released)
Aaron Nemane (Released)
Matt Smith (QPR) Loan
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) Loan
Yangel Herrera (Granada) Loan
Aro Muric (Nottingham Forest) Loan
Zack Steffen (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan
Philippe Sandler (Anderlecht) Loan
Fabian Delph (Everton) £8.5m
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) £16.8m
Yangel Herrera (Granada) Loan
Tosin Adarabioyo (Manchester City – Blackburn) Loan
3. Tottenham
With a number of injuries and the stadium saga they still reached the Champions League final and finished in the Champions League players. They are now settled in their new home, have for now kept Eriksen and Kane is back fully fit. New midfielder Ndombole is a defensive midfielder that can hopefully allow the likes of Alli, Eriksen and Son to really attack at will. They have some good young players led by the excellent Harry Winks and some really underrated performers in the likes of Son Heung Min and the two centre backs who continue to quietly excel. Maybe lack the squad depth once again and also the two full back positions are still a bit of a concern. Also not sure they have enough cover at the top of the pitch as Son and Moura play more off the front two and Llorente was allowed to leave.
Key Player: Harry Kane
Seems a predicable thing to say but he is their talisman and focal point for everything they do. Will score goals, hold up play and link with others. If the goals dry up or the injuries return then Spurs will drop off considerably.
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
A great manager who can set his team to play up in a variety of ways as the Champions League run evidenced. Tactically he is outstanding, he is also a great motivator of players and has recruited well too. You worry that he may depart for Real Madrid or a club of similar standing if Spurs do not push on – it is hard to see them keeping up with Liverpool and City above them and then you wonder what might happen next summer.
Best Case Scenario: Make a really strong challenge for the league and the young players continue to develop. They make more signings (Sessegnon) to gradually improve the depth and have another good run in Europe. The home stadium becomes a real fortress too.
Worst Case Scenario: Do not make the top 4, Arsenal overtake them and they crash out in the group stages of the Champions League. Kane gets another injury and then at the end of the season Pochettino decides he cannot take them any further and walks.
In
Kion Etete (Notts County) Undisclosed
Jack Clarke (Leeds) £10m
Tanguy Ndombele (Lyon) £55m
Out
Michel Vorm (Released)
Dylan Duncan (Released)
Charlie Freeman (Released)
Tom Glover (Released)
Connor Ogilvie (Released)
Jamie Reynolds (Released)
Luke Amos (QPR) Loan
Jack Clarke (Leeds) Loan
Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) £20m
Vincent Janssen (Monterrey) £5.6m
4. Arsenal
Emery came in and they finished with 7 more points and one place higher in 5th than the last campaign under Arsene Wenger. They got the final of the Europa League (although well beaten by Chelsea) and gradually they started to move out more of the deadwood. The side will soon look unrecognisable from the one from a few years ago. The front two Aubameyang and Lacazette will score goals again and they have brought in Pepe, an exciting wing threat. Saliba will go back to St Etienne on loan and Martinelli is more of a player for the future. Ceballos played 23 games for Real Madrid last season so can give them a steadying presence in midfield an area that lacks a top-level performer still. They still worry me at the back and Koscielny seems set to depart. The keeper Leno was up and down last season. They will excite going forward but continue to struggle defensively and do not look a side that can go on 6 or 7 game winning runs due to the youth and lack of experience. The new kit is great though!
Key Player: Aubemeyang/Lacazette
You cannot split them. Both of these are so key. They need to score goals and hopefully together in a pair. If one or both struggle, Arsenal finish out of the top four placings.
Manager: Unai Emery
Not quite sure what his style is and whilst they at times have shown more attacking threat, the same defensive vulnerabilities remain. They are a bit more direct perhaps now than the tippy tappy stuff from a few years ago as they look to utilise the pace, they have up top. He seems an affable sort of bloke but without further additions finishing 4th is about as good as it will get next season.
Best Case Scenario: The front two both score a hatful. The new lads come in and gel and the defence finally stop conceding silly goals. They surprise and may a run for the title staying right in touch with the top teams all season long giving them a platform for years to come.
Worst Case Scenario: A poor start and the inexperienced backline is a mess shipping goals all over the place. Emery rotates the two strikers rarely playing them as a duo and the crowd turns on him as they finish in 6th-8th place. He is sacked and they have to start again.
In
Nicolas Pepe (Lille) £72m
Gabriel Martinelli (Ituano) £6m
William Saliba (Saint-Etienne) £27m
Dani Ceballos (Real Madrid) Loan
Out
Aaron Ramsey (Juventus) Free
Petr Cech (Retired)
Danny Welbeck (Released)
Cohen Bramall (Released)
Charlie Gilmour (Released)
Stephan Lichtsteiner (Released)
Julio Pleguezuelo (Released)
Jordi Osei-Tutu (VfL Bochum) Loan
Daniel Ballard (Swindon Town) Loan
David Ospina (Napoli) £3.1m
Vontae Daley-Campbell (Leicester) Undisclosed
Ben Sheaf (Doncaster Rovers) Loan
William Saliba (Saint-Etienne) Loan
Xavier Amaechi (Hamburg) £2.25m
Krystian Bielik [Arsenal - Derby] Undisclosed
5. Man Utd
Not sure Ole is the man for the job and they have an unbalanced squad that lacks quality and leadership in all departments. There is talent there but no real cohesive plan on playing style or solid consistency in terms of who plays where. They will hope De Gea get back to form now he had a new contract. The Pogba row carries on and it would be best for all concerned if he moves on. Incoming are the talented young defensive pair Maguire and Wan Bissaka, but it still a big step up in terms of what will be needed week in, week out at a much bigger club with greater expectations. The size of the fees may not help these two. As it stands the Dybala – Lukaku swap has not happened. They will hope it does to give much needed creativity in the middle of the field. The rest of the team is a bit confused. They have talented front players such as Rashford and Martial. Look out for youngster Mason Greenwood who could really push on this season. This team still has enough quality to be in the top 6 but don’t feel they will go any higher and will need further investment and managerial ideas to push nearer to the top sides.
Key Player: Marcus Rashford
With Lukaku moving on, Sanchez a total flop and Martial in and out, he now will be expected to be the main man up top. Still only 21, but he will be expected to show more consistency this season. He only scored 10 goals last season and for someone who will play more down the middle needs to be looking to almost double that figure.
Manager: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
I was very surprised they gave Solskjaer the full time job. They reacted too early to his great start giving him the job. If they had waited till the end of the season, I am fairly certain he would have been relieved of his temporary duties and they would have gone elsewhere. I am unsure he is the answer long term and he may not see the season out. If they get a bad start, he could be gone early. There is still talent there though but it is still a bit of a mess.
Best Case Scenario: The new young signings hit the ground running and fit in. Rashford becomes the main man up top. Pogba is sold and they quickly reinvest the money in a couple more first teamers that can come in straight away. They are right amongst the top sides and win a domestic cup. They begin to find an identity. I actually think the best cased scenario is they start badly, Ole is sacked they bring in someone who can galvanise the team (Simeone/Pochettino) and then build from there.
Worst Case Scenario: The Pogba situation carries on and continues to cause unrest. They have a mixed start but not bad enough to change the manager but not good enough to contend for the top 4. However the crowd begin to turn on Ole and the new defensive signings begin with erroneous showings that sees many question the huge transfer fees.
In
Daniel James (Swansea) £15m
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace) £50m
Harry Maguire (Leicester) £80m
Out
Ander Herrera (PSG) Free
Antonio Valencia (LDU Quito) Free
Matthew Olosunde (Released)
James Wilson (Aberdeen) Free
Regan Poole (Released)
Kieran O'Hara (Burton Albion) Loan
Dean Henderson (Sheffield United) Loan
6. Chelsea
Lampard clearly believes in the youth and Hudson Odoi and Loftus Cheek are clearly a big part of his plans moving forward. Pulisic is the only newcomer and the American is a dynamic attacking player but he is no Hazard and there is no doubt they will massively miss him. Like Man Utd and Arsenal above, there is lots of talent but they don’t have the same top drawer talent like Man City and Liverpool and even Spurs (at least in the attacking areas). They have some solid and reliable defenders such as Azpilicueta, Alondo and Kante They also have some flair players in Willan and Pedro. Rudiger, Jorginho and Kovacic all need to improve from their so so starts at Chelsea and they lack goals at the top of the field for me. Batshuayi, Abraham and Giroud were all a long way down the pecking order in the past but now are the players counted on for goals.
Key Player: N’Golo Kante
Played in a more attacking role last season which was odd. Surely Lampard puts him back into a more defensive role where his strengths lie? The best of his type maybe in world football.
Manager: Frank Lampard
I personally feel it was too soon for him to be given the job and it could be a case of right club but wrong time. He needed a few more seasons at a lower level before getting his ‘dream job.’ He now has to learn on the fly. He will have more talent at Stamford Bridge than Pride Park but with Hazard gone and a transfer ban – he will have to get the best out of what he has – although still has 15 players out on loan!
Best Case Scenario: Lampard comes in and they get off to a great start getting the crowd even more behind him. The young players push on and he gets goals shared around. The players with question marks last year improve and Pulisic comes in and at least does a fair impression of replacing Hazard. They compete for all honours and offer a more attacking brand of football than they saw last season.
Worst Case Scenario: Lampard has a disastrous start and looks way out his depth. Players do not respond to his instructions; tactically he looks clueless and Chelsea get some beatings to the bigger clubs. The team end up mid table and the Lampard experiment is aborted and he is sacked mid season. They bring in John Terry as his replacement who fares no better and he too leaves before the end of the season.
In
Mateo Kovacic (Real Madrid) £40m (had been on loan previously)
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dormund) £73m
Out
Gary Cahill (Released)
Fankaty Dabo (Coventry City) Free
Rob Green (Retired)
Eden Hazard (Real Madrid) £88.5m
Todd Kane (Released)
Ola Aina (Torino) £8.7m
Nathan Baxter (Ross County) Loan
Richard Nartey (Burton Albion) Loan
Jay Dasilva (Bristol City) £2m
Eduardo (Released)
Kyle Scott (Released)
Tomas Kalas (Bristol City) £8m
Mario Pasalic (Atalanta) Loan
Charly Musonda (Vitesse Arnhem) Loan
Alvaro Morata (Atletico Madrid) £50m
Nathan (Atletico Mineiro) Loan
Lewis Baker (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan
Ethan Ampadu (RB Leipzig) Loan
Matt Miazga (Reading) Loan
Jake Clarke-Salter (Birmingham) Loan
Lewis Baker (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan
Conor Gallagher (Charlton) Loan
Kasey Palmer (Bristol City) Undisclosed
Dujon Sterling (Wigan) Loan
(unless next season u predict the blades to challenge for Europe.. then top down is fine!)
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