Do you guys think the top PL teams will improve on last season based on their transfers (in/out), or slide backwards? I know it's hard to say as the transfer window is still open, and we don't know how the new signings will gel... My predictions though: 1. Chelsea No significant transfers, Falcao in for Drogba could go either way. But they were the best by a fair distance last season so I expect them to come out on top again, it's up to the other teams to catch them really, they just need to repeat last season's performance. They could regress compared to last season for numerous reasons though: A) Costa had a great season but got hit by injuries later on which are still affecting him, they are very reliant on him up front as he's a class above the other two. B) Terry and Hazard both had great seasons, can Terry keep old age at bay and can Hazard keep producing the brilliant football like he did last season? Personally I think Hazard will be brilliant again, Terry I think will be OK as long as they play a deep line which they tend to do. My verdict: Will probably do a bit worse than last season but still come 1st. 2. Man United Lots of signings, some big names too. Finally have a decent midfield which has been the main area of weakness for many years. Signed a goalscorer in Depay, may take time to settle fully but a very good buy for the future, we need more direct attacking threat and pace which he provides. Darmian looks like a quality signing too and hopefully he settles in well. Looks like we'll be selling ADM and if so should bring in a replacement, probably Pedro. So not a huge loss I think as ADM was struggling, the new signing will need to settle in but essentially a like-for-like replacement so not a loss there imo. The big loss is if we sell De Gea as any replacement is bound to not be as good as him, and he's saved us plenty of points over the years. Secondary concern is if he stays and doesn't perform to his usual high level due to the uncertainty, let's hope he stays (even if it's only for 1 more year) and performs to his usual standard. Other areas of concern are striker depth (only Rooney, Chicharito and Wilson are pure strikers), hopefully we sign one this week, and central defence where we've been crying out for a top class CB for ages. Our defenders are injury prone and we tend to have midfielders playing at CB for a third of every season. My verdict: A lot will depend on how the new signings settle, and who we sign this week (hopefully a CB and striker). Overall though I think that we'll improve significantly compared to last season. Much stronger in central midfield and fullbacks, the other 3 areas (GK, CB, Strikers) could be weaker but not definitely as Chicharito could come right and De Gea could stay, Smalling got better as the last season progressed. So I predict a 2nd place, I don't think we'll improve enough this season to challenge Chelsea but could well leapfrog Man City and Arsenal. 3. Arsenal Main change is the signing of Cech which is huge for them. The rest of the team is much the same, a few young players will keep improving while some of the older guys like Arteta will decline a bit so I'd say they'll improve by a few points compared to last season. I'm not sure if Giroud will have as good a season again, and Sanchez is unlikely to have as brilliant a season after his Copa America exertions, he is a quality player though. Arsenal are tough to call as they have so many quality players that have injury problems, so if they stay fit they could seriously win the title but inevitably they get injured and then struggle for form. Ramsey, Ox, Wilshere, Welbeck etc. My verdict: Their defense will certainly improve but it remains to be seen whether they will be as good as last year in terms of attacking, as it relies on Sanchez and Giroud having great seasons again and their other players remaining injury free. I think they'll come 3rd. If it all clicks they're the only team I think that can seriously challenge Chelsea this season, but I just feel that it requires so much to go right in terms of injuries and player form that I think they'll be about the same as United, maybe we'll pip them by a point or two. (If we don't win the PL this season I'd much rather Arsenal win it than Chelsea or City, I think it would be great for the PL as a whole) 4. Man City Only real signing is Sterling who I don't think is consistent enough to perform for the whole season, he'll come good in future years though. Lots of older players that seem to be declining, Toure and Kompany both seem to be on the slide. My verdict: Unless they spend massively I predict they'll drop down to 4th place, their only hope is if Aguero has an amazing season and carries the team on his shoulders. 5. Liverpool Benteke in, Sterling out is the major transfer news. Remains to be seen how their playing style dovetails with Benteke, or if they'll change their style or if Benteke will adapt his game. Will be interesting to see if some of the promising youngsters like Can will step up this year, doesn't help when they've been played out of position but need a good run in their natural positions. My verdict: I think Liverpool will improve but not enough to get top 4, I predict 5th with a fair gap to the 4th placed team. 6. Tottenham Will rely on Kane having a great season again, very interested to see how he goes but should struggle more against defences now that they know what to expect in his second season. My verdict: Much the same as last season, I predict 6th place behind Liverpool.
United 1) in the prem another season with LVG and a bit more stability. 2) We've strengthened in midfield and have a fantastic range of creative and defensive midfielders. I can see us continuing to score more from midfield like we did last season. Anywhere from 2nd to 4th should be the minimum expected with this squad. BUT we won't be challenging without another recognised quality CF, simple as. In the CL we will probably finish 2nd in our group and then depending on how well our squad has gelled by February we could get to QF. Chelsea 1) in the prem there were periods when they could be caught but werent. City seemed to implode and Arsenal had a late run but never looked like challenging. 2)Chelsea havent really strengthened and Costa looks a liability in terms of fitness. This season they look favourites to win it, but I think Arsenal and United will give them a run for their money. If Chelsea have a couple of lacklustre periods like they did last season I can see one of the other 2 taking advantage and nicking it off them. In the CL they simply havent done enough in the transfer window to be serious contenders. Q/F at best. Arsenal 1) Bought a very good keeper, this will help them defensively. 2) Another season with a settled squad. 3) Still think they need another DM. Their fortunes changed when Coquelin came in. Will he be just as good this season? I'm not so sure. I still dont see them being considtent enough to win the league but they could decide where it goes. In the CL they'll get to the last 16 or QF depending on where they finish in their group. Dont think they've strengthened enough to go further. 3) City Defensively they havent strengthened at all. I can see them shipping goals this season. I just dont see them doing anything this season tbh. Their season will rely heavily on Silva and Aguero. Their collapse will rely heavily on Yaya and that back 5. In the CL...same as above. Liverpool 1) They've brought in 10 players. Some of those will improve their squad and provide them with some good options in the prem. 2) All depends on how the strikers perform. Benteke and Ings will only get them so far on their own, it all depends on how much the likes of Coutinho and Firmino open up the opposition and create the opportunities for them. 3) Their game will rely on pace but imo teams will suss them out. Reason being is there's no real world class forward there to worry about. Cant see them getting higher than 5th. In the EL they have the squad to compete and get to the sf or even final. If Rodgers has any sense he should go all out to win this. It's the best way of saving his job while moving the club forward.
Chelsea will remain the same (1st or 2nd) United will improve (1st or 2nd) Arsenal will improve marginally (3rd) City will continue to go backwards (4th or 5th) Spurs will improve (4th or 5th) Liverpool will stay the same (****e)
United have improved most. Chelsea have stood still (how many times have we seen this backfire?). Arsenal have added a keeper of genuine quality but, he's playing ahead of Arsenals defence. City have gone backwards. Liverpool and Spurs are not going to be involved.
