Premier League Predictions: 7 writers make the big calls ahead of the new season
Chris Hatherall:
Stoke could be an outside bet – manager Mark Hughes believes they are capable
Not on his own, but he gets them half-way there. Arsenal’s biggest problems last season were a lack of belief against the bigger sides, occasional bouts of defensive disorganisation and, surprisingly, a shortage of goals, just 71 compared to Manchester City’s 83. Cech can’t solve the latter problem, even Arsene Wenger admits his team need to find 10 more goals from somewhere. But the former Chelsea man is already bringing belief, experience, organisation and a winning mentality; priceless contributions.
The reality is nobody will. Southampton did an outstanding job to push the big boys last season but history tells you competing in the Europa League makes it very tough for mid-range clubs to force their way any further up the table. Stoke could be an outside bet — manager Mark Hughes believes they are capable — Swansea will be in the top 10, and Crystal Palace may be a dark horse. Easier put your money on the status quo.
There have been some very good buys all round – Max Gradel is an astonishing signing for Bournemouth, as is Yohan Cabaye for Crystal Palace, while Petr Cech and Memphis Depay at United will almost certainly prove their worth. But football is not only about glamour and big transfer fees; Liverpool got under-rated James Milner, a man with 50 caps who has won league titles and gives everything every match, for nothing. Great business.
It may be a romantic notion, but I’d go for Bournemouth. They were comfortably the best team in the Championship last season, playing beautiful football that will suit the Premier League. Goals won’t be a problem for them in the top flight, and although keeping them out may prove more difficult, they have bought extremely well and have an excellent young manager in Eddie Howe. Visiting the 11,000-capacity Vitality Stadium will be a challenge.
It was all red whine at Anfield last season but the arrival of Christian Benteke is exactly what they need to enjoy a more vintage season. Having spent much of the last campaign with Daniel Strurridge injured and Raheem Sterling forced into a central role, Benteke’s powerful style of play, excellent finishing and ability to link up play will make a huge difference to Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the top four.
It’s so easy to say Chelsea again; but at least this year there are doubts. Even Jose Mourinho admits as much. A lot will depend on how Arsenal begin the season — they can’t possibly survive the same kind of miserable start that ruined 2014-15 for them – but all the signs are that the Gunners are ready for a title tilt. Twelve years on from their last triumph, this could be Arsenal’s season.
Miguel Delaney:
There was revisionism about Roberto Martinez because of how disappointing last season was.
He helps the process, especially given he himself is such a winner and represents a ruthlessness Wenger should have displayed years ago, but it’s still a surprise he’s their only signing. They still need another midfielder and a top forward. It’s also worth remembering Arsenal aren’t trying to leap one level. They’re trying to leap two. It’s not they haven’t been champions in 11 years. They haven’t sustained a title challenge past March in that time either. Given the profile of the team, without those signings, feels as if they need to learn to challenge together first.
Nobody, but I think Everton will go closest. There was a bit of revisionism about Roberto Martinez last season because of how disappointing their season was, but it’s a repeated fact European participation ravages the league season of any club without the depth to cope. Free from that, I think we’ll see something closer to 2013-14 from them.
Probably Morgan Schneiderlin, given he so cleanly fixes what had been a long-term problem for a team, in a key position. There aren’t too many moves to thoroughly tick all those boxes. Not even Arsenal needed a goalkeeper in the way United needed a midfielder like him.
I’ll go Bournemouth, given they have greater money than the rest. All three have canny managers. That could make this quite tight at the bottom.
Sergio Aguero, still the highest quality player in the division when fit. City have oddly been written off, but a striker like him will always give them a chance.
Chelsea. There are a lot of questions about them, especially why Jose Mourinho hasn’t yet enhanced what was occasionally a drab attack, but he’s still imbued a quality squad.
Gerry Cox:
I still feel Olivier Giroud does not cut the mustard against the top sides
Not on his own, though Arsene Wenger has finally resolved a weak spot that has plagued Arsenal for years. I still feel Olivier Giroud does not cut the mustard against the top sides, so another striker would be the man to make a difference in those Big Four clashes.
It’s asking a lot for Southampton to keep up with the top four again, given they have this year’s curse of a Europa League run, so it could be Swansea as dark horses. Garry Monk has quietly improved the Swans and they could push for a top six spot. Other than that, Crystal Palace should comfortably finish in the top half.
It could be argued that Daniel Levy has done fantastically well to recoup over €40m for the deadwood Spurs acquired when they wasted the Gareth Bale windfall – Paulinho, Capoue, Chiriches, Soldado, etc. In terms of value for money signings, however, Sebastien Schweinsteiger for under €20m looks like a steal for Manchester United.
Watford have spent most money but trying to integrate ten new players with a new manager (Quique Sanchez Flores) who has no experience of English football will be tough. Bournemouth’s squad does not look up to PL standards, however good a job Eddie Howe has done. Alex Neil has transformed Norwich so they may turn out to be the best of the new boys.
In a team game, those game-changers are getting scarcer – Bale did it for Spurs, and Suarez for Liverpool before heading to Spain. Sergio Aguero has done it at times for Manchester City. If Alexis Sanchez can extend his sensational form from the first few months to a full season, he can be that man.
Manchester United look best-placed to challenge Chelsea’, and it could go right to the wire. But if Diego Costa stays fit and focuses on goals rather than growls, and Radamel Falcao does what he didn’t do at Old Trafford, it could be Jose Mourinho smiling as John Terry lifts the Premier League trophy again.
Tony Leen:
Let’s cheer the fact that the mini-league goes as deep as the top six.
Was Ospina really that underwhelming and Szczesny that erratic that the signing of Cech becomes the ultimate game-changer? Of course not. The keeper may be the base of the team spine, but he only a part thereof. If Koscielny is out for a period, if Coquelin is out for a period, Arsenal become uncertain and less assured facing the ball. The quality of replacements will be laid bare then — most of all to the man between the sticks.
Let’s cheer the fact that the mini-league goes as deep as the top six! In Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Portugal and even Italy, you could probably nail down the top three right now. It will take outstanding managerial nous by Alan Pardew at Palace or Ronald Koeman at Southampton to break through that glass ceiling, but alongside Roberto Martinez at Everton, they are still the most likely. However I’m expecting a kick from Bilic at West Ham.
Best bit of business would indicate value for money — or in the case of James Milner to Liverpool or Micah Richards to Villa, no money at all. Cabaye to Palace and Andre Ayew to Swansea demand to be watched for progress, Cech to Arsenal is, of course, money well spent, but keep an eye on Serge Gnabry at West Brom — a season-long loan deal from Arsenal could prove a cracking investment by Tony Pulis.
Bournemouth have stolen a march recruiting Ivory Coast forward Max Gradel — the ability to score will determine how many three-point hauls the promoted three have.
On a consistent basis, Aguero, Hazard and Alexis. More sporadic though equally thrilling are Raheem Sterling and a fit Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Yes, he could be that good.)
Celebrations at staying in the Premier League are every bit as raw — perhaps more so — as those that accompany title winners. Think of Sunderland’s relief last May. Celebrating real achievement may be the preserve of Bournemouth, Norwich and Watford. But if Palace, Stoke or even Newcastle gatecrash the top six, that’s cause for champagne de-corking too.
Liam Mackey:
David Silva is a sublime reminder of why it’s still legitimate to call football the beautiful game.
No. He’ll certainly make their goals against column look better but to go that crucial extra mile and actually win the Premier League, I think Arsenal still need a warrior figure with his blend of quality, leadership and winning mentality further up the pitch.
No-one, sadly. The elite mini-league within the Premier League is a closed shop until such time as some other club does a Man City and pumps in mega-millions in a bid to turn also-rans into front-runners.
Might not have happened yet! But getting the dependable James Milner on a free can’t be knocked even if I don’t think his arrival alone will be enough to turn Liverpool around.
Bournemouth. Or at least all the romantics will hope so. A commitment to playing positive, attacking football – even if the Cherries find that harder to maintain in the top-flight - deserves its reward.
On his day, will o’ the wisp David Silva is a sublime reminder of why it’s still legitimate to call football the beautiful game.
Chelsea. Notwithstanding the worry that Diego Costa won’t be able to hit the ground running, literally, the defending champions, under Mourinho, have no obvious weaknesses and work off a collective spirit and hunger which means defending the title will mean as much to them as winning it last season.
Ian Winrow:
Alexis Sanchez has the ability to match the midas-touch Luis Suarez had at Liverpool
He certainly turns them into contenders, and that in itself marks a significant step forward for Arsene Wenger’s side. The keeper will bring confidence and organisation to a previously uncertain defence and that could tip the title race in Arsenal’s favour.
If Ronald Koeman can once again seamlessly integrate a clutch of new signings, Southampton could overhaul Tottenham. But Crystal Palace showed remarkable form during the second half of last season and a shrewd summer means they will be even stronger this time around.
Landing Yohan Cabaye from Paris Saint Germain was a powerful — and unexpected statement of intent from Crystal Palace. But the signing who will make the biggest impact this season will almost certainly be Raheem Sterling.
The biggest strength of all three clubs is their manager, but Alex Neil’s Norwich squad is packed with players who experienced the Premier League two season and that could prove to be a major asset.
Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling with improve on their already high standards but Alexis Sanchez has the ability to match the Midas touch Luis Suarez had at Liverpool a couple of seasons ago.
Chelsea are over-reliant on Diego Costa, Manuel Pellegrini is in danger of becoming a lame duck manager and Manchester United’s squad remains imbalanced. Arsenal will be the team to beat.
Alan Smith:
Difficult to imagine Chelsea suffering too many defeats
No, though he will improve them, Arsene Wenger is still short a first-rate holding midfielder and striker. Cech’s signing being compared to Jens Lehmann’s arrival before the Invincibles season is understandable but the German joined a squad containing Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry. Francis Coquelin and Olivier Giroud don’t compare.
Nobody – the half dozen operate at a different level. Southampton will be chasing behind but having lost Nathaniel Clyne and, more importantly, Morgan Schneiderlin, questions over the quality of their replacements are yet to be answered. Stoke have added strength despite losing Asmir Begovic, Swansea will be in the top half and Palace should be close too
Yohan Cabaye joining Crystal Palace for a shade under £10m from PSG was the most surprising and represents terrific value, but seeing as Palace are destined for mid-table with or without him and Cech has already been discussed, let’s plump for Gerard Deulofeu at Everton – not the finished product but the ability to make £4.2m look a bargain.
Bournemouth will be fun to watch. They could be exploited defensively but look best placed to survive. Watford are fascinating due to the Pozzos’ ability to switch players from their three clubs and could see investment in January if required. Norwich to struggle.
Eden Hazard – last season’s player of the year and only going to get better. Notable mentions for Alexis Sánchez and Sergio Aguero.
Difficult to imagine Chelsea suffering too many defeats. Arsenal and the Manchester pair may close the gap but the champions will take stopping.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
