Deadline day is long gone (in football terms that is) and
the first round of fixtures since have recently just passed. So what moves have
made a team go from relegation fodder to mid table dwellers? From top 4
outsiders to title contenders? This article gives my personal opinion on each
of the 20 teams’ business during the transfer window, and ultimately the final
predictions for the season ahead...
ARSENAL
The purchase of Danny Welbeck will give Arsenal something
they have sorely missed up top – sheer pace. The two goal Englishman from last
Monday should get 15 goals at least this season without fail. The manager will
without a doubt allow him to operate further forward and not out of position on
the wings, an area where he operated most of the time at United. I, myself wish
the lad best of luck as the move benefits both his new, and his old club.
However is he good enough to make the Gunners title contenders? In short, no.
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| The capture of Danny Welbeck has split opinion amongst the Arsenal fans |
The other signings Arsene has made during the summer are
excellent additions to an already strong squad. Mesut Ozil should shine a lot
brighter during his second season as well as big years predicted for Aaron
Ramsey and Jack Wilshire. Alexis Sanchez will also settle in brilliantly to the
attractive manner of play that the club possesses. However the biggest problem
is at the back. They are severely lacking in the centre of defence with
currently only Per and Koscielny on their books (as out-and-out centre backs
that is). Nonetheless, they are still an excellent team who could win any game
on any given day.
Prediction – 3rd,
74-80 points
ASTON VILLA
Paul Lambert seems to have gone back on his old philosophies
by signing three ‘experienced’ players in Philippe Senderos, Joe Cole and
Kieran Richardson. Add them to Tom Cleverley from Manchester United along with
Carlos Sanchez from Elche and Aston Villa are building a decent team. Perhaps
the greatest bit of business the club have done this window is keeping hold of
their star assets. Ron Vlaar had an excellent world cup and Christian Benteke
is still an absolute handful on his day. Seeing these two at the club on
September 2nd will undoubtedly of lifted the spirits of everyone at
the club. The struggles of the last few years should be far behind this team
and if they are able to build on such a positive start, the Midlanders will be
looking up the table, as opposed to down it.
Prediction – 10th,
48-54 points
BURNLEY
Not a lot of premier league fans know much about the small
town of Burnley. Many probably know less about the football clubs’ players and
manager. For myself this is no different, as the team largely consists of those
who got them promoted last season. The biggest problem for Sean Dyche was
adding top flight quality to an otherwise ‘average’ squad. A couple of new
faces have the experience of playing at the highest level – Matt Taylor, Steven
Reid and George Boyd have all recently been strong members of their respective
teams. Two other promising youngsters in Nathaniel Chalobah and Michael Keane
have joined the ranks. But, and it’s a big but, can everyone give 110% each
game yet lose most weeks? Can they still be strong physically and mentally in
the face of defeat after defeat? I’m not so sure.
Prediction – 20th,
22-28 points
CHELSEA
Although deadline day signings were non-existent, the
transfers throughout the whole summer were exceptional. There is no other word
for it. That isn’t only regarding the arrivals but also the departures. We all
know Jose is an absolute genius but to get 50 million pounds for David Luiz is
beyond comment! Fabregas, Costa, Filipe Luis, and Drogba all came in before the
final week of August with each of them adding to an already frightening team. Couple
everything before with the man at the helm and Chelsea football club must have
a successful season? Surely.
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| Costa and Fabregas, the signings of the summer |
The negatives in the team are few and far between. Losing
the experience of Lampard, Cole and Eto’o all for free would usually hurt a
teams’ bank balance but obviously not the case for the Russian upstairs. Getting
rid of Romelu Lukaku is interesting but acquiring Loic Remy as the back-up
striker for 10 million is again excellent business. The Frenchman will add
great finishing and invaluable goals to the frontline. To be fair if the team
had a few strikers who could score 40+ goals between them last year they would
of champions, comfortably. Now they have three who could get 60+ between them
the possibilities are endless for this football club.
Prediction – 1st,
92-98 points
CRYSTAL PALACE
The Eagles have made some good additions to the squad. Brede
Hangeland was a few years ago one of the best centre halves in the premier
league. Wilfried Zaha already looks more comfortable in this team after one
game then he ever did for Manchester United. Martin Kelly and Zeki Fryers are
both promising full backs with the potential to play for the national team. Away
from that the club comfortably finished 11th last year so
technically they should be aiming for a top ten finish... This is definitely
not the case though. One man drove this club to the heights of mid table. That
man was not a player but the manager. Tony Pulis is the most devastating loss
for Crystal Palace and although Neil Warnock is a top leader his CV is not a
patch on his predecessor. It will be a tough season and may end in despair.
Prediction – 19th,
34-40 points
EVERTON
As always, Everton have bought well in the transfer window.
The biggest problem is the high standards that Roberto Martinez has set this
football club. They aren’t the type of prospect that attracts the worlds’
greatest which ultimately goes hand in hand with the fact they always seem to
fall short of the top 4. I think this season may be no different. The permanent
signing of the big Belgian up front assures the team will never fail to score
goals, but then again that’s the least you expect for 28 million. Other
acquisitions such as Muhamed Besic, Christian Atsu and Gareth Barry (again)
will each add steel and creativity going forward. However at the back is the
biggest weakness. Both full backs fly forward but aren’t as fast retreating,
and the centre backs are far from champions league standard. An attractive team
with an excellent manager but are no better than a 5th placed finish.
Prediction – 7th,
66-72 points
HULL CITY
Hull City (Tigers) made the boldest of statements during
transfer deadline day. Two excellent loan signings with over 10 million pounds
spent in less than 24 hours isn’t bad business for an owner who apparently
wants out of the football club. Add these to the purchases beforehand and Steve
Bruce is building an excellent squad at the KC stadium. Perhaps the biggest
problem this season is the misunderstanding behind the scenes. For me the owner
is paying the money that is keeping this team in the premier league, therefore
he should be able to call them what he likes. Nonetheless in the short term
future this club is definitely going places. The early exit from Europe is a
god send and although the injured Robert Snodgrass will be massive loss in
midfield, the other additions are good enough to secure a mid table finish for
the FA Cup runners up.
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| Four top late additions means the boys from Humberside should survive comfortably |
Prediction – 11th
46-52 points
LEICESTER CITY
The Foxes could of signed Lionel Messi and still fought a
relegation battle this season. They haven’t signed the Barca star but they have
somehow lured another champions league winner to the ranks. Esteban Cambiasso
has given up ten years of playing at the highest level in Serie A to come
and join the premier league new boys. He may not be the standard he once was
but most midfields in the country could improve with someone of his ability
amongst them. Can the former Inter Milan general keep the club in the top
flight? Not on his own he can’t. However if the other Argentine, Leonardo Ulloa
can carry on his fine start to the season then survival is definitely possible
for Leicester City. The club as a whole are nothing more than average but these
types of teams have the potential to work hard for one another and stroll
through the 40 point mark by April. They just need a bit of luck along the
way.
Prediction – 16th,
37-43 points
LIVERPOOL
Trying to replace a talisman, one of the best in the world,
is the greatest test no matter who is at the helm. The loss of Luis Suarez would hurt any
football team from any era. You can either directly reinvest the money for the
superstar in the market by buying 1 or 2 players of similar stature. However
you could go the opposite way and purchase 5-6 squad players to fill the void.
Brendan Rodgers has done the latter. Only time will tell whether this is the
correct way forward, but just 12 months previously Tottenham Hotspur did the
same with the Gareth Bale money and the results were varied. It may be a
different story for Liverpool FC.
One signing who is an excellent acquisition is that of one
Mario Balotelli. Not only is he a world class striker but to get one for so
cheap is nothing short of remarkable. If he can fit in to the teams mentality
then the Italian will at least help replace the goals lost. Nonetheless he is
still a livewire and you have to imagine when things don’t go his way his
childish ways may come to the fore once again. Leopards never change their
spots, do they? Away from him, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge guarantee
points but defensively the team are too weak to repeat the heroics of last
season. Losing Daniel Agger will also be felt throughout the whole squad.
Prediction – 4th,
73-79 points
MANCHESTER CITY
The team who set the benchmark last season will be difficult
to topple once again. However I don’t believe it is their business in the
transfer window that makes them second favourites, it may be the work done by
Chelsea that makes the blue side of Manchester runners up come May 2015. The
squad are still able to compete but the difficulty is improving a team that are
champions. Manuel Pellegrini has evaluated his set of players and bought well.
Eliaquim Mangala is one of the most promising centre backs in world football
and Fernando will add steel to an already impressive midfield. Stevan Jovetic
also seems to have settled in England and he will replace the goals lost by
Alvaro Negredo who has left for his homeland, albeit on loan. They know how to win
it – but retaining the title may be one step too far.
Prediction – 2nd,
82-88 points
MANCHESTER UNITED
After the disasters from last season you would hope that the
only way is up for Manchester United. Three games in and the problems are just
as ripe, if not worse. The transfer window has given the manager the chance to
right the wrongs from just a one year ago, has he done it? Well, partly. Angel
Di Maria and Radamel Falcao are two of the best footballers on this planet
right now, but the problems lie deeper with this football club. I for one stood
up for David Moyes and argued that although he did himself little favours, the
retirement of Sir Alex exposed the cracks of the squad. There are too many
average players here. The clearout has started but the deadwood is still
visible. For the Red Devils to get back to the summit these players need to be
shipped on. And fast.
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| Two of the worlds' best will hopefully fire United up the table |
After spending over 150 million pounds on new players (as
well as a mere 18 million on a loanees’ wages!) the men from Old Trafford are
expected to get back into the top 4, and rightly so. However it won’t be as
easy as that. Defensively the team are not good enough to get anywhere near the
two favourites, but Arsenal and Liverpool are within grasping distance. LVG has
clearly made a statement with his signings – ‘we can score more than the
opposition’. This is all well and good against the mediocre sides in the league
but the top teams will destroy United, and they will do again and again. The
questions raised over the formation will not help the players but the manager
is stubborn and may stick with it until it works. Times may be promising but a lot
of work is still needed to get this club back into the champions league.
Prediction – 5th,
72-78 points
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Every season there always seems to be a grey cloud
surrounding St. James Park. Whether it be troubles with the manager, the owner
or the strike force nothing seems to run smoothly on Tyneside. This year is no
different as all three problems don’t seem to have been solved. One thing you
can say about Alan Pardew this summer is that he has splashed the cash. Remy
Cabella could definitely be the bargain of the summer if the few glimpses so
far are anything to go by. Daryl Janmaat is also a seasoned international who
will comfortably replace the departing Mathieu Debuchy. However, although the
midfield looks strong, centre backs are scarce at the club with only Coloccini,
Williamson and Steven Taylor as the recognised heart of defence. Perhaps the
fans expectations are too great but anything less than a comfortable top half
finish will be classed as a failure.
Prediction – 14th,
40-46 points
QUEEN PARK RANGERS
Harry Redknapp, the (not self proclaimed) wheeler dealer of
the premier league was at it again during the summer transfer window. Some
outrageous additions coupled with a strong core of players left from the
previous year, points to a comfortable survival campaign. However if you offered
the fans a 17th placed finish now they would accept without
question. The latter may be the more reasonable target for Queens Park Rangers
upon their return to the top flight. Rio Ferdinand and Stephen Caulker are both
excellent signings at the back, while Sandro, Jordan Mutch and Leroy Fer all
make up a triplet of competent midfielders. The two new Chileans from Napoli
and Juventus respectively could easily be playing at a higher level so for the
Rs to have acquired them is exceptional business. The players must gel
instantly if the failures of 2012-13 are to be learnt from.
Prediction – 17th,
35-41 points
SOUTHAMPTON
Just 4 months ago Southampton had one of the most talented,
underrated group of players (outside the top 7) that the premier league has
seen for many years. Come September 2nd and the training ground must
look a completely different place. Losing 4 of the 5 most influential players
of last year is hard enough, but couple that with a change of manager and
Saints’ fans must have been worried coming into the new season. However the
arrival of the legendary name as manager as well as a plethora of new signings
and arguably the hope is higher than it was just one year before. The money has
been reinvested wisely and although it will be difficult rebuilding the team as
a whole, a mid table finish is easily within grasp. The new attacking options
all present different positives going forward but arguably the signing of Toby
Alderweireld and Fraser Forster may be more pivotal to any possible success.
The latter finally gets his chance to have a fair crack at the Englands’ number
1 jersey.
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| One of best players of all time should lead the Saints to another top half finish |
Prediction – 9th,
52-58 points
STOKE CITY
After a comfortable 2013-2014 Stoke City will be hoping to
improve on their 9th placed finish. The team have set the standards
high and that may be the greatest obstacle for the coming season. Mark Hughes
has got the team playing more attractive, expansive football which the fans are
loving, especially following the tactics of Tony Pulis. They are mixed bag
though, one week beating the best and the next week being atrocious. Just see
the 0-1 home loss to Aston Villa, followed two weeks later by the win at Man
City as a prime example. Mame Biran Diouf paid the majority of his undisclosed
fee back in this impressive away win, coupled with the remarkable coup of Bojan
Krkic from Barcelona of all teams and the signs are promising at the Brittania.
Perhaps the two less profile signings of Steve SIdwell and Phil Bardsley should
be making the bigger headlines. Both resemble players the old regime use to
acquire, with grit and hard work in abundance, let alone the fact they are
solid 7.5/10 performers every week. The different mix of players at the club
points to another secure survival campaign.
Prediction – 13th,
44-50 points
SUNDERLAND
All positions have been strengthened this summer transfer
window up at the Stadium of Light. Are the new men premier league quality? I
only believe one of them is, at the moment. Will Buckley has never played at
this level before so will need time to settle, while Patrick van Aanholt seems
to have been at Chelsea for so many years without making an appearance. Ricky
Alvarez is good enough to play for Inter Milan so should become a decent
addition for the squad. But if the new boys fail to click or adapt to the
demands of this league then Sunderland will struggle again without a doubt. The
one man who will drive this team forward is Jack Rodwell. After stupidly
leaving Everton for money only a few years ago he is an excellent footballer
who can play at the heart of the defence, in the middle of the park or further
forward behind the striker. One of the few gems in a limited group of players.
A difficult season ahead.
Prediction – 15th,
39-45 points
SWANSEA CITY
Losing Micheal Laudrup during last season should have
destroyed this football club. Ultimately the consequences were completely the
opposite. With the new man at the helm a former captain, the team seem to have
maintained their philosophies yet add defensive steel to the backline,
obviously arising from the manager. Some excellent additions to an already
strong squad, not even taking into account their start to the season, the Swans
will finish in the top half of the table. Having Wilfried Bony and Bafetimbi
Gomis up top, flanked by the willing Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge, goals
will never be a problem. Jefferson Montero had a decent world cup for Ecuador
while Gylfi Sigurdsson will relish playing behind the quality attacking
options. At the back Federico Fernandez has played champions league and world
cup football so should be competent defender. All in all, Swansea City will be
closer the top 6 then the bottom 6.
Prediction – 8th,
54-60 points
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
After the millions spent last summer Mauricio Pochettino has
come in and stabilised the books. Eric Dier seems to be a promising youngster
while Ben Davies is already a competent premier league full back. To get the
latter for so cheap considering the elevated prices for young, talented left
backs this window, everyone at the club should be over the moon. Central
defender, Federico Fazio also won the europa league last season with Sevilla so
will be able to slot in next to new captain Younis Kaboul at the back without any qualms. You
could even argue that the emergence of Erik Lamela is classed as a new signing,
after such an atrocious debut season in England. Tottenham therefore should be
competing for the top 4 and with this team I don’t see why 2014-2015 will be
any different. However they will fall short once again as they simply don’t
beat the big boys enough. Can Spurs win 10-15 games in a row like Liverpool did
last year? Definitely not.
Prediction – 6th,
67-73 points
WEST BROM
Since the sacking of Steve Clarke, West Brom have struggled
to find any sort of form. This has continued into the early weeks of the season
and Alan Irvine already seems out of his depth. A good coach doesn’t always
make a good manager – perhaps is no more fitting then for this football
club. Of course it is early days but the amount of new faces around the club
must be a worrying sight for the fans. Everyone needs time to gel and adapt to
one anothers’ game but for sake of survival this better be sooner rather than
later. Of the new faces, Craig Gardner and Georgios Samaras are the most high
profile additions as little is known about Brown Ideye. Christian Gamboa had an
excellent world cup for the minnows Costa Rica but the Norwegian eliteserien is
light years behind the English premier league. They have an average team
capable of staying up, but I think they may just fall short.
 |
| Nigerian Brown Ideye must settle quick to prevent a worrying season for West Brom |
Prediction – 18th,
34-40 points
WEST HAM
The worst thing any club could do is take top flight survival for granted. Therefore, Sam Allardyce has made a bold statement with
some exciting additions to the squad. Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate will both
fill the large void left by another lengthy layoff for Andy Carroll. Alex Song
has joined on loan from Barcelona hoping to resurrect a dwindling career after
leaving Arsenal only a few years ago. Along with him, as most FIFA fans will
agree, Cheikhou Kouyate should sure up the backline. His speed and power for a
centre half is second to none, attributes which will make him stand out from
the crowd in the fast paced premier league. The Hammers have a great chance to
build on the strong finish from last season, if of course the fans stick by the
manager – something that hasn’t happened previously. Safety should not be a
problem.
Prediction – 12th,
45-51 points
