PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON 2020-21 PREVIEW
It was an unprecedented long 2019-2020 season that ended only seven weeks ago, but the Premier League is back. Sadly, still without the fans, but with no less drama, excitement, controversy, skill, passion and intensity.
With what went on last season, this year promises to be another real interesting one with a multitude of questions waiting to be answered…..
Below is my team by team season preview
ARSENAL
Star Man: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Key Addition: Willian
One to Watch: Dani Ceballos
The FA Cup holders come into this new season with confidence, and are optimistic after a tumultuous last campaign, which surprisingly ended with a trophy. However, they will need to improve on a very disappointing 8th place finish and their aim has to be getting back into the top four.
With literally everyone connected to the club giving their full backing to Arteta, with the main man Aubameyang on the verge of signing a new long term contract, they are full of positivity. To achieve their top four goals, they will need to add to the likes of Saka, Martinelli, Pepe & Lacazette who all had their movements last season. Getting Ceballos back will be huge, after a slow start, he showed his quality and with a season under his belt, he could really flourish.
The experience of Willian, whose been there and done it, will also be key, he is a player I’ve longed admired and even at 32, still has quality. However, nobody questioned Arsenal’s attack, it’s the defence that’s always been an issue. At the back they have a great foundation with two decent keepers. As for defenders, Tierney is another who will benefit from a season to adjust. But Arsenal have real high hopes for the likes of Mari, Saliba, and Gabriel and it will be real interesting to see how they all adjust in the Premier League.
PREDICTION: 5th
ASTON VILLA
Star Man: Jack Grealish
Key Addition: Ollie Watkins
One to Watch: Ollie Watkins
Villa just about survived through the skin of their teeth last season and however thrilling that was, I doubt they would want to go through that stress again, or even if they will survive it a second time. They survived due to having two wins and two draws in their last four games, much of that was down to the form of local boy Jack Grealish, who again is the talk of much transfer speculation but at the moment him staying is vital.
The form of Mings in defence will also be hugely important, as will the experience of Tom Heaton as only Norwich conceded more than them last season.
Grealish aside, goals and creativity were at a premium and although you saw flashes of talent, there is no surprise Villa broke their transfer record to bring in Watkins, he is an excellent prospect but the Premier League is a different animal and I am not expecting too much too early. Villa will need huge support and improvements from likes of Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Wesley, Samatta, El Ghazi, Trezeguet and especially Nakamba if they are to do what seems like the improbable and stay up.
PREDICTION: 18th
BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION
Star Man: Lewis Dunk
Key Addition: Adam Lallana
One to Watch: Tariq Lamptey
Brighton finished 15th last season, which was an improvement on 17th the season before and their goal has to be trying to improve further. I was impressed with the new brand of football Graham Potter has them playing and their highlight has to be doing the double over the FA Cup winners Arsenal.
There is no more of an indication of what Potter is trying to do at the club, by his shrewd free signing of Lallana from Liverpool. He will no doubt improve the team moving forward and add that extra bit of everything to the squad.
Potter has a very good blend of defensive stalwarts in captain Dunk along with Webster, and Burn, not the mention the keeper Ryan and especially young Lamptey, who impressed me last season and could be a real star this term. However, they also have ball players going forward with the likes of Gross, Propper, March and Bissouma who also impressed me last season. With the likes of Maupay, Trossard, Jahanbakhsh and Connolly upfront I feel Brighton could again surprise a few this season.
PREDICTION: 13th
BURNLEY
Star Man: Nick Pope
Key Addition: None
One to Watch: Ashley Barnes
Last season Burnley finished in a very respectable 10th, which was their second highest league finish in their history. They went about their business in their typical unspectacular but business like fashion and as like previous seasons, went out the cups early so concentrated on doing well in the league.
A lot of what was good about Burnley was built on their solid defensive foundation, especially with goalkeeper Pope, who showed why he is pushing for the England no1 jersey. They also have a disciplined and drilled backline with Mee & Tarkowski with the experience of Bardsley, Lowton & Pieters. Upfront, while Barnes had an indifferent season hampered by injury, he still showed why he is threat and will hope for an injury free season, alongside last season’s top scorer Wood, with help from Rodriguez and busy midfielders in youngster McNeil, Brady, Westwood & Gudmundsson,
Burnley will again look for a relatively uncomplicated but steady mid table campaign. However, mid table obscurity could give way to complacency, and they will need some new goals to help them continue to improve or they could slip down the league.
PREDICTION 12th
CHELSEA
Star Man: Timo Werner
Key Addition: Timo Werner
One to Watch: Cristian Pulisic
Everyone connected to Chelsea must understandably be very excited for the coming season. Having spent over £200m on players. Frank Lampard navigated his young team very well last season, while under a transfer ban to make it into the top four, which has to be the reason why he has been trusted and rewarded this summer.
Most will be excited to see how Werner adjusts, it seems he has the style made for the Premier League and goals are expected. However, they also have a younger talent in Havertz, who will be gunning to make a name for himself, along with the midfield talents of Ziyech. With the experience of Thiago Silva, along with Chllwell and Sarr, it’s a very productive summer window.
If you add them to the already talented squad of Mount, Abraham, Giroud, Azpilicueta, Rudigar, Kante, Jorginho, Kovacic, Barkley, Hudson-Odei and of course the ever improving Pulisic, who I feel could be a real star this season. Then anything less then a serious title challenge will not be enough. However, with great expectation comes great pressure.
PREDICTION: 2nd
CRYSTAL PALACE
Star Man: Wilfred Zaha
Key Addition: Eberechi Eze
One to Watch: Eberechi Eze
It wasn’t a particularly good season for Palace, they finished the season in 14th place, that is their joint second worse league position since they returned to the Premier League seven years ago. Being fully established in England’s top division, the disappointment is not being able to kick on and improve. Defensively, they have not done too badly, but they have a massive issue with scoring goals.
Last season they only notched 31, only Norwich scored less. It is more than evident that Zaha cannot do it alone and is desperate for help, that’s providing he stays at the club. Thus far he is a Palace player, but I dread to think how Palace would survive without him. Ayew, van Aanholt & club captain Milivojevic have tried to pull their weight, but in truth, Palace have not had enough contributions from the likes of Townsend, Benteke, Meyer, Schlupp, McArthur, McCarthy, Kouyate and Wickham.
This is probably why they have brought in Batshuayi, who certainly knows his way around Palace and the Premier league and should know where the goal is. Also, especially Eze from QPR, who is an exciting, attacking prospect much in the mould of Zaha and will certainly get people off their seats. But the pressure will be on to hit the ground running.
PREDICTION: 17th
EVERTON
Star Man: Richarlison
Key Addition: James Rodriguez
One to Watch: James Rodriguez
After another very disappointing season that promised much, after a productive transfer window, Everton remain relentless in their pursuit of breaking into the top six by again spending big. However, this time they have a bonafide top class manager in Ancelotti to lead their expectations and nobody can say there are not doing all they can to try to challenge.
This is no more evident than with the somewhat surprise signing of James Rodriguez, who has obvious talent and ability, but has flattered to deceive. However, under the guidance of Ancelotti, alongside Richardson leading the line, with Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin, Gomes, Mina, Digne, Bernard, Iwobi, Walcott and new signings Doucoure & Allen, Everton finally could make a real serious challenge for that top six.
The blue half of Merseyside are now starting to amass a few very big players, with big expectations and even bigger ego’s. That itself brings pressure and with Everton’s recent history of failings, it could only take one chink in the armour for it all to backfire, but with the talent they have, if they get it right, it could be something special.
PREDICTION: 7th
FULHAM
Star Man: Aleksandar Mitrovic
Key Addition: Mario Lemina
One to Watch: Joe Bryan
After just one season in the Championship, finishing fourth, Fulham bounced right back with a dramatic play off final win over Brentford, their second play off final win in three years. However, I’m sure they are expecting a tough season ahead and will have a fight on to avoid going straight back down, as they did the last time they were in the Premier League.
Naturally, they will look to key men and experience to help them through. That begins with Mitrovic, who they hope can stay fit and continue to provide the goals that will desperately need. With help from the likes of Premier League experienced Knockaert, also Cairney, Christie, Kamara, Seri and new signing Lemina who also has experience in the Premier League and will bring much needed steel in midfield.
I am excited to see Joe Bryan, the young hero of their 2018 play off win, now an established performer, ply his trade against the very best, with his energetic runs down the left. Along with forward Cavaleiro, who really impressed since joining from Wolves. However, Scott Parker knows all too well the rigours and hardships of playing in the Premier League and will know more quality is needed if they are to starve off relegation.
PREDICTION 20th
LEEDS UNITED
Star Man: Kelvin Phillips
Key Addition: Rodrigo
One to Watch: Rodrigo
Leeds are finally back in the big time. After several baron years, heartaches, disappointments and falling at the final hurdle, they have got over the hump, thanks to the experienced and rivered manager Marcelo Bielsa’s exciting brand of heavy metal football.
But it will be real interesting to see how that brand of football transfers into the Premier League against some of the best in the world and what adjustments can the wily old fox make to combat these. Naturally, he will need his stars of the Championship to step up. This will include Hernandez, Ayling, Cooper, Harrison, Costa, Koch Dallas & Bamford.
Fan favourite Kelvin Phillips played an extremely important role in defensive midfield and showed great maturity and energy, which will be needed this season, along with his superb set pieces. However, Biers knows he needs more quality and club record signing Rodrigo was a real coup, but a hefty price tag comes with pressure and he will need to hit the ground running, as we all know the Premier League is no joke if you are not ready.
Prediction: 11th
LEICESTER CITY
Star Man: Jamie Vardy
Key Addition: Timothy Castagne
One to Watch: James Maddison
Leicester had somewhat of a weird season. Generally, finishing fifth would be met with much enthusiasm of a successful campaign. But Leicester were in the Champions League positions for much of the season and even occupied second place at times, only to fall at the final hurdle with their fate being sealed with a final day home defeat to Man Utd, causing many to call manager Brendan Rodgers a bit of a choke artist.
Naturally, that must hurt and I feel Leicester may suffer from that this season, as it would be extremely hard to improve on fifth. Even with the Premier League top scorer and main man Vardy, but he is not getting any younger and some real support is needed.
This is where the likes of Maddison comes in, sadly he was injured for the tail end of the season and Leicester really missed his quality, so he will be raring to go this term. As will decent performers from last season, Schmiechel, Pereira, Soyuncu, Evans, Tielemans and Ndidi. However, if they are to push for a Champions League place, more quality is needed, thus far defender Castegne from Atalanta is the only addition, he is an exciting, attacking full back, much in the same mould as Leicester like to play.
PREDICTION 8th
LIVERPOOL
Star Man: Virgil Van Dijk
Key Addition: none
One to Watch: Naby Keita
The Premier League champions know everyone is gunning for them in what will be a difficult task to retain their title. However, they are expecting to be the team to beat despite not yet adding any first team signings. The key could be keeping everyone fit, namely Van Dijk, an ever present last season, laws of average would suggest he could miss a few games this term. If that happens, can Gomes & Matip adequately deputise?
The front three of Mane, Firmino and Salah will again spearhead the attack and although everybody knows what they are about, can they, could they, or will they do anything to stop it? That is a conundrum for manager Klopp to think over and consider to change anything to keep his counterparts guessing. With that said, Liverpool’s only real bone of contention is their midfield, although it works well for the creative fulls backs Alexander-Arnold and Robertson to provide assists, many think it needs to improve.
With the likes of Henderson, Fabinho & Wijnuldum not providing a mass of goals and assists, the talk is whether Naby Keita can finally release the shackles and play like the superstar everyone was expecting and now hoping he would be. Failing that, the other question marks are if Oxlade-Chambelain can stay fit and if January signing Minamino has sufficiently settled in to make huge contributions for another title push?
PREDICTION: 3rd
MANCHESTER CITY
Star Man: Kevin De Bruyne
Key Addition: Nathan Ake
One to Watch: Sergio Aguero
Man City will be hurting at losing the title to Liverpool by such a large margin and naturally, will be determined to put that straight this season by again throwing money at the problem. Most of their issues stemmed from defensive frailties and they will hope Laporte can stay fit, but they have learnt their lesson and have brought in new singing Nathan Ake, who looks a real strong addition and could be that kompany replacement they missed.
We all know what Man City do going forward, although they said goodbye to David Silva & Sane, with the talents of De Bruyne pulling the considerable stings in midfield and supported by the qualities of the ever maturing Sterling, B.Silva, Mahrez, Walker, Jesus and young star Foden, we already know they are and will be a forced to reckoned with.
That said, with all the stars at their disposal, Aguero’s injury issues was significant. I am a huge fan of his talents and I don’t think they can afford for him to miss as many games as he did last season. Although the defensive issues mainly cost them, not having Aguero fit for me was equally as detrimental, keeping him fit and sharp could be key to winning back their Premier League title.
PREDICTION: 1st
MANCHESTER UNITED
Star Man: Bruno Fernandes
Key Addition: Danny van de Beek
One to Watch: Paul Pogba
By their standards, Man Utd had a challenging season which could be classed as a season of two halves. The first half was disastrous, but their fortunes changed with the January signing of Bruno Fernandes, who made one of biggest impacts a player has had on a team I have seen in years. He no doubt transformed United’s fortunes and although they missed out on a trophy last term, getting back into the Champions League was huge.
Solskjaer will be happy with how they ended the season and will hope to kick on and improve with a mounted title challenge this term. They certainly have quality in the team but will be expecting a much better season from the likes of World Cup winner Pogba, and then get huge contributions from the likes of Martial, Rashford, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Shaw and of course their young teenage sensation Greenwood who will benefit from playing valuable minutes following the lockdown.
To add to that, they have brought in the considerable talents of Dutch midfielder Van de Beek, who is right out of the total football mould. This season United and Solskjaar know nothing less than a title challenge will do and cannot afford any more underachieving.
PREDICTION 4th
NEWCASTLE
Star Man: Jonjo Shelvey
Key Addition: Callum Wilson
One to Watch: Callum Wilson
All things considered, after their disappointment of the failed Saudi owner deal, Newcastle can actually be very satisfied with their recent triple signings going into the new season. Now a fully established Premier League team and only been out the top flight one season in the last 10, the aim has to be kicking on and trying to finish above 10th, which they have only done once in their last 10 seasons and none of their last three seasons since getting promoted.
Last season they really struggled for goals, with only three teams scoring less, and two of those were relegated, so the double swoop of Wilson & Fraser from Bournemouth is a real intelligent and shrewd signing, providing Wilson stays fit.
Add that to Lewis from Norwich & Hendricks from Burnley, combined with the exciting pace of Saint-Maximin, creativity of Jonjo Shelvey, defensive qualities of Lascelles Schar & Fernandez, the enthusiasm of the Longstaff brothers and Newcastle look a decent outfit. Now if they can get bigger contributions from the likes of Almiron, Gayle, Atsu and Carroll, all of a sudden they look a real prospect for a top ten finish, but looks can be deceiving.
PREDICTION: 10th
SHEFFIELD UNITED
Star Man: Oliver McBurnie
Key Addition: Aaron Ramsdale
One to Watch: Enda Stevens
Chris Wilder’s boys surprised one and all after being promoted from the Championship, to mix it with the big boys for almost the entire season. They even miraculously flirted with Champions League, then Europa League qualification, but sadly faltered at the last with poor end of season results.
However, finishing 9th in their first season was an amazing achievement, but the pressure is on to reproduce, now that everyone knows what they are about. Due to this, they could be in for a tough season, especially with keeper Henderson going back to Man Utd. Although if they continue to work off a solid and drilled defensive base, with the likes of Egan, Robinson, Basham and O’Connell alternating. Then get great energy and creativity from wing backs Stevens who I feel could have a very big season & Baldock.
Add that to legs and steel in midfield from Berge & Lundstram, creativity from Norwood & Fleck, then goals from the likes of McBurnie, Mousset, McGoldrick and Sharp, whose to say they cannot repeat the feat? Acquiring goalkeeper Ramsdale from Bournemouth was a good bit of business, but he will have task on to emulate what Henderson did last season.
PREDICTION 15th
SOUTHAMPTON
Star Man: Danny Ings
Key Addition: None
One to Watch: Danny Ings
I have to admit, after their heavy, record home defeat to Leicester last season, I was surprised manager Hasenhuttl kept his job. But it was testament to the Southampton board, who kept their nerve to keep him on and he more than rewarded them by steadying the ship to have quite a decent second half of the season. In the end, they finished a very respectable 11th, which was their best finish in three years.
Much of that was down to the goals of Ings, who really found his form and was a scoring machine throughout the season. However, this season, without any real significant signing thus far, they could struggle. Big pressure will be on Ings to stay fit and stay scoring, as Adams and Obefemi have not exactly been prolific so squad reinforcements are needed.
They will get creativity in midfield from Ward-Prowse and Redmond, with defensive help from Stephens, Bednarek, Vestergaard and permanent signings Walker-Peters, Salisu. Not to mention two very competent keepers in Forster & McCarthy. But I feel their squad is thin and they really need more quality and numbers in this demanding league.
PREDICTION: 16th
TOTTENHAM
Star Man: Harry Kane
Key Addition: Matt Doherty
One to Watch: Steven Bergwijn
By their standards, Spurs had a very disappointing season, especially after coming off a Champions League final and finishing in the top four the last four seasons. Pocchettino maybe harshly lost his job, and in came Mourinho “the winner” However, Jose soon knew the size of his task, as Spurs suffered and couldn’t keep up their form of the past as they finished 6th.
Spurs were one of the few to really benefit from the extended season as it gave Kane time to recover and play, now he goes into the new season fit, sharp and ready to spearhead their season. When you look at the Spurs squad, there is no reason why they cannot mount a challenge for top four again, with the ever exciting Son, Lucas Moura, La Celso, Ndombele, Sissoko, Sanchez, Alderwerield, Lloris, Alli and Bergwijn who I really feel could blossom in his second season.
Mourinho has also added two decent signings. First, a bit of steal in midfield with Hojbjerg and Doherty, who is an exciting acquisition and will provide energy and creativity down the right flank. However, with finishing 6th, sacking Poch and bringing in Mourinho “a known winner” the pressure will be on to improve.
PREDICTION: 6th
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Star Man: Matheus Pereira
Key Additions: Callum Robinson
One to Watch: Grady Diangana
West Brom are back in the big time after finishing a commendable second in the Championship. It took them two years to return, after a surprisingly long eight year stint in the Premier League. However, I do fear for them this season as thus far, they have not really bought in much first team quality, which is certainly needed, in what inevitably is going to be a hard fought battle to stay up.
They do however have some players with Premier League experience in the likes of Livermore who had a great season in the Championship. Hegazy, Gibbs, Field, Phillips also Austin & Robson-Kanu, who both ended the season as the clubs joint top scorers. In the Championship WBA scored the joint second most with Leeds, the good thing is they shared the goals around, notably with Matheus Pereira, who also had 23 assists in a superb season, as he emerged as their talisman.
Their forward line is not getting any younger and signing Pereira, also explosive and versatile winger Diangana on permanent deals was important. Diangana also had a superb season and WBA really missed him when he was injured. However, last season WBA benefitted from a solid, defensive foundation, with only Leeds & Brentford conceded less. Tough Nigerian defender Ajayi was a big factor in that, and they will certainly need him in top form if they are to survive.
PREDICTION: 19th
WEST HAM UNITED
Star Man: Michael Antonio
Key Addition: None
One to Watch: Tomas Soucek
Last season West Ham finished in their lowest position by some distance since they returned to the Premier League in 2012. It was a very disappointing season that promised much but delivered oh so little. Unfortunately, I suspect it will not be much different this term. Especially as thus far, they have not made any new first team acquisitions, apart from the permanent signing of Soucek who, to be fair, was vital, as he was one of the few stand out performers last term.
Aside from him, Antonio was undoubtably the star man, his powerful running, energy and goals was the one real bright spark throughout the season. He did however, get some help from the likes of Englishmen Noble, Bowen who impressed & of course Rice, whose ongoing transfer speculation does not help and it could be a matter of time before he goes.
Although there were fleeting glimpses from the likes of Yarmalenko, Fabianski, Ogbonna, Lanzini, Haller, Snodgrass, Felipe Anderson and Cresswell, they were all to few and far between and serious improvements are needed. West Ham seem to have a decent squad on paper and on their rare day, they can give anyone a game, however, their day has often been too rare and I feel that trait may continue this season.
PREDICTION: 14th
WOLVERHAMPTON
Star Man: Raul Jimenez
Key Addition: Fabio Silva
One to Watch: Fabio Silva
Wolves had a superb last season. Although it was a long season that stretched a full 12 months and it saw them missing out on Europa League qualification. They were there or there about, fighting the top six throughout, to just finish in seventh for a second season in a row, ahead of FA Cup winners Arsenal, which was very commendable.
That is a real testament to manager Santo, whose done a superb job. Now the hard part is to kick on in an attempt to penetrate that top six, which as they already know is extremely difficult. If they are to do this, they will need to keep hold of prolific striker Jimenez, who has really matured over the last two years, but his performances has attracted attention from some of the bigger teams in Europe. With a huge Portuguese connection, the likes of Neves, Moutinho, Patricio, Jota and Neto have all played their part and they have another new Portuguese star in Fabio Silva, the young 18 year old is the youngest player to play and start for Porto and real big things are expected of him.
Although they lost Doherty, they still have consistent performers of Coady, Dendoncker, Boly, Saiss and of course Traore, who has come on leaps and bounds over the last two years and is developing into a real top offensive performer. The only question is can they keep their star men at the club and continue to improve or is the honeymoon over?
PREDICTION: 9th
