EPL 2014/15- Team Preview -Part 2
Last Season: 3rd
Manager: Jose Mourinho
Opening Fixture: Burnley
Transfer Activity: Chelsea have done their business early in the transfer market this summer, brining in four quality players before the end of July. Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona) was the first of those, signing prior to the start of the World Cup to replace club legend Frank Lampard who left for New York City (although eventually went on to sign for title rivals Man City on loan).
Fabregas’ international teammate Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid) was then brought in too, along with his club-mate Filipe Luis. Finally, Didier Drogba (Galatasaray) was brought back to the club after two seasons away and although he may not possess the pace and power of before, how Blues fans are glad to see him back!
There have been several other high-profile departures from the club this summer including Ashley Cole, Demba Ba, Romelu Lukaku, Samuel Eto’o and David Luiz, for who Paris Saint-Germain paid £50million… yes, £50million. Other players to have left Stamford Bridge either permanently or on loan include Hilario, Jhon Pirez, Sam Hutchinson, Patrick Van Aanholt, Milan Lalkovic, Tomas Kalas, Wallace, Cristian Cuevas, Thorgan Hazard, Bertrand Traore, Ryan Bertrand, Lucas Piazon, Oriol Romeu and Kenneth Omeruo.
Possible Staring XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Matic, Ramires; Willian, Fabregas, Hazard; Costa
Key Player: Diego Costa
Verdict: Chelsea have a frightening array of options all over the pitch next season, take the goalkeeping dilemma that Jose Mourinho has for example. Does he stick with Petr Cech, the ‘keeper who only four months ago was named in the PFA Team of the Year and who Mourinho has previously described as “the best”? Or does he go with Thibaut Courtois, somebody who is widely regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the world and won a Spanish league title with Atletico Madrid last season? Take Chelsea’s attacking midfield options as another example – the likes of Fabregas, Schurrle, Salah, Oscar, Willan and Hazard.
The Blues truly have a world class squad capable of competing with any team in the world, but then again so do Man City and Arsenal, perhaps. So what makes Chelsea different? Mourinho, is the answer. A tactical genius who, with a world class striker, would surely have won the Premier League last season. He has that striker now in Diego Costa, and it’s virtually impossible to see past Mourinho’s men as title winners come May 2015.
Arsenal
Last Season: 4th
Manager: Arsene Wenger<br /> Opening Fixture: Crystal Palace (h)
Transfer Activity: Arsenal fans will be hoping that Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona) can have the same impact on the club which Mesut Ozil originally did when he signed last summer, although perhaps a bit more consistency too. The Chilean is the Gunners’ marquee signing this transfer window although certainly not their only recruit, young defender Callum Chambers (Southampton), Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle) and David Ospina (Nice) have also joined the former Premier League champions.
There have been several notable departures from the club this summer including Bacary Sagna, Lukasz Fabianski, Nicklas Bendtner, Park Chu-Young, Yohan Djourou, Wellington Silva, Carl Jenkinson, Benik Afobe, Thomas Eisfeld, Zak Ansah, Chuks Aneke and Daniel Boateng.
Possible Starting XI: Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertersacker, Koscielny, Gibbs; Arteta, Ramsey; Sanchez, Cazorla, Ozil; Giroud
Key Player: Laurent Koscielny
Verdict: Arsenal would have put in a serious challenge for the Premier League title if Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey had stayed fit last season, that’s for sure. They are two massively key players for the Gunners and if they can stay injury-free this campaign, there’s no reason why Arsenal can’t challenge for the league this time around, although Arsene Wenger has brought in Alexis Sanchez this year who will make the fact that Walcott will still be missing at the beginning of the season a lot more bearable.
One area where the North London club are still lacking is in central midfield, of a real strong leader in the Patrick Vieira mould. Wenger turned down the opportunity to re-sign former captain Cesc Fabregas this summer but he is not what they need, Aaron Ramsey, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil are all world class in the attacking midfield role. Somebody like Sami Khedira would be perfect for Arsenal and if they can sign him, he may just complete the puzzle and allow Arsenal to push on and challenge, but if Wenger fails to learn by his mistakes and does not sign anybody in that position, runner-up is probably the best they can hope for.
Manchester City
Last Season: 1st
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Opening Fixture: Newcastle
Transfer Activity: Manchester City have been unusually quiet in the transfer market so far this summer. Fernando (Porto) is the club’s most expensive signing at £12million, although central defender Eliaquim Mangala looks on the verge of joining for around £30million from the same club. Bacary Sagna (Arsenal) has also joined to provide competition for Pablo Zabaleta, seemingly spelling the end of Micah Richards’ time at the club, although he hasn’t left yet, whilst Willy Caballero (Malaga) has signed to cover the loss of Costel Pantilimon and Bruno Zuculini has joined from Racing Club.
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard (New York City) has signed on a six-month loan in a DEAL which will have surprised and upset some Blues fans, perhaps. Other notable departures from the club include Jack Rodwell, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry, Alex Nimely, Emyr Huws and Marcos Lopes.
Possible Starting XI: Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Toure; Silva, Nasri; Aguero, Dzeko
Key Player: Vincent Kompany
Verdict: Manchester City will be up there challenging for the Premier League title again this year, there’s no doubt about that, but their naivety in the transfer market this summer could prevent them from retaining it for the first time. Under Roberto Mancini in 2011/12, City won the title for the first time and then lost it next season after failing to strengthen what was clearly already a fantastic squad.
Pellegrini still has time left to do so however, with Mangala seemingly on his way to the club, but either way there may just be a few stronger teams than them this season. That said, with world class players like Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero to call on, you can never write them off.
Manchester United
Last Season: 7th
Manager: Louis Van Gaal
Opening Fixture: Swansea
Transfer Activity: There is a renewed sense of optimism around Old Trafford this summer after last season’s dismal showing under David Moyes, though that is probably not down to United’s transfer activity. That’s not to say the near £60million spent on Ander Herrera (Athletico Bilbao) and Luke Shaw (Southampton) is not good business, it’s just that the squad appeared in need of a serious revamp that surpasses the signing of only two high-profile players.
There have been several big-name departures from Old Trafford this summer too, including the likes of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, and Louis Van Gaal will surely be looking to bring in some defenders to compensate, Thomas Vermaelen and Mats Hummels have been consistently mentioned. Other notable departures at the club include Federico Macheda, Alexander Buttner, Jack Barmby and Bebe.
Possible Starting XI: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Evans; Valencia, Fletcher, Herrera, Shaw; Mata; Rooney, Van Persie Key Player: Robin Van Persie
Verdict: After going unbeaten in pre-season, things could hardly have gone better for Van Gaal so far at Manchester United. He has an aura about him that is similar in ways to that of Sir Alex Ferguson in that he leaves you in doubt about who is in charge at the club. The Dutchman has stamped his authority early on at Old Trafford, criticising their pre-season schedule and accusing new signing Luke Shaw of not being fit enough to train with the first team squad, but he also appears to be respected by everybody that he comes into contact with.
Despite all of this, he is not a miracle worker and turning a squad which is largely the same as last season’s which finished 7th into title contenders seems a near impossible task, barring a sudden influx of marquee signings – or a Cristiano Ronaldo – which seems unlikely. But if he can get United back into the top four this season it will generally be seen as relatively successful, and that’s certainly not an impossible task.
Liverpool
Last Season: 2nd
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Opening Fixture: Southampton
Transfer Activity: Six players have left Liverpool either permanently or on loan this summer including Andre Wisdom, Conor Coady, Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto and Pepe Reina, but all transfer activity at Anfield in the last few months has been overshadowed by the departure of one man – Luis Suarez.
Rickie Lambert (Southampton) has been brought in to fill the void left up front by the Uruguayan, but Brendan Rodgers will still be looking to bring in another striker with the DEAL for Loic Remy falling through, and Divock Origi, signed in July, being sent back on loan to Lille. Liverpool’s spending has passed the £100million mark this summer with the arrival of Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana (both Southampton), Lazar Markovic (Benfica) and Emre Can (Bayer Leverkusen), Javier Manquillo (Atletico Madrid) has also signed on loan.
Possible Starting XI: Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Lovren, Flanagan; Gerrard, Henderson; Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana; Sturridge
Key Player: Steven Gerrard
Verdict: Liverpool’s overall squad is stronger this season, there is no doubt about that. There are some critics of the £25million fee paid for Adam Lallana this summer but those critics forget just how good a player Lallana actually is. The Englishman often ran games single-handedly for Southampton last season and on his day he is sensational.
That said, there is no getting away from the fact that the loss of Luis Suarez will hit Liverpool hard – he is irreplaceable. His clever movement, brilliant creativity and ability to make space for others made playing alongside him an easy job for the likes of Daniel Sturridge last season, it will be interesting to see how Sturridge fares without his strike partner this time around. Liverpool need to sign another forward to compensate for the loss of Suarez but whoever they bring, they may struggle to replicate the success of last season.
Everton Last Season: 5th
Manager: Roberto Martinez
Opening Fixture: Leicester
Transfer Activity: Everton’s squad will be largely the same this season, since half of the players they have brought in this summer were playing for them on loan in the last campaign. Roberto Martinez has broken the club’s transfer record to bring Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea) back to Goodison Park, whilst the ever-dependable Gareth Barry (Manchester City) has re-signed for three years on a free transfer.
There are two new faces at the club though in the shape of Bosnia World Cup star Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros), who turned down a host of other top clubs to sign for the Toffees, and highly-rated youngster Brendan Galloway (MK Dons). Notable departures from the club this summer include Apostolos Vellios, John Lundstram and Magaye Gueye. Possible Starting XI: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; McCarthy, Barry; Mirallas, Barkley, Pienaar; Lukaku
Key Player: Leighton Baines
Verdict: Everton have had a season now to get used to Roberto Martinez’ possession style of football and they are a far better side for it. David Moyes worked wonders at Goodison Park during his time there but Martinez has taken them to the next level. Big money signings like Romelu Lukaku and previously Marouane Fellaini are relatively rare in comparison to the likes of Chelsea and Man City with who Everton are competing to get into Europe, yet they always seem to be there or thereabouts.
Martinez will be aware that any new players he brings into the club this summer will have to take time to adapt to the team’s style of football, so in that sense he will enjoy the continuity that comes with having such a similar squad to last year. That said, he will still be looking to bring in one or two new faces before the transfer window closes to give his squad that added depth to compete on all fronts. If he does that, Everton should do well again this season, although the top four may remain a little out of reach.
Tottenham Hotspur
Last Season: 6th
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
Opening Fixture: West Ham (a)
Transfer Activity: Tottenham have been relatively quiet in the transfer market so far this summer bringing in just three players, and only one of them, Ben Davies (Swansea) is likely to be command a first-team place, although Danny Rose may have something to say about that. The other two players, Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon) and Michel Vorm (Swansea) appear to have been brought in as backup.
Expect Spurs’ spending to continue this month with Morgan Schneiderlin having been heavily linked with the club, a player who Mauricio Pochettino knows well from his time at Southampton. Notable departures from White Hart Lane include Gylfi Sigurdsson, Heurelho Gomes, Kevin Stewart, Cameron Lancaster, Jake Livermore and Iago Falque. Possible Starting XI: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Davies; Paulinho, Dembele; Lennon, Eriksen, Lamela; Adebayor
Key Player: Jan Vertonghen
Verdict: If Mauricio Pochettino can introduce to Tottenham the same high-pressing style which he implemented at Southampton then there is no reason why they shouldn’t challenge for the top four, it’s attacking nature would suit the North London club down to the ground. However, the lack of signings this summer will be a huge worry for Spurs fans, a striker, in particular, appears to be paramount if the club are to improve on last season’s 6th place finish.
That said, if Erik Lamela can rediscover his Roma form which led to him being labelled one of the best players in Serie A, he would feel like a new signing, but whether he will suit Pochettino’s high-tempo, hard working style is debatable. As things stand, Spurs seem to be missing that SPECIAL player who would take them to the next level, but the transfer window is still open for a while yet and if they sign one, they should push for a higher finish than predicted here.
Newcastle United
Last Season: 10th
Manager: Alan Pardew
Opening Fixture: Man City
Transfer Activity: Newcastle were never quite the same team last season after Yohan Cabaye left, and Magpies supporters knew that the squad was in need of some serious renovation. Thankfully for them, Alan Pardew has been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in his usual dose of French talent in Remy Cabella (Montpellier) and Emmanuel Riviere (Monaco).
Dutch World Cup star Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord) has also been signed to replace Mathieu Debuchy, along with Siem de Jong (Ajax), Ayoze Perez (Tenerife), Facundo Ferreyra (Shakhtar Donestk) and, significantly, Jack Colback, who turned down a contract extension with arch-rivals Sunderland to sign for his boyhood club. Other notable departures include Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux, Romain Amalfitano, Conor Newton, James Tavernier and club-legend Shola Ameobi, who has been released after 14 years at the club.
Possible Starting XI: Krul; Janmaat, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Santon; Sissoko, Tiote; Gouffran, de Jong, Cabella; Riviere
Key Player: Fabricio Coloccini
Verdict: Like with Sam Allardyce at West Ham, there is a lot of negativity surrounding Alan Pardew’s position as Newcastle manager from the club’s fans, and for that reason it makes it hard to foresee a particularly successful season ahead at St James’ Park. But what would actually be seen as a successful season for the club?
Newcastle are a huge club who once upon a time were competing for the Premier League title, and so many of the club’s supporters believe that they should at least be competing with the likes of Everton and Tottenham who are usually pushing for the top four. That does seem a long way off right now though when you consider that last season’s top scorer Loic Remy has returned to QPR and Hatem Ben Arfa remains out of favour, they may have to settle for another mid-table finish this time around, although their squad does look generally stronger than last season’s.
Stoke City
Last Season: 9th
Manager: Mark Hughes
Opening Fixture: Aston Villa
Transfer Activity: Who would have thought that Stoke – a team renowned for playing route-one football under Tony Pulis – would have two players in their squad signed from Barcelona? First Marc Muniesa signed last summer, and now, even more astoundingly, Spanish international Bojan Krkic has joined the Potters.
Mark Hughes is slowly rebuilding Stoke and that has included bringing in three shrewd free transfers recently in Phil Bardsley (Sunderland), Steve Sidwell (Fulham) and Mame Biram Diouf (Hannover). Finally, Hughes has brought in defender Dionatan Teixeira (Dukla), and notable departures from the club include Matthew Etherington, Michael Kightly and Karim Rossi.
Possible Starting XI: Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross, Huth, Pieters; Nzonzi, Whelan, Sidwell; Bojan, Arnautovic; Crouch
Key Player: Ryan Shawcross
Verdict: Stoke are getting stronger each year and, as always, the Britannia Stadium will be a fortress for them this season. The Potters have a menacing array of forward options nowadays in new signings Bojan and Diouf, Peter Odemwingie, Marko Arnautovic, Peter Crouch, Cameron Jerome and Jonathan Walters, and when you add that to one of the most solid and consistent defences in the league, the season ahead is looking bright for the West Midlands club.
Mark Hughes is an ambitious manager and will be looking to repeat last year’s success with a comfortable top half finish, and don’t be surprised if they take a point or two or off the top teams at home as usual.
Southampton
Last Season: 8th
Manager: Ronald Koeman
Opening Fixture: Liverpool
Transfer Activity: Where do you start with Southampton’s transfer activity this summer? Obviously, the main talking point is the fact that most of the club’s most important players have left, including the likes of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren and Callum Chambers. Add to that the departures of Dani Osvaldo, Guly Do Prado, Jonathan Forte, Danny Fox, Lee Barnard and Andy Robinson, and the Saints’ squad is looking pretty threadbare, especially when you consider that Morgan Schneiderlin has handed in a transfer request and could yet leave the club.
New manager Ronaldo Koeman, who joined following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham, has signed just four players to replace those lost so far, Graziono Pelle (Feyenoord) who was the second-top scorer in Holland last season with 23 goals, midfielders Dusan Tadic (Twente) and Saphir Taider (Inter Milan), and Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea) on a season-long loan.
Possible Starting XI: Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Bertrand; Cork, Wanyama, Tadic; Davis, Rodriguez; Pelle
Key Player: Jack Cork
Verdict: It would be easy to dismiss Southampton as relegation candidates this season after selling so many players, but they still have some excellent footballers in the squad including Nathaniel Clyne, Jose Fonte, Jay Rodriguez and Jack Cork, although even they have been linked with moves to other clubs!
Crucially though, Ronaldo Koeman is an excellent manager who has the capability to replace anyone who leaves with another quality player, but he must continue the good work done by Pochettino last season in terms of the fluid, high pressing style of football which he adopted at the club. If Koeman does that, Southampton should be able to push for the top half of the league once again, even if they do lose the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin, although it will be difficult to emulate the 8th position they achieved last campaign.
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