So its nearly here, less than a week away, as England’s top sides gear up for another football campaign and fighting for silverware, whilst others will fight for their top flight survival.
Its been a busy summer for the Premier League with the league itself being rebranded, new badges for two clubs, transfer records having been broken at many, new owners and managers and a new TV deal for fans to enjoy.
Additions to squads range from one or two to a complete over haul. And with several clubs under new ownership from foreign investors, money has been spent and teams shaken up in what bids to be an exciting Premiership season.
Andrew Grenfell takes a look at each club and predicts where he thinks they’ll finish next May…
Key Signing – Eduardo da Silva
Key Player ‘“ Cesc Fabregas
Last season Arsenal finished a disappointing 4th, in what was a disappointing season for them. They never amounted a serious title push, nor did they really successfully compete for honours. The high for there season was obtaining fourth spot and although they did obtain good results in league against Liverpool and do the double over Manchester United, they often lacked consistency. They went through spells where goals were hard to find and often slipped up in matches they should have won. This season despite the loss of captain and club record scorer Thiery Henry Arsenal will look to build on last season and with a very young squad this proves to be an interesting year for Arsenal. There season will hinge on keeping Cesc Fabregas on form and also coping without yet another big name departure. If Eduardo da Silva settles well in his first season, and Robin Van Persie can also take over the scoring helm left by Henry then Arsenal could prove to have a strong season, however with so many youngsters a lack of experience may be shown at times. Another 4th place beckons this season, if they compete well.
Key Signing ‘“ Nigel Reo Coker
Key Player ‘“ Nigel Reo Coker
Aston Villa and Martin O’Neil will be looking for a much improved campaign and looking to start and maintain the same kind of start they managed last season. Undefeated for 11 opening games, Villa slipped off the pace by Christmas and dropped rapidly down the league and hopes of Europe faded as they finished 11th. However Villa fans will be hoping that this season having seen what Martin O’Neil can do, that this season will be more prosperous for them. With only two main signings in Harewood and Reo Coker Villa fans and O’Neil will be hoping to add more to the squad after a few first team exits left the squad short on numbers. However if Reo Coker can discover the form along with Harewood that inspired West Ham to a FA Cup Final in Cardiff and mid-table finish in there first season back Europe could be a real possibility, however I fear disappointment for Villa as they just miss out finishing 10th.
Birmingham City
Key Signing ‘“ Oliver Kapo
Key Player ‘“ Cameron Jerome
Birmingham fans will be looking forward to their return to the premiership and will be hoping they can cement their place back amongst the elite of English football after their disastrous 05/06 campaign. However there survival in this league could well be dependant of how certain players make the step up and if they can cut the grade in what is billed the best league in the world. Oliver Kapo if he can adapt to the league quickly enough may well prove a clinical weapon in both scoring but also providing goals when Birmingham need it most. But I feel it could be left to Cameron Jerome who could well turn saviour even though City have six strikers. If he can successfully make the step up he could prove to be the one who scores Birmingham to safety, sadly however relegation is a real threat. 19th.
Blackburn Rovers
Key Signing ‘“ Roque Santa Cruz
Key Player ‘“ David Bentley
Mark Huges has done his summer spending it would seem for the new season, the main big name in which surprised most Blackburn fans is that of Roque Santa Cruz from Bayern Munich. If Santa Cruz manages the same impact in his first season as Benni McCarthy did last season then Blackburn could well have a great season. And with such a diversity in striking options goals shouldn’t be a problem, the only question marks are over the defence. A strong 6th place finish for them season.
Bolton Wanderers
Key Signing ‘“ Mikel Alonso
Key Player – Jussi Jaaskelainen
7th place was last seasons finish with Big Sam at the Helm, But under the new management of Sammy Lee Bolton I feel will regard any top 10 finish a good start and a UEFA Cup spot a successful season. Some interesting additions to the Bolton team have added numbers, something lacked at times last year, with the likes of Gavin McCann and Mikel Alonso (brother of Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso) and Bolton will hope the Premiership experience of McCann and the passing vision of Alonso will help the likes of Davies and Anelka to help find the net and get points on the board. However the eyes will be more on Sammy Lee than the players as Bolton roll in in 14th spot.
Key Signing ‘“ Tal Ben Haim
Key Player ‘“ John Terry
Much has been spoken of Chelsea‘s lack of spending this summer and the future of Lampard, and John Terry, whilst the transfer rumours surrounding Arjen Robben heading to Madrid still persist. Chelsea‘s only cash transfer has been Malouda and he already had given an inspired start with a magnificent goal against United in the Community Shield this Sunday past. But even though Malouda has been Chelsea‘s only cash purchase and is regarded as their big money signing’¦ I think the most important buy for them could well be Tal Ben Haim. Haim could prove to be a vital lynch pin for Chelsea when skipper and key defensive leader John Terry is out injured or even suspended. When Terry was absent last season Chelsea lacked another natural centre back to fill the void left and in his absence Chelsea became very fragile at the back, lacking aerial presence and that brave defensive sacrifice all attitude. Haim could well be the player who steps in and maybe saves Chelsea‘s rear guard when all else looks bleak, and if Chelsea can avoid the same off the field problems too, with the squad depth they have I can see Chelsea being serious title contenders and reclaiming the Premiership. 1st.
Derby County
Key Signing ‘“ Robert Earnshaw
Key Player ‘“ Michael Johnson
Derby fans and the premiership welcome back the Rams who will no doubt be looking forward to the season and potential struggle ahead. After a long absence since relegation from the premier league, Derby have faced numerous problems in the Championship until securing there return last season. This season promises to be a real struggle and the team will need all the luck they can to survive and they will look to Johnson for guidance and experience and Okaley too will be a key figure as he was last season. The addition of Earnshaw provides fire power but whether or not he can have the same scoring rate in the Premiership as he did in the Championship before injury is unclear. However the Championship waits to welcome them back as they just miss out on survival. 18th.
Key Signing ‘“ Phil Jagielka
Key Player ‘“ Andrew Johnson
Everton will be looking to enjoy their UEFA Cup campaign this season but in the league Everton fans will be hoping to steal a Champions league place; however a lack of summer additions and more outs than in could prove costly. Everton‘s season may well hang on the fitness on top scorer Andrew Johnson and midfield starlet Tim Cahill for Everton to have any success. 8th
Key Signing ‘“ Diomansy Kamara
Key Player ‘“ Moritz Volz
A still new regime at Fulham and a lot of new faces too. The big signings of Kamara and Healy will be the one’s Fulham fans will watch most closely while the signings of Baird and Davies will be less noticed. Fulham could well be the dark horse this season and under Lawie Sanchez they may be a surprise package and steal a top ten, but I feel a poor start and a few slipped results might just see the new look Fulham just miss out and run in 13th.
Liverpool
Key Signing ‘“ Fernando Torres
Key Player ‘“ Steven Gerrard
A lot of new faces, a new record signing and Liverpool fans everywhere will be crossing there fingers that this is year they capture the big prize. The record signing of Fernando Torres for £20m+ and the capture of Ryan Babel will state intent, and hopefully goals. Other new faces of Benayoun to replace the departed Garcia and Andrey Voronin will also be signings that Rafa’s Liverpool will be looking to be amongst the goals and improve the away performances that ruined their season last year. A good start will be vital, and if Liverpool can get it, and Torres and other new signings Babel and Voronin can kick off and net the goals Liverpool have been missing, Liverpool could well find themselves sitting at the top come the end of the season, and you can guarantee their skipper and talisman will be pushing them all the way. A definite improvement on last season as Liverpool takes it to the wire 2nd.
Key Signing – Valeri Bojinov
Key Player – Valeri Bojinov
Another of the Premierships new regimes and under new control City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has had money to spend and spend he has. However all foreign players and having never seen them play live, whether they can cut the grade remains to be seen. City fans will hope the goals will roll though after not seeing them score or win a home game in the final 10 home games of last season. If Bojinov can find the talent and scoring boots that made him such a hot prospect when he was 15, City could do well. This year however is a year of transition. 11th.
Key Signing ‘“ Owen Hargreaves
Key Player ‘“ Christiano Ronaldo
The Premiership Champions gear up for a title defence, and they look to have their toughest season yet. Chelsea will be out to regain their crown and Liverpool under new ownership and with money to spend have spent well and wisely and last season were unlucky not to get results against United which could have made the seasons end very different. United will not have it all their own way and while the summer has revolved around Tevez the key layer for United may well be Ronaldo once more. Defensive questions may be asked of United this year, and if more teams can grind out results against the champions, the crown may avoid their grasp. 3rd.
Key Signing ‘“ Jonathan Woodgate
Key Player ‘“ Yakubu
Boro will have to hope that the loss of Viduka doesn’t prove costly this season. Fans will hope for a UEFA Cup slot that they were achieving under McClaren, but it won’t prove to be as Boro struggle to ground out results and goals prove elusive as Viduka’s magic disappears.
Key Signing ‘“ Mark Viduka
Key Player ‘“ Steven Taylor
Newcastle will be hoping to return to the top half of the table this season after two seasons in the bottom half. Newcastle has become a club of crisis in recent years dispelling managers quickly, and spending large sums of money on players and then not seeing a trophy in return. Newcastle have brought some good players, But their problems have laid in defence as well as attack. Goals have lacks since the departure of Shearer and on Tyneside they love their goal scorers and will hope to see that of Michael Owen after two seasons blighted by injury. Viduka and Smith should aid in the goals but the focus will be on the defence and fans will wait to see what effects Big Sam’s style of football has on club fortunes. 12th.
Portsmouth
Key Signing ‘“ Sylvain Distin
Key Player ‘“ David James
Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth will be aiming for a UEFA Cup spot this year or better and will be hoping again to be the Premierships dark horse and get and maintain the start they had last season. Goals dried up towards the end of season, and Nugent’s arrival will aim to keep the goals coming and there’s a strong belief he can do just that in his first premiership season, but Pompey’s most important signing could be City captain Sylvain Distin, in shoring up a defence alongside Sol Campbell and making them a side hard to beat. UEFA Cup slot beckons. 7th.
Reading
Key Signing ‘“ Emerse Fae
Key Player ‘“ Kevin Doyle
Reading will hope to have another brilliant season and cement there place in the league, but with the key departure of talisman Steve Sidwell they could well find there second season a lot tougher like most clubs have before. A relegation fight looms for Reading but survival is achievable especially if Kevin Doyle can get the goals he managed last season. 16th.
Key Signing – Kieran Richardson
Key Player – Kieran Richardson
The last of the Premierships new boys, and led by a man few can forget Roy Keane. The ex-united player will demand the same levels from his players as he used to from himself, and so far he’s had just that. Winning the Championship in his first year’s management he’s clearly learned a thing or two from his old manager Fergusson, and combined with his will and drive to win his team can’t wait to get started. A lot of signings and the most notable Kieran Richardson from his old team United, and Richardson might just prove vital. A good set piece taker, good crosser of ball and can create chances, he could just provide spark to help keep Sunderland up at long last. Expect to see a few new faces yet though, Keane’s spending could yet continue. Sunderland will escape the drop. Just. 17th.
Key Signing ‘“ Darren Bent
Key Player ‘“ Aaron Lennon
Spurs will hope, as will Martin Jol that this year will be the one when they can get that coveted 4th spot and a Champions League Qualification spot. A club record capture of Darren Bent will certainly aid that, and with a star studded front line providing plenty of power, goals will be something Spurs will definitely not be lacking. At the back they look fairly solid, with likes of Dawson and King, and if these two can stay fit Spurs have every chance of getting that spot they so long to land. Aaron Lennon may prove key with unlocking defences and if he can unlock a few stubborn ones along the way where others drop points 4th is an achieveable goal, but sadly Arsenal will just nick it yet again. 5th.
West Ham United
Key Signing ‘“ Craig Bellamy
Key Player ‘“ Dean Aston
West Ham will be hoping they don’t become embroiled in a season like the last one. The Tevez saga almost over and a lot of new faces Hammers fans will be hoping for Europe. While Craig Bellamy might provide the spark Tevez has taken with him to Old Trafford, it will be a player sorely missed last year in Dean Ashton who West Ham‘s fortunes rest with. Providing power, pace, aerial ability and goals the Hammers certainly missed him last season and with a point to prove Ashton will look to be amongst the goals this year. He will step up and take back the helm left by Tevez as the Hammers finish 9th.
Wigan Athletic
Key Signing ‘“ Jason Koumas
Key Player ‘“ Chris Kirkland
After avoiding relegation on the last day of the season Wigan will be aiming to avoid another close encounter. Previous manager Martin Jewell now departed first team affairs have been handed over too Chris Hutchings, Wigan will be hoping for a change of fortunes at the JJB. Chris Kirkland will be vital in organising a defence that last season struggled to hold a lead, while goals up front will be try and sparked by Jason Koumas. However a lack of experience may prove costly and Wigan look set to struggle on again this season, as they lack goals once more. 20th.
Andrew Grenfell
