Hello Steemer's! Im Xyloxero.
This is my first of hopefully many posts on this amazing platform.
I'm a massive Football/Soccer fan and would love to be a part of this community for thoughts on the premier league and all things football.
In this issue we will be looking at each of the top clubs from the league and what they are doing in order to challenge for the title, the Key confirmed In's/Outs and who is currently on their radar.
Current Title odds: (Source - Skybet 13/06/17 11:01)
Manchester City - 15/8
Chelsea - 7/2
Manchester United - 7/2
Spurs - 15/2
Liverpool -10/1
Arsenal -11/1
Arsenal
They are at 11-1 following their first finish outside of the champions league places sice Arsene Wenger took over in 1996. Without the Lure of the famous music and Wednesday night football, this may make it more difficult to attract top players and retain their current best performers during this summers transfer window.
| Players IN | Players Out | Top Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Kolasinac | Sanogo | M'Bappe |
| Lacazette | ||
| Papastathopoulos |
Arsenal desperately need to make big moves this summer. Not only to propel themselves towards the title but to back up the faith shown in Wenger with his recent contract extension.
You could argue that they currently need strengthening at both ends of the field. Wenger has a a keen eye on two fellow Frenchman in the attacking third of the pitch in M'Bappe and Lacazette. Both Valued at around the £70-80m mark by their respective clubs.
Despite their success in the FA Cup final, Arsenal went into the match with a real concern over their starting back line. This was through injury and suspension. Their starting back 5 consisted of:
13 Ospina
16 Holding
4 Mertesacker
18 Monreal
24 Bellerín
With the exception of possibly Bellerin, None of these players would be considered among the best in the league. One top reinforcement on Arsenals radar is Papastathopoulos. The Greek international could be the answer (Valued at £30m) to reinforce the ranks and help prepare for the loss of Mertesacker who is 4 years his senior.
My Prediction: 6th.
Manchester City
With Pep settling into his second season and Man City being the first to react when the window opened they have been slashed to 15/2 Favorites for the title this year. Many people are expecting new and existing players to be more prepared to adopt his philosophy and think this could put them in contention till the finish.
| Players IN | Players Out | Top Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Bernardo Silva (43m) | Zabaleta | Walker |
| Ederson | Clichy | Rose |
| Sangna | Sanchez | |
| Jesus Navas |
One thing that was apparent from last season is that City didnt live up to expectation. I believe this is partially due to the transitional period that comes with a change in management, but also due to the improvement of some of their rivals. the 78 points they accumulated this season would have put them just 3 points off the top in 15/16 compared to the 15 they finished behind Chelsea and the 8 points they finished behind Tottenham this year.
For this reasons they have been looking at their rivals and have been heavily linked with some of their star men from last year. With the club releasing three wing backs in Zabaletta, Clichy and Sangna they have turned their attentions to Tottenham's key men in Walker and Rose. However, Levy will not sell cheap with both players tied down to long contacts as it stands. In their attack, maybe Alexis Sanchez could be the answer as one of the few bright lights in Arsenals team. If Man City could get 2 out of 3 of these I think it may be enough to get them there, however time will tell.
My prediction: 2nd
Chelsea
The Come back kings of last season had a brilliant revival under Conte. One huge factor for their success was their squad depth. This hasn't changed much from last season as they have retained most of their squad with some fringe players leaving.
However, they are also yet to strengthen. There has been a lot of talk regarding Lukaku (£80m), who looks like a likely signing this summer but they are linked with signings throughout the field with James Rodriguez and Bonnuci also on their watchlist.
| Players IN | Players Out | Top Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Cuadrado | Lukaku | |
| Atsu | Rodriguez | |
| Begovic | Bonnuci | |
| Solanke | ||
| Terry |
It looks as though whatever happens this summer that Chelsea will have a great squad going into the next campaign, the real question will be whether or not their rivals improve more than Chelsea this summer. Which i believe they will.
My Prediction: 4th
Liverpool
Once again Liverpool have been linked with an array of talent across the globe, but have yet to make a move for a big name. Having being stung in the past by overpriced deals for people such as Carroll, Lovren and Benteke it may be easy to understand their reservations on spending big.
That being said, if Liverpool wish to mount a serious title challenge that is exactly what they need to do. Since Klopp arrived the finances have been managed very well when it comes it In's/Outs to an almost break even point. The youth hasn't lived up to expectation and it was evident that their bench offered little option for a plan B.
| Players IN | Players Out | Top Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Solanke | Salah | |
| Van Dijk |
They have got some big names on their radar in Van Dijk and Salah but I feel as though unless Liverpool can seize the opportunity of having champions league football and get 2/3 big names through the door, they may be in for a very tough year ahead.
My Prediction: 5th
Spurs
After continually improving over the last few seasons from 3rd in 15/16, to 2nd in 16/17 could 17/18 be the first season Spurs lift the trophy since 1960?
Spurs have always been slow to get going in the transfer market, greatly down to Levy's eye for a 'deal'. So far there has been little to no movement in the spurs camp but I believe the focus currently is holding onto the starts of this year and trying to get some big names to bolster the ranks.
| Players IN | Players Out | Top Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Barkley | ||
| Dani Alves | ||
| Douglas Costa |
Currently Spurs have the core of players they need to win a title, so much of the focus this summer will be holding onto them. If they are able to do this and also add extra talent such as Barkley/Costa I believe they have a great chance to push on and lift the Trophy. One big threat to this is 'the curse of Wembley' which i hope to write a full article on at some point soon.
My prediction: 1st
Manchester United
]
Last season was a roller coaster of emotions for all Manchester united fans. They under performed in the league and were close to missing out on Champions league football again for the third season running.
Much like Spurs they have not made much progress in the transfer window, deciding to let Ibrahimovic go which should free up some of the wage budget and also leave opportunities for people such as Marcus Rashford to develop.
| Players IN | Players Out | Top Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Ibrahimovic | Morata | |
| Griezmann | ||
| Fabiniho |
as ever, Manchester United have been linked with a whole host of World class players including Bale, Ronaldo, Griezmann to name a few. The most likely are listed above however there is still a long way to go for untied if they are going to push from a 6th place finish into first. I belive that this season they may fall short again but will make some progress in the process.
My prediction: 3rd
I hope you enjoyed this article. Over time i will try to improve my writing style and contribute different interesting takes on the world of football.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could leave a like and a follow and a comment to let me know your thoughts.
Have a great day!
XYLOXERO