Will Chelsea repeat their league title success from last season? Will Spurs end their title drought and take the next step to becoming a major club? Will Manchester United or Manchester City capitalize on their massive summer signings? Can Arsene Wenger rejuvenate Arsenal? Let's take a more detailed look at the teams in contention...
Chelsea:
CFC is one of the many Premier League clubs to have spent more money on transfers than they have received in sales this summer. Many people have opposite opinions on the signing of a largely unproven player but talented player in Alvaro Morata and the eminent departure of an established goal scorer in Diego Costa. The departure of Nemanja Matic to Manchester United will not help their repeat title hopes. Unlike the 2016-2017 championship season, Chelsea will be involve in European Football, which will further negatively impact their league performance. Projected league finish: 4th.
Tottenham Hotspur:
Tottenham's future seems to be positive, and this season is critical for their development into a major club. Spurs will look to improve their play in the Champions League and build on their momentum from last season. However, the departure of Kyle Walker and lack of signings this summer (none at the time of this article), their reliance on young academy players off of the bench, and playing home games at Wembley Stadium, this will not be a title winning team. They will however continue with their streak of top 4 finishes. Projected league finish: 3rd.
Manchester City:
A seemingly infinite supply of transfer funds will help City improve their Premier League table finish from last years 3rd place. Already having spent over 120 million pounds on three players, Pep Guardiola is still looking to break the bank on more transfers. Alexis Sanchez is rumored to be their top target, further improving their squad. Combine his talents with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Sadio Mane, Kevin DeBruyne, as well as a strong back four and you have a squad capable of winning the league. This season will come down to the final match day. City will have a one point lead going into the final match but will draw that game at Southampton. Projected league finish: 2nd with 82 points.
Manchester United:
Manchester United had an underwhelming 2016-2017 campaign, drawing 15 of their 38 league games. The addition of Namanja Matic and prolific striker Romelu Lukaku will prove to be massive improvements. If Mkhitaryian and Pogba play up to their abilities, this team could score at will. Goalkeeper David de Gea is one of the best in the world and adding Victor Lindelof in the defense should help decrease the burden on their world class keeper. This club has the players to compete, and could possibly add more big names before the season starts in 11 days. United will return to Premier League prominence and will steal away the title from rivals City on the final match day. Projected League Finish: 1st with 83 points.
Everton:
Everton has had a busy summer adding many talented players to the squad, but replacing Lukaku will be difficult. This team is better than last season's squad, bumping them up to a 5th place finish.
Arsenal:
"Wenger Out" promoters will be out in full force by October. Adding Lacazette is great for them, but losing Alexis will be devastating. This historic club needs to find their groove, but finishing out of the top four in consecutive seasons is unacceptable for Arsenal. Projected finish 6th with Wenger gone by October.
Relegated Clubs:
18th - Swansea
19th - Huddersfield Town
20th - Watford