Premier League 2017/2018 Preview
Patrick Zeng
@Roundtripper891
It's back! On Friday afternoon in London, the curtain will be raised on a new highly anticipated premier league season as Arsenal host Leicester City. So it's time for a full on premier league breakdown as we all buckle up for what should be another incredible season in England's top division.
The Big Boys
Gone is the magic of two years ago when Claudio Ranieri's Leicester squad shocked the world(and the odds makers that put them at 5000/1 odds) with their epic run to the title. The big boys have been restored to their places atop the league and they're here to stay.
1. Manchester City
2. Tottenham Hotspur
3.Liverpool
4. Manchester United
5. Chelsea
6. Arsenal
The pressure is on in Manchester. With Pep Guardiola spending over $500 million during his first two summers in charge of City, it's time for him to win. And after what many would consider as a disapointing first year in charge, he is primed for a title charge this season. No one in English football has the attacking talent that Guardiola has at his disposal. Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva should terrorize opposing defenses. Pep also stockpiled fullbacks this summer will the incoming Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker and Danilo, all of which will help supply the attack. There are questions at centerback with an aging Vincent Kompany as well as an under performing duo of John Stones and Ottamendi, but their job will be made much easier with the attack that will be pumping in the goals.
For many this summer for the London based Totthenham Hotspur has been a failure. Not a single dollar has been spent by the premier league runners up even with their competitor seemingly engaging in an arms race. But for Spurs, they don't have to spend big. It has fit the philosophy of Mauricio Pochettino to give young players a chance with the senior squad and it has paid dividends for Tottenham. Yes they have to play their home games at Wembley this season, but I don't buy in to that having a huge affect on this team. Spurs have the best center back duo in the league paired with one of the leagues' top left backs in Danny Rose. Add in the best striker in England in Harry Kane and one of Britain's top talents in Dele Alli and Spurs should be deadly despite the lack of signings.
Last season saw Liverpool Football Club have one of the most confusing seasons in recent memory. Title contenders until their season hit a tail spin in January, Jurgen Klopp's squad has the potential to hang with anyone in English football. Liverpool went undefeated against the top seven last season, but had a horrid time with teams in the lower end of the table. The attack should be breathtaking yet again with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and new signing Mo Salah. Phillipe Coutinho moving back into a midfield role should only further the attack. Just like City, the questions all come from the back for the Reds. The signing of Andy Robertson should help at left back and if Simon Mignolet continues his resurgence, Liverpool will have a quality goalkeeper. Joel Matip is a very solid center back but his partner Dejan Lovern can be puzzling when it comes to his decision making and he makes way too many errors that lead to goals conceded. This is a massively promosing season on Merseyside, but without the addition of a new center back(so far) there will be some uneasy times at Anfield.
Since his days at Porto, Jose Mourinho has won the title by the end of his second season at every club he has managed. Can he do the same at United? For me, United is the hardest of the top teams to place this season. They can legitimately be title contenders this year if they are able to turn those draws last year(15 total) into wins. The high profile signing of Romelu Lukkaku should add a load of goals to the front line. The signing of Nemanja Matic might be the most important of the window as it will allow Paul Pogba to get further forward and join the attack.The midfield three of Pogba, Matic and Ander Herrera will be one of the best trios in the league, their season will come down to the composure of their manager and if that attack can fire on all cylinders.
Antonio Conte's squad is coming off of a dominant campaign in which the title was secured. But this year things will be a little different. The eventual exit of Diego Costa is a bigger deal than what is being made of it and I'm not totally sold on new boy Alvaro Morata. Star wide man Eden Hazard will miss time at the beginning of the season after suffering a fractured ankle over the summer with Belgium. Defensively they still should be very good with David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses. With the strengthening of the teams around them and not enough being done to improve themselves along with the introduction of European football, a disappointing season may just be upcoming for Chelsea.
Last season was dominated by calls of Wenger Out at the Emirates for Arsenal. And this year things should only intensify for the premier leagues' longest tenured manager. To put it simply, Arsenal just aren't good enough. Rumors will swirl around Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil with less than a year left on their contracts and the middle of the field was not strengthened. The signing of Alexandre Lacazette should be a great one, but the question marks in the midfield and back line have the ability to overshadow the ferociousness of the attack. Come the summer of 2018, Arsenal will most likely be looking for a new manager.
Mid Table
7. Everton
8. West Ham
9. Crystal Palace
10. Bournemouth
11. Leicester City
12. West Brom
This has been a massive summer for Everton. Incomings including Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen, Jordan Pickford, Sandro and Michael Keane highlight what has been a massive overhaul. The signings are really good and will greatly improve the team even with the exit of Lukkaku, the problem is how strong their competition is. Everton are going to be very good this season and they help form a legitimate powerhouse of a top 7. If they are able to add Swansea playmaker Gylfi Siggurdson before the window slams shut then they really can be a force to be reckon with. They're going to make strides this year and should be a fun team to follow.
Disappointing doesn't quite sum up what last season was for West Ham. But they will look to rebound after a solid summer. The additions of Marko Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez will greatly strengthen an attack that lacked bite last year. Joe Hart is a welcome upgrade over Adrian between the sticks and should be out to prove himself after being exiled by Pep Guardiola. Year two in the Olympic Stadium should be much smoother for Slaven Bilic's men.
Sam Allardyce surprisingly resigned from the Palace job after steering them clear of the relegation zone last season. Frank De Boer was brought in his place and should help build on the success Allardyce was able to create at Palace toward the end of last season. Expect a big season from Christian Benteke in front of goal and the exciting prospect of Ruben Loftus-Cheek having game time should energize the Eagles' midfield. Palace is my big mover this season after finishing in 15th last year, and they should be primed to surprise in 2017/2018.
Bournemouth's meteoric rise in English football has been incredible over the past few years. And last year's 9th place finish should serve as a testament to just how good a job Eddie Howe has done on the south coast. Josh King has turned himself into quite the player, Nathan Ake returning on a permanent deal should bolster the defense and proven goal scorer Jermaine Defoe should fit right in to the Cherries attack. They play fast, attacking football and with new signing Asmir Begovic in net from Chelsea as well, they will not be a welcome sight for their competition.
Much of last year felt like a Shakespearean tragedy watching the demise of Claudio Ranieri in Leicester. But once Craig Shakespeare was put in charge of the club, they seemed much more organized and quick on the counter. The possible exit of Riyad Mahrez will hurt, but the addition of Kelechi Iheanacho cannot be understated as a possible fantastic signing. Guardiola allowing him to leave was shocking and this is his time to shine while he is out of the shadow of Sergio Aguero. How well Wes Morgan and Robert Huth hold up as central defenders will dictate much of how their season goes.
Pulis gonna Pulis. They'll be highly organized, tough to break down and strong in the air on set pieces. Salomon Rondon will score some goals, and Jay Rodriguez can be a interesting player for them if he can finally stay healthy. When push comes to shove we all know what to expect from this team.
Bottom of the Table
13. Southampton
14. Stoke City
15. Newcastle
16. Watford
17. Huddersfield
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18. Burnley
19. Swansea
20. Brighton
What Southampton have been able to do over the past few years has been remarkable. Consistently finishing in the top half of the table despite the selling of their best players. This is the year that it finally catches up with them. With their captain and best player in Virgil Van Dijk burning all his bridges at the club with a fiery transfer request, that philosophy doesn't seem to be changing. They're going to struggle to score goals and without their linchpin in defense, things can get leaky fast.
Mark Hughes' club has seen better days. Joe Allen was a bright spot for Hughes' struggling squad, but the other standout in Arnautovic is off to London. Much will be placed on Sadio Berahino's shoulders to lead the line after his switch came in January from West Brom.
It is great to have Newcastle back in the premier league. The giants from the north of England will look to rebound in their maiden season back in the premiership after their relegation two years ago. Rafa Benitez boys will look to build on the momentum of winning the Championship and they should be able to do enough to avoid the drop and continue the rebuild in Newcastle.
Marco Silva should be a good coup as the manager, but their struggles should continue. A free fall at the end of the season had them finish just one spot from the relegation zone. The Andre Gray signing will add pace to their attack and we will finally see what Will Hughes can do in the premier league, but it doesn't look like a bright future for the Wats.
Huddersfield are one of the three newly promoted clubs and they will be in for a real fight to stay up. Led by one of Jurgen Klopp's best friends, David Wagner has been touted highly as a manager. They came up after winning on penalties in the Championship's playoff final and will look to just squeak by for survival this season.
Sean Dyche has done an admirable job at the helm of Burnley. Selling Andre Gray and Michael Keane will be big blows for the Clarets. They have been tough to break down defensively, but without their top center back things will be much more difficult. Sam Vokes is a good striker, but they just don't have enough talent to stay up.
Much like Sean Dyche, Paul Clement is a very solid manager. It looks like their best player in Gylfi Siggurdson will be off and their top striker in Llorente may also be Chelsea bound. With that outlook, it is going to be a long season in Wales for the Swans.
Brighton scored the second most goals in the Championship and coasted to a second place finish behind Newcastle. They bring with them the man the won the player of the year in the Championship in Anthony Knockaert. His form will be key for the Seagulls as will the club record signing of Jose Izquierdo, but they just might be too over matched when it comes to the rest of the premier league.
Player of the Year: Kevin De Bruyne
If it's going to be the year for Man City, this man is going to be the driving force that makes it happen. His near effortless ability to create chances for his teammates as well as his own goal scoring guile makes him the straw that stirs the drink at the Ethiad. He hit the post a staggering nine times last season, so with a little bit of luck this Belgium will light the league on fire.
Golden Boot: Harry Kane
He's the best striker in the country and there is no way I'm betting against him. 29 goals last year despite missing an extended period of time was an incredible accomplishment and he has shown no signs of slowing down. It is scary to think about what he might do if he is healthy for an entire season. Can he break the premier league record of 31 goals in a season? I definitely think so.
@Roundtripper891
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| BBC |
The Big Boys
Gone is the magic of two years ago when Claudio Ranieri's Leicester squad shocked the world(and the odds makers that put them at 5000/1 odds) with their epic run to the title. The big boys have been restored to their places atop the league and they're here to stay.
1. Manchester City
2. Tottenham Hotspur
3.Liverpool
4. Manchester United
5. Chelsea
6. Arsenal
The pressure is on in Manchester. With Pep Guardiola spending over $500 million during his first two summers in charge of City, it's time for him to win. And after what many would consider as a disapointing first year in charge, he is primed for a title charge this season. No one in English football has the attacking talent that Guardiola has at his disposal. Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva should terrorize opposing defenses. Pep also stockpiled fullbacks this summer will the incoming Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker and Danilo, all of which will help supply the attack. There are questions at centerback with an aging Vincent Kompany as well as an under performing duo of John Stones and Ottamendi, but their job will be made much easier with the attack that will be pumping in the goals.
For many this summer for the London based Totthenham Hotspur has been a failure. Not a single dollar has been spent by the premier league runners up even with their competitor seemingly engaging in an arms race. But for Spurs, they don't have to spend big. It has fit the philosophy of Mauricio Pochettino to give young players a chance with the senior squad and it has paid dividends for Tottenham. Yes they have to play their home games at Wembley this season, but I don't buy in to that having a huge affect on this team. Spurs have the best center back duo in the league paired with one of the leagues' top left backs in Danny Rose. Add in the best striker in England in Harry Kane and one of Britain's top talents in Dele Alli and Spurs should be deadly despite the lack of signings.
Last season saw Liverpool Football Club have one of the most confusing seasons in recent memory. Title contenders until their season hit a tail spin in January, Jurgen Klopp's squad has the potential to hang with anyone in English football. Liverpool went undefeated against the top seven last season, but had a horrid time with teams in the lower end of the table. The attack should be breathtaking yet again with Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and new signing Mo Salah. Phillipe Coutinho moving back into a midfield role should only further the attack. Just like City, the questions all come from the back for the Reds. The signing of Andy Robertson should help at left back and if Simon Mignolet continues his resurgence, Liverpool will have a quality goalkeeper. Joel Matip is a very solid center back but his partner Dejan Lovern can be puzzling when it comes to his decision making and he makes way too many errors that lead to goals conceded. This is a massively promosing season on Merseyside, but without the addition of a new center back(so far) there will be some uneasy times at Anfield.
 |
| This Is Anfield |
 |
| Independent |
Last season was dominated by calls of Wenger Out at the Emirates for Arsenal. And this year things should only intensify for the premier leagues' longest tenured manager. To put it simply, Arsenal just aren't good enough. Rumors will swirl around Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil with less than a year left on their contracts and the middle of the field was not strengthened. The signing of Alexandre Lacazette should be a great one, but the question marks in the midfield and back line have the ability to overshadow the ferociousness of the attack. Come the summer of 2018, Arsenal will most likely be looking for a new manager.
 |
| The Express |
7. Everton
8. West Ham
9. Crystal Palace
10. Bournemouth
11. Leicester City
12. West Brom
This has been a massive summer for Everton. Incomings including Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen, Jordan Pickford, Sandro and Michael Keane highlight what has been a massive overhaul. The signings are really good and will greatly improve the team even with the exit of Lukkaku, the problem is how strong their competition is. Everton are going to be very good this season and they help form a legitimate powerhouse of a top 7. If they are able to add Swansea playmaker Gylfi Siggurdson before the window slams shut then they really can be a force to be reckon with. They're going to make strides this year and should be a fun team to follow.
 |
| The Telegraph |
Sam Allardyce surprisingly resigned from the Palace job after steering them clear of the relegation zone last season. Frank De Boer was brought in his place and should help build on the success Allardyce was able to create at Palace toward the end of last season. Expect a big season from Christian Benteke in front of goal and the exciting prospect of Ruben Loftus-Cheek having game time should energize the Eagles' midfield. Palace is my big mover this season after finishing in 15th last year, and they should be primed to surprise in 2017/2018.
 |
| Sky Sports |
Much of last year felt like a Shakespearean tragedy watching the demise of Claudio Ranieri in Leicester. But once Craig Shakespeare was put in charge of the club, they seemed much more organized and quick on the counter. The possible exit of Riyad Mahrez will hurt, but the addition of Kelechi Iheanacho cannot be understated as a possible fantastic signing. Guardiola allowing him to leave was shocking and this is his time to shine while he is out of the shadow of Sergio Aguero. How well Wes Morgan and Robert Huth hold up as central defenders will dictate much of how their season goes.
Pulis gonna Pulis. They'll be highly organized, tough to break down and strong in the air on set pieces. Salomon Rondon will score some goals, and Jay Rodriguez can be a interesting player for them if he can finally stay healthy. When push comes to shove we all know what to expect from this team.
Bottom of the Table
13. Southampton
14. Stoke City
15. Newcastle
16. Watford
17. Huddersfield
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. Burnley
19. Swansea
20. Brighton
What Southampton have been able to do over the past few years has been remarkable. Consistently finishing in the top half of the table despite the selling of their best players. This is the year that it finally catches up with them. With their captain and best player in Virgil Van Dijk burning all his bridges at the club with a fiery transfer request, that philosophy doesn't seem to be changing. They're going to struggle to score goals and without their linchpin in defense, things can get leaky fast.
Mark Hughes' club has seen better days. Joe Allen was a bright spot for Hughes' struggling squad, but the other standout in Arnautovic is off to London. Much will be placed on Sadio Berahino's shoulders to lead the line after his switch came in January from West Brom.
It is great to have Newcastle back in the premier league. The giants from the north of England will look to rebound in their maiden season back in the premiership after their relegation two years ago. Rafa Benitez boys will look to build on the momentum of winning the Championship and they should be able to do enough to avoid the drop and continue the rebuild in Newcastle.
 |
| Sky Sports |
Huddersfield are one of the three newly promoted clubs and they will be in for a real fight to stay up. Led by one of Jurgen Klopp's best friends, David Wagner has been touted highly as a manager. They came up after winning on penalties in the Championship's playoff final and will look to just squeak by for survival this season.
Sean Dyche has done an admirable job at the helm of Burnley. Selling Andre Gray and Michael Keane will be big blows for the Clarets. They have been tough to break down defensively, but without their top center back things will be much more difficult. Sam Vokes is a good striker, but they just don't have enough talent to stay up.
Much like Sean Dyche, Paul Clement is a very solid manager. It looks like their best player in Gylfi Siggurdson will be off and their top striker in Llorente may also be Chelsea bound. With that outlook, it is going to be a long season in Wales for the Swans.
Brighton scored the second most goals in the Championship and coasted to a second place finish behind Newcastle. They bring with them the man the won the player of the year in the Championship in Anthony Knockaert. His form will be key for the Seagulls as will the club record signing of Jose Izquierdo, but they just might be too over matched when it comes to the rest of the premier league.
Player of the Year: Kevin De Bruyne
If it's going to be the year for Man City, this man is going to be the driving force that makes it happen. His near effortless ability to create chances for his teammates as well as his own goal scoring guile makes him the straw that stirs the drink at the Ethiad. He hit the post a staggering nine times last season, so with a little bit of luck this Belgium will light the league on fire.
 |
| The Express |
He's the best striker in the country and there is no way I'm betting against him. 29 goals last year despite missing an extended period of time was an incredible accomplishment and he has shown no signs of slowing down. It is scary to think about what he might do if he is healthy for an entire season. Can he break the premier league record of 31 goals in a season? I definitely think so.
 |
| ESPN FC |
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