Already this Saturday, the match between "Manchester United" and "Tottenham Hotspur" will kick-off in the English "Premier" league. In this 4-article series (Part 1), we will write about what each club did in the offseason and how each club's chances are evaluated for the upcoming season.
Today we will look at 5 more clubs that will try to impress in the English top flight. With a successful performance, they could secure places in the top ten of the championship, but an unsuccessful season could even send them down to the Championship division.
Leicester City
Last season: 14th place in the Premier League.
Premier League history: 10 seasons, highest placement - 8th (1999-2000 season).
Additions: Christian Fuchs (free from "FC Schalke 04"); Robert Huth (for 4.2 million euros from "Stoke City"); Yohan Benalouane (for 7 million euros from "Atalanta"); N'Golo Kante (for 9 million euros from "SM Caen"); Shinji Okazaki (for 11 million euros from "FSV Mainz 05").
Departures: Matthew Upson (free to "MK Dons"); Anthony Knockaert (free to "Standard Liege").
Betting company odds: Relegation coefficient 4.
Last season, Leicester City's campaign could be divided into two parts. The first half was just tragic - they only managed to secure 19 points in 29 matches, and the team "confidently" sat in the last place in the table. However, in the last 9 matches, they played fantastically, winning 7 games, drawing once, and only losing once (against the "Chelsea" club). This end of the season allowed the "Foxes" to climb to the 14th place in the previous season's Premier League.
After such an impressive end to the season, the team's coach Nigel Pearson was recognized as one of the best coaches of the season. However, he did not convince his team with those results - at the end of June, the strategist was fired. This decision was unexpected for all football experts, but when the team appointed experienced coach Claudio Ranieri as their new manager, the team's motivations were understood. Throughout his 30-year coaching career, Ranieri has managed clubs like "Chelsea", Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Valencia, so his abilities are known worldwide. However, his last attempt to work with the Greek national team ended in a fiasco - the Italian was fired after a sensational defeat to the Faroe Islands national team, failing to win a single game in 5 matches played.
After this season, Leicester City decided to keep its main players and bolster the team's defensive line with three experienced defenders. The team's fans are particularly excited about the acquisition of Robert Huth. This player joined the Leicester City club on loan terms back in January and played in all victorious matches towards the end of the season.
The team also reinforced its attacking line by signing Japanese striker Shinji Okazaki. Last season he played his best season in Germany, scoring 12 goals. This acquisition not only increases the competition among attacking players, but also significantly boosts the club's popularity in the Japanese market. Okazaki has scored 43 goals representing his country and is an obvious leader of the national team, so Japanese football fans will eagerly watch their hero's performances in Great Britain.
Leicester City's results will depend on the team we see on the field. If the club plays like the last 9 rounds, they may fight for higher places. However, if the "Foxes" return to the game they showed in the first 30 rounds, the club could be one of the most likely contenders to leave the Premier League. For the new team coach Claudio Ranieri, this is also perhaps the last opportunity to rehabilitate himself and prove that he can still manage a club at the highest level.
West Bromwich Albion
Last season: 13th place in the Premier League.
Premier League history: 10 seasons, highest placement - 8th (2012-2013 season).
Additions: James McClean (for 2.1 million euros from "Wigan"); Rick Lambert (for 4.2 million euros from "Liverpool"); James Chester (for 11.3 million euros from "Hull City").
Departures: Graham Dorrans (transfer fee unknown, to "Norwich"); Chris Baird (free to "Derby"); Youssuf Mulumbu (free to "Norwich").
Betting company odds: Relegation coefficient 5.5.
West Bromwich Albion, as usual, will not have a long bench of substitutes this year. The team will also be the oldest among all Premier League clubs (average age 28.7). This tactics has brought positive results for the team in recent seasons, so the team's coach Tony Pulis has decided to maintain this tradition.
The most expensive summer purchase was defender James Chester. However, the 11.3 million euro fee paid for the player is seen as a major overpayment. Such sums are paid for players who are solid regular starters, and the English press already doubts whether Chester can outperform Joleon Lescott and Craig Dawson. For the Welshman, increased attention could be an additional stimulus to finally take a huge step forward, which is expected by the West Bromwich Albion team.
The most significant reinforcement this summer is the signing of Rickie Lambert. Despite his failure to establish himself last season at Liverpool, his statistics in the Premier League are impressive - 13 goals and 11 assists. For the 33-year-old striker, this may be his last chance to at least get close to the playing level of the 2013-2014 season.
West Bromwich Albion team once again did not try to surprise in the transfer market and did not change the core of their team. It seems that the team's management would be satisfied if the club achieved a similar position as last year. Despite increased competition in the Premier League, it may be a challenging goal, but achievable for this experienced team.
Newcastle United
Last season: 15th place in the Premier League.
Premier League history: 22 seasons, highest placement - 2nd (twice).
Additions: Chancel Mbemba (for 12 million euros from "RSC Anderlecht"); Aleksandar Mitrovic (for 18.5 million euros from "RSC Anderlecht"); Georginio Wijnaldum (for 20 million euros from "PSV Eindhoven").
Departures: Ryan Taylor (free to "Hull City"); Jonas Gutierrez (contract expired) David Santon (for 3.7 million euros to "Inter").
Betting company odds: Relegation coefficient 6.5.
Newcastle United started the summer by replacing the team's coach. After an unsuccessful end of the season lead by John Carver, Steve McClaren took over the team's reins. The longtime assistant of the English national team has recently done well at the "Derby County" club. So far, McClaren's most serious test has not gone well - as the head coach of the English national team, he only achieved wins every other game and was dismissed from his duties after a year. Now the coach will have another chance to show his abilities in high-level football.
Before the season, it seems that the Newcastle United team will be another team that kept its main players. Although there are rumors that some players are interested in other teams, the team's management claims that they want to maintain the team as it is.
Watching the team's actions in the summer transfer market, it was evident that the team's main reinforcement was acquired with an eye on the future. Signing defender Chancel Mbemba and forward Aleksandar Mitrovic from "RSC Anderlecht" for a total of 30 million euros, they are just 20 years old. However, despite their young age, these players were leaders for the Belgian club and already represent their national teams. Although Mitrovic was more expensive, and his 27 goals last season caught the attention of many football experts, the team will need more help from Mbemba. The team conceded 63 goals last season, the second-worst result in the league. The young defender from Congo will have to work hard to fill the gaps in the team's defense, as without him, it would be naive for Newcastle United to expect a higher position.
The most notable signing of the summer for the club is undoubtedly Georginio Wijnaldum. The Dutch national team midfielder is now the player who, along with Moussa Sissoko, will try to win midfield battles. Wijnaldum, who scored 18 goals for "PSV Eindhoven" last season, is embarking on his first professional adventure abroad, so adaptation to a new country and a higher level of competition will be one of the main factors in his game this season. If the midfielder manages to maintain the level of play he demonstrated in the Netherlands, the future for Newcastle United looks brighter than ever.
Last season, in 27 matches, Newcastle United found themselves just above the top ten, and only a very unsuccessful end to the season, in which the club earned just one point in 10 matches, blocked them from the bottom of the league standings. Expecting stability from a team that has been replenished with young players is not worth it this season. "The Magpies" fans can only hope that their team will surprise more often than make them mourn over unsuccessful performances.
West Ham United
Last season: 12th place in the Premier League.
Premier League history: 20 seasons, highest placement - 5th (1998-1999 season).
Additions: Manuel Lanzini (loaned from "Al-Jazira"); Carl Jenkinson (loan from "Arsenal); Darren Randolph (free from "Birmingham"); Stephen Hendrie (for 1.3 million euros from "Hamilton"); Pedro Obiang (for 6 million euros from "Sampdoria"); Angelo Ogbonna (for 11 million euros from "Juventus"); Dimitri Payet (for 15 million euros from "Olympique Marseille").
Departures: Carlton Cole (free to "Hull City"); Stewart Downing (for 7.9 million euros to "Middlesbrough").
Betting company odds: Relegation coefficient 8.
At the start of last year's season, West Ham United looked great and even sat in the top places for a while. However, the season ended in disappointment, and that cost Sam Allardyce his job. He was replaced by Slaven Bilic, best known for his excellent work with the Croatian national team. While Bilic did not show miraculous results in recent years with Moscow's "Lokomotiv" and Istanbul's "Besiktas", the fact that the Croatian has played for West Ham United in the past also contributed to the decision to appoint him as the new manager.
To replace the only significant loss in the team - Stewart Downing, Dimitri Payet was acquired from Marseille. It is essential to keep an eye on this player because last season in the Ligue 1 championship, the Frenchman provided an impressive 21 assists. A playmaker of this caliber should help West Ham United's attackers increase their efficiency in the upcoming season. If Payet adapts properly to English football, he could be one of the most significant signings in the Premier League this year.
In the defense line, the London club also found a player who will truly strengthen the team immediately upon joining. Although Angelo Ogbonna played only one match in the Champions League with Juventus, the defender was one of the main players in the Serie A championship. Considering the strong defense in the Italian champions' ranks, playing in 30 matches per season for this team shows how much the player's expertise is truly significant.
Sam Allardyce's dismissal shows that West Ham United are aiming for Premier League heights. The pursuit of high achievement and the team's new coach's success will determine what position the team will secure this season. The team's first results in the Europa League tournament are disappointing, and the team will have to significantly improve their game to meet the goals set by the leadership for this season. If the club continues to play as it has so far, they probably won't surprise anyone, and a relegation to the Championship may be on the horizon.
Crystal Palace
Last season: 10th place in the Premier League.
Premier League history: 7 seasons, highest placement - 10th (last season).
Additions: Patrick Bamford (loaned from "Chelsea"); Bakary Sako (free from "Wolverhampton Wanderers"); Alex McCarthy (for 4.9 million euros from "Queens Park Rangers"); Connor Wickham (for 10 million euros from "Sunderland"); Yohan Cabaye (for 13.9 million euros from "Paris Saint-Germain").
Departures: No player played at least 100 minutes in the Premier League.
Betting company odds: Relegation coefficient 9.
Crystal Palace undoubtedly strengthened this summer before the season. The team not only kept all its key players but also strengthened with players who were sought after by many famous clubs.
The transfer of Yohan Cabaye to Crystal Palace was one of the most unexpected deals of this summer. Just a year ago, this player, while playing for Newcastle United, was one of the best players in his position worldwide, and no wonder Paris Saint-Germain did not hesitate to pay 25 million euros for him back then. Although Cabaye did not shine in Paris as the club expected, he was still the player wanted by many famous world clubs. His move to the "Eagles" stronghold for a relatively modest 13.9 million euros should be a great success for the team's coach Alan Pardew and the entire team management. If this player performs as he did playing for Newcastle United, this purchase could be the best Premier League summer deal.
The club also increased competition in the goalkeeper position by acquiring Alex McCarthy and strengthened the attacking potential by signing a young and promising forward, Connor Wickham. Wickham, who scored only 5 goals for Sunderland last season, will have to significantly improve to improve this metric and justify the 10 million euros paid by the Crystal Palace club for him.
Most football experts were surprised that Crystal Palace did not strengthen their defensive positions this summer. In fact, the team didn't acquire any defenders. Knowing that the team relied on only three center-backs last season, two of whom are already 34-year-olds, this position will be the most vulnerable this season.
The upcoming season brings more questions than answers about Crystal Palace's future performances. Will the club be able to take a step forward and fight for places in European competitions with the acquisition of Yohan Cabaye? Will the defenders have enough strength to stop much younger opponents' attackers? The answers to these questions will determine the position the Crystal Palace team will occupy next season, and for now, it seems impossible to predict where the "Eagles" will be next year.
