Today I will look at Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
Arsenal:
Again a reluctance to spend big this summer may cost them. However, I say that every year and every season they end up doing well in the Champions League and within the top four of the Premiership. This can only be sustained briefly though as fans are already getting jittery again at the lack of moves into the club.
The ex Chelsea goal keeper, Petr Cech, is currently the only acquisition of the summer so far. Reports linking the side with Edin Dzeko have not yet led to anything and the list of players leaving this time has been contained to fringe players mostly.
Final Position:
Again top four would be the minimum, but with the lack of ambition in spending big money on a big name could see the Gunners actually fail to qualify for Champions League this season.
Aston Villa:
Bringing in Micah Richards from Manchester City for free was a great piece of business for Tim Sherwood and, when Fabian Delph initially pledged his future also, it must have been all roses in Birmingham.
The events of the past week or so have seen Delph U-turn on his U-turn and star striker Christian Benteke leave for Liverpool. This doesn’t give Sherwood much time to get another striker in who could contribute the goals Benteke did last term.
Final Position:
I really feel for the Villa fans. I think it will be another tough, long season. Owner Randy Lerner was looking to sell last season and he may continue looking into that option. For Tim Sherwood, I think he will maybe last until October or November before calls for his head are ringing out at every game.
Bournemouth:
Tough to call this side is. Usually, and most likely, the side every one would have to go straight back down but their signings have been quite intelligent so far. Sylvan Distin has lost a yard of his pace but his mind is as sharp as ever and will be instrumental in keeping cool heads in that back line. Behind him is Artur Boruc, another solid acquisition and of course, Adam Federici.
Final Position:
If the side can find themselves with a decent points total in November or December then maybe more investment can be made. At the moment though I do not see enough to convince me it will not be a battle for them to still be here next season.
Chelsea:
Falcao and Begovic in while Drogba leaves again, followed out the door by Cech. In Begovic they have a good backup keeper, although his debut might suggest otherwise but have they improved the squad enough? Falcao really didn’t impress at United and people suggest that under Mourinho he will be much better. That said, Kevin DeBryne may disagree with the Special Ones abilities on that front.
Either way it would be foolish to write them off as potential League winners. In their Manager they do have a guy who can change a game, get in the minds of opposition managers and general annoy the life out of 19 other clubs fans.
Final Position:
Top three for sure but I think both Manchester clubs have improved significantly since last season and it will not be back to back title wins.
Crystal Palace:
Alan Pardew must be glad that this season he can actually sign players he wants. That said, the blame will be placed firmly at his door if the side struggles this season. Yohan Cabaye rejoins his ex boss in what is probably the best signing for Palace in a while and this should give some encouragement to Palace fans.
Final Position:
Just outside the top ten, safety will probably be secured long before the season ends and that shows steady progress.
Let me know what you think of these predictions and come back tomorrow when I will look at the next five teams.
Jason is a Freelance Soccer Writer. You can follow him on Twitter @PACityboy and www.facebook.com/jasonbardwell1979
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