Premier League Teams Preview 2011/12

It is less than three months since the curtain fell on the breathtaking season that was 2010/11, yet it seems like the best league in the world has been away for a lifetime.  Manchester United’s record breaking 19th title, Blackpool’s cruel relegation, Arsenal’s dismal collapse, Torres’ historic switch from red to blue, Manchester City ending a 35 year trophy drought. The list of memories from the previous campaign is endless but with the focus now firmly on the future, the 20 clubs that make up the Premier League are ready for battle to commence once again. This article will give a brief insight into what each team can expect from the new season and the 20 players to look out for over the next 9 months.

Arsenal: The Gunners are still clinging to captain Cesc Fabregas despite continued interest from Barcelona, while Samir Nasri, Arsenal’s other prized attacking possession has looked mardy at best during pre-season. These two factors suggest that Arsenal’s role in the transfer market is far from concluded and the potential departure of either or both players will have a significant impact on the Gunners prospects. If Fabregas and Nasri stay then Arsenal will be sniffing around the title race, if they leave then the club may have quite a struggle on their hands. Much uncertainty still hangs over the North Londoners.

Verdict: Battle for 4th

One to watch: Jack Wilshere. Following his breakthrough season last campaign in which he displayed world class ability at times, Arsenal will need Wilshere to kick on once more, given the likely departure of Fabregas in the centre of midfield.

Aston Villa: Alex Mcleish was hardly welcomed with open arms by Villa fans, and with the exit’s of last season’s two star men, Ashley Young and Stewart Downing,  it has been a far from smooth summer in the West Midlands. However, Villa still have a strong starting eleven, with the great addition of Shay Given between the sticks, that will trouble every team in the league at home, but the lack of depth in the squad will mean a repeat of last season’s 9th place is about as much as can be hoped for.

Verdict: Top Half

One to watch: Charles N’Zogbia. An astute signing at £9.5m, it will be interesting so see if the frenchman can go from being a good player at Wigan, to a great player at Villa. He and Darren Bent hold the key to where Villa will end up come next May.

Blackburn: A very quiet close season has been unfolding at Ewood Park, with the main aim being to hold on to Christopher Samba rather than bringing new faces in. So far the club have succeeded in doing that, but with very few acquisitions of note bar David Goodwillie who lets face it, will hardly strike fear into Premier League defences, it is very difficult to see Rovers troubling the top half. For too long Blackburn have floated around in mid-table and 2011/12 could see them well and truly sucked into a relegation scramble. 

Verdict: Relegation battle

One to watch: Ryan Nelsen. The other rock at the back alongside Samba will need to be at his best to keep Blackburn’s head above water.

Bolton: Despite a seemingly impressive season, Bolton faded to a disappointing 14th place finish last term. With Owen Coyle having transformed the style of football at the Reebok Stadium, Trotter’s fans should have no worries about whether or not their team will stay up. The lively Lee Chung-Yong has suffered a broken leg in pre-season, and his creative spark will be missed. Gary Cahill looks set to stay at the club and in doing so will ensure that Bolton steer clear of any relegation chaos.

Verdict: Bottom half

One to watch: Kevin Davies. Bolton’s evergreen captain will be the main man for another season in front of goal and he will undoubtedly deliver the goods that keep his club in mid table safety. However, he will also take his customary annual spot at the top of the list for “most fouls committed”.

Chelsea: Another managerial change at the Bridge sees Andre Villas-Boas take charge of the Blues. He is a winner, no question about it. But he has some big ego’s to control in the dressing room and doubts remain as to whether he has the authority at the tender age of 33 to command the respect of seasoned stalwarts such as John Terry, Frank Lampard and pretty much every other member of the Chelsea squad. Therein lies the main problem: Chelsea’s team is getting old, and although youthful reinforcements such as David Luiz, Daniel Sturridge and the imminent arrival of wonderkid Romelu Lukaku are appearing, there is not enough energy in the squad to fight for silverware on all fronts. The Blues are also in need of a playmaker but their pursuit of Totteham’s Luka Modric seems to have proved fruitless and with Michael Essien out for six months, Ramires and Jon Obi-Mikel will start the season in the centre of midfield alongside Lampard. Chelsea will be in the title race but purely because of that, the elusive Champions League will evade them once again.

Verdict: 3rd

One to watch: Fernando Torres. If the spaniard endures another torrid season akin to 2010/11 then it will confirm that his career has entered permanent decline. If he rediscover’s the frightening form and class he showed at Liverpool, then Premier League defences will have sleepless nights about him. It really could go either way.

Everton: Heavily cash-strapped and with no new faces, Everton will go into 2011/12 with last season’s 7th place the highest they can expect to finish once again. They have a quality starting eleven but, much like Aston Villa, lack squad depth. There is very little else to say about what the Toffees can expect from the new campaign. 

Verdict: Top half

One to watch: Ross Barkley. Talented 17 year-old who looks like he has the potential to become a very good player indeed. He will be starting matches on a regular basis.

Fulham: Martin Jol is the new boss at Craven Cottage and has raided Serie A for former Liverpool man John Arne-Riise and Palermo’s Patjim Kasami, who is a hot prospect. Fulham won’t have to worry about relegation, but their Europa League exploits will mean that they’ll struggle to match last years 8th place.

Verdict: Mid-table

One to watch: Bobby Zamora. Spent most of last season on the sidelines but is now fully fit, and will be raring to go in 2011/12. His goals will be important for Fulham, no doubt about it.

Liverpool: Having been rescued from the brink of financial meltdown last October, Kenny Dalglish subsequently grabbed the club by the scruff of the neck in January and has since transformed the atmosphere both on and off the pitch at Anfield, following the woeful reign under Roy Hodgson. 2010/11 was a rollercoaster for Liverpool and from the ruins of Fernando Torres’ unprecedented departure, emerged a new strike force in the shape of the vastly overpriced Andy Carroll, but also the absolute bargain of the century, Luis Suarez. Optimism has replaced what was complete and utter doom and gloom, and with fresh faces Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing the squad is looking as healthy as it has been for quite some time. Steven Gerrard is also chomping at the bit to return to action and that can only be a positive. Yes, money has been spent and lots of it. But that was always going to be the case. Dalglish knows what he is doing, but he also knows that not qualifying for the Champions League would be seen as failure. Liverpool have the potential to do great things this season but it remains to be seen whether or not they will deliver.

Verdict: Battle for 4th

One to watch: Luis Suarez. Who else but the majestic Uruguyan? With six months in English football under his belt, during which he was mesmeric on occasions, Suarez is a genuine contender for player of the year in 2011/12. He set the Copa America alight during the summer and will do the very same thing to the Premier League in the new season.

Manchester City: Champions League qualification and a trophy were the objectives for Roberto Mancini this time last year and he duly delivered on both accounts. Now the runway is clear for a shot at the title, and also at toppling Manchester United, something that City fans have dreamed about for decades. With millions upon millions having been spent, a side truly capable of rivalling United on all fronts has been assembled. City are now a very real threat to the Red Devil’s supremacy and will pose the greatest challenge to United’s defence of the title. It is clear that Carlos Tevez will leave if the right offer is received, but a ready made replacement has already arrived, the brilliant Sergio Aguero having completed his £38m move to Eastlands last week. With Aguero and possibly Tevez as the spearhead, along with David Silva pulling the strings and the powerhouse that is Yaya Toure rampaging through the centre of the park, City have an attacking unit that means they will be right in the mix from start to finish of the new season.

Verdict: Title fight

One to watch: Sergio Aguero. World class talent with all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League. Guaranteed entertainment for City fans.

Manchester United: Despite their noisy neighbours putting the finishing touches to their machine built to blow Sir Alex Ferguson’s men “off their perch”, United remain top dogs in the city and indeed the country. With Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand the iron gates between the opposition and the somewhat shaky looking David De Gea, United possess the most formidable center back partnership in the league. At the other end is the attack comprising of the battering ram Wayne Rooney and the poacher Javier Hernandez flanked by the two road runners Ashley Young and Nani. And yet in the centre of midfield, for the first time in years, United look slightly vulnerable. Anderson, Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Tom Cleverley will be the four players battling for a starting berth in that area of the pitch. None of those players can be mentioned in the same bracket as Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Cesc Fabregas, Yaya Toure, or Luka Modric. United have the weakest central midfield out of the top 6 clubs in the league. Fact. It seems as if their transfer dealings have finished with in excess of £50m having been spent, but the squad isn’t exactly all that stronger for it. Their attack and defence makes up for their midfield but United are in for a very tough defence of their title, with Manchester City the closest challengers.

Verdict: Title fight

One to watch: Nani. Sporadically explosive last season, all the portuguese needs to do is add consistency to his game and he will be one of the very best wingers in the world.

Newcastle:  Not that much money has been spent on the back of the giant fee received for Andy Carroll, only the relatively unknown Yohan Cabaye and the rather shrewd acquistion of Demba Ba has seen cash exit Newcastle’ accounts. Sylvain Marveaux has also arrived on a free from Rennes. Strangely, Newcastle let go of captain Kevin Nolan who was their top scorer last season and will be sorely missed. They are also looking to offload Joey Barton which in effect means Newcastle’s central midfield partnership has quite simply, gone. They will most likely hover above the relegation scrap, but if they suffer a couple of injuries to key men they could find themselves right in the midst of it.

Verdict: Bottom half

One to watch: Hatem Ben-Arfa. Only young but has already been around the block  in his career. Missed most of last season through injury but showed a glimpse of his unquestionable talent with a phenomenal strike on his debut against Everton.

Norwich: Two promotions in two years and all of a sudden the Canaries find themselves back in the Premier League. Paul Lambert is a terrific manager, and he is in charge of a squad that is full of great football league players, but virtually devoid of Premier League quality. Put simply, 17th place and survival will do for Norwich but they face an uphill task to acheive it.

Verdict: Relegated

One to watch: Grant Holt. His goals got Norwich promoted and they’ll need him to be firing again if they are to have any hope of staying up.

QPR: After too long a stay in the second tier of English football, QPR are now back in the big time, after cantering to the top of the Championship and also navigating their way through a sticky legal process over the signing of Alejandro Faurlin. Neil Warnock has spent well during the summer and thus far has held on to star man Adel Taarabt. He will believe he has a squad capable of staying up.

Verdict: Relegation battle

One to Watch: Adel Taarabt. The Moroccan dazzled in the Championship and will need to do so again if QPR are to stay in the Premier League.

Stoke: Since getting promoted in 2008, Tony Pulis has done a fantastic job at Stoke and they are now are a firmly established Premier League outfit. They have a Europa League adventure to embark on this season which could have a slightly detrimental effect on their domestic campaign, but relegation is not something that the Potters ought to be concerned about.

Verdict: Mid-table

One to watch: Matthew Etherington. Had a great season in 2010/11 and will be a thorn in the side of many a full back in the new campaign.

Sunderland: Following the departure of Jordan Henderson, Steve Bruce has been very busy in the transfer market. Sunderland came an admirable 10th last season and breaking further into the top half will be the objective this time around. The eccentric Asamoah Gyan will be the main source of goals, and with Sebastian Larsson and Craig Gardner adding quality to the midfield, and Wes Brown and John O’Shea doing the same at the back, Sunderland look to have a very competitive starting eleven. Relegation will not be on the Black Cats’ radar but they have a great chance of achieving their highest Premier League finish since they were promoted in 2007.

Verdict: Top half

One to watch: Asamoah Gyan. Guaranteed goals and crazy celebrations, should be a joy to watch for all the right reasons.

Swansea: Their first half riot in the play-off final saw off Reading, and Swansea are ready to begin their first ever Premier League season. Staying up is of course, the aim, and they have an outside chance of achieving it. Scott Sinclair and Wayne Routledge possess pace that will trouble every defence in the league, but doubts linger over whether or not they have the defence to stay in the Premier League.

Verdict: Relegated

One to watch: Scott Sinclair. 22 goals last year and with Premier League experience in his locker he will the man that Swans fans turn to when the going gets tough. And it will be very tough.

Tottenham: Harry Redknapp has bemoaned the lack of transfer activity at White Hart Lane over the summer, but on the flipside Spurs have kept hold of Gareth Bale and crucially Luka Modric. The Europa League will be seen as a way of bleeding youngsters into the set up, but Redknapp will believe his side can win the competition. In the Premier League, with no new additions to the squad, Tottenham will face a repeat of last season and will join Liverpool and North London rivals Arsenal in what will be a fascinating, season-long tussle for fourth place.

Verdict: Battle for 4th

One to watch: Sandro. Went missing for the first half of last season, but came to the fore towards the climax and netted a beauty at Stamford Bridge. He could develop into one of the league’s top tough-tackling midfielders.

West Brom: The sacking of Roberto Di Matteo raised many eyebrows mid-way through 2010/11, but to his enormous credit Roy Hodgson guided Albion to safety with relative ease. Mid-table security is again what is expected of Hodgson this time around and that is the sort of expectation in which he usually thrives on.

Verdict: Mid-table

One to watch: Peter Odemwingie. Had a superb debut season in English football and his goals were what kept Albion away from the relegation battle. Expect more of the same from the Nigerian in 2011/12.

Wigan: However deep a hole Wigan find themselves in come the sharp end of the season they always seem to scramble out of it somehow. This has been largely down to Charles N’Zogbia, but with his departure, it’s difficult to find the Latics new saviour. Hugo Rodallega is the obvious candidate but he does not have the leadership qualities that N’Zogbia did. You get the feeling that Wigan’s time could be just about up, but Mr. Optimistic himself, Roberto Martinez, will try his very best to keep them up for another year.

Verdict: Relegation battle

One to watch: Hugo Rodallega. Following N’zogbia’s departure, even more responsibility rests at the feet of the Columbian in front of goal. He will have to really step up to compensate for the loss of the frenchman.

Wolves: They slipped and slid on the relegation ladder last season, but following last day of the season mayhem, Wolves stayed up. With more relegation candidates than you can shake a stick at in 2011/12, Mick McCarthy will feel that his side might be able to quietly sneak to mid-table security. They won’t. But they will probably just about stay up as well. It will be tight, but it’s in those situations that McCarthy gets the best out of his players.

Verdict: Relegation battle

One to watch: Matt Jarvis. Instrumental out wide for Wolves last year, and chipped in with a few goals. Probably deserves better than to be scrabbling around at the bottom of the table.