Just as we did (somewhat successfully I might add) last season, Chamo has decided to enlighten everyone on his feelings going into this season, and where he expects to see each team line up come May of 2011.
1. Manchester United
If Chelsea don’t dip into the transfer market some more this summer I see United taking the league after just one year off the top. The key is van der Sar, if he stays healthy, United are set. However given the lack of a quality backup, and van der Sar’s current age, if he gets injured for an extended period of time like he did last season, it could spell disaster for the Devils. That said, they remain largely unchanged from last year, adding Chicarito and Bebe in the attack, and Jonny Evans should be able to stay solid in the backline until Rio can return.
Key Man: van der Sar. The goalie needs to be healthy all season for the Red Devils to perform well.
2. Chelsea
Chelsea have made very little noise in terms of incoming transfers so far, only just completing the Ramires transfer, and replacing Joe Cole with Mr. Benayoun. The incoming traffic certainly doesn’t match the talent they have lost, even if almost everyone who was deemed surplus was well on in the age department. The defense is worrisome, but I have faith Ancelotti will be doing some dealing for a new center back after selling Carvalho. Chelsea has the advantage of their first six matches being against teams expected to end up near the bottom half of the table, so there is still time to perfect the squad. The core remains unchanged, which is their biggest advantage, and Essien returns seemingly fitter and happier than ever, which should terrify everyone in the league.
Key Man: Almost every single year I have said Frank Lampard, but I think Essien will be a much more important figure this coming season. His strength, tenacity, and ability to play anywhere is a huge asset to a team recovering from mass departures.
3. Arsenal
The Gunners have some key issues that Wenger hasn’t addressed in at least three years, mainly the fact that they needed a goalkeeper, because what they have doesn’t cut it. They finally bought a forward that can perform in the air (Chamakh), but they let half of their defense go, and while they replaced one or two of them, it isn’t with anyone that is Premiership tested. Vermaelen was an incredible signing, but surely Wenger can’t be right three times in a row on untested center backs. He managed to keep Fabregas for now, which was key, but the Spaniards happiness levels will be in question this entire term, as he obviously wants a move back to Catalonia.
Key Man: Fabregas, no surprise there, the Spanish midfielder runs that entire team, and without him they tend to look like lost dogs on the pitch.
4. Liverpool
Oh no, I just predicted the return of the big four. Liverpool made huge changes all summer, not the least getting rid of their hero-to-goat manager Rafa Benitez in favor of Roy “everyone loves me because I’m just that damn good” Hodgson. Roy, always the bargain hunter, has hit the transfer season with a bang, bringing slightly lower than top quality players to Anfield for next to no money at all. The Joe Cole swoop could be the greatest or the worst signing of the summer, but seeing as he was free, if he injures himself again all they lose is a weekly pay packet. Gerrard looks in inspired form after England’s woeful World Cup, though Torres’ injury problems are sure to be of great concern, along with his suspected disillusionment with the club.
Key Man: Captain Fantastic, Steven Gerrard, there were times when he seemed out of ideas last season, but with a blank slate, the 30 year old should have a season to remember.
5. Tottenham
Spurs are another team that remains largely unchanged, and will relish the opportunity to play Champions League football. However, the added congestion of European football will be a new experience to many on the squad, and the fatigue will show in their league performances, seeing them fall off the pace of their previous term. Robbie Keane returns to lead the attack alongside Defoe, Crouch, and Pavlyuchenko, but Harry will be relying on good fitness to perform this season. Bale is the man to watch, especially if he gets more time to play on the left wing.
Key Man: Luka Modric. The small Croatian is the creative force in the center of the park for Spurs, and after watching him train this summer it became apparent to me how influential he is to the Tottenham attack.
6. Manchester City
This is higher than I really wanted to put City, but I imagine they will eventually figure it out and make a push towards European positions. Still, the 25 man limit is going to cause huge problems for the Citizens, and yet they continue to spend more money. Their incoming signings are impressive, David Silva, Boateng, Kolarov, Balotelli, and Yaya Toure, but it is the turmoil expected of those that are outgoing that will cause a stir. The Robinho situation still isn’t fixed, Adebayor wants out, Wayne Bridge is now the third left back in the pecking order, and Stephen Ireland is holding them ransom in regards to his bit part transfer to Aston Villa for James Milner.
Key Man: Roberto Mancini, or if he fails, whoever replaces him. I do not envy the position he is in. You may have money, but nothing can fix huge ego’s and too many players.
7. Everton
I cannot foresee Everton starting off the new term as wretchedly as they did a year ago, and without that dip in form, they should see themselves rooted in a European position for the next season. Moyes was unable to secure the services of Landon Donovan, mainly due to Don Garber’s obscene statements saying Donovan would not be sold unless it was for some ridiculous price that Everton were never going to be able to pay. Even more disturbing was the ridiculous nature in which Dan Gosling was allowed to go to Newcastle for free. Still, Everton have boatloads of talent, and Arteta, after a full year of injury, finally makes his way back into the squad.
Key Man: Arteta is back, and nothing is as important to the Toffees as his presence.
8. Aston Villa
Something is obviously wrong with the Villans, as Martin O’Neill, one of the more respected coaches in England, quit only five days before the start of the season. Obviously, Randy Lerner is showing why a US businessman should not be in charge of something so vitally important to all of England as the Premiership, refusing to make any transfer funds available to a team expected to finish in the top 6, and then declaring that he would not even get full proceeds if he does sell players. If Milner leaves, and it seems he will, Villa will need to sign a great manager to pull the squad together, unfortunately the US businessman seems to be implementing his own piece of unwanted business yet again and is looking to place Bob Bradley at the helm, which we here at Constantly Offside declare will end in total and utter failure.
Key Man: Ashley Young the speedy winger needs to make up for the loss of Milner, and given that Agbonglahor and Heskey don’t exactly smack the goals in, he needs to do his best to keep Villa as a top-half team.
9. Birmingham City
Impressive last season even with a lack of goals, the Blues look to be one of those teams that opposition squads go in expecting nothing more than a point, and are happy if they achieve something greater. They bought a giant striker (Zigic) and replaced the massively impressive Joe Hart, who was on loan with City last season, with former United keeper Ben Foster. They gave up on their opportunity to sign Chucho, who rarely scored but always worked hard, however they kept the core of their aging midfield that was so important in their run last season. Should they find the goals that eluded them last season, I see no reason that City can’t find their way into the top 10.
Key Man: He came up big last season, and surprised the hell out of just about everyone, Lee Bowyer. Aging, but fiery and passionate, Bowyer is the spark that Birmingham needs to spur them on late in matches.
10. Sunderland
Steve Bruce is an extraordinary manager who typically manages to find some good deals in the transfer market to bolster a team expected to finish somewhere between 15th and 12th. His ability to snag extremely quality players on loan is nothing short of magic, this year securing World Cup standout John Mensah from Lyon, Man Utd. youngster Danny Welbeck to replace Kenwyne Jones, and Man City’s product Nedum Onuoha. He did, however, decide to purchase Titus Bramble for the third time in his managerial career, a move that I cannot even begin to understand, however if he sits on the bench as Mensah, Onuoha, and Ferdinand hold down the fort then Sunderland should be poised for a quality season.
Key Man: Goals weren’t a terrible issue for Sunderland as much as conceding was, but should the goals dry up, Sunderland could find themselves in a spot of bother. Therefore, just as he was last season, Darren Bent is Sunderland’s key.
11. Newcastle United
Back where they belong, in my honest opinion. Newcastle storm back into the Premiership and immediately establish that it is in the top division that they belong. Not many players left the club after their relegation in 2009 (bar Michael Owen… yes you are allowed to laugh), and instead, the core of players that maintained the first spot in the Championship last season is bolstered by some of the most creative transfer work of the current ’silly season’. Dan Gosling, for whatever reason, was not handed a contract at Everton, and immediately Newcastle pounced on the talented youngster, securing him for free. Similarly, though much less surprising, Sol Campbell was out of contract after his short stint with Arsenal, and again, Newcastle managed a second Premiership tested player for no money at all. Recently it seems the Magpies are just days away from prying Hatem Ben Arfa away from Marseille, and while it wouldn’t be free, it would certainly be an exciting piece of business.
Key Man: Andy Carroll must retain the form he saw in the Championship, but more importantly the man they call ‘Smudge’, Alan Smith is the key to Newcastle’s success. The tireless striker-turned-midfield enforcer is the heart and soul behind every team he has ever represented, and that is certainly true up North in Newcastle.
12. Fulham
The loss of Hodgson is the worst part of the transfer season they endured, however Mark Hughes is a fitting replacement, and I can see the Welshman succeeding with a team like Fulham… just not right off the bat. He was too much of a bargain hunter at Man City, but at Fulham that is a more fitting tactic, though his transfer dealings thus far have been harder to come by. Jonathan Greening joins the core that must be the oldest midfield squad in the league (since Chelsea got rid of Deco and Ballack), and Senderos was expected to replace the talented Chris Smalling in the back line, but suffered yet another injury, keeping him out at least a few months. Hughes did manage a surprising capture of Belgian Moussa Dembelele from AZ Alkmaar, who should pair with Zamora quite nicely.
Key Man: Bobby Zamora didn’t score as often as he would have liked last season, but ended the year on a good streak. If the big man stays healthy and finds how to put the ball in the back of the net more regularly, Fulham will have a successful term.
13. Stoke City
Tony Pulis made a remarkable run last year, in no small part due to the heroics of his Danish goalkeeper, Thomas Sorensen. The incoming record signing of Kenwyne Jones from Sunderland is exciting news for the Potters, who struggled to consistently score last season. The big question for Stoke remains to be durability, as they need Shawcross, Huth, Jones, Etherington and Sorensen to all remain healthy to maintain their Premiership status. Mass injury could spell disaster for the Potters.
Key Man: The defensive unit, including their goalkeeper, is Stoke’s strong point, and at the center of it all is Ryan Shawcross. Arsene Wenger may not like him, but the young center back shows more potential than any youthful English defender I have seen in a long while.
14. West Ham United
When you look at the squad that West Ham has, its hard to come up with reasons to have them finishing low in the table. That said, time and time again the Hammers prove that, despite having all the talent necessary on paper, they are completely incapable of putting it all together for their forever bubble blowing fans. Avram Grant takes the reigns, bringing forward Piquionne and defender Ben Haim with him from Portsmouth (technically Piquionne from Lyon, but he played at Portsmouth last season). The Hammers must find ways to keep Carlton Cole healthy and scoring, and fix their quite apparent defensive issues (hell, they have Robert Green as a keeper, they need all the help they can get). Otherwise, 14th is the best I see them doing.
Key Man: With a suspect goalie, inconsistent defense, and oft-injured strike force, the only rock in the West Ham squad is the center of the park, which is marshaled by the tireless Scott Parker.
15. Blackburn Rovers
A whole slew of players have left Blackburn in the past 8 months, and in response to that, Rovers have done just about nothing to replace anyone. A few loan deals and a free transfer aside, Blackburn return to the 2010/11 season with a remarkably trimmed squad, and seemingly little intention to change it. Still, Blackburn are a scrappy side that manages to squeak out the points when its necessary. They will do just enough to avoid the drop, but don’t expect any top-half of the table heroics from Rovers, they simply don’t have the man power.
Key Man: Kiwi Ryan Nelsen in the back will have to have a stellar season, yet again, to help Blackburn avoid dropping too many points.
16. Bolton Wanderers
I used to call them the new thugs on the block, after Leeds were relegated, but its been so long since anyone has challenged that title that it simply isn’t anything new anymore. How Bolton have survived for this long is far beyond the capabilities of my brain, but yet again, I can’t see Wanderers facing relegation. They’ve managed some interesting transfer dealings, securing former Real Madrid player Marcos Alonso, as well as Martin Petrov from Manchester City, and they made Ivan Klasnic a permanent member of the squad following a free transfer. While they may still have to rely on some thuggish behavior, I think Bolton will be safe yet again, and hopefully for you USMNT fans, Stuart Holden will become a local hero.
Key Man: He may be a newcomer, but Martin Petrov was a piece of brilliance from Owen Coyle. Experienced, proven, and with a chip on his shoulder, Petrov can make the difference in more than one game this season.
17. West Bromwich Albion
Roberto Di Matteo’s boys have no small order attempting to avoid a one-and-done Premiership stay. The Baggies have very little in terms of transfer funds, though they have managed a few free’s and loans. West Brom did pick up the creative player they were lacking in Odemwingie from Lokomotiv Moscow, but the team must come together and play as one if they are to achieve the unenviable goal of avoiding relegation.
Key Man: Roman Bednar is their big man, their main striker, and the only person I see scoring more than 10 goals for the Baggies this term. If he can do that, they should be safe.
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers
They escaped the drop last year, but come May 2011, the cards will not be in Wolves’ favor. While a crafty and scrappy team with tons of heart, Wolves follow the Hull City path from last year and find themselves floundering late in the season for those necessary points to avoid relegation. Mick McCarthy managed to get relegation specialist, and eternal Chelsea arch rival Stephen Hunt to move away from Hull, and also captured Stephen Fletcher, Burnley’s impressive front man for the less than impressive team last year. Still, the quality of teams that surrounds them doesn’t work in their favor, and Wolves will see themselves in the Championship next year.
Key Man: Karl Henry. Captain and most consistent starter over the years, Henry rarely misses a match and is absolutely vital to Wolves’ structure in the middle of the park.
19. Wigan Athletic
Roberto Martinez has a tall order to repeat the same heroics that saw the Latics relatively safely avoid relegation last term. Big wins over Chelsea and Arsenal last season were huge lifts, but they will be much harder to repeat this season, as the transfer window has not been particularly helpful. Despite my utter disdain for the man, Titus Bramble was one of Wigan’s best (and only) center backs. He is now gone, along with Mario Melchiot, and Jason Koumas, and the replacements are all Premiership-untested players (Ronnie Stam, Alvaro Alcaraz). Kirkland is a quality keeper, sometimes, but his inconsistencies can cost the Latics games, which this season they simply can’t afford to lose.
Key Man: Charles N’Zogbia. The Frenchman had a hit-and-miss season last term, though capped it off with that wonderful strike against Arsenal in the waning minutes of the match to seal the unlikely come-from-behind victory. Still, he is easily the most creative and influential player still on the Wigan books, and if they have any chance at survival, it will be through N’Zogbia.
20. Blackpool
One of the best vacation spots in all of England, but their quest in the Premiership will be one to forget unfortunately. Though they have went on a tear in the past two days, signing no less than six players, I have only heard of two of them (Cathcart, the Man United youth product, and perpetual thug Marlon Harewood). Ian Holloway is a great manager, but nothing short of Roy Hodgson will save the Tangerines.
Key Man: Listen, I pride myself in knowing more about English soccer than most people know about their spouses, but I can’t tell you a damn thing about Blackpool. So I’ll just say Harewood.
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