Now that the dust has settled on an extraordinary summer transfer window, we have the final confirmed squads for the season (until January at least). So, now that all the squads are locked in, I think it's time for some league predictions…
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20. Burnley
Despite a fairly positive start, I look at Burnley's squad and I'm not convinced. Sure, the likes of Kyle Walker, Martin Dubravka and Florentino look like very smart signings but overall, it's not a particularly great squad. Then take into consideration Scott Parker's abysmal record as a manager in the Premier League and it's hard not to arrive at the conclusion the Clarets will be relegated.
19. Wolves
It all started looking really promising for Wolves after they appointed Vitor Pereira last season, but such positivity feels like a distant memory now. Wolves squad took a battering over the summer, suffering huge losses in the form of Cunha, Ait-Nouri, Guedes, Semedo, Sarabia to name a few. Their short list of incomings doesn't look too encouraging either, combine all that with the fact they're currently bottom of the league and the only team without a single point so far… its not looking promising.
18. Leeds
4 points from a possible 9 is a very encouraging start to the season for Leeds, so admittedly it's been a tough call placing them at 18th, but I just still don’t think their squad is strong enough to avoid the drop. In fairness, they've added some much-needed quality over the summer, the likes of Longstaff, Nmecha, Justin are decent players but their hopes of survival will mainly rely on Calvert-Lewin scoring goals instead of wearing skirts.
17. Brentford
Since they got promoted in 2021, Brentford have been fairly solid in the league, but it's all changed over the summer. Thomas Frank has been replaced by the vastly inexperienced Keith Andrews, which is a huge gamble in itself, then take into account they've lost their main players with the likes of Mbuemo, Wissa, Flekken, and Norgaard all moving on… it doesn’t look too promising for the Bees.
16. Sunderland
The Black Cats are back in the Premier League for the first time since 2017 and I'm confident they're going to stick it out! They've spent big in their bid to survive but have brought in some real quality in the form of Xhaka, Brobbey, Adingra to name but a few, so it's no surprise they've already secured 6 points from a possible 9 – already more promising than any of the bottom 3 sides last season, welcome back boys!
15. Fulham
It's been a rather dull transfer window for the Cottagers with just the 3 arrivals, combine that with a lack of squad depth whilst also currently having the oldest average starting 11 in the league… it's not too surprising that they're winless so far this season. That said, Fulham have been consistently solid under Marco Silva, they still have enough quality to avoid flirting with relegation and young Joshua King looks like he can deal some damage to the opposition too, providing VAR refrain from imposing their incompetence, of course.
14. West Ham
It’s all been a bit underwhelming since Graham Potter took charge, hasn’t it? Only Amorim has a lower win percentage (admittedly, that’s not really saying much) but the Hammers fans were optimistic going into the summer window ahead of Potter’s first full season, safe to say that optimism has now disintegrated. A whopping 17 departures made way for just 9 incomings - with 3 of them arriving from relegated sides. League wise, they’re currently 16th having conceded the most goals so far… Potter certainly needs to produce some magic to turn things round.
13. Bournemouth
Well, I certainly didn’t have it on my bingo card that the likes of Real Madrid, PSG and Liverpool would be feasting on Bournemouth players but what do I know? (Don’t answer that). Genuinely though, the Cherries banked a whopping £145m from those 3 players alone which is all very impressive until you realise the main reason they finished as high as 9th last season was thanks to their solid back line and now that’s all gone… Iraola is a good manager but is he that good?
12. Brighton
Since their arrival in the 17/18 season, Brighton have consistently proved to be a solid outfit. Concerns were raised regarding Hurzeler’s appointment but an impressive 8th place finish in his debut season silenced the critics, until now at least. Significant departures over the summer in the form of Joao Pedro, Estupinan, Ferguson and O’Riley, to name just a few, will undoubtedly hinder their chances of another top half finish but they still have enough quality to produce some big results… isn’t that right, Pep?
11. Crystal Palace
The FA Cup and Community Shield winners have already made an impressive start to the season, currently unbeaten in both the Premier League and UEFA Conference League. Yep, Palace have certainly gone from strength to strength under Glasner but now they have an Eze shaped hole in their attack and will likely lose Guehi in January too. With that in mind, I can't see the Eagles having enough quality to finish in the top half.
10. Man Utd
On their fourth attempt of the season, Amorim’s men finally tasted victory after scraping a win at home to newly promoted Burnley and their new man Mbuemo opened his account for the reds. Meanwhile, the rest of their summer signings are yet to impress. Still, there are some positives; they’ve finally managed to offload Hojlund, Antony, Onana & Sancho whilst, astonishingly, managing to recuperate £21m of the £220m spent on the trio. Result! Anyway, don’t worry Utd fans, gone are the days of finishing 15th again… I think.
9. Nottm Forest
It’s been a very busy summer for Forest - 13 incomings, 10 outgoings, snitching on Spurs & Palace and squabbling amongst the hierarchy. Never a dull moment with Marinakis knocking about. Taking all this into account, I just can’t see Nuno lasting the season and, apart from Ndoye, their incomings aren’t exactly impressive. I mean, £68m on McAtee and Hutchinson? No wonder Arsenal sent Edu packing. I predict a tough season juggling Europa League and the Prem.
8. Everton
The good times just keep on coming for the Toffees! Everton have been flying since Moyes returned last season and with 6 points out of a possible 9 so far this campaign, it looks like they’re still riding that post-Dyche wave of winning football matches. Even more impressive is their incredible new stadium (apart from its underwhelming name) and their summer signings already looking electric, especially Grealish and his foul inducing calves.
7. Aston Villa
It’s been a rather poor window for Villa, hasn’t it? Hampered by PSR due to previously shelling out mammoth wages on persuading players to sign for them, its left them skint and hopeless… which is why they signed Lindelof on a free. It’s not been much better on the pitch either as they’re yet to score a single goal so far this season. Don’t worry Villa fans, I still think you’ve got enough quality to finish in a European spot… just.
6. Newcastle
Despite a worrying start to the window, Newcastle moved on from being Rejection FC to Last Minute FC after splashing out the £125m Isak money on his replacements in the form of Wissa & Woltemade. Also, the earlier additions of Elanga, Ramsey, Ramsdale and Thiaw mean Newcastle have had a decent window overall. Still, I can’t see them being good enough to achieve a top 4 finish but equally they’re too good not to be finishing in a European spot. A testing season ahead for the Magpies!
5. Spurs
The long, long, long, long wait for a trophy is finally over. Yep, Spurs are officially the European 2nd tier champions but what's more impressive is their summer business. Sure, the signings of Kudus, Palhinha and Simons are impressive, but their best signing is new manager Thomas Frank. Despite a hiccup against Bournemouth last time out, Spurs have otherwise enjoyed an impressive start to their Premier League campaign consisting of 2 wins and 2 clean sheets from 3 games. A favourable group of fixtures in the Champions League provides Spurs with a great opportunity of progressing to the knockouts but can they juggle both competitions? Time will tell. Either way, I'm certain the days of finishing 17th are long gone, then again can we ever rule out Spurs being Spursy?
4. Chelsea
Another transfer window, another £300m spent by Chelsea. You'd think spending close to £2 billion in 3 years would give you the best team that has ever graced a football pitch, I suppose that depends on how much you value winning the UEFA Conference League though. Having said that, it's hard to ignore the fact Maresca's Chelsea are winning trophies. They've also made an impressive unbeaten start to the season and, amongst the list of their new signings, the likes of Joao Pedro and Estevao look particularly good. You never know, if Maresca manages to get Cole Palmer scoring goals from open play they may even finish higher yet!
3. Man City
It was all a bit disappointing last season for Pep's men, for the first time since his debut season with them they failed to win a trophy. Their transfer window hasn’t exactly been impressive either, with 3 of their 7 summer signings being goalkeepers. Then remember they've parted ways with De Bruyne, Ederson, Walker, Grealish and the legendary Scott Carson… and suddenly it's not a squad that looks likely to win the league again. Don't get me wrong, they've still got an unbelievable squad and with Pep at the helm, you're never out of contention for anything but last season it felt like they got found out and based on the fact they've lost 2 of their first 3 games so far this season, it looks like that's still the case.
2. Liverpool
Arne Slot's first season couldn’t have gone much better; no injuries, no controversial decisions against them and no other team really competing with them (perhaps because of the first two points). Regardless, it was all very impressive from the Reds… so much so I just can't see them repeating it again this season. Yes, they've brought in some seriously quality players over the summer, they've probably got the best squad in the league now and Slot is clearly a very good manager but I can't help but think the fact they've spent more in one window than any other team has ever done will increase the levels of expectations and pressure which, ultimately, will cost them the title (pardon the pun).
1. Arsenal
Yep, I believe the Gunners will finally fire themselves to Premier League glory for the first time since their 'Invincibles' campaign in 03/04. Why you ask? Well, firstly, they surely can't finish 2nd again for the fourth season running, can they? Secondly, it's easy to forget this is Arteta's first managerial role when you consider that Arsenal have gone from strength to strength in the 5 years he's been there, but it's time for the next step now and that is winning the league. More importantly though, Arteta has retained his best players and added much needed depth and quality to the squad to finally bridge that gap from being runners up to becoming champions!
