Deadbat_DB
Vital Squad Member
Premier League Predictions 19-20
It’s time to have a complete punt at where everyone will finish this season. You can quite easily split the league in three….the top 6 – then the middle teams hoping to push on…Wolves, Leicester, Everton and maybe West Ham/Watford….then the rest which is half the division.
I will predict where I see each team finishing, discuss their key player, manager and best case/worst case scenario and look at the transfer business (*correct as of August 4th, 2019)
1.Liverpool
Went so close last year. Any other year they would be champions. Klopp will be determined to go one better and take the holy grail. They have Joe Gomez back to partner Van Dijk. I was a bit surprised they did not add anyone in the summer though but they have a strong starting line up and I expect more from Keita and Fabinho in their second season. Up top they have a range of options and Origi will play more this season. I also think we will see quite a bit of young Rhian Brewster from the bench and possible even Harry Wilson who impressed at Derby. Will always score goals due to the pace and way they can break through but if they can get more from the midfield area; then they could do it this year.
Key Player: Sadio Mane
Salah is the main man up top and Van Dijk might be the best defender in the World but take Mane out and I think they are not the same team. He gives them assists, goal threat and the ability to run through the last third at such pace.
Manager: Jurgen Klopp
I like Klopp. He is crackers but in a good way. He is like a good, more likeable Warnock. Has banked on them taking the next step without any further investment. He has got them back amongst the elite and the spine is young enough to keep getting better.
Best Case Scenario: Win the League. The front three continue to be prolific. Van Dijk improves his game even more being able to come out of defence and use it even better. They have another chance of European glory too.
Worst Case Scenario: Miss the top 3. The goals dry up. Van Dijk or Allison get injured and the lack of real squad depth in quality comes back to haunt them.
In
Sepp van den Berg (PEC Zwolle) Undisclosed
Harvey Elliott (Fulham) Undisclosed
Out
Alberto Moreno (Villarreal) Free
Daniel Sturridge (Released)
Connor Randall (Released)
Adam Bogdan (Released)
Sheyi Ojo (Rangers) Loan
Rafael Camacho (Sporting)
Marko Grujic (Hertha BSC) Loan
Danny Ings (Southampton) £20m
Allan Rodrigues de Souza (Fluminense) Loan
Kamil Grabara (Huddersfield Town) Loan
Ben Woodburn (Oxford) Loan
2.Man City
Almost had the perfect season last time out but a few VAR decisions against Spurs and they narrowly missed out on the possibility of all 5 trophies. They kept their nerve to run the table in the final weeks and regain the title. Like Liverpool, the changes are minimal. They have lost Kompany and he will be a loss in leadership and defensive calmness but Laporta had an excellent season. The big addition was Rodri who can come in and provide the same shield that Fernandinho offers in midfield. Still uncertainty over Leroy Sane but he remains for now and with the two Silvas and De Bruyne they have the best midfield trio of players in the league by a distance. The two full backs are erratic at times and not sure Zinchenko has been properly tested yet over a period of time. Just feel to win three in a row and keep to the same level of excellent might be tough. They will really zero in on the Champions League knowing it is the one trophy that had alluded them.
Key Player: Bernardo Silva.
A lovely footballer that will at 24 still has his best years ahead of him. With David Silva in his last year at the club look for the touch to be well and truly passed.
Manager: Pep Guardiola
The main concern is how long he has stayed at clubs. He did four years at Barca and three at Bayern. This is his fourth season at City. Will he hang around after this season? He continues to get high standards out of the group gradually bringing the age down of the squad but keeping the talent level up. Look for Foden and Garcia to be brought through even more keeping with that trend. The only concern is how bored he may get and whether he will want another challenge. It might be the best and worst thing thus, if City win the Champions League.
Best Case Scenario: Win the three peat and win the Champions League. They avoid a transfer ban and add a top quality centre back and another striker. The domination continues and Pep signs a long term contract to stay.
Worst Case Scenario: Dip out on the League and fail to reach the final stages of the Champions League. Aguero gets an injury and they are given a transfer ban so they cannot sign replacements. Pep then resigns going to PSG.
In
Angelino (PSV Eindhoven) £5.3m
Rodri (Atletico Madrid) £62.8m
Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew) £7m
Out
Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht) Free
Patrick Roberts (Norwich City) Loan
Pablo Mari (Flamengo) £1.5m
Tom Dele-Bashiru (Released)
Aaron Nemane (Released)
Matt Smith (QPR) Loan
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) Loan
Yangel Herrera (Granada) Loan
Aro Muric (Nottingham Forest) Loan
Zack Steffen (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan
Philippe Sandler (Anderlecht) Loan
Fabian Delph (Everton) £8.5m
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) £16.8m
Yangel Herrera (Granada) Loan
Tosin Adarabioyo (Manchester City – Blackburn) Loan
3.Tottenham
With a number of injuries and the stadium saga they still reached the Champions League final and finished in the Champions League players. They are now settled in their new home, have for now kept Eriksen and Kane is back fully fit. New midfielder Ndombole is a defensive midfielder that can hopefully allow the likes of Alli, Eriksen and Son to really attack at will. They have some good young players led by the excellent Harry Winks and some really underrated performers in the likes of Son Heung Min and the two centre backs who continue to quietly excel. Maybe lack the squad depth once again and also the two full back positions are still a bit of a concern. Also not sure they have enough cover at the top of the pitch as Son and Moura play more off the front two and Llorente was allowed to leave.
Key Player: Harry Kane
Seems a predicable thing to say but he is their talisman and focal point for everything they do. Will score goals, hold up play and link with others. If the goals dry up or the injuries return then Spurs will drop off considerably.
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
A great manager who can set his team to play up in a variety of ways as the Champions League run evidenced. Tactically he is outstanding, he is also a great motivator of players and has recruited well too. You worry that he may depart for Real Madrid or a club of similar standing if Spurs do not push on – it is hard to see them keeping up with Liverpool and City above them and then you wonder what might happen next summer.
Best Case Scenario: Make a really strong challenge for the league and the young players continue to develop. They make more signings (Sessegnon) to gradually improve the depth and have another good run in Europe. The home stadium becomes a real fortress too.
Worst Case Scenario: Do not make the top 4, Arsenal overtake them and they crash out in the group stages of the Champions League. Kane gets another injury and then at the end of the season Pochettino decides he cannot take them any further and walks.
In
Kion Etete (Notts County) Undisclosed
Jack Clarke (Leeds) £10m
Tanguy Ndombele (Lyon) £55m
Out
Michel Vorm (Released)
Dylan Duncan (Released)
Charlie Freeman (Released)
Tom Glover (Released)
Connor Ogilvie (Released)
Jamie Reynolds (Released)
Luke Amos (QPR) Loan
Jack Clarke (Leeds) Loan
Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) £20m
Vincent Janssen (Monterrey) £5.6m
It’s time to have a complete punt at where everyone will finish this season. You can quite easily split the league in three….the top 6 – then the middle teams hoping to push on…Wolves, Leicester, Everton and maybe West Ham/Watford….then the rest which is half the division.
I will predict where I see each team finishing, discuss their key player, manager and best case/worst case scenario and look at the transfer business (*correct as of August 4th, 2019)
1.Liverpool
Went so close last year. Any other year they would be champions. Klopp will be determined to go one better and take the holy grail. They have Joe Gomez back to partner Van Dijk. I was a bit surprised they did not add anyone in the summer though but they have a strong starting line up and I expect more from Keita and Fabinho in their second season. Up top they have a range of options and Origi will play more this season. I also think we will see quite a bit of young Rhian Brewster from the bench and possible even Harry Wilson who impressed at Derby. Will always score goals due to the pace and way they can break through but if they can get more from the midfield area; then they could do it this year.
Key Player: Sadio Mane
Salah is the main man up top and Van Dijk might be the best defender in the World but take Mane out and I think they are not the same team. He gives them assists, goal threat and the ability to run through the last third at such pace.
Manager: Jurgen Klopp
I like Klopp. He is crackers but in a good way. He is like a good, more likeable Warnock. Has banked on them taking the next step without any further investment. He has got them back amongst the elite and the spine is young enough to keep getting better.
Best Case Scenario: Win the League. The front three continue to be prolific. Van Dijk improves his game even more being able to come out of defence and use it even better. They have another chance of European glory too.
Worst Case Scenario: Miss the top 3. The goals dry up. Van Dijk or Allison get injured and the lack of real squad depth in quality comes back to haunt them.
In
Sepp van den Berg (PEC Zwolle) Undisclosed
Harvey Elliott (Fulham) Undisclosed
Out
Alberto Moreno (Villarreal) Free
Daniel Sturridge (Released)
Connor Randall (Released)
Adam Bogdan (Released)
Sheyi Ojo (Rangers) Loan
Rafael Camacho (Sporting)
Marko Grujic (Hertha BSC) Loan
Danny Ings (Southampton) £20m
Allan Rodrigues de Souza (Fluminense) Loan
Kamil Grabara (Huddersfield Town) Loan
Ben Woodburn (Oxford) Loan
2.Man City
Almost had the perfect season last time out but a few VAR decisions against Spurs and they narrowly missed out on the possibility of all 5 trophies. They kept their nerve to run the table in the final weeks and regain the title. Like Liverpool, the changes are minimal. They have lost Kompany and he will be a loss in leadership and defensive calmness but Laporta had an excellent season. The big addition was Rodri who can come in and provide the same shield that Fernandinho offers in midfield. Still uncertainty over Leroy Sane but he remains for now and with the two Silvas and De Bruyne they have the best midfield trio of players in the league by a distance. The two full backs are erratic at times and not sure Zinchenko has been properly tested yet over a period of time. Just feel to win three in a row and keep to the same level of excellent might be tough. They will really zero in on the Champions League knowing it is the one trophy that had alluded them.
Key Player: Bernardo Silva.
A lovely footballer that will at 24 still has his best years ahead of him. With David Silva in his last year at the club look for the touch to be well and truly passed.
Manager: Pep Guardiola
The main concern is how long he has stayed at clubs. He did four years at Barca and three at Bayern. This is his fourth season at City. Will he hang around after this season? He continues to get high standards out of the group gradually bringing the age down of the squad but keeping the talent level up. Look for Foden and Garcia to be brought through even more keeping with that trend. The only concern is how bored he may get and whether he will want another challenge. It might be the best and worst thing thus, if City win the Champions League.
Best Case Scenario: Win the three peat and win the Champions League. They avoid a transfer ban and add a top quality centre back and another striker. The domination continues and Pep signs a long term contract to stay.
Worst Case Scenario: Dip out on the League and fail to reach the final stages of the Champions League. Aguero gets an injury and they are given a transfer ban so they cannot sign replacements. Pep then resigns going to PSG.
In
Angelino (PSV Eindhoven) £5.3m
Rodri (Atletico Madrid) £62.8m
Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew) £7m
Out
Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht) Free
Patrick Roberts (Norwich City) Loan
Pablo Mari (Flamengo) £1.5m
Tom Dele-Bashiru (Released)
Aaron Nemane (Released)
Matt Smith (QPR) Loan
Jack Harrison (Leeds United) Loan
Yangel Herrera (Granada) Loan
Aro Muric (Nottingham Forest) Loan
Zack Steffen (Fortuna Dusseldorf) Loan
Philippe Sandler (Anderlecht) Loan
Fabian Delph (Everton) £8.5m
Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa) £16.8m
Yangel Herrera (Granada) Loan
Tosin Adarabioyo (Manchester City – Blackburn) Loan
3.Tottenham
With a number of injuries and the stadium saga they still reached the Champions League final and finished in the Champions League players. They are now settled in their new home, have for now kept Eriksen and Kane is back fully fit. New midfielder Ndombole is a defensive midfielder that can hopefully allow the likes of Alli, Eriksen and Son to really attack at will. They have some good young players led by the excellent Harry Winks and some really underrated performers in the likes of Son Heung Min and the two centre backs who continue to quietly excel. Maybe lack the squad depth once again and also the two full back positions are still a bit of a concern. Also not sure they have enough cover at the top of the pitch as Son and Moura play more off the front two and Llorente was allowed to leave.
Key Player: Harry Kane
Seems a predicable thing to say but he is their talisman and focal point for everything they do. Will score goals, hold up play and link with others. If the goals dry up or the injuries return then Spurs will drop off considerably.
Manager: Mauricio Pochettino
A great manager who can set his team to play up in a variety of ways as the Champions League run evidenced. Tactically he is outstanding, he is also a great motivator of players and has recruited well too. You worry that he may depart for Real Madrid or a club of similar standing if Spurs do not push on – it is hard to see them keeping up with Liverpool and City above them and then you wonder what might happen next summer.
Best Case Scenario: Make a really strong challenge for the league and the young players continue to develop. They make more signings (Sessegnon) to gradually improve the depth and have another good run in Europe. The home stadium becomes a real fortress too.
Worst Case Scenario: Do not make the top 4, Arsenal overtake them and they crash out in the group stages of the Champions League. Kane gets another injury and then at the end of the season Pochettino decides he cannot take them any further and walks.
In
Kion Etete (Notts County) Undisclosed
Jack Clarke (Leeds) £10m
Tanguy Ndombele (Lyon) £55m
Out
Michel Vorm (Released)
Dylan Duncan (Released)
Charlie Freeman (Released)
Tom Glover (Released)
Connor Ogilvie (Released)
Jamie Reynolds (Released)
Luke Amos (QPR) Loan
Jack Clarke (Leeds) Loan
Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid) £20m
Vincent Janssen (Monterrey) £5.6m