ARSENAL
LAST SEASON: 4th
KEY ARRIVALS: Yaya Sanogo - Auxerre (FRA) - Free
KEY DEPARTURES: Andrey Arshavin - Zenit St. Petersburg (RUS) -
Released, Denilson - Sao Paulo (BRA) - Released, Vito Mannone - Sunderland -
2.8m
WHAT'S NEW?
Not a lot. Arsenal are sitting on a stack of money they
can't spend. Failed with moves for Higuin who went to Napoli and Luis Gustavo
who joined Wolfsburg. Key target Luis Suarez looks likely to stay at Liverpool
and interest in Wayne Rooney was a fantasy. Another struggle to win the 4th
place trophy beckons. Over 3000 days since they last won a trophy.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Liverpool agree to sell Suarez, Arsenal finish 3rd and
win the FA Cup.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Spurs end the Arse's 16 year run of Champions League
football.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Finding 3 top players in the next 2 weeks.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Arsene Wenger.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 5th
ASTON VILLA
LAST SEASON: 15th
KEY ARRIVALS: Aleksandar Tonev - Lech Poznan (POL) - Undisc,
Jores Okore - Nordsjaelland (DEN) - Undisc, Nicklas Helenius - Aalborg (DEN) -
Undisc
KEY DEPARTURES: Darren Bent - Fulham - Loan, Jean II Makoun -
Rennes (FRA) - Undisc, Richard Dunne - QPR – Released
WHAT'S NEW?
A load of players most have never heard of. Villa have
abandoned their interest in young British players and gone for young foreign
players instead. Holding on to Christian Benteke was crucial and some of the
boys who struggled last season should mature but another season in the bottom
half is almost certain.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Sneaking into the top half.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Having an excellent Championship side in 2014/15.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Christian Benteke's goals and a much improved defence.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Andreas Wiemann.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 14th
CARDIFF CITY
LAST SEASON: 1st (Championship)
KEY ARRIVALS: Andreas Cornelius - FC Copenhagen (DEN) - 7.5m,
Gary Medel - Sevilla (SPA) - 11m, Steven Caulker - Tottenham Hotspur - 8m
KEY DEPARTURES: None.
WHAT'S NEW?
Premier League football is. Cardiff return to the top
flight after a 51 year absence and put 3 years of play-off heartache behind
them. Stormed, deservedly, to the Championship title last season and have spent
big and attracted real quality this summer.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
If everything clicks, they could finish in the top 8.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Upsetting a settled unit with expensive buys on big money
could see them return to the Football League quick smart.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Integrating the new players and getting goals from
Cornelius.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Gary Medel. Fantastic player. Absolute nutcase.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 15th
CHELSEA
LAST SEASON: 3rd
KEY ARRIVALS: Andre Schurrle - Bayer Leverkusen - 18m, Marco van Ginkel -
Vitesse Arnhem (HOL) - 8m
KEY DEPARTURES: None. But half the squad have gone on loan
around the world.
WHAT'S NEW?
Chelsea have a 5th new manager in the last 4
years. I can’t remember his name though. The squad has remained settled despite
plenty of rumours and must improve having massively underachieved in the
Premier League in the past 2 seasons.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Winning the title and having a long run in the Champions
League. Nothing else is good enough.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Another lackluster league campaign and not being involved
in the CL past February.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Reflecting the managers determination and arrogance on
the pitch.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Andrea Shirley. German is the Premier League’s first
female pro.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 1st
CRYSTAL PALACE
LAST SEASON: 5th (Championship)
KEY ARRIVALS: Dwight Gayle -
Peterborough United - 6m, Jerome Thomas - WBA – Released, Jose Campana - Sevilla (SPA) - 1.75m
KEY DEPARTURES: Andre Moritz - Bolton Wanderers – Free
WHAT'S NEW?
Not as much as Ian Holloway would have liked. Aside from
taking a massive gamble on Dwight Gayle and what looks a very shrewd signing in
Jose Campana, Palace have struggled to recruit proven quality and look by far
the weakest squad on paper.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Returning to the Championship with bulging pockets.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Is it still called “Doing a Derby”?
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Either pulling several rabbits out of the transfer hat in
the next 2 weeks or cheating 15 penalties out of referees again.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Dwight Gayle.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 20th. Sorry.
EVERTON
LAST SEASON: 6th
KEY ARRIVALS: Antolin Alcaraz - Wigan Athletic – Free, Arouna Kone – Wigan
Athletic – 6m, Gerard Deulofeu - Barcelona (SPA) - Loan
KEY DEPARTURES: None.
WHAT'S NEW?
Everton have a new manager, losing David Moyes after 10
years. In comes the well admired Roberto Martinez whose teams play attractive
football but can’t defend. He inherits a strong squad with better defenders
than he’s had before and some talented forward players. Kone is a super signing
while Deulofeu, who is
highly thought of in Spain, could be a master stroke.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Martinez attacking principles lead Everton to a top 4
finish.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Martinez defensive flaws lead Everton to a mid-table
finish.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Finding the right balance between defence and attack.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Marouane Fellaini. Thug.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 8th
FULHAM
LAST SEASON: 12th
KEY ARRIVALS: Adel Taarabt – QPR - Loan, Darren Bent – Aston
Villa – Loan, Derek
Boateng - Dnipro (UKR) – Free, Maarten Stekelenburg – Roma (ITA) - 3.5m.
KEY DEPARTURES: Mahamadou Diarra – Released, Mark Schwarzer – Released, Mladen
Petric – Released
WHAT'S NEW?
Mohammed Al Fayad selling up after 16 years as Fulham’s
owner was the big story of the summer. Don’t worry though, the Michael Jackson
statue is still in place. Meanwhile Martin Jol has gone quietly about his
business this summer with several shrewd but low cost signings.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
A top 8 finish is possible if Fulham click.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Several temperamental personalities in the dressing room
mean they could slip into a dog fight when the going gets tough.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Taarabt and Bent helping Berbatov rather than getting in
his way.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Adel Taarabt. I hope his Oyster card is topped up.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 12th
HULL CITY
LAST SEASON: 2nd (Championship)
KEY ARRIVALS: Ahmed Elmohamady - Sunderland - 2m, Allan McGregor - Besiktas
(TUR) - 1.8m, Curtis Davies - Birmingham City - 2.25m, Danny Graham -
Sunderland – Loan, Maynor Figueroa - Wigan Athletic – Free, Tom Huddlestone –
Spurs – 5.25m, Yannick Sagbo - Evian (FRA) - 1.6m
KEY DEPARTURES: Corry Evans - Blackburn Rovers - 750k, Jack Hobbs - Nottingham
Forest – Loan, Tom Cairney - Blackburn
Rovers - Loan
WHAT'S NEW?
Ten players are new. Steve Bruce got The Tigers promoted
against all odds with a squad lacking goalkeepers, having several loan players
and severely lacking in top flight experience. He’s done an excellent job of
replenishing the team on a tough budget. THERE IS NO CHANGE OF TEAM NAME!
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Massive investment form the Asian market leads to several
world class acquisitions in January and City clinch the Premier League title
with 2 weeks to spare.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Relegation, obviously.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Keeping the small number of really top quality players
fit to play in most of the 38 games.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Danny Graham.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 17th
LIVERPOOL
LAST SEASON: 7th
KEY ARRIVALS: Iago Aspas - Celta Vigo (SPA) - 7m, Kolo Toure - Manchester City –
Released, Luis Alberto - Sevilla (SPA) - 6.8m, Simon Mignolet - Sunderland - 9m
KEY DEPARTURES: Andy Carroll - West Ham United - 15.5m, Jonjo Shelvey - Swansea
City - 5m, Pepe Reina – Napoli – Loan, Stewart Downing – West Ham United – 6m
WHAT'S NEW?
So far, not a great deal. Liverpool should do better than
last season as they were much improved once Sturridge and Coutinho joined in
January. They’ve signed good players but not players who’ll make a massive
difference. Could still pull out a truly world class signing.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
The North London sides implode and Liverpool sneak into 4th
place.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Finishing below Everton. Again.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Keeping Luis Suarez and keeping him happy.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Simon Mignolet. Has big shoes to fill.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 6th
MANCHESTER CITY
LAST SEASON: 2nd
KEY ARRIVALS: Alvaro Negredo - Sevilla (SPA) - 20m, Fernandinho - Shakhtar
Donetsk (UKR) - 30m, Jesus Navas - Sevilla (SPA) - 14.9m, Stevan Jovetic -
Fiorentina (ITA) - 22m
KEY DEPARTURES: Carlos Tevez - Juventus (ITA) - 12m
WHAT'S NEW?
It’s nothing new but City have spent nearly a hundred
million quid again. New manager Pellegrini has been provided with several top
European performers to add to an already bulging squad. He absolutely must
improve on their dire performances in the Champions League which was what truly
did for Roberto Mancini.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
A quadruple?
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
More CL misery and United winning the title in spite of
Moyes.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Settling quickly and maintaining a settled team. Mancini
fiddled too often.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Negredo. He’s still not over the disappointment of
missing out on a move to Hull.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd
MANCHESTER UNITED
LAST SEASON: 1st
KEY ARRIVALS: None.
KEY DEPARTURES: None.
WHAT'S NEW?
For the first time in 26 years we’ll see a United team
that isn’t managed by Alex Ferguson. I don’t think David Moyes can fill his
shoes. His handling of the Wayne Rooney “saga” has been less than authoritative
and publicly chasing players who didn’t want to join is not the United way.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
The Championship in his first season would be an
excellent achievement for Moyes.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Finishing below City and being exposed in the CL.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Rooney and van Persie.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Moyes.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd
NEWCASTLE UNITED
LAST SEASON: 16th
KEY ARRIVALS: Loic Remy - QPR - Loan
KEY DEPARTURES: None.
WHAT'S NEW?
Not a lot. Newcastle have spent most of the summer
providing comedy value for football fans everywhere and not enough time
strengthening a squad that was very, very lucky there were 3 sides more useless
in the division last season. That said, Newcastle do have quality, most of it
French, and if they can get a settled side out, they could be fine.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
If allowed to show their va va voom, they could be top
half.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
They are just as likely to fall through the “relegation
trap door”.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Remy staying out of prison.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Remy’s defence lawyer.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 18th
NORWICH CITY
LAST SEASON: 11th
KEY ARRIVALS: Gary Hooper - Celtic (SCO) - 5m, Leroy Fer - FC Twente (HOL) –
Undisc, Martin Olsson - Blackburn Rovers – Undisc, Nathan Redmond - Birmingham
City - 2m, Ricky Van Wolfswinkel - Sporting (POR) - Undisc
KEY DEPARTURES: Grant Holt - Wigan Athletic - 2m
WHAT'S NEW?
Someone at Carrow Road has won the Euromillions. Norwich
have gambled big time on improving in the Premier League. There are risks of
course but I think they’ve made an excellent job of it. Flirted with the bottom
three last season before pulling away at the end. They’ll be safe by Christmas
this year.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Is Europa League football unlikely?
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
The club shop run out of W’s.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Getting their expensive acquisitions to work as hard as
the players they’ve joined.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Gary Hooper. Waste of money.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 7th
SOUTHAMPTON
LAST SEASON: 14th
KEY ARRIVALS: Victor Wanyama - Celtic (SCO) - 12.5m, Dejan Lovren – Lyon (FRA) – 8.5m
KEY DEPARTURES: None.
WHAT'S NEW?
Saints have added quality in the right areas, albeit at
massively inflated prices, to an exciting young squad. Though, ironically it
was 31 year old Rickie Lambert who this week became their first England cap in
8 years.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
A top 10 finish is with their capability though the
league is going to be ultra-competitive this season.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
I still hate the way they treated Nigel Adkins so I’d
quiet like to see them struggle.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
A better start than they made last season.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
The interpreter.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 11th
STOKE CITY
LAST SEASON: 13th
KEY ARRIVALS: Erik Pieters - PSV Eindhoven (HOL) - 3m, Marc Muniesa - Barcelona
(SPA) - Free
KEY DEPARTURES: Rory Delap - Burton Albion - Released
WHAT'S NEW?
Higher unemployment in Stoke. I don’t mean Tony Pulis, I
mean those poor fellas who carried towels around the pitch. As much as Tony
Pulis’s footballing philosophy made the games originators turn in their grave,
he enjoyed great success at Stoke. Dispensing him was a brave move and
replacing him with Hughes, who flopped at QPR, is even braver. Hughes hasn’t
really made his mark on the squad.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
The towel carriers are re-hired to fan Abi Clancy on warm
days.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
They will be sucked into the scrap for survival.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Home form. Best atmosphere in the league at the
Britannia.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Cameron Jerome. He’d bet on it.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 16th
SUNDERLAND
LAST SEASON: 17th
KEY ARRIVALS: Emanuele Giaccherini - Juventus (ITA) - 6.5m, Jozy Altidore - AZ
Alkmaar (HOL) - Undisc.
KEY DEPARTURES: Simon Mignolet - Liverpool - 9m
WHAT'S NEW?
Paulo Di Canio has brought his scouting system from
Swindon. It basically involves cracking open the Championship Manager database
and searching for players with ability above 150 whose contract is expiring.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
They could do anything this season. The signings are
utterly random. In Altidore and Giaccherini they have at least signed a bit of proven quality.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
(R) Sunderland.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Championship Manager’s team of researchers.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Sadly, Vito Mannone.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 19th
SWANSEA CITY
LAST SEASON: 9th
KEY ARRIVALS: Jonjo Shelvey - Liverpool - 5m, Jordi Amat - Espanyol (SPA) -
2.5m, Wilfried Bony - Vitesse Arnhem (HOL) - 12m
KEY DEPARTURES: None.
WHAT'S NEW?
Swansea splashing the cash. Two seasons of Premier League football
maintained on a tight budget and the increase in TV revenue have given Michael
Laudrup a bit of wiggle room. The obvious big name signing is Bony who a dozen
Premier League clubs have looked at and baulked at the asking price. How to top
winning a trophy at Wembley is going to be a big question for Laudrup this
season.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Improving a place or two in the league and doing well in
Europe.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Losing Laudrup.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Coping with the numerous Thursday-Sunday matches
scheduled, especially after Euro trips.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Michu. Second season syndrome.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 10th
TOTTINGHAM
HOTSPURS
LAST SEASON: 5th
KEY ARRIVALS: Ettiene Capoue – Toulouse – 9.3m, Nacer Chadli - Twente (HOL) -
7m, Paulinho - Corinthians (BRA) - 17m,
Roberto Soldado - Valencia (SPA) - 26m
KEY DEPARTURES: Clint Dempsey - Seattle Sounders (USA) - 6m, Steven Caulker -
Cardiff City - 8m, Tom Huddlestone – Hull City – 5.25m.
WHAT'S NEW?
Spurs finishing 5th, Daniel Levy playing hard
ball over transfers, sound business being done at WHL. None of that is new. A
striker though. A proper top class striker, that is certainly a revelation.
Spurs have spent big on a guy who should score goals by the bucket load. The
excellent Paulinho and lively Capoue look great business too.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Is a title challenge too much to ask? Probably, just.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Soldado is crocked. Liverpool have a stormer. Spurs
finish 5th again.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
I’ve avoided mentioning Gareth Bale! Damn, nearly. Anyway
– keeping him or selling early enough to replace with quality.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Paulinho. You can never trust a Brazilian.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 4th
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
LAST SEASON: 8th
KEY ARRIVALS: Diego Lugano - Paris SG (FRA) – Free, Goran Popov - Dynamo Kiev
(UKR) – Loan, Nicolas Anelka - Juventus (ITA) - Released
KEY DEPARTURES: None.
WHAT'S NEW?
WBA have had a quiet summer. Anelka and Lugano, while big
names, aren’t signings that have really caused a ripple. They had a settled
squad last season, didn’t ever panic when a result went against them and
through a combination of shrewd tactics, team spirit and quality throughout,
they finished in a fine eighth place.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
8th again is surely the limit of their capabilities.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Odemwingie holds another circus show on deadline day.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Their discipline, workrate and craft in midfield.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
Anelka. He’ll score goals no doubt but he can be a
poisonous influence.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 13th
WEST HAM UNITED
LAST SEASON: 10th
KEY ARRIVALS: Andy Carroll - Liverpool - 15.5m, Razvan Rat - Shakhtar Donetsk
(UKR) – Free, Stewart Downing – Liverpool – 6m
KEY DEPARTURES: Carlton Cole – Released.
WHAT'S NEW?
West Ham have followed up the mildly successful capture of
Andy Carroll by signing the man tasked with providing him at Liverpool, Stewart
Downing. That combination didn’t do well on Merseyside but it’s right up Sam
Allardyce’s street. The ‘ammers did well on their return to the Premier League
last season and have enough quality in every area to do well again.
BEST CASE SCENARIO?
Downing and Carroll hit it off and another top 10 finish
is secured.
WORST CASE SCENARIO?
Carroll spends another season picking up niggly injuries
and Big Sam rues the day he let Carlton Cole go.
KEY TO SUCCESS?
Kevin Nolan most probably. Right place. Right time.
MOST LIKELY TO FLOP?
I think Downing will do well, so Carroll if anyone.
RICK's PREDICTED FINISH: 9th
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