What are your predictions for the new Premiership Season?
If predicted to the top six in order, with reasons. What are your thoughts?
1) Man City
They broke records last year and - though I don't expect them to be quite as good this time - you can't have them as any less than favorites. A superb team at their peak who have really bought into Guardiola's philosophy. The next challenge for them is to see if they can win the Champions League.
2) Liverpool
Champions League finalists last time and excellent big money signings. There is a sense that they are building something under Klopp and that things are coming to a head. They may start slowly because integrating midfielders into a new system can take time. However, this is a really good team and the only side I can see challenging City.
3) Arsenal
This is my boldest prediction because they were a distant sixth last time. There are things in their favour though; no Champions League distraction, talented players but most importantly of all... a manager who is not Arsene Wenger. I think Emery is the right man for them because though he is an intellectual and a passing manager (like Wenger) he also knows how to get the most out of players and how to organise a defence. Forget what happened at PSG, where uber-brat Neymar has more power than any coach. Expect a lot more discipline and harder team too beat. Ozil, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan are world-class players when they are in a good environment. Other players like Ramsey, Xaka and Bellerin have the potential to do a lot better if they have an organised system to play in. They need a center-back though.
4) Spurs
I apologise to the Spurs fans here but I really can't see them doing better than third. If they keep their players and sign them to contracts I think they will finish third. Big if though. They have good players but a small squad, some of which is unsettled. Given the financial constraints, they do wonders to even be in the picture. Forget the moaners who say 'they haven't won anything'. Competing with and beating teams with over double your budget [i]is [/i]winning.
5) Chelsea
A hard one to predict cos there are so many unknowns. Sarri did great at Napoli but has only ever managed in Italy. He also has a very specific style which may/may not suit the Chelsea players. So much depends on keeping Courtois and Hazard out of the fingers of Real Madrid. They could challenge for the title or finish 8th. I have them in the middle of that.
6) Man Utd
I have them this low because basically, I'm predicting a Mourinho implosion. This happened in his third year at Chelsea (both spells) and at Real Madrid. All the signs are there because he is falling out with the board and his players in public. This is still a powerful squad which - if not good enough for a title challenge - should be top four. They could prove me wrong but I can also see bad results with Mourinho blaming everyone but himself. I could see the Utd board lose patience after a humiliating defeat to City or Liverpool.
1) Man City
They broke records last year and - though I don't expect them to be quite as good this time - you can't have them as any less than favorites. A superb team at their peak who have really bought into Guardiola's philosophy. The next challenge for them is to see if they can win the Champions League.
2) Liverpool
Champions League finalists last time and excellent big money signings. There is a sense that they are building something under Klopp and that things are coming to a head. They may start slowly because integrating midfielders into a new system can take time. However, this is a really good team and the only side I can see challenging City.
3) Arsenal
This is my boldest prediction because they were a distant sixth last time. There are things in their favour though; no Champions League distraction, talented players but most importantly of all... a manager who is not Arsene Wenger. I think Emery is the right man for them because though he is an intellectual and a passing manager (like Wenger) he also knows how to get the most out of players and how to organise a defence. Forget what happened at PSG, where uber-brat Neymar has more power than any coach. Expect a lot more discipline and harder team too beat. Ozil, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan are world-class players when they are in a good environment. Other players like Ramsey, Xaka and Bellerin have the potential to do a lot better if they have an organised system to play in. They need a center-back though.
4) Spurs
I apologise to the Spurs fans here but I really can't see them doing better than third. If they keep their players and sign them to contracts I think they will finish third. Big if though. They have good players but a small squad, some of which is unsettled. Given the financial constraints, they do wonders to even be in the picture. Forget the moaners who say 'they haven't won anything'. Competing with and beating teams with over double your budget [i]is [/i]winning.
5) Chelsea
A hard one to predict cos there are so many unknowns. Sarri did great at Napoli but has only ever managed in Italy. He also has a very specific style which may/may not suit the Chelsea players. So much depends on keeping Courtois and Hazard out of the fingers of Real Madrid. They could challenge for the title or finish 8th. I have them in the middle of that.
6) Man Utd
I have them this low because basically, I'm predicting a Mourinho implosion. This happened in his third year at Chelsea (both spells) and at Real Madrid. All the signs are there because he is falling out with the board and his players in public. This is still a powerful squad which - if not good enough for a title challenge - should be top four. They could prove me wrong but I can also see bad results with Mourinho blaming everyone but himself. I could see the Utd board lose patience after a humiliating defeat to City or Liverpool.
41-45, M
