Arsenal: Players In: Olivier Giroud (Montpellier, Undisc.), Lukas Podolski (Cologne, Undisc.), Santi Cazorla (Malaga, £16.5m) Players Out: Manuel Almunia (Released), Joel Campbell (Betis, loan), Thomas Cruise (Released), Denilson (Sao Paolo, loan), Gavin Hoyte (Released), Pedro Botelho (Atletico Paranense, loan), Carlos Vela (Sociedad, Undisc.)
Arsene Wenger has finally looked like buying quality players to try and mount a charge on the title. If Van Persie gets persuaded to play out his contract there could be some serious fire power up front. The down side will be that Arsenal will ultimately lose out on big money next summer, but a potential top three place would be worth it. Giroud was named Ligue 1's top scorer last season and scored 33 goals in 71 appearances for Montpellier. Podolski has also been a big name for Germany and will provide a good service for Giroud and, possibly, Van Persie. Santi Cazorla will provide extra speed down the wing opposite Walcott but they could still be rather fragile at the back which could ultimately see them struggle. They will challenge more this season, but it may end up being a battle for third or fourth again this season.
Aston Villa: Players In: Karim El Ahmadi (Feyenoord, Undisc.), Matt Lowton (Sheff. U, Undisc.), Brett Holman (free), Ron Vlaar (Feyenoord, £3.2m) Players Out: Carlos Cuellar (Sunderland, free), Emile Heskey (released), James Collins (West Ham, £2.5m))
Villa were very lucky not to be more embroiled in last season's relegation struggle. This ultimately cost Alex McLeish his job and now Paul Lambert has the unenviable task of leading Villa back into the times of O'Neill. But they will be missing a couple of key players (Albrighton and Agbonlahor) for the start of the season which will make it a tough start. El Ahmadi looks like he may play in the Stiliyan Petrov role, although it will be tough to fill that gap. Matt Lowton looks to be a young defender that may be more for the future but it may be argued Lambert is looking in the wrong place to improve his squad. Holman brings international experience and could be a very positive player for Villa. Ron Vlaar looks like a very competent centre back which will replace Collins and Cuellar. The problem for Villa is that they have one of the smallest squads in the league. This means that their unfortunate luck of injuries means they haven't got the resources to cope. Lambert also really needs to strengthen his strike force as Darren Bent continues to be their main source of goals. Agbonlahor has yet to hit consistent highs, but maybe Nathan Delfouneso can step up to the plate this season. Otherwise it could be another tough season for Villa and could be a shock candidate for relegation.
Chelsea: Players In: Eden Hazard (Lille, £32m), Oscar (Internacional, £25m), Thorgan Hazard (Lens, Undisc.), Marko Marin (Bremen, Undisc.) Players Out: Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua, free), Salomon Kalou (Lille, free), Jose Bosingwa (Released), Jeffrey Bruma (Hamburg, loan), Thibaut Courtois, Atletico Madrid, loan), Rohan Ince (Yeovil, loan), Tamas Kalas & Patrick Van Aanholt (Vitesse, loan), Milan Lakovic & Matej Delac (Guimaraes, loan), Ulises Davila (Sabadell, loan), Romelu Lukaku (WBA, loan), Kevin De Bruyne (Bremen, loan)
Chelsea have once again showed their financial strength, splashing the cash once again this season. The reigning European champions kicked their season off with the Community Shield defeat to Man City, but that won't deter their chances of the title. Hazard, Oscar and Marin all young attacking prospects that will look the set the league ablaze. The only problem is trying to fit them all in, they all essentially play in the same position so unless Roberto Di Matteo plays a rotation system, there could be a couple of unhappy new signings. With Drogba gone, this has to be Torres' season to step up to the plate and already started with the opening goal at Villa Park. They will definitely be a contender for the league this season.
Everton: Players In: Steven Naismith (Rangers, free), Steven Pienaar (Tottenham, £4.5m) Players Out: Tim Cahill (Red Bulls, Undisc.), Marcus Hahnemann (Released), James McFadden (Released), Jack Rodwell (Man City, Undisc.), James Wallace (Tranmere, Undisc.), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache, Undisc.)
Everton need to acquire a good start to the league in order to put another quest for European football back on the agenda. Naismith's arrival could be seen as a possible replacement for Cahill and Rodwell and could provide a good service for Jelavic. Pienaar will once again light up Goodison, the place where he really shouldn't have left. The loss of Rodwell and Cahill will be a big one and with the lack of squad depth David Moyes has, it will be hard for them to gain European football this season and I think they'll fall just short.
Fulham: Players In: Mladen Petric (Hamburg, free), Sascha Riether (Cologne, loan), Hugo Rodallega (Wigan, free) Players Out: Dickson Etuhu (Blackburn, Undisc.), Bjorn Helge Riise (Released), Andrew Johnson (QPR, free), Danny Murphy (Blackburn, free), Marcel Gecov (Gent, Undisc.), Orlando Sa (released)
Fulham's season could well rest on whether they can keep Clint Dempsey or not. He has been their best player for many recent seasons and arguably their most consistent goalscorer. Martin Jol's Bundesliga experience has allowed him to bring in former employee Petric who scored 38 goals in 98 games for Hamburg. Sascha Riether also comes from the German league and will be looking to help Hangeland in defence but also a service to the strikers. Rodallega brings his Premiership experience and with better service, Rodallega has to finally show us a consistent goal scoring threat that he didn't show for Wigan. Martin Jol looks to be going in the right direction, but it may only be a mid-table fight for them this season.
No comments:
Post a Comment