Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Liverpool

Liverpool

Manager: Kenny Dalglish

Captain: Steven Gerrard

Last Season: 6th

In:

Stewart Downing – Aston Villa – £20 million
Jordan Henderson – Sunderland – £15.8 million
Charlie Adam – Blackpool – £7.4 million
Doni – Roma - Free

Out:

Paul Konchesky – Leicster - £1.5 million
Peter Gulacsi – Hull City – Free
Stephan Darby – Rochdale – Free Transfer


This Season:

They’ve made big money signings, but all in the same area of the pitch. This seems to be the underlying feel to Liverpool's summer. They have had a poor preseason, and news that both Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard will miss the start of the season, no one will be to surprised if Liverpool's confidence is a bit low at the moment. It's up to the Anfield faithful to raise the players, and demand a strong season from the club.

There is still lots of “deadwood” in that midfield, so I wonder how big Liverpool’s wage budget actually is. Kudos to Dalglish however, for getting the ludicrously overpaid Milan Jovanovic off the books and sent him packing to Belgium. I think Kenny Dalglish should have strengthened defensively, while injury prone defenders such as Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel could’ve been replaced, but the manager clearly believes they’re the right men for the club.

I expect Luis Suarez to have a big season for Liverpool, he has been in blistering form this summer and was instrumental in Urugauy's Copa America win. A fully fit Andy Carroll has to start scoring goals to pay off the big £35 million price tag, while Alberto Aquilani will have a point to prove (should he get the opportunity) or he could be heading back to Italy, with Fiorentina heading up the possible list of suitors.

I still believe there best XI is the side that finished last season, with Charlie Adam filling in when Steven Gerrard is injured. It’ll be interested to see where Stewart Downing fits in, and how much Jordan Henderson will play. Liverpool have continued their recent trend of paying over the odds for English players, so it remains to be seen how long it will take for them to gel together and for Liverpool to gain some much needed consistency. I do however, see them competing for a top six place.

Prediction: 6th

Best Starting XI:


One to watch this season: Jordan Henderson

How do you think Liverpool will get on this season? Leave a comment below

Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Fulham

Fulham

Manager: Martin Jol

Captain: Danny Murphy

Last Season: 8th

In:

Pajtim Kasami – Palermo – £3.3 million
John Arne Riise – AS Roma – £2.4 million
Marcel Gecov – Slovan Liberec – £704,000
Csaba Somgyi – Rakospalota – Free

Out:

Kagisho Dikgacoi – Crystal Palace - £590,000
Jonathan Greening – Nottingham Forrest - £616,000
Diomansy Kamara – Eskisehirspor – Free
Eddie Johnson – Free
Zoltán Gera – Free


This Season:

Fulham have a new man in charge; Martin Jol, who was clubs first choice before Mark Hughes came in, who ended resigning after doing his mandatory one season in charge before attempting to manufacture a move to Aston Villa job. He was ultimately not offered the job, and is unemployed and will be watching the Premiership just like everyone else from the comfort of their sofa.

Fulham have brought in some new signings to freshen up the squad and will look to match last season 8th place finish. A long Europa League qualifying will impact on their Premiership finish, that’s why I have them slipping into the bottom half. The core of the squad is still there, and with a fully fit Bobby Zamora and Clint Dempsey, going forward Fulham should be look to the Carling Cup and Europa League as their best opportunities for trophies.

New signing Pajtim Kasami is a 19 year old promising defender who impressed at the European U21 Championships for Switzerland, and he joins from Italian side Palermo. Old face and Liverpool cult player John Arne Riise returns to the Premiership after spending three years in Italian capital.

Prediction: 12th

Best Starting XI


One to watch this season: Pajtim Kasami

How do you think Fulham will do this season? Leave a comment below

Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Everton

Everton

Manager: David Moyes

Captain: Phil Neville

Last Season: 7th

In:

Eric Drier – Sporting Lisbon – Loan

Out:

James Vaughan – Norwich – £2 million
Iain Turner – Preston – Free

This Season:

Another tough season ahead for Everton, but that seems to always be the case every season for Evertonians. Notoriously slow starters, and industriously strong finishers, David Moyes know’s that they cannot afford more of the same and need to develop consistency from the get go. This Everton team is based on hard work, which tough defence and quality attack aspects further up the pitch.

No key signings as yet, with David Moyes having one of the smaller transfer budgets in the league, he knows full well the club have to sell before they can buy. Phil Jagielka is the only name being linked with a move, with Arsenal the main protagonists for the England international defender, however the £12 million offered wasn’t even considered by the Toffees.


Everton know that their weakness is scoring goals; they don’t have an out and out striker, while Jermaine Beckford and Tim Cahill were the clubs joint top goal scorers last season hitting 10 goals each. Louis Saha must try to complete a full season, while the Cahill/Saha combination, with Beckford coming from the bench will most likely game plan for Moyes this season.

This close knit squad cannot afford any major injuries, and with captain Phil Neville boosting the club by saying he expects to play for another two seasons, Everton can achieve a top 10 finish and push for a Europa League place should they keep hold of their key players in the remaining three weeks of the transfer window.

Prediction: 8th

Best Starting XI



One to watch this season: Mugaye Gueye

How do you think Everton will do this season, leave your comment below

Barclays Premier League 2011/12 Preview - Chelsea

Chelsea

Manager: Andres Villas-Boas

Captain: John Terry

Last Season: 2nd

In:

Romelu Lukaku - Anderlecht - £20 million
Lucas Piazon – Sao Paulo – £6.6 million
Thibaut Courtois – KRC Genk – £7.9 million
Oriel Romeu – FC Barcelona – £4.5 million

Out:

Nemanja Matic – Benfica – £4.4 million
Michael Mancienne – Hamburger SV – £2.2 million
Fabio Borini – Parma – Hamburger SV – Free
Jeffrey Bruma – Hamburger – Hamburger SV – £440,000
Jack Cork – £740,000 – Southampton
Thibaut Courtois – Athletico Madrid – Loan


This Season:

New boss Andres Villas-Boas has an interesting task on his hands at Chelsea, he has to get the side playing exciting football, he has to deal with the white elephant that is Fernando Torres, and most importantly; he must get Chelsea a trophy (preferably the Champions League). All these tasks will require Chelsea to hit the ground running in their opening Premier League away to Stoke.

This preseason has given a good indication to where the West London club, no marquee signings so far although Romelu Lukaku is set to join, but being outbid by Paris Saint Germain for much needed playmaker Javier Pastore, and Luka Modric not too fussed whether Abramovich cough’s up the fee for him or not, you wonder where this injection of youth and excitement will come from within the Chelsea ranks. With just three weeks left of the transfer window, expect a push for Modric, as he only seems to be there main target.

The 4-3-3 formation will return, while I fully expect Daniel Sturridge to have a great season. Abramovich will expect Villas-Boas to get the best out of the Fernando Torres, while keeping Didier Drogba happy. Defensively, Chelsea are still fantastic, but the midfield leaves a lot to be desired. They need a playmaker in that midfield, maybe incorporate Josh McEachran into the first team, and see how he develops. With Jon Obi Mikel not impressing, and Michael Essien injured (again) new Barcelona recruit Oriol Romeu may get his run in the Chelsea first team sooner rather than later.

You can read more on Chelsea's new boss here, and their now signings; here.

The Chelsea winning machine will grind on, and be the main source of competition in all four competitions. I don’t think they have enough strength in depth to win the Champions League, but none the less they will look to win a trophy after finishing last season empty handed.

Prediction: 3rd

Best Starting XI


One to watch this season: Daniel Sturridge

How do you think Chelsea will do this season? Leave your comment below