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2014/15 Premier League Table Predictions – Top Half

ARSENAL

The FA Cup may have lost its significance amongst the elite of English football, but try selling that idea to an Arsenal fan right now. Last season’s cup victory must be viewed as a springboard for bigger and better things for the Gunners, who have so far invested expensively (and wisely) in this summer’s transfer window. One of the stories of this summer has been Arsenal’s capture of the Chilean forward, Alexis Sanchez, from Barcelona. A world star, in his prime and rocking up in North London is as exciting as it was unexpected. Much will depend on how Sanchez gels with last year’s marquee signing, Mesut Ozil who, after a very promising start, faded away. Write them off at your peril – Arsenal may now just have a squad that’s big enough, and good enough to last the distance.

Manager: Arsene Wenger

Final EPL Position 2013/14: 4th

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 1st

Completed Ins From Fee
Calum Chambers Southampton Undisclosed
Mathieu Debuchy Newcastle United £12.0m
David Ospina Nice Undisclosed
Alexis Sanchez Barcelona £35.0m
Completed Outs To Fee
Benik Afobe Milton Keynes Dons Loan
Chuba Akpom Coventry City Loan
Chuks Aneke Unassigned Players Released
Zak Ansah Charlton Athletic Free
Nicklas Bendtner Unassigned Players Released
Daniel Boateng Unassigned Players Released
Johan Djourou Hamburg Undisclosed
Thomas Eisfeld Fulham Undisclosed
Lukasz Fabianski Swansea City Free
Carl Jenkinson West Ham United Loan
Chu-Young Park Unassigned Players Released
Bacary Sagna Manchester City Free
Wellington Silva Almeria Loan
Thomas Vermaelen Barcelona £15.0m

 

MANCHESTER CITY

Now that Manchester City have secured their second Premier League crown in three years, is it very possible to presume that Manuel Pellegrini and co. will now begin to prioritise the Champions League as their main source of glory? Let’s be honest., they have a squad capable of success in both competitions and it is very easy to see why City are most people’s favourites for more glory this year in the 2014/15 Premier League. Pellegrini has not made significant changes to last season’s squad, but the arrivals of Bacary Sagna and Frank Lampard will further boost a deep squad with even more big game experience, and will see City challenging all season. The big and inevitable question is this: will Pellegrini still be at The Etihad in twelve months if City don’t at least match last year’s double trophy haul?

Manager: Manuel Pellegrini

Final EPL Position 2013/14: 1st

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 2nd

Completed Ins From Fee
Willy Caballero Malaga Undisclosed
Fernando FC Porto Undisclosed
Bacary Sagna Arsenal Free
Completed Outs To Fee
Mohammed Abu Stromsgodset Free
Gareth Barry Everton Free
Godsway Donyoh Falkenberg Loan
Alex Henshall Ipswich Town Loan
Emyr Huws Wigan Athletic Loan
Eirik Holmen Johansen Sandefjord Loan
Joleon Lescott West Bromwich Albion Free
Marcos Lopes Lille Loan
Alex Nimely Unassigned Players Released
Costel Pantilimon Sunderland Free
Ellis Plummer St Mirren Loan
Abdul Razak Unassigned Players Released
Jack Rodwell Sunderland £10.0m
Reece Wabara Unassigned Players Released

 

CHELSEA

Not winning the Premier League in his first year back at Stamford Bridge will have hurt Jose Mourinho. Chelsea were in a very strong position going into the finale, but lost their way at the death, enabling Manchester City to sneak in and grab the glory. Now that Mourinho has more or less moulded his own squad together, he will be very confident and optimistic that this year will be a triumphant one for the Blues. Yes, club stalwarts Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have gone, but in Luis Felipe and Cesc Fabregas, they have younger, and very able replacements. Much will depend on the impact new striker Diego Costa can make. At £32 million, he will need to impress. But Chelsea will of course be there or there abouts come May.

Manager: Jose Mourinho

Final EPL Position 2013/14: 3rd

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:3rd

Completed Ins From Fee
Diego Costa Atletico Madrid £32.0m
Didier Drogba Galatasaray Free
Cesc Fabregas Barcelona £30.0m
Filipe Luis Atletico Madrid £20.0m
Mario Pasalic Hajduk Split Undisclosed
Completed Outs To Fee
Patrick van Aanholt Sunderland Undisclosed
Demba Ba Besiktas £8.0m
Ryan Bertrand Southampton Loan
Billy Clifford Walsall Free
Ashley Cole Roma Free
Cristian Cuevas Eindhoven Loan : Expired
Samuel Eto’o Unassigned Players Released
Thorgan Hazard Borussia Monchengladbach Loan
Henrique Hilario Unassigned Players Released
Sam Hutchinson Sheffield Wednesday Loan
Gael Kakuta Rayo Vallecano Loan
Tomas Kalas Cologne Loan
Milan Lalkovic Unassigned Players Released
Frank Lampard Unassigned Players Released
David Luiz Paris St Germain £40.0m
Romelu Lukaku Everton £28.0m
Kenneth Omeruo Middlesbrough Loan
Daniel Pappoe Unassigned Players Released
Mario Pasalic Elche Loan
Lucas Piazon Eintracht Frankfurt Loan
Oriol Romeu Stuttgart Loan
John Swift Rotherham United Loan
Bertrand Traore Vitesse Arnhem Loan
Wallace Vitesse Arnhem Loan

 MANCHESTER UNITED 

The Louis Van Gaal revolution is in full swing at Old Trafford, but Rome really wasn’t built in a day and Manchester United fans will have to remember this. Van Gaal is absolutely the right man to be charged with this challenge though. Respected and revered throughout, the Dutchman appears to be from the tough old school of football management, but is also blessed with a very shrewd tactical mind and above all, a winning mentality. Of the new arrivals so far, Luke Shaw is an expensive teenager, but has plenty of time to justify the hefty £30 million price tag. Ander Herrera will add bite and aggression to the midfield. There are sure to be more players coming in before the transfer window closes too. Exciting times for sure, but patience is going to be key.

Manager: Louis Van Gaal

Final EPL Position 2013/14: 7th

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:4th

Completed Ins From Fee
Ander Herrera Athletic Bilbao £29.0m
Luke Shaw Southampton £27.0m
Completed Outs To Fee
Jack Barmby Leicester City Free
Bebe Benfica £2.4m
Alexander Buttner Dynamo Moscow Undisclosed
Charni Ekangamene Zulte-Waregem Undisclosed
Patrice Evra Juventus £1.2m
Rio Ferdinand Queens Park Rangers Free
Ryan Giggs Unassigned Players Retired
Michael Keane Blackburn Rovers Loan
Jesse Lingard Brighton and Hove Albion Loan
Federico Macheda Cardiff City Free
Davide Petrucci Charlton Athletic Loan
Tom Thorpe Birmingham City Loan
Nemanja Vidic Inter Milan Free

 

LIVERPOOL

After last season’s dramatic collapse, the big question is this. Can Liverpool go one step further this year, and finally land the holy grail? Well, the sale of bite-boy Luis Suarez will certainly not help their cause. Getting an experienced goal scorer to replace Suarez is merely scratching the surface of an extraordinary talent that could well be irreplaceable, no matter the size of the transfer fee received. So, Suarez’s departure leaves a huge hole in more ways than one. Of the new signings, Adam Lallana is a real talent, whilst Dejan Lovren will help to plug the wide open gaps in Liverpool’s defence last year. If the Reds can’t land a big money striker before the 2014/15 Premier League starts, much responsibility will fall on Rickie Lambert and Daniel Sturridge. Can they cope with the pressure?

Manager: Brendan Rodgers

Final EPL Position 2013/14: 2nd

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:5th

Completed Ins From Fee
Emre Can Bayer Leverkusen £8.0m
Adam Lallana Southampton £25.0m
Rickie Lambert Southampton £4.0m
Dejan Lovren Southampton £20.0m
Javi Manquillo Atletico Madrid Loan
Lazar Markovic Benfica £20.0m
Divock Origi Lille £10.0m
Kevin Stewart Tottenham Hotspur Free
Completed Outs To Fee
Luis Alberto Malaga Loan
Iago Aspas Sevilla Loan
Villyan Bijev Slavia Sofia Free
Conor Coady Huddersfield Town Undisclosed
Jordon Ibe Birmingham City Loan
Michael Ngoo Unassigned Players Released
Divock Origi Lille Loan
Pepe Reina Bayern Munich Undisclosed
Craig Roddan Unassigned Players Released
Stephen Sama Unassigned Players Released
Brad Smith Swindon Town Loan
Jakub Sokolik Yeovil Town Free
Luis Suarez Barcelona £75.0m
Andre Wisdom West Bromwich Albion Loan

 

EVERTON

Roberto Martinez played the “loan market” very well last year, and was widely applauded for doing so. It is only fair now then that he should be lauded for turning two of these loanees into permanent Everton players. The £28 million capture of Romelu Lukaku is one of the most impressive transfers of this summer so far. Lukaku is widely regarded as one of the most talented strikers in world football currently, and Everton beat off a host of big names to secure his services. The veteran, Gareth Barry, signing on a free transfer is also a very shrewd signing for the Toffees. Everton should thrive again this year, as long as the Europa League adventure doesn’t get in the way of their quest for a Champions League place, which is really not beyond them.

Manager: Roberto Martinez

Final EPL Position 2013/14: 5th

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:6th

Completed Ins From Fee
Gareth Barry Manchester City Free
Muhamed Besic Ferencvaros Undisclosed
Brendan Galloway Milton Keynes Dons Undisclosed
Romelu Lukaku Chelsea £28.0m
Completed Outs To Fee
Magaye Gueye Unassigned Players Released
Hallam Hope Bury Loan
Francisco Junior Stromsgodset Loan
Matthew Kennedy Milton Keynes Dons Loan
John Lundstram Leyton Orient Loan
Matthew Pennington Tranmere Rovers Loan
Mason Springthorpe Unassigned Players Released
Apostolos Vellios Blackpool Loan

 

TOTTENHAM

“Sensible” is perhaps the word to describe Tottenham Hotspur’s new signings this summer. Left-back Ben Davies and Goalkeeper Michel Vorm have arrived to supplement a squad already packed with genuine quality, yet perhaps a squad that lacked direction last year. In Mauricio Pochettino, Spurs now have a very able, young manager, who initially likes to make his side difficult to beat, whilst also employing a quick, attacking style that is very pleasing on the eye. It is, however, payback time for the vast majority of expensive players recruited in the wake of the £85 million transfer of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid last summer. Roberto Soldado, Christian Eriksen and perhaps most of all Erik Lamela went missing last year and really need to step up, stand out and earn their spurs in the coming campaign.

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino

Final EPL Position 2013/14: 6th

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:7th

Completed Ins From Fee
Ben Davies Swansea City £10.0m
Eric Dier Sporting Lisbon £4.0m
Michel Vorm Swansea City £5.0m
Completed Outs To Fee
Jordan Archer Northampton Town Loan
Shaquile Coulthirst Torquay United Loan
Jermain Defoe Toronto FC Undisclosed
Iago Falque Genoa Undisclosed
Heurelho Gomes Watford Free
Grant Hall Birmingham City Loan
Jake Livermore Hull City Undisclosed
Kenny McEvoy Peterborough United Loan
Jonathan Obika Charlton Athletic Loan
Alex Pritchard Brentford Loan
Gylfi Sigurdsson Swansea City Undisclosed
Kevin Stewart Liverpool Free

 

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Queens Park Rangers are back. After just one season away from the elite, the Super Hoops have returned to the top table. The big question is this though: have they learnt from the mistakes of two years ago?  Safely in the Premier League, Rangers famously changed the majority of their playing staff, replacing good loyal players with higher paid “stars”, who did nothing to aid the club, and have since saddled them with debt. Many of the “mercenaries” have now returned to West London from loan season long spells away, so on paper, QPR have a very good, experienced team that should stay up. Complimented by the arrivals of quality signings such as Steven Caulker, Rio Ferdinand and Jordon Mutch, Harry Redknapp’s boys could well be the surprise package of this campaign.

Manager: Harry Redknapp

Final Championship Position 2013/14: 4th

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:8th

Completed Ins From Fee
Steven Caulker Cardiff City £8.0m
Rio Ferdinand Manchester United Free
Mauricio Isla Juventus Loan
Ravel Morrison West Ham United Loan
Jordon Mutch Cardiff City £6.0m
Completed Outs To Fee
Angelo Balanta Unassigned Players Released
Yossi Benayoun Maccabi Haifa (Isr) Undisclosed
Julio Cesar Toronto FC Loan
Hogan Ephraim Unassigned Players Released
Esteban Granero Real Sociedad Undisclosed
Tom Hitchcock Milton Keynes Dons Free
Aaron Hughes Brighton and Hove Albion Free
Andrew Johnson Unassigned Players Released
Sam Magri Nuneaton Loan
Stephane Mbia Unassigned Players Released
Gary O’Neil Norwich City Free
Ji-Sung Park Unassigned Players Retired
Mike Petrasso Coventry City Loan
Mo Shariff Unassigned Players Released
Luke Young Unassigned Players Released

 

STOKE CITY

The revolution is well and truly under way at the Britannia Stadium. Mark Hughes’ maiden season in charge of Stoke City was a huge success and landed the club a very healthy 9th placed finish last time out. It wasn’t so much the personnel which Hughes was bought in to change, more the mind-set, and the “style” of football the club and fans wanted to see the team play. Players such as Charlie Adam are central to this more expansive, attractive game, and he has really enjoyed himself under Hughes. That City were able to attract a player of the calibre of Bojan from Barcelona is testament to both the ambition, and high esteem the club are now viewed. Mame Biram Diouf should also pose a real offensive threat. Building on that 9th place finish might not be so difficult.

Manager: Mark Hughes

Final EPL Position 2013/14: 9th

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:9th

Completed Ins From Fee
Phil Bardsley Sunderland Free
Bojan Barcelona £3.0m
Mame Biram Diouf Hannover 96 Free
Steve Sidwell Fulham Free
Completed Outs To Fee
Juan Agudelo Unassigned Players Cancelled Contract
James Alabi Scunthorpe United Loan
Daniel Bachmann Wrexham Loan
Jack Butland Leeds United Loan
Lucas Dawson Carlisle United Loan
Michael Kightly Burnley Undisclosed
Jermaine Pennant Unassigned Players Released

 

SUNDERLAND

Optimism is very high at The Stadium Of Light for this coming season. Sunderland finished the last campaign in fine form, not only merely surviving their relegation battle, but also finishing up in a decent place of 14th in the Premier League. This season won’t be so much of a struggle for The Mackems, they have invested very well so far this summer, and if Gus Poyet can keep Jack Rodwell fit, then the club will have one hell of a player on their hands. As with any team going into a European campaign though, much will depend on how Poyet prioritises Sunderland’s season, but mid-table is very much achievable for this team. They must hold on to Poyet though, this manager is talented and the Black Cats need to keep progressing, or he may be lured away.

Manager: Gus Poyet

Final EPL Position 2013/14: 14th

Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:10th

Completed Ins From Fee
Patrick van Aanholt Chelsea Undisclosed
Jordi Gomez Wigan Athletic Free
Billy Jones West Bromwich Albion Free
Costel Pantilimon Manchester City Free
Jack Rodwell Manchester City £10.0m
Santiago Vergini Estudiantes Loan
Completed Outs To Fee
El-Hadji Ba Bastia Loan
Phil Bardsley Stoke City Free
Jack Colback Newcastle United Free
Carlos Cuellar Unassigned Players Released
Joel Dixon Hartlepool United Loan
Andrea Dossena Unassigned Players Released
John Egan Southend United Loan
Craig Gardner West Bromwich Albion Free
Scott Harrison Hartlepool United Loan
Billy Knott Bradford City Free
Jordan Laidler Unassigned Players Released
Louis Laing Nottingham Forest Free
Craig Lynch Rochdale Free
Jordan Pickford Carlisle United Loan
Nacho Scocco Newells Old Boys Undisclosed
Oscar Ustari Newells Old Boys Undisclosed
David Vaughan Nottingham Forest Free
Keiren Westwood Sheffield Wednesday Free
Connor Wickham Leeds United Loan : Recalled

 

 

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