ASTON VILLA
Aston Villa are a huge football club who for far too long now have accepted mediocrity. Judging by their summer transfer activity thus far, we can only presume that they will be content with more of the same this coming season. Perhaps owner Randy Lerner is bored and looking to cash in on the club, but if that is the case then manager Paul Lambert has an even tougher job on his hands. The real questions are these: will Joe Cole remain fit and finally fulfil that amazing potential? Much will also rely on their star player, Belgium striker Christian Benteke and how quick he can return to fitness? Are Villa too big a club to go down? A lack of quality investment could well provide us with the answer to this come next May.
Manager: Paul Lambert
Final EPL Position 2013/14: 15th
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 11th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Aly Cissokho | Valencia | Undisclosed |
| Joe Cole | West Ham United | Free |
| Kieran Richardson | Fulham | Undisclosed |
| Philippe Senderos | Valencia | Free |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Marc Albrighton | Leicester City | Free |
| Jordan Bowery | Doncaster Rovers | Loan |
| Samir Carruthers | Milton Keynes Dons | Undisclosed |
| Nathan Delfouneso | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Michael Drennan | Portsmouth | Loan |
| Gary Gardner | Sheffield Wednesday | Loan |
| Nicklas Helenius | Aalborg BK | Loan |
| Alan Hutton | Bolton Wanderers | Loan |
| Daniel Johnson | Chesterfield | Loan |
| Antonio Luna | Verona | Loan |
| Benjamin Siegrist | Cambridge United | Loan |
| Jed Steer | Doncaster Rovers | Loan |
| Yacouba Sylla | Erciyesspor | Loan |
SOUTHAMPTON
Can Southampton be described as a club in crisis? “Transition” is probably a more accurate description, but if the Saints do implode this year, then all fingers will be pointed at Chairman Ralph Krueger. Can the profit generated by player sales of approximately £100 million (so far) be offset against the very real possibility of gambling away their Premier League status? New manager Ronald Koeman certainly has his work cut out to not only thrive at St.Mary’s, but also just merely survive. A cluster of new arrivals have landed on the South Coast and Koeman will have to get them gelled together and playing as a team very quickly. We are led to believe that some of the remaining players are very unhappy. Keeping the squad both content and behaving as a unit may be tricky.
Manager: Ronald Koeman
Final EPL Position 2013/14: 8th
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 12th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Ryan Bertrand | Chelsea | Loan |
| Fraser Forster | Celtic | £10.0m |
| Graziano Pelle | Feyenoord | Undisclosed |
| Dusan Tadic | FC Twente | £10.9m |
| Saphir Taider | Inter Milan | Loan |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Lee Barnard | Southend United | Free |
| Calum Chambers | Arsenal | Undisclosed |
| Danny Fox | Nottingham Forest | Free |
| Guly | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Lloyd Isgrove | Peterborough United | Loan |
| Adam Lallana | Liverpool | £25.0m |
| Rickie Lambert | Liverpool | £4.0m |
| Dejan Lovren | Liverpool | £20.0m |
| Dani Osvaldo | Inter Milan | Loan |
| Andy Robinson | Bolton Wanderers | Loan |
| Luke Shaw | Manchester United | £27.0m |
| Jack Stephens | Swindon Town | Loan |
NEWCASTLE UNITED
To say that last season was one to forget for Newcastle United is somewhat of an understatement; underachievement on the field, flanked by the sale of inspirational skipper Yohan Cabaye and the most ridiculous Alan Pardew head butt all contrived to a pretty bad year for the Geordies. That Newcastle still finished in a reasonably respectable 10th place last year then just goes to show what could be achieved if everybody was pulling in the same direction, which always seems to be the case at St. James Park. Much more will be expected this campaign, with the club boosted by a few decent looking arrivals. Pardew is on shaky ground though, and if Newcastle have another mediocre season, you would start to feel the worst for Pardew.
Manager: Alan Pardew
Final EPL Position 2013/14: 10th
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 13th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Remy Cabella | Montpellier | Undisclosed |
| Jack Colback | Sunderland | Free |
| Karl Darlow | Nottingham Forest | Undisclosed |
| Facundo Ferreyra | Shakhtar Donetsk | Loan |
| Daryl Janmaat | Feyenoord | Undisclosed |
| Siem de Jong | Ajax | Undisclosed |
| Jamaal Lascelles | Nottingham Forest | Undisclosed |
| Ayoze Perez | Tenerife | Undisclosed |
| Emmanuel Riviere | Monaco | Undisclosed |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Romain Amalfitano | Dijon | Free |
| Shola Ameobi | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Adam Campbell | Fleetwood Town | Loan |
| Karl Darlow | Nottingham Forest | Loan |
| Mathieu Debuchy | Arsenal | £12.0m |
| Dan Gosling | Bournemouth | Free |
| Jamaal Lascelles | Nottingham Forest | Loan |
| Sylvain Marveaux | Guingamp | Loan |
| Jonathan Mitchell | Derby County | Free |
| Conor Newton | Rotherham United | Free |
| Michael Richardson | Unassigned Players | Released |
| James Tavernier | Wigan Athletic | Undisclosed |
CRYSTAL PALACE
Overachieving last season has ironically placed my beloved Crystal Palace in somewhat of a quandary going into our second consecutive Premier League term. Never before have we survived a season in the Premier League, so to find ourselves where we do now is something of a pleasant surprise. Tony Pulis fully deserved his “Manager Of The Year” award; we were dead and buried under a heap of bad deadwood when he arrived last November. Mid table obscurity and matching last year’s incredible 11th placed finish will be a tall order with the thin squad we have, but once again the “never say die” team spirit and noise and colour our superb fans generate will play a key role in any success we enjoy. Come on you Palace!
Manager: Tony Pulis
Final EPL Position 2013/14: 11th
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 14th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Fraizer Campbell | Cardiff City | £900k |
| Scott Dann | Blackburn Rovers | Undisclosed |
| Brede Hangeland | Unassigned Players | Free |
| Chris Kettings | Blackpool | Free |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Neil Alexander | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Kwesi Appiah | AFC Wimbledon | Loan |
| Hiram Boateng | Crawley Town | Loan |
| Jose Campana | Sampdoria | Undisclosed |
| Kagisho Dikgacoi | Cardiff City | Free |
| Ross Fitzsimons | Bolton Wanderers | Undisclosed |
| Danny Gabbidon | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Owen Garvan | Millwall | Loan |
| Elliot Grandin | Blackpool | Free |
| Jack Hunt | Nottingham Forest | Loan |
| Ryan Inniss | Gillingham | Loan |
| Dean Moxey | Bolton Wanderers | Free |
| Jonathan Parr | Ipswich Town | Free |
| Lewis Price | Mansfield Town | Loan |
| Ibra Sekajja | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Osman Sow | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Quade Taylor | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Aaron Wilbraham | Bristol City | Free |
| Jonny Williams | Ipswich Town | Loan |
| Alex Wynter | Colchester United | Loan |
HULL CITY
Being a Hull City fan must be a hell of a lot of fun right now. Already embarking on a Thursday night tour of Europe’s deepest and darkest locations, the Tigers are certainly going to have to balance their continental quest for glory with more important issues, such as domestic bliss. Steve Bruce has always been a talented manager, a clever motivator of men and above all a proven leader. His summer transfer business has also been impressive this year. The acquisition of Jake Livermore in a permanent £8 million deal from Tottenham speaks volumes of the Tigers’ ambitions. But Bruce and Hull will have to hit the ground running early as if things don’t go well, and if the number of games catches up with them, Bruce could well become a victim of his own success.
Manager: Steve Bruce
Final EPL Position 2013/14: 16th
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:15th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Tom Ince | Blackpool | Undisclosed |
| Jake Livermore | Tottenham Hotspur | Undisclosed |
| Harry Maguire | Sheffield United | £2.5m |
| Andrew Robertson | Dundee United | £2.9m |
| Robert Snodgrass | Norwich City | Undisclosed |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Joe Dudgeon | Barnsley | Loan |
| Abdoulaye Faye | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Matthew Fletcher | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Matty Fryatt | Nottingham Forest | Free |
| Conor Henderson | Stevenage | Loan |
| Eldin Jakupovic | Leyton Orient | Loan : Recalled |
| Robert Koren | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Paul McElroy | Sheffield Wednesday | Free |
| Mark Oxley | Hibernian | Loan |
| Cameron Stewart | Ipswich Town | Free |
| Conor Townsend | Dundee United | Loan |
WEST HAM UNITED
Things are not good down at the Boleyn Ground. Whichever way you look at it, this has been a disastrous pre-season for West Ham United. Rumours abound of the probable departure of manager Sam Allardyce have not exactly inspired confidence in a squad that has also been shorn of its’ best two players. The loss of Andy Carroll to yet another long term injury could not have happened at a worse time. Neither could the news that Ravel Morrison, who Allardyce reportedly doesn’t even want, is in serious trouble with the law. A more entertaining style of football has been promised, and two new strikers have joined the Hammers. The Ecuadorian World Cup hero, Enner Valencia, has arrived in East London, alongside Argentinian Mauro Zarate. So, there is some good news. A season of struggle beckons though.
Manager: Sam Allardyce
Final EPL Position 2013/14: 13th
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15:16th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Aaron Cresswell | Ipswich Town | Undisclosed |
| Carl Jenkinson | Arsenal | Loan |
| Cheikhou Kouyate | Anderlecht | Undisclosed |
| Diego Poyet | Charlton Athletic | Free |
| Enner Valencia | Pachuca | £12.0m |
| Mauro Zarate | Velez Sarsfield (Argentina) | Undisclosed |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Joe Cole | Aston Villa | Free |
| Jack Collison | Wigan Athletic | Loan |
| Stephen Henderson | Charlton Athletic | Free |
| Sean Maguire | Sligo Rovers | Loan |
| George Moncur | Colchester United | Loan |
| Ravel Morrison | Queens Park Rangers | Loan |
| Raphael Spiegel | Crawley Town | Loan |
| Matthew Taylor | Burnley | Undisclosed |
| Blair Turgott | Dagenham & Redbridge | Loan |
LEICESTER CITY
The big question on everybody’s lips is this. Can Leicester City finally realise their huge potential and become a permanent mainstay at the top half of the table minimum? The fan base is certainly there; the club has ambitious owners and a young, hungry manager desperate to prove himself amongst the elite, but the Foxes need to be careful. This maiden campaign must be based on the aim of pure survival, and they should learn to walk before they can run. Eyebrows have been raised at the inflated cost of new striker Leonardo Ulloa, who doesn’t yet have any Premier League experience. If the goals do dry up, questions will of course be asked. But if City can get through their first year, then the world really is their oyster.
Manager: Nigel Pearson
Final Championship Position 2013/14: 1st
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 17th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Marc Albrighton | Aston Villa | Free |
| Jack Barmby | Manchester United | Free |
| Ben Hamer | Charlton Athletic | Free |
| Leonardo Ulloa | Brighton and Hove Albion | £7.0m |
| Matthew Upson | Brighton and Hove Albion | Free |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Neil Danns | Bolton Wanderers | Free |
| Lloyd Dyer | Watford | Free |
| Ben Frempah | Ross County | Free |
| Marko Futacs | Mersin I.Y. | Free |
| Paul Gallagher | Preston North End | Loan |
| Sean St Ledger | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Kevin Phillips | Unassigned Players | Retired |
| George Taft | Burton Albion | Free |
| Martyn Waghorn | Wigan Athletic | Free |
| Zak Whitbread | Derby County | Free |
SWANSEA CITY
It is incredible to believe that as little as just twelve years ago, Swansea City were bottom of the entire football league. Their rise since has been spectacular and with the club now about to enter its fourth consecutive year at the top table, many eyes will be cast on the South Wales club and their ability to extend this run. In Garry Monk, they have a club legend, a thoughtful and talented young manager. But perhaps a manager with more experience may be needed for the Swans this year. In Dutchman Wilfried Bony, Swansea have a very reliable goal supply and this should be complimented by new signing, Bafetimbi Gomis. Perhaps the real question is this though: will the Swans continue to play their pretty football if the going gets rough?
Manager: Garry Monk
Final EPL Position 2013/14: 12th
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 18th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Marvin Emnes | Middlesbrough | Loan |
| Lukasz Fabianski | Arsenal | Free |
| Bafetimbi Gomis | Lyon | Free |
| Raheem Hanley | Blackburn Rovers | Undisclosed |
| Gylfi Sigurdsson | Tottenham Hotspur | Undisclosed |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Daniel Alfei | Northampton Town | Loan |
| Chico | Unassigned Players | Undisclosed |
| Ben Davies | Tottenham Hotspur | £10.0m |
| Gwion Edwards | Crawley Town | Loan |
| Leroy Lita | Barnsley | Free |
| Curtis Obeng | Stevenage | Loan |
| Alejandro Pozuelo | Rayo Vallecano | Undisclosed |
| Michel Vorm | Tottenham Hotspur | £5.0m |
BURNLEY
“The Ginger Mourinho” AKA Sean Dyche, performed miracles in returning the Clarets to the Premier League last season. Selling their star striker Charlie Austin to promotion rivals QPR last summer could well have been perceived as a sign of the ‘white flag of surrender’ for Dyche and Burnley. But it wasn’t, and emerging from the shadows was Danny Ings, who more than stepped up to the plate, forming a lethal strike partnership with Sam Vokes, firing the club up the league. How quickly the duo can adapt to the top flight will be just as crucial as the sprinkling of experienced new players in Burnley’s squad. The big question is, will it all be enough? Heart says yes, head is not so sure. The Clarets will give it a good go though.
Manager: Sean Dyche
Final Championship Position 2013/14: 2nd
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 19th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Chris Baird | Unassigned Players | Free |
| Matthew Gilks | Blackpool | Free |
| Lukas Jutkiewicz | Middlesbrough | £1.5m |
| Michael Kightly | Stoke City | Undisclosed |
| Steven Reid | West Bromwich Albion | Free |
| Marvin Sordell | Bolton Wanderers | Undisclosed |
| Matthew Taylor | West Ham United | Undisclosed |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Chris Baird | West Bromwich Albion | Free |
| David Edgar | Birmingham City | Free |
| Nick Liversedge | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Joseph Mills | Oldham Athletic | Free |
| Junior Stanislas | Bournemouth | Free |
| Brian Stock | Unassigned Players | Released |
| Keith Treacy | Unassigned Players | Released |
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
It’s been a bizarre summer at the Hawthorns, that’s for sure. From the surprise appointment of new Head Coach, Alan Irvine; to the club record signing of new £10 million man Brown Ideye from Dynamo Kiev, things don’t seem to be completely rosy in the West Bromwich Albion garden currently. Joleon Lescott arriving at the club from Manchester City will certainly boost their defence, offering much needed experience from a proven winner who still harbours international ambitions. Behind him is the ever reliable Ben Foster, so defensively Albion should be ok. Ideye will need to adapt to the 2014/15 Premier League quickly though and start banging them in at the other end for the Baggies, or else a long season of struggle could well beckon. Has Irvine got the experience for a big league battle?
Head Coach: Alan Irvine
Final EPL Position 2013/14: 17th
Predicted EPL Position 2014/15: 20th
| Completed Ins | From | Fee |
| Chris Baird | Burnley | Free |
| Jason Davidson | Heracles Almelo | Undisclosed |
| Cristian Gamboa | Rosenborg | Undisclosed |
| Craig Gardner | Sunderland | Free |
| Brown Ideye | Dynamo Kiev | £10.0m |
| Joleon Lescott | Manchester City | Free |
| Sebastien Pocognoli | Hannover 96 | Undisclosed |
| Andre Wisdom | Liverpool | Loan |
| Completed Outs | To | Fee |
| Scott Allan | Hibernian | Free |
| Donervon Daniels | Blackpool | Loan |
| Cameron Gayle | Shrewsbury Town | Free |
| Billy Jones | Sunderland | Free |
| Steven Reid | Burnley | Free |
| Liam Ridgewell | Portland Timbers | Free |
| Markus Rosenberg | Malmo FF | Undisclosed |
| George Thorne | Derby County | Undisclosed |
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