| 2009-2010 Barclays Premier League Preview for Prost Amerika By Alex Caulfield Finally, the Barclays Premier League is back. While the advent of Seattle Sounders FC has been enough to tide us over during these warm summer months, the top domestic football league in the world opens its regular season on Saturday. For those of you new to the English game: welcome, and prepare to be thrust into a world of tumult, excitement, and spectacular football. Last year’s champions Manchester United said goodbye to their most prominent player in Cristiano Ronaldo to the tune of $160 million, fueling the race to crown a new Premier League victor. Liverpool finished as runners up in 2008-2009, and if the Merseyside club can keep captain Steven Gerrard and prolific striker Fernando Torres healthy the Reds could end a nineteen-year title drought. Then there is Chelsea, the talented side that we were privileged to see in June at Qwest Field. Playing under a new manager and looking as sharp as ever, the Blues are arguably the most versatile team in the league. This Man U-Liverpool-Chelsea triumvirate should present quite a compelling title race, and with the recent rise of Manchester City and Aston Villa, could Arsenal’s traditional place among the English “Big Four†be in jeopardy? Read away, as Prost Amerika dissects each club piece by piece and analyzes their prospects for glory and relegation. |
The 2009-2010 Prost Amerika Premier League Table 1.) Chelsea 12.) Sunderland |
* Denotes high-profile transfer signings
2008-2009 Finish: 4th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Gunners
Stadium: The Emirates
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Players In:
Thomas Vermaelen (Ajax)
Players Out:
Emmanuel Adebayor (to Manchester City)
Abu Ogogo (to Dagenham & Redbridge)
Kolo Toure (to Manchester City)
The past four seasons have been trying for Arsenal fans, as the north London outfit has failed to win a single piece of silverware since accumulating multiple honors in the earlier portion of the decade. The 2009-2010 campaign does not favor a return to the top of the Premiership heap, as the frugal Arsene Wenger has done nothing to replace valuable members of his side that moved on during the transfer window. Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure are two players that were integral to Arsenal’s position in the supposed “big fourâ€, and now that the African starlets have joined Manchester City, their departure may just be enough to swing the balance of Champions League power away from their former employers. With Man City, Everton, and Aston Villa vying hard to reach Europe’s most prized club competition, Arsenal may just find themselves on the outside looking in when the dust has settled.
Predicted Finish: 5th
2008-2009 Finish: 6th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Villains
Stadium: Villa Park
Manager: Martin O’Neill
Players In:
Habib Beye (Newcastle United)
Fabian Delph (Leeds United)
*Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough)
Players Out:
Gareth Barry (Manchester City)
Zat Knight (Bolton Wanderers)
Stuart Taylor (Manchester City)
Arguably the most promising side outside of the Premiership’s four traditional super clubs, Aston Villa have been sensibly built through sound financial planning, managerial brilliance, and a spine of young British talent. Last season Martin O’Neill’s side pushed Arsenal all the way to the finish line in an attempt to gain entrance into the UEFA Champions League. While depth ultimately cost the Birmingham club, a statement of intent had been issued to the rest of the league. While the departure of club captain Gareth Barry certainly hurts, there is more than enough talent to carry this club to the top of the table. England U-21 international Fabian Delph joins Villa from Leeds United where he set the Football League alight, and the youngster will compliment the prolific Ashley Youth on the wing nicely. Gabriel Agbonlahor is a proven scoring threat, while James Milner and Steve Sidwell will anchor the midfield alongside new signing Stewart Downing. Add O’Neill’s managerial oversight to this potent mix, and you have a club that will challenge the traditional football hierarchy in 2009-2010.
Predicted Finish: 4th
2008-2009 Finish: 2nd in Coca-Cola Championship (English Second Division)
Nickname: The Blues
Stadium: St. Andrews
Manager: Alex McLeish
Players In:
Lee Bowyer (no previous club)
Cristian Benitez (Santos)
*Barry Ferguson (Rangers)
Joe Hart (on loan from Manchester City)
James O’Shea (Galway United)
Gregory Vignal (Lens)
Players Out:
Steven Kelly (Fulham)
Artur Krysiak (on loan to Burton Albion)
Krystian Pearce (Peterborough United)
Birmingham’s second football club, City have bounced between the Premier League and the Coca-Cola Championship for the past four seasons. Since 2002 the club has been relegated to the English second division three times, failing to find consistency in the top-flight. However, former Scotland boss Alex McLeish has managed to instill a sense of stability in the ailing Midlands club. Finishing second in the Championship in 2008-2009, the Blues brought in a few controversial players in the transfer window. The ever-volatile Lee Bowyer joins up after falling from grace at West Ham, while Scotland outcast Barry Ferguson joins his old manager south of Hadrian’s Wall. Exiled from national team duty after a night of drunken debauchery earlier this year, can Ferguson recapture the fine form that endeared him to Rangers fans for so many years? If he can, the Blues may just avoid the drop come May.
Predicted Finish: 15th
2008-2009 Finish: 15th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: Rovers
Stadium: Ewood Park
Manager: Sam Allardyce
Players In:
Franco Di Santo (Chelsea)
Lars Jacobsen (Everton)
Nikola Kalinic (Hajduk Split)
Players Out:
Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City)
Matt Derbyshire (Olympiakos)
Tugay (retired)
The only side to win the Premier League outside of the “Big Fourâ€, Blackburn will enter the 2009-2010 Premier League campaign under the leadership of Sam Allardyce. What a difference a year makes. Only one season prior Rovers suffered under Paul Ince, and while Allardyce won’t win anything for Blackburn this year, he also won’t get them relegated. Despite the loss of winger Roque Santa Cruz to the Manchester City revolution, Blackburn is a sturdy side that will play for a draw on the road and three points at home in the dreary Lancashire winter. Benny McCarthy is a proven scoring threat and even though Blackburn is not a great side, there are other teams that will beat them to the relegation punch.
Predicted Finish: 13th
Bolton Wanderers
2008-2009 Finish: 13th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Trotters
Stadium: The Reebok
Manager: Gary Megson
Players In:
Sean Davis (Portsmouth)
Zat Knight (Aston Villa)
Samuel Rickets (Hull City)
Paul Robinson (on loan from West Bromwich Albion)
Players Out:
None
A useful side that made serious strides last season, Bolton have made shrewd off season acquisitions without gutting their roster. Sean Davis is creative in midfield, while Paul Robinson comes in on loan from West Brom and will add an attacking element to the Trotters’ defense. Also in defense, the twenty-three year old Gary Cahill committed himself to the club until 2013, while Johan Elmander is gaining a reputation for being a very talented striker. Add Kevin Davies and Matthew Taylor to this mix, and Bolton will be a decent side in 2009-2010. They may not play the most stunning football at times, but the Reebok has proven to be a stumbling block for many of the “big†clubs before, and Megson will have this team playing tight and aggressively. A club that once walked the relegation tight rope, Bolton will finish near the top half of the table this year.
Predicted Finish: 11th
Burnley
2008-2009 Finish: 5th in the Coca-Cola Championship (English Second Division, promoted via playoffs)
Nickname: The Clarets
Stadium: Turf Moore
Manager: Owen Coyle
Players In:
Brian Easton (Hamilton)
Richard Eckersley (Manchester United)
David Edgar (Newcastle United)
*Steven Fletcher (Hibernian)
Fernando Guerrero (Independiente del Valle)
Tyrone Mears (Derby County)
Players Out:
Alexander MacDonald (Falkirk)
Led by Scottish manager Owen Coyle, Burnley achieved promotion to the Premier League via the Coca-Cola Championship playoffs after finishing 5th in the league table. Make no mistake about it; Coyle will have this side playing energized football in the Premiership much like Stoke City did in last season’s campaign. While many pundits will have the Clarets pegged to go right back down to the Second Division, Burnley managed to defeat Chelsea and Arsenal last year en route to the Carling Cup semi-finals. The signing of striker Steven Fletcher from Hibernian (£3 million) could infuse the club with additional firepower, as the Scotland international comes with strong credentials from the Scottish Premier League. Additionally, nineteen year-old Ecuadorian winger Fernando Guerrero is a top prospect and will add pace to the squad. A scrappy side with every intention of staying up, Burnley may surprise the doubters.
2008-2009 Finish: 3rd in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: Lions/Blues
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
Players In:
Andriy Shevchenko (returns on loan from AC Milan)
Daniel Sturridge (Manchester City)
Ross Turbull (Middlesbrough)
*Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow)
Players Out:
None
Carlo Ancelotti picks up where Guus Hiddink left off, and Chelsea look as lethal as ever. The team has shown maturity and drive under the Italian in the early stages, and all signs point to a return to the pinnacle of English football. The star-studded cast remains unchanged, with the likes of Terry, Lampard, Drogba, Anelka, and Cole (both Ashley and Joe) turning out at Stamford Bridge for the new campaign. Russian owner Roman Abramovich will be pleased to see fellow countryman Yuri Zhirkov join the Blues in the summer transfer window, and the midfielder is sure to add quality to an already deep and intimidating squad. European success is most valuable to Abramovich, and Ancelotti brings his Champions League pedigree to the Bridge as the west London club attempts to capture its first European Cup. In the league Chelsea will roll back the years, beating the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool to the Premier League title. The club is simply deeper and more talented than its rivals, and Ancelotti will be able to make all of these big personalities blend together just as he did with AC Milan. Chelsea’s recent performance in the FA Community Shield was encouraging, as the Blues defeated Manchester United to kick start the year. Look for more of the same down the road.
2008-2009 Finish: 5th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Toffees
Stadium: Goodison Park
Manager: David Moyes
Players In:
Jo (on loan from Manchester City)
Anton Peterlin (Vetura Country Fusion – USL Premier Development League)
Players Out:
Lars Jacobsen (Blackburn Rovers)
John Ruddy (Motherwell)
Nuno Valente (Released)
To be an Evertonian is to live in a perpetual state of frustration. Supporters of the club have watched their side play extremely well over the past four season, as the Toffees have completed an eighth place finish or higher in each campaign. However, David Moyes’ men have been unable to break the logjam at the very top of the table, as the recent rise of Aston Villa and Manchester City are inhibiting their chances of playing Champions League football. Everton fans must simply be wondering, “when will it be our turn?†The talent is certainly there, with American goalkeeper Tim Howard leading from the back and Australian midfielder Tim Cahill providing excellent service to the likes of Yakubu and Louis Saha. Yet injuries have often held this side back, and if they can stay healthy during the 2009-2010 season they will earn a Europa League position. Everton, Villa, and City will compete for these spots as well as for the fourth and final Champions League place in a thrilling pursuit.
2008-2009 Finish: 7th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Cottagers
Stadium: Craven Cottage
Manager: Roy Hodgson
Players In:
Bjorn Helge Riise (Lillestrom)
Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City)
Players Out:
Collins John (Roeselare)
Moritz Volz (Released)
Coming off of the most successful season in recent memory, Fulham enter the 2009-2010 Premier League season energized and rearing to play. A seventh place finish in the previous campaign allowed the Cottagers to qualify for the Europa League, thereby raising the expectations of the club’s fan base. Roy Hodgson is a fine manager, and American Clint Dempsey has upped his game in England by scoring seven goals last season. Andy Johnson is always a threat up front, while new boy Bjorn Helge Riise (brother of former Liverpool player John Arne Riise) will look to contribute in the midfield. Fulham’s quality through their first eleven is strong enough for a top ten finish, but it may be unrealistic to expect the west London club to capture another European place this time around. If Hodgson’s side experiences any injuries their lack of depth will exposed, leaving the club to duke it out in the middle of the table.
Predicted Finish: 10th
Hull City
2008-2009 Finish: 17th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Tigers
Stadium: Kingston Communications Stadium
Manager: Phil Brown
Players In:
Jozy Altidore (Villareal)
Steven Mouyokolo (Boulogne)
Seyi Olofinjana (Stoke City)
Stephen Hunt (Reading)
Kamel Ghilas (Celta Vigo)
Players Out:
Wayne Brown (Leicester City)
Michael Bridges (Released)
Sam Ricketts (Bolton Wanderers)
Dean Windass (Darlington)
Surviving relegation only because of the ineptitude of their Northeast rivals in 2009, Hull City will not be so fortunate in May of 2010. The Tigers are a lock to do down this season, and manager Phil Brown is the odds-on favorite to win the sack race. If Hull goes on a bad run of form to begin the season, Brown’s head will be the first to roll. After publicly embarrassing his team by scolding them on the pitch at half-time last December, Brown’s side lost its last shred of confidence and plummeted. Hull only stayed in the Premier League because Newcastle and Middlesbrough failed to claim results on the final day of the season. The squad itself has a few decent players like Geovanni and Daniel Cousin, but many of these players are unsettled and have been linked to numerous transfer headlines. Promising defender Michael Tuner appears set to join Liverpool, while Brown has been unable to attract many new signings. The arrival of American striker Jozy Altidore could bear fruit, as the forward is physically imposing and could thrive in the English game. However, Hull appears set for relegation from the Premier League, and the Tigers open their season away to Chelsea.
Predicted Finish: 19th (Relegated)
Liverpool
2008-2009 Finish: 2nd in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Reds
Stadium: Anfield
Manager: Rafael Benitez
Players In:
*Alberto Aquilani (Roma)
Glen Johnson (Portsmouth)
Players Out:
Xavi Alonso (Real Madrid)
Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid)
Jack Hobbs (Leicester City)
Sami Hyypia (Bayer Leverkusen)
Sebastian Leto (Panathinaikos)
Jermaine Pennant (Real Zaragoza)
Hoping to end a nineteen-year league title drought, Liverpool Football Club enter the 2009-2010 season riding a wave of enthusiasm. After all, this was a side that did the league double over Manchester United and Chelsea last season, and all signs point for the Anfield club to claim the Premier League crown. However, manager Rafael Benitez lost an unsung hero in the transfer window, as renowned midfielder Xavi Alonso ended his six-year spell on Merseyside. Alonso’s absence will cost the Reds dearly in their race to the top of the Premier League, as the visionary playmaker has a deft touch and unparalleled skill. Without him the club may just fall short of its ultimate goal. Alonso’s replacement, Alberto Aquilani, is not fully fit after recovering from off-season ankle surgery and may miss the first eight weeks of the campaign. Glenn Johnson will be a welcome addition to Liverpool’s backline, but the club does not have the depth that Chelsea and Manchester United both boast. The health of Fernando Torres and club captain Steven Gerrard is paramount, as the two players did not even play half of Liverpool’s matches together a year ago. If these dynamic Liverpool stars can play together more often than not, Liverpool will certainly give themselves a fighting chance in the league. However, this is a big question mark considering that Torres has already re-aggravated his hamstring in the preseason and Gerrard pulled out of this week’s England match with a groin injury. Not the way Kopites were hoping to being the season.
Predicted Finish: 3rd
Manchester City
2008-2009 Finish: 10th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: Citizens/Blues
Stadium: City of Manchester Stadium (Eastlands)
Manager: Mark Hughes
Players In:
*Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal)
*Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)
Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn)
Kolo Toure (Arsenal)
Stuart Taylor (Aston Villa)
*Carlos Tevez (Manchester United)
Players Out:
Valeri Bojinov (Parma)
Felipe Caicedo (on loan to Sporting Lisbon)
Elano (Galatasaray)
Ched Evans (Sheffield United)
Dietmar Hamann (Released)
Joe Hart (on loan to Birmingham)
Jo (on loan to Everton)
Darius Vassell (free to Ankaragucu)
This is the football club that everyone has been discussing since the conclusion of last season. After a high-profile Middle Eastern takeover that endowed the club with an endless supply of cash, manager Mark Hughes has been very busy in the transfer market. Bringing in the likes of Carlos Tevez from Manchester United, Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure from Arsenal, and Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, many football pundits are tipping City to push their way into the top four. However, wi seven talented strikers currently listed on the active roster, it does not seem likely that Hughes will be able to keep all of these forwards happy. Welsh striker Craig Bellamy is known to be disruptive when he is not playing regularly, and it seems that Tevez, Adebayor, and new signing Roque Santa Cruz will all get the nod ahead of the Welshman. Though the midfield is stuffed with talent, including Robinho, Steven Ireland, and Barry, City’s defense leaves something to be desired. The club has been linked with Everton’s Joleon Lescott, but David Moyes is not keen to sell. Without a particularly strong defense, City look poised to concede numerous goals just as the did last season. More importantly, Mark Hughes is not the man to manage all of these diverse personalities. Perhaps if City had the likes of Jose Mourinho at the helm this would be a different story, but for now the blue half of Manchester will have to wait for Champions League glory.
Predicted Finish: 7th
Manchester United
2008-2009 Finish: 1st in Barclay’s Premier League
Nickname: The Red Devils
Stadium: Old Trafford
Manager: Alex Ferguson
Players In:
Gabriel Obertan (Bordeaux)
*Michael Owen (Newcastle United)
*Antonio Valencia (Wigan Athletic)
Players Out:
Frazier Campbell (Sunderland)
Richard Eckersley (Burnley)
Manucho (Real Valladolid)
Richard Possebon (Braga)
Christiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Manchester United have won three consecutive Barclays Premier League titles coming into this season, and Sir Alex Ferguson is aiming to surpass Liverpool as England’s most successful domestic side by claiming the club’s nineteenth league crown. In order to do this Ferguson will need to replace the thirty-odd goals per season provided by Christiano Ronaldo, as the prolific forward left Old Trafford for Real Madrid this summer. New signing Antonio Valencia will help to carry some of this load, as the former Wigan Athletic winger has incredible pace and a scoring touch to boot. Michael Owen shocked all of Merseyside by joining United, as the former Liverpool icon is hoping to revitalize his career. Though he is not the striker that he once was at Anfield, Owen is certainly capable of producing ten to fifteen goals if healthy. The real key to United’s potential success is the continued evolution of England striker Wayne Rooney. If Rooney can fill the void left by Ronaldo as United’s primary scoring threat, the Red Devils could be on target for another successful haul come May. However, the squad is aging all over the place, as thirty-eight year-old goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar will miss eight weeks through injury. Moreover, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville represent a decaying old guard, and if Manchester United is to hoist the Premier League trophy they will have to rely on younger players like Federico Macheda and Rafael.
Predicted Finish: 2nd
Portsmouth
2008-2009 Finish: 14th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: Pompey
Stadium: Fratton Park
Manager: Paul Hart
Players In:
Steven Finnan (unattached)
Antti Niemi (unattached)
Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers)
Frederic Piquionne (Lyon)
Anthony Vanden Borre (Genoa)
Players Out:
Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur)
Sean Davis (Bolton Wanderers)
Lauren (contact expired)
Glen Johnson (Liverpool)
Noel Pamarot (contract ended)
Callum Reynolds (Luton Town)
Djimi Traore (contract ended)
After former manager Harry Redknapp raided Pompey’s roster for all of its viable talent, the Fratton Park faithful have little hope of seeing their side avoid relegation this time around. Though ‘Uncle Harry’ helped Portsmouth avoid the drop three years ago, Paul Hart will not be able to keep the south coast club up in 2010. After losing their two leading scorers from last season in Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe to Spurs, Pompey will struggle to maintain their strike rate. Despite David James and Sol Campbell the Pompey defense appears hapless, and the club will undoubtedly be playing Championship football next season.
Predicted Finish: 18th (Relegated)
Stoke City
2008-2009 Finish: 12th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Potters
Stadium: Britannia Stadium
Manager: Tony Pulis
Players In:
Matthew Lund (Crewe Alexandria)
Ben Marshall (Crewe Alexandria)
Dean Whitehead (Sunderland)
Players Out:
Jimmy Phillips (Released)
Vincent Pericard (contract expired)
Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City)
Stoke City came up to the English Premiership last season after years of floundering in the Football League. The Potters impressed immediately, as the club finished in a respectable 12th place position in 2008-2009. Tony Pulis is an incredibly wily manager who gets the most out of his team. Midfielder Rory Delap troubled opposing backlines with his ability to launch forty- yard throw-ins, and James Beattie and Ricardo Fuller combined for 18 goals up front. Arguably one of the toughest grounds to play in across the country, the Britannia Stadium presents a stern challenge for even the biggest clubs. Stoke’s vocal supporters will spur their team on to another successful finish this term, and look for the Midlands club to knock off a few of the big boys along the way.
Predicted Finish: 14th
Sunderland
2008-2009 Finish: 16th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Black Cats/Mackems
Stadium: Stadium of Light
Manager: Steven Bruce
Players In:
*Darren Bent (Tottenham Hotspur)
Frazier Campbell (Manchester United)
Lee Cattermole (Wigan Athletic)
Paulo Da Silva (free from Toluca)
Players Out:
Jason Chandler (Darlington)
Michael Chopra (Cardiff City)
David Dowson (Darlington)
Greg Halford (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Dean Whitehead (Stoke City)
One of the Premiership’s slumbering giants, Sunderland is supported by a massive fan base located in the cradle of English Football. Although Newcastle and Middlesbrough will not be playing in the top-flight this season, Sunderland will carry the torch for the northeast as the club prepares to build upon a 16th place finish from last season. New manager Steve Bruce is one of the most underrated gaffers in the country, and he will surely raise the level of play on Wearside. Darren Bent joins the Black Cats from Spurs where he was a maligned figure under Harry Redknapp. The former Charlton talisman will look to recapture his form for Steve Bruce alongside Kenwyne Jones and new signing Frazier Campbell. The midfield is bolstered by Kieran Richardson and Steed Malbranque, while Anton Ferdinand will shore up the back. Like many of the mid-level clubs, Sunderland will not match Barcelona in football artistry, but Bruce knows how to grind out results and this fact will help them improve upon last year’s finish.
Predicted Finish: 12th
Tottenham Hotspur:
2008-2009 Finish: 8th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: Spurs/Lilywhites
Stadium: White Hart Lane
Manager: Harry Redknapp
Players In:
Sebastien Bassong (Newcastle United)
*Peter Crouch (Portsmouth)
Kyle Naughton (Sheffield United)
Kyle Walker (Sheffield United)
Players Out:
Darren Bent (Sunderland)
Gilberto (contracted cancelled)
Chris Gunter (Nottingham Forest)
Jake Livermore (on loan to Derby County)
Jonathan Obika (on loan to Yeovil Town)
Ricardo Rocha (contract ended)
Adam Smith (on loan to Wycombe Wanderers)
Andros Townsend (on loan to Leyton Orient)
Didier Zokora (Sevilla)
After experiencing one of the worst starts in club history at the beginning of last season under Juande Ramos, local boy Harry Redknapp took charge of the club and steered Spurs away from relegation. This is not the first time that Redknapp has helped a club avoid the drop (Portsmouth, 2006), and despite the underhanded rumors surrounding his past he is a fantastic manager. Spurs have a quality strike force that will bang in the goals this season, led by Robbie Kean, Jermain Defoe, and new signing Peter Crouch. The 6’7†England international rejoins Redknapp and Defoe from Portsmouth, and the former Liverpool striker should place his career back on track in north London. There is plenty of speed to go around both in defense and in the midfield for this side, as fullback Gareth Barry and wingers Aaron Lennon and David Bentley can get up and down the flanks. Due to the saturation of talent at the pinnacle of the table, look for Spurs to finish exactly where they did last season.
Predicted Finish: 8th
West Ham United
2008-2009 Finish: 9th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Hammers/The Irons
Stadium: Upton Park
Manager: Gianfranco Zola
Players In:
Fabio Daprela (Grasshoppers)
Luis Jimenez (Internazionale)
Jack Lampe (Harlow Town)
Herita Llunga (Toulouse)
Frank Nouble (Chelsea)
Players Out:
Lee Bowyer (free to Birmingham City)
Kyel Reid (free to Sheffield United)
Fred Sears (on loan to Crystal Palace)
When Gianfranco Zola was appointed manager at Upton Park one year ago many football pundits were left scratching their heads. Yet Zola’s first year as a Premier League manager proved to be something of a revelation, as the Italian guided the Hammers to a top ten finish. This year the bar has been raised, and West Ham returns many of the players that enabled the club to play beautiful attacking football in east London in 2008-2009. Carlton Cole scored ten times last season and will be aiming to build upon this tally, and if Dean Ashton can remain fit to play along side him the supporters will be singing “Forever Blowing Bubbles†in their best voice. Zola has been rumored to be interested in Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen to add cover at striker, while Scott Parker and Luis Boa Morte will feature in midfield. Robert Green is a fine goalkeeper, and last year his defense worked tirelessly in front of him. If this trend continues West Ham will be sure to impress.
Predicted Finish: 9th
Wigan Athletic
2008-2009 Finish: 11th in Barclays Premier League
Nickname: The Latics
Stadium: DW Stadium
Manager: Roberto Martinez
Players In:
Jordi Gomez (Espanyol)
James McCarthy (Hamilton Academical)
Jason Scotland (Swansea City)
Scott Sinclair (on loan from Chelsea)
Hendry Thomas (Olimpia)
Players Out:
Henri Camara (released)
Lee Cattermole (Sunderland)
Lewis Montrose (Wycombe Wanderers)
Antoine Sibierski (released)
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
Amr Zaki (loan deal expired)
The departures of 2008-2009 manager Steve Bruce and prominent striker Amir Zaki will hurt Wigan in this current Premier League campaign. Bruce has moved on to Sunderland, while the enigmatic Zaki returned to Egyptian club El Zamalek once his loan deal expired. Enter new manager Roberto Martinez from Swansea City, and the Latics have new look for the 2009-2010 season. Chelsea youngster Scott Sinclair comes in on loan from Chelsea and Wigan fans can expect big things from this highly touted prospect. Marlon King is expected to start upfront, and Charles N’Zogbia provides veteran leadership in the midfield. The loss of Lee Cattermole to Sunderland will severely weaken the defense, but overall Wigan have enough quality to avoid relegation back to the Football League…barely.
Predicted Finish: 16th
Wolverhampton Wanderers
2008-2009 Finish: 1st in Coca-Cola Championship (English Second Division)
Nickname: Wolves
Stadium: The Molineux
Manager: Mick McCarthy
Players In:
Kevin Doyle (Reading)
Marcus Hahnemann (Reading)
Greg Halford (Sunderland)
Nenad Milijas (Red Star Belgrade)
Andrew Surman (Southampton)
Ronald Zubar (Marseille)
Players Out:
Lewis Gobern (MK Dons)
Darren Potter (Sheffield Wednesday)
Promoted to the Barclays Premier League as Second Division Champions, Mick McCarthy’s Wolverhampton Wanderers showed grit and flair in the Coca-Cola Championship one year ago. Needless to say the landscape has now changed drastically, and the Midlands club finds itself faced with an imposing challenge in 2009-2010. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake was Wolves’ leading scorer last season with 25 goals in 41 appearances. The former Manchester United forward is robust and difficult to knock off of the ball, while newcomer Kevin Doyle adds striking experience from his Premier League days with Reading. Also joining Wolves from Reading is Washington State native Marcus Hahnemann, as the goalkeeper has the opportunity to compete for the first team position in Wolverhampton’s goalmouth. While there is talent on this side, it is few and far between, and Mick McCarthy has proven before that he is not adept at handling the rigors of the Premier League from his time with Sunderland. Despite coming up as Champions, look for this club to go straight back down as bottom dwellers.
Predicted Finish: 20th (Relegated)
Cup Predictions:
FA Cup: Liverpool
League Cup: Spurs
Europa League: Werder Bremen
Champions League: Real Madrid
Player of the Year: Fernando Torres
PFA Young Player of the Year: Antonio Valencia
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