Arsenal
After such a flat, frustrating season in front of the TV, I’m just happy to be back in the stadium; everything else will feel like a bonus. How will it go? If you can’t be optimistic before a ball has been kicked – especially with youngsters such as Smith-Rowe, Saka, Martinelli and Tierney in the ranks – there’s little hope for you.
Key players/weak links A lot hangs on Aubameyang rediscovering his touch. And, with Partey already crocked and with players off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, we’re still light in midfield. One other niggle: given his all-or-nothing attitude, can Tierney avoid injury, and if not, can Tavares possibly fill his boots?
Young talent Azeez and Balogun are two of another clutch of promising youngsters. And if they stay, here’s hoping Willock and Nelson can put themselves on the first XI map.
We still need to buy Manuel Locatelli was my top pick but Houssem Aouar or Yves Bissouma might fit the bill. James Maddison looks hugely overpriced, but Lautaro Martínez from Inter would set pulses racing.
Headline maker With his Roma move banjaxed, the love/hate relationship with Granit Xhaka will run and run.
We will finish 5th; Top four 1 Man City 2 Man Utd 3 Liverpool 4 Chelsea; Bottom three 18 Palace 19 Norwich 20 Watford; First manager sacked Patrick Vieira. I’m a huge fan but fear they’ll have an repeat of the Frank de Boer experience.
• Bernard Azulay goonersdiary.co.uk @GoonerN5
Aston Villa
A great summer, buying players other fans are gutted to lose (always a good sign) and giving the manager plenty of tactical options. It’d be daft to say we won’t miss the odd-slippered one, but I’m not sat in a bubble bath scoffing chocolate with a broken heart. We will be a much better balanced side without Grealish: it may take a while to gel but Europe is a realistic, albeit optimistic target.
Key players/weak links It’s a big year for Watkins, but concerns of second-season-itis are soothed by the surprise, exciting arrival of Ings. He’s a proper footballer. With Buendía (silky) and Bailey (fast) joining, we should have goals in us. The spine of the side is strong: Martínez is as safe as, and built like, houses and Mings and Konsa have few peers. If there’s a weakness it’s probably at No 6.
Young talent Carney Chukwuemeka is a hot prospect, and Jaden Philogene-Bidace has also done well pre-season.
We still need to buy The oil-stained money won’t linger in our account. Can we find the next Kanté? I hope so. I expect we’ll see one more “name” signing (Ward-Prowse would be lovely) and a loan.
Headline maker I’ve had enough of “characters”, thanks very much. I’m happy for us to nick into Europe with a group of boring blokes with dull haircuts, proper shin pads and no interest in OK! magazine.
We will finish 9th; Top four 1 Man City 2 Chelsea 3 Liverpool 4 Man Utd; Bottom three 18 Palace 19 Wolves 20 Brentford; First manager sacked Patrick Vieira.
• Jonathan Pritchard
Brentford
I’m super-optimistic, with a touch of trepidation … this is uncharted territory. But we’ve shown enough to suggest we can hold our own: we made the semi of the League Cup last season, and friendlies against Manchester United and West Ham have been solid. What gives me confidence is the fact the club are incredibly well run: they’ve been planning this for a while and have again managed to buy good players without breaking the bank. So bring it on. People have written us off: we’ve nothing to lose.
Key players/weak links Toney is a monster of a player: if we can provide him with the service he needs, he’ll score. But if he gets injured, do we have enough in the can? Norgaard can dictate play, and I’m excited about new signing Frank “The Tank” Onyeka. A Duracell bunny of a box-to-box midfielder.
Young talent Watch out for midfielder Myles Peart-Harris, 18, and right-back Fin Stevens, who made his debut last year at the age of 17. He’s adaptable – also playing left-back and midfield.
We still need to buy Cover at right-back, and we didn’t plug the gap when Benrahma left for West Ham, but it looks like we’re in for Lorient winger Yoane Wissa.
Headline maker Woody, aged eight, is Brentford’s biggest young fan. He has Down’s syndrome, communicates only through sign language and gets a massive buzz from watching Brentford. He was a regular at Griffin Park and was over the moon when we went up. He’ll be making waves this season.
We will finish 16th; Top four 1 Chelsea 2 Man City 3 Man Utd 4 Liverpool; Bottom three 18 Watford 19 Newcastle 20 Burnley; First manager sacked Steve Bruce.
• Billy Grant Beesotted podcast and blog; @Beesotted; @BillyTheBee99
Brighton
If Graham Potter’s new bearded ruggedness brushes off on a talented squad, things are looking good. We played well last season without getting results: add some grit and it could click. Enock Mwepu, a £20m signing from RB Salzburg, looks an exciting addition to midfield. We could do with more goals, though I’m expecting Neal Maupay to find his striking boots.
Key players/weak links Fingers crossed Bissouma stays – I thought he’d be long gone by now. Also key to success: the monster that is Lewis Dunk, Lamptey, March, Gross, and, if they can stay fit, Welbeck and Lallana. And, of course, Robert Sánchez, who in a year went from being on loan at Rochdale to our first-choice keeper and off to Euro 2020 with Spain.
Young talent Swiss striker Andi Zeqiri was still settling in last season, but looked sharp and bright. And with Ben White off to Arsenal (what a brilliant piece of business), maybe Haydon Roberts could get a chance
We still need to buy The search for a 30-goal striker goes on. As it does at every club.
Headline maker Our hot-headed Romanian Florin Andone is back from loan. Controversy is never far away.
We will finish 9th; Top four 1 Man City 2 Liverpool 3 Chelsea 4 Man Utd; Bottom three 18 Palace 19 Watford 20 Norwich; First manager sacked Nuno.
• Steph Fincham
Burnley
Seventeenth last season, and little sign of the squad being strengthened since, apart from Nathan Collins from Stoke. So it’s not easy to be optimistic. I don’t think we’ll be relegated but this could well be another battle of a season if we don’t build the squad we need soon. It’s looking very likely that the team that starts the first game will come from the squad that struggled last season. We can’t afford to be playing catch-up.
Key players/weak links As always we’re likely to be defensively strong so we’ll be looking for keeper Pope and defenders Tarkowski and Mee to maintain that. The weakness is goalscoring: that needs to change.
Young talent A year ago I mentioned forward Lewis Richardson. He’s 18 now and is in and around the first team. He and defender Bobby Thomas have the best chance of a breakthrough.
We still need to buy We’re short on numbers still, nowhere more than in the wide positions with just Gudmundsson and McNeil in place. We’ve tried and failed to sign Ashley Young and Marc Albrighton – it’s imperative we strengthen in that area.
Headline maker Sean Dyche stepped up his press conferences last season. The lookie-likeys one was a highlight.
We will finish 16th; Top four 1 Man City 2 Chelsea 3 Liverpool 4 Man Utd; Bottom three 18 Brighton 19 Norwich 20 Watford; First manager sacked Xisco Muñoz.
• Tony Scholes UpTheClarets.com; @utcdotcom
Chelsea
Starting the season as European champions feels good. If we can add a few more goals this side can definitely challenge for the title: we proved last season we have the ability to beat anyone. There’s proper depth, confidence – we’re a team to be feared by most.
Key players/weak links Last season I was worried about the defence – this season it’s the options up front that could hold us back, at least until the Lukaku deal is confirmed. Key players: Mendy, Thiago, Kanté, Mount, Havertz and Werner.
Young talent I’m not expecting any kids to break through under Tuchel, sadly. It’s a familiar pattern: promising talents such as Billy Gilmour and Conor Gallagher are again off on loan, Armando Broja looks set to follow them, and our 20-21 academy player of the year, Tino Livramento, has been sold to Southampton.
We still need to buy If the Lukaku deal doesn’t happen for any reason we need a quick, big plan B. Kane from our north London friends would be a scream. The meltdown would last for years.
Headline maker Tuchel. Not shy, and not afraid of controversy.
We will finish 2nd; Top four 1 Man City 2 Chelsea 3 Man Utd 4 Leicester; Bottom three 18 Newcastle 19 Norwich 20 Watford; First manager sacked Xisco Muñoz.
• Paul Baker in memory of Trizia Fiorellino
Crystal Palace
It’s all looking pretty positive: a brave, exciting managerial appointment, and we’ve pretty much secured all of our summer targets to date – young, keen players who feel comfortable on the ball – while also massively reducing our wage bill and squad age. The worry is we have a very hard start; the possible lack of points early in the season may put a lot of pressure on this younger squad.
Key players/weak links The new centre-back pairing of Guéhi and Andersen will shape how we get on. Eze and Olise, when fit, should add verve in midfield and Gallagher’s energy will be a big plus. But an injury or another loss of form from Benteke will leave us short up front again as it stands.
Young talent Scott Banks and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi have had fine pre-seasons.
We still need to buy Re-signing Nathaniel Clyne on a year’s deal made a lot of sense, but there’s more to do. Ideally, another attacking player who can fit in across midfield, and a young, up-and-coming striker.
Headline maker It’ll be all about Vieira. If he has a good season, expect plenty of noise from Arsenal fans wanting him back. Eze’s return will also be big news: he’s due an England chance after injury ruled him out of the Euros.
We will finish 14th; Top four 1 Man City 2 Chelsea 3 Man Utd 4 Liverpool; Bottom three 18 Brighton 19 Newcastle 20 Norwich; First manager sacked Steve Bruce.
• Chris Waters @Clapham_Grand
Everton
Benítez’s lack of recent success, rather negative style and his baggage shouldn’t logically be grounds for optimism. But there seems a new sense of purpose and strategy in these early weeks that’s not been seen since the Moyes era. Bargain-basement shopping under Moshiri is a novelty also. Reducing costs is the order of the day, so much focus is on who will be leaving, including James Rodríguez (incredibly!), Gomes, Iwobi and Delph (less so!).
Key players/weak links Pickford should continue his excellent 2021 form. Up front, Calvert-Lewin served by Gray and Townsend should be productive alongside a revitalised Richarlison. In midfield, Allan may be more dynamic under Benítez. And a now fully fit Gbamin will surprise a few – but creativity (especially without James) will be a major issue.
Young talent Ellis Simms had an excellent loan at Blackpool, Lewis Dobbin, 18, has shone in pre-season, and Jarrad Branthwaite will be hoping this is his breakthrough season.
We still need to buy A right-back: Coleman can’t be expected to play all season. Denzel Dumfries has been chased for a while. We also need pace in midfield.
Headline maker Benítez. The show is his. He has to find an extra 20% from the players to make us competitive for European qualification. Will the players respond? And will the fanbase forgive his previous allegiance, especially if we have a slow start?
We will finish 10th; Top four 1 Man City 2 Chelsea 3 Leicester 4 Man Utd; Bottom three 18 Watford 19 Burnley 20 Norwich; First manager sacked Xisco Muñoz.
• The Esk TheEsk.org; @TheEsk
Leeds
Promotion in 2020 felt 16 years overdue, so finishing ninth last season was the first time in years Leeds exceeded fans’ expectations. Now nobody knows what’s next. Will avoiding relegation be another success, or will it be a let-down to miss out on Europe? Sheffield United are useful here – let’s not do that – and most fans will be happy with another top-half finish. But there’s a little part of each of us thinking we should be winning the title this year. Optimism comes at Leeds like a curse.
Key players/weak links Bielsa likes a small squad, so cover looks short if Pat Bamford and Illan Meslier can’t carry on last season’s breakthrough levels. While Big Six fans prod Kalvin Phillips like a side of market beef, we’re bracing for an exhilarating full season of Raphinha.
Young talent Teenage besties Sam Greenwood, a free-kick specialist, and Joe Gelhardt, like a sleek french fry to Wayne Rooney’s potato, are inching towards the first team. And it feels like now or never for Jamie Shackleton, coming up to 22 in October – he’s got the quality, he just needs a place.
We still need to buy A left-back was the priority and Junior Firpo came quickly from Barcelona. The club say last summer’s £100m outlay was for this season as well, but a central midfielder of some kind might still turn up. Fans say we need at least one more in every position. But that’s a Bielsa squad for you.
Headline maker The manager. I don’t imagine the worldwide fascination with him will reduce. Rightly so. Having so much attention on the manager also helps the players work in peace, I think, But Luke Ayling’s low-key humour deserves a bigger platform.
We will finish 7th; Top four 1 Man City 2 Liverpool 3 Leicester 4 Chelsea; Bottom three 18 Newcastle 19 Norwich 20 Watford; First manager sacked Thomas Frank.
• Daniel Chapman thesquareball.net; @MoscowhiteTSB
Leicester
I’m fairly optimistic. Last season our lack of squad depth caught up with us in the end but we look a lot stronger now thanks to some shrewd business.
Key players/weak links Harvey Barnes’s engine has been greatly missed and his return will be a huge plus. Ndidi and Tielemans will continue to dominate midfield, which will be crucial if we’re to get back in the top four. Our main weakness as it stands is a lack of wingers on the other side to complement Barnes.
Young talent Jeff Stelling better get some elocution lessons: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is set to be a breakout performer this season.
We still need to buy A winger to solve that key problem – and perhaps another experienced centre-back in case Evans has a spell on the sidelines.
Headline maker Kelechi Iheanacho – AKA Senior Man. “It’s what players from Nigeria who play in Europe are called when they come back to the country … People in Leicester don’t call me by my name any more – it’s like they have forgotten it. People just call me Senior Man. Even older people.” His antics will keep fans laughing – so long as he’s still scoring, too.
We will finish 4th; Top four 1 Man City 2 Chelsea 3 Man Utd 4 Leicester; Bottom three 18 Palace 19 Watford 20 Burnley; First manager sacked Steve Bruce.
• Chris Whiting clippings.me/chriswhiting; @ChrisRWhiting
• Part two: Liverpool to Wolves
