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Another new season of foregone conclusions and inane banter. Here we go again. Welcoming newly promoted Norwich City, Watford and first-timers Brentford into this season's Premier League.



Teams representing the Premier League in Europe are:

Champions League:
Manchester City
Manchester United
Chelsea
Liverpool

Europa League:
Leicester City
West Ham United

Europa Conference League:
Tottenham Hotspur

Maybe Leicester will prove me wrong again, but this is the first season in a while that I think the top 4 are clearly ahead of the rest. Still expecting City to win.

rapstarter wrote:Maybe Leicester will prove me wrong again, but this is the first season in a while that I think the top 4 are clearly ahead of the rest. Still expecting City to win.

Of course we will prove you wrong.

Chelsea sound like they are going to make big signings. Man U sound like they are going to make necessary signings, Man city should make signings, especially a goal scorer but you can never be sure. Those 3 teams seem to be head and shoulders above the rest of us.

I've left Liverpool out of that group because I haven't seen anything happening there yet. they should be top 4, with the return of a decent defence, but their strikers looked a little out of sorts last season and there are questions about their midfield still.

After that Spurs are in transition and nobody knows what's happening. Is Kane staying? Is the team going to be flooded by top Portuguese talent? Are they going to remake their shaky and aging defence? Arsenal still have the pulling power to bring in big names but so far they haven't and they clearly need some class especially in midfield that is going to work in the Prem, they're on unsteady footing at the moment but have the name, class and money to turn it around fast.

Then there are the "little" teams. Leicester have started bringing in players on a budget who have potential but are unproven in the prem, Everton will certainly splash the cash again, West Ham are looking to the racist East for more gems, Can villa hold onto Grealish? What are wolves going to do this off-season?

Looking forward to a great season and hoping Leicester get all their purchases in early, to train and meld.

HIF wrote:Chelsea sound like they are going to make big signings. Man U sound like they are going to make necessary signings, Man city should make signings, especially a goal scorer but you can never be sure. Those 3 teams seem to be head and shoulders above the rest of us.

I've left Liverpool out of that group because I haven't seen anything happening there yet. they should be top 4, with the return of a decent defence, but their strikers looked a little out of sorts last season and there are questions about their midfield still.

After that Spurs are in transition and nobody knows what's happening. Is Kane staying? Is the team going to be flooded by top Portuguese talent? Are they going to remake their shaky and aging defence? Arsenal still have the pulling power to bring in big names but so far they haven't and they clearly need some class especially in midfield that is going to work in the Prem, they're on unsteady footing at the moment but have the name, class and money to turn it around fast.

Then there are the "little" teams. Leicester have started bringing in players on a budget who have potential but are unproven in the prem, Everton will certainly splash the cash again, West Ham are looking to the racist East for more gems, Can villa hold onto Grealish? What are wolves going to do this off-season?

Looking forward to a great season and hoping Leicester get all their purchases in early, to train and meld.

I agree with pretty much your entire assessment, except for Leicester being among the little teams. That's surely changed by now.

Here's my predictions for the top spots of the table for next season:

1. Man City
2. Chelsea
3. Man United
4. Liverpool
5. Leicester
6. Spurs
7. Arsenal
8. West Ham

City still on top assuming they add Kane and/or Grealish, but I think Chelsea can run them close. They look fantastic under Tuchel, are coming off the back of an impressive CL win, and still look like they'll add more quality to the team. United have made great signings too in positions of need, to be fair, but I still don't rate Solskjaer at all. I think with a top manager they could feasibly contend with that squad. Liverpool have Van Dijk back, so they will be better.

For the first time in a while the top four looks pretty much set from the get-go. I'd be really surprised if anyone was able to bridge that gap, however, Leicester are certainly the closest after making some really astute signings.

My expectations for Spurs aren't too high. 6th might even be optimistic. Show some quality, play on the front foot, build the offence around Son with Kane heading off. I'm quite excited by the Bryan Gil signing as a quality young prospect, and Cristian Romero is the real deal and adds some very necessary steel to a god awful defensive line. I'm happy to give Nuno some time and a fair shake at it.

Also, wanted to quickly mention Crystal Palace's good business these last few windows. Signing Eze and Michael Olise at such a low cost, the best talents in the Championship in each of the past two respective seasons, is really nice business.

Vieira's got some interesting talent to work with, there.

Baphomet wrote:

HIF wrote:Chelsea sound like they are going to make big signings. Man U sound like they are going to make necessary signings, Man city should make signings, especially a goal scorer but you can never be sure. Those 3 teams seem to be head and shoulders above the rest of us.

I've left Liverpool out of that group because I haven't seen anything happening there yet. they should be top 4, with the return of a decent defence, but their strikers looked a little out of sorts last season and there are questions about their midfield still.

After that Spurs are in transition and nobody knows what's happening. Is Kane staying? Is the team going to be flooded by top Portuguese talent? Are they going to remake their shaky and aging defence? Arsenal still have the pulling power to bring in big names but so far they haven't and they clearly need some class especially in midfield that is going to work in the Prem, they're on unsteady footing at the moment but have the name, class and money to turn it around fast.

Then there are the "little" teams. Leicester have started bringing in players on a budget who have potential but are unproven in the prem, Everton will certainly splash the cash again, West Ham are looking to the racist East for more gems, Can villa hold onto Grealish? What are wolves going to do this off-season?

Looking forward to a great season and hoping Leicester get all their purchases in early, to train and meld.

I agree with pretty much your entire assessment, except for Leicester being among the little teams. That's surely changed by now.

Here's my predictions for the top spots of the table for next season:

1. Man City
2. Chelsea
3. Man United
4. Liverpool
5. Leicester
6. Spurs
7. Arsenal
8. West Ham

City still on top assuming they add Kane and/or Grealish, but I think Chelsea can run them close. They look fantastic under Tuchel, are coming off the back of an impressive CL win, and still look like they'll add more quality to the team. United have made great signings too in positions of need, to be fair, but I still don't rate Solskjaer at all. I think with a top manager they could feasibly contend with that squad. Liverpool have Van Dijk back, so they will be better.

For the first time in a while the top four looks pretty much set from the get-go. I'd be really surprised if anyone was able to bridge that gap, however, Leicester are certainly the closest after making some really astute signings.

My expectations for Spurs aren't too high. 6th might even be optimistic. Show some quality, play on the front foot, build the offence around Son with Kane heading off. I'm quite excited by the Bryan Gil signing as a quality young prospect, and Cristian Romero is the real deal and adds some very necessary steel to a god awful defensive line. I'm happy to give Nuno some time and a fair shake at it.

What are you feelings about Kane not coming to pre-season? I know how Mahrez soured me by stopping working when at Leicester.

Spurs are going to get good money for him and if that is well invested they could pick up 5 or 6 good players (the Leicester way) which could catapult them back into contention. Poor purchases and it could all end in tears.

Baphomet wrote:Also, wanted to quickly mention Crystal Palace's good business these last few windows. Signing Eze and Michael Olise at such a low cost, the best talents in the Championship in each of the past two respective seasons, is really nice business.

Vieira's got some interesting talent to work with, there.

The problem is that their baseline is low. They've been lucky to survive in the prem and I think Zaha although only 28 looked nowhere near what he has been last season. They have got rid of a lot of older players this season which is good but maybe the transition will see them dropping a division for a season.

Solksjear really has to win the league this season.
I mean, how much talent do you need to win anything?

HIF wrote:What are you feelings about Kane not coming to pre-season? I know how Mahrez soured me by stopping working when at Leicester.

Spurs are going to get good money for him and if that is well invested they could pick up 5 or 6 good players (the Leicester way) which could catapult them back into contention. Poor purchases and it could all end in tears.

I'm numb to it. I just want him to leave at this point and get the rebuild started proper, which feels heinous to say as someone who's been one of his biggest supporters even during his lowest moments.

Unfortunately, it's his only real gambit. Since he signed a long-term contract not that long ago, he doesn't have much leverage in any transfer request and it keeps his fee as high as possible. Not turning up to training shows Spurs that he's willing to do what it takes to force a move. It's **** but it's pretty much right out of the disgruntled star play book, and we had to deal with it before with Bale and Modric.

The fee is going to be massive. I understand that transfer fees are complicated and player values fluctuate depending on a wealth of circumstances, but if you look at Chelsea's improved offer for Lukaku, which is in the region of 120m plus Alonso, that should be the absolute baseline for any reasonable Kane offer. With all due respect to Big Rom, a player that I like, he isn't half the player Harry is. Add to that the fact that Kane is England's captain, on pace to break the PL and England scoring records, and is playing for a domestic 'rival' (in the loosest sense), the fee will need to be colossal to make Spurs even consider it, and City know that. It's actually entirely plausible that they sign both Kane and Grealish for absurd fees with FFP suspended, which is a crazy thought considering how good they are already.

The problem is that this is undoubtedly going to be a drawn out saga. I really want it done and to be able to move on.

The_Brecht wrote:Solksjear really has to win the league this season.
I mean, how much talent do you need to win anything?

They aren't as good as City or Chelsea, even with Varane and Sancho. Their midfield is still lacking, imo. Bruno is obviously top class but Pogba is too mercurial to be relied upon routinely, and Fred and McTominay are distinctly average PL players. Compare that to the absolute class and depth of those clubs in the middle of the park.

They've got a good attacking line and a good defence, but everything in-between leaves me doubtful. Add a top quality DM/CM and I'd put them on that level.

I mean, like I said before, they still have a good enough forward line to threaten any team and make a good run of it, but I can't see them being consistent enough to win the title. Maybe they'll prove me wrong.

Grealish to man City is massive.

HIF wrote:Grealish to man City is massive.

Massive overpay?

I mean outside of that one Liverpool game...he has been good but not 100 mil. pound good...

Mateta has already worn out his welcome at Crystal Palace I see?
Might actually help us, though. We have no goalscorer and if he is willing to buy into the team instead of being the usual diva he could be good for us...

^Definitely, I won't believe it till it happens since City don't even need a LW. My view is they're probably holding budget for Messi and Kane in that order.

Foye wrote:

HIF wrote:Grealish to man City is massive.

Massive overpay?

I mean outside of that one Liverpool game...he has been good but not 100 mil. pound good...

I had to do a double take.

100m for Grealish?

Is the market that rough right now? Jesus....

What's the latest on Kane?

I think Grealish is worth it. One of the best talents in the world. Maddison should get nearly that if Arsenal want him and Kane should be another £100m.

Looks like Man City and Chelsea purchases will leave the rest of the league in their dust.

Grealish is one of the best players in the league, but is he that much of an upgrade over the likes of Mahrez, Sterling and Silva to warrant a 100M price tag? Should have gone towards Fernandinho's eventual replacement & alternative to Rodri IMO. That said, who knows, maybe they will buy that too + Kane lol

rapstarter wrote:Grealish is one of the best players in the league, but is he that much of an upgrade over the likes of Mahrez, Sterling and Silva to warrant a 100M price tag? Should have gone towards Fernandinho's eventual replacement & alternative to Rodri IMO. That said, who knows, maybe they will buy that too + Kane lol

They have Lavia to replace Fernandinho and Rodri.
Remember the name.

rapstarter wrote:Grealish is one of the best players in the league, but is he that much of an upgrade over the likes of Mahrez, Sterling and Silva to warrant a 100M price tag? Should have gone towards Fernandinho's eventual replacement & alternative to Rodri IMO. That said, who knows, maybe they will buy that too + Kane lol

City's squad is so good that there is generally always going to be an element of diminishing returns with any attacking signing they make. Pep loves to rotate, too.

A player like Grealish might hypothetically be worth an extra 5 or 6 points to a team like City, but 20+ to a team like Villa. Villa's valuation of him is the reason for the bloated cost.