Chelsea were runaway Premier League winners for season 2014-15, finishing on 87 points, eight clear of Manchester City.
But for a host of clubs, led by the Manchester clubs, second place is not good enough. Accordingly, with all clubs keen to strengthen, add depth and clear their dead weight, how do the bookies rate them?
Chelsea £2.50
Notable Transfers:
(In): Radamel Falcao, Asmir Begovic, Kenedy
(Out): Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Felipe Luis
Transfer Targets: John Stones (Everton – centre-back), Pedro (FC Barcelona – winger)
Reigning champions Chelsea started the season strongly and never looked back. Consistency was their key, losing just three games all season – second-placed Manchester City lost seven. The Blues benefitted from a number of smart transfers the season prior with Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa both enjoying strong debut campaigns. They scored the second-most goals and conceded the least – thanks to a steady back four featuring John Terry and Gary Cahill.
For Chelsea, this transfer period is about adding depth. Still hurting from the loss of long-term goalkeeper Petr Cech to Arsenal, they have purchased Asmir Begovic as his replacement. The Blues have also loaned in Radamel Falcao to provide competition for Costa up front. Further targets John Stones and Pedro would also likely be depth signings – at least in the short term.
Manchester City £3.75
Notable Transfers:
(In): Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph, Patrick Roberts
(Out): James Milner, Scott Sinclair, Micah Richards, John Guidetti
Transfer Targets: Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg – attacking-midfielder), Paul Pogba (Juventus – central-midfielder)
A second place finish is simply not good enough for owner Shiek Mansour Nahyan. There was no particulary weak position. City suffered greatly when Sergio Aguero went down injured, so much so that they signed Wilfried Bony in January. Manuel Pellegrini’s side lacked pace and creativity on the wings and a downturn in form from Yaya Toure left its midfield a shadow of years gone by.
This transfer period has been primarily about adding top quality, specifically English top quality. With a number of English players departing, Manchester City required additional home grown players just to meet the English FA requirements. Raheem Sterling ticks both boxes of home grown and star quality, Fabian Delph too is expected to compete for a spot in the starting lineup. A massive statement of intent would be the signing of Bundesliga superstar Kevin De Bruyne with talks believed to be advanced – a fee of £53 million is supposedly agreed with Wolfsburg. De Bruyne, 24, set a Bundesliga record of 20 assists last term and also contributed 10 goals. If a transfer does proceed, the thought of he and Aguero teaming up is sure to strike fear into their domestic rivals.
Finally, as is often the case with Manchester City, a number of dead wood players appear destined for the exit door with Steven Jovetic and Edin Dzeko still expected to clear out this summer.
Arsenal £5.50
Notable Transfers:
(In): Petr Cech
(Out): Lukas Podolski, Abou Diaby, Wojciech Szczesny (loan)
Transfer Targets: Karim Benzema (Real Madrid – striker)
A third place finish and also retaining the FA Cup is seen as a step in the right direction for Arsenal. After a slow start in which a number of key players were injured, they played a brilliant second half of the campaign and have reason to believe they can now seriously challenge. The Gunners’ preseason form has been highly impressive with Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott looking particularly in tune. Now is the time to press on.
Petr Cech was a massive coup and addresses a position of weakness from Arsenal over the last decade. Arsenal fans were left disappointed by Wenger’s decision not to bid for Morgan Schneiderlin – a second choice defensive midfielder would still be a great depth signing. Further, the jury is still out on whether Olivier Giroud is a striker capable of leading them to the title. Walcott may be in great form but his injury record means he should not be relied on to stay fit the entire campaign. Arsenal are believed to be searching for a top quality striker, but that is a tough ask in a market of limited supply.
Arsenal should be commended on their efficient player sales as well. High earners Podolski, Diaby and Szczesny have been taken off the wage books and Mathieu Flamini looks likely to join them with a move to Galatasaray appearing likely.
Manchester United £6.00
Notable Transfers:
(In): Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin, Matteo Darmian, Sergio Romero
(Out): Robin Van Persie, Nani, Tom Cleverley
Transfer Targets: Edison Cavani (PSG – striker), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid – centre-back)
Progress was made last season but they are still a long way short of replicating the success of the Ferguson era. Similar to last campaign, money is being thrown at the problem to try and make it go away. However, unlike last season, this season’s signings look like good value buys up front. Depay was signed for around £25 million and will likely evolve into one of the stars of the game. Schweinsteiger is a Champions League and World Cup winner and will give them an instant boost in the middle. Schneiderlin and Darmian look like great long-term prospects.
Of course, United will again feature in the Champions League this season. The additional game time will be an obstacle that the coaches and players must again endure concurrently against their domestic pursuits.
Van Gaal’s team is probably the one which has improved most this offseason. If it is able to sign a world-class centre-back and a striker to replace van Persie, the sky is the limit.
Liverpool £21.00
Notable Transfers:
(In): James Milner, Danny Ings, Roberto Firmino, Nathaniel Clyne, Christian Benteke
(Out): Raheem Sterling, Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard
Transfer Targets: Lukas Digne (PSG – left-back), Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon – striker), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund – winger/striker)
Another major presence in this year’s transfer market, Liverpool’s campaign ended with a sixth place finish. The loss of goals provided by Luis Suarez and the injured Daniel Sturridge could not be replicated by new signings Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert, thus Liverpool have made goalscorers their prime target for the upcoming campaign.
The loss of Raheem Sterling was a big blow, but they were well compensated and Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke look likely to help Liverpool supporters to forget about him and quickly. James Milner and Danny Ings are both impressive acquisitions considering their free status. Sturridge may not be entirely over his injury woes, so the Reds continue to search for additional fire power with breakout Ligue 1 star Alexandre Lacazette and world beater Marco Reus linked.
At £21.00 odds, the bookies do not seem to rate this new-look squad a strong chance. It may take time to gel, but when it does, this young team could really cause a few surprises.
The Rest
Tottenham are given odds of £101.00 and Southampton and Everton are listed at £251.00. The rest are not worth mentioning.
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Please note that all odds are provided by Bet365.
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