Premier League Previews: #7 Manchester City

Last Season: 1st

In: None

Out: Vladimir Weiss (£3.5m, Delfino Pescara), Wayne Bridge (Loan, Brighton & Hove Albion), Owen Hargreaves (released), Stuart Taylor (released)

If they were an Olympian: Peter Wilson. Like City, Britain's Olympic Double Trap champion owes much of his success to a wealthy Middle-Eastern businessman.

Logic suggests that Manchester City should retain the Premier League with minimal difficulty. The club sauntered through the first third of the season; blowing teams away with an expansive and devastating style that culminated in an unforgettable 6-1 victory at Old Trafford. Yet the remainder of the season indicates that there is plenty of evidence to suggest that it will be far from a procession for City even with the pressure of winning a first title off their shoulders.

Manager Roberto Mancini's pre-season preparations have not been entirely satisfactory as was made clear when he made a series of unsubtle references to the club's sluggish movements in the transfer market. This was further exacerbated when earlier this week Mancini intimated that long term target Robin Van Persie would be unlikely to join.

There is a clear contrast in priorities between Mancini and those above him. Mancini wanted to have his squad in place in plenty of time for the start of the season which begins in just over a week, with Community Shield match against Chelsea this Sunday. This now seems unlikely, although the pursuit of Daniel Agger seems to be picking up pace but City are baulking at Liverpool's £27m valuation. A deal involving serial bench warmer Adam Johnson has been mooted.

While Mancini chases Van Persie and Agger, his superiors have been more focused on removing players from the club's bloated wage bill, most of whom are the remenants of Mark Hughes' rein at the club. Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz are still on the wage bill, costing the club in excess of £300,000 a week in wages. Both are happy to leave but understandably there are few clubs willing to pay such exorbitant salaries and the pair are unwilling to take a pay cut. Wayne Bridge has left for Brighton but his wages will be heavily subsidised by City. Adebayor's prospective move to Tottenham seems to have stalled due to Spurs being unwilling to match his wages and pay a £5m fee to City. A move still seems likely but will most likely go down to the wire.

City have two clear aims this year. Retain the title and make a significant impact on the Champions League. The club should benefit from being promoted to a second seed in the draw for the group stages which should improve their chances of progression, though they could still face either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

For City to realise these goals, the squad will have to be carefully managed as the burnout that David Silva suffered last season, as well as the Carlos Teva saga nearly derailed the club's title bid. For all the talk of City's strength in depth, like every other team they are still heavily reliant on certain individuals and long term injuries to Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure or Silva would be hugely detrimental.

Even if both Santa Cruz and Adebayor are sold, City still have a strike force which cost them in excess of £100m. How Mancini goes about keeping Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Tevez happy will be interesting. Aguero is the only one who can be totally confident of his place and the other three will be competing to play alongside the Argentine, who finished the season with 30 goals. Although Tevez's return from his 4 month strike was a catalyst for City's title charge, it seems that his relationship from Mancini is far from fully healed.

Realistically City should win the league but their two closest rivals have so far strengthened more than they have. United have brought in Shinji Kagawa and are seemingly closing in on Van Persie, not to mention having Nemanja Vidic back from injury and Paul Scholes available from the start of the season. Chelsea too have spent big whilst City have yet to add to their squad.

United's record for bouncing back after losing their title is exceptional and only one other side have successfully retained the Premier League title, with Jose Mourinho's Chelsea achieving it in 2005/2006.

City could retain the league this year but  Mancini will want to make an impact on Europe where his record with both City and previous club Inter Milan is poor. If City can progress through the group stages in Europe and still be in touch at the top of the league then they have every chance, however the perils of retaining the Premier League, especially with Sir Alex Ferguson desperate to silence his "noisy neighbours", means it may well be a bridge to far.


Predicted Finish: 2nd

Key Man: Sergio Aguero. Any number of City players could be picked out here as Hart, Kompany, Yaya Toure and David Silva are all essential to City's ambitions this year but Roberto Mancini's hopes of retaining the title and winning the Champions League rest largely on Sergio Aguero's shoulders. With 23 league goals last season, Aguero will be expected to improve on what was a hugely impressive debut season. A good bet to be named player of the season.

Underrated: Gareth Barry. In a team of superstars and egos Gareth Barry quietly goes about his work. Still maligned by many for allowing Mesut Ozil skip past him in Bloemfontein 2 years ago, Barry was one of City's most consistent performers last term and one of the first names on Roberto Mancini's team sheet for big games. Barry provides a balance to midfield alongside Yaya Toure and his lack of pace is rarely exposed due to his excellent positional play. Barry was immense in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United at the Etihad in May which set City on the way to glory.

Watch out for: It is hard to see any youngsters or unknown players being given any great playing time this season. So we'll just say to look out for a young Italian striker called Mario Balotelli, he can be quite entertaining from time to time...

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Premier League Previews: #6 Liverpool

Last Season: 8th

In: Fabio Borini (£11.7m, AS Roma)

Out: Alberto Aquilani (£7m, Fiorentina), Maxi Rodriguez (Newell's Old Boys, free transfer), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbache, £800,000), Stephen Darby (Bradford City, free transfer)

If they were an Olympian: Seb Coe. Dominant in the 80's and always the centre of attention. Dropped off the radar for a while but now back, having to adjust to a new role and position. Divides opinion.

Unlike every other Premier League side, Liverpool have already started their season with an unconvincing 1-0 win of FC Gomel in the Europa League qualifying stage. Very little should be read into either this result or the performances on the club's pre-season tour. The best thing that has happened for new boss Brendan Rogers so far is that, unlike his predecessor, nobody has mentioned the need for Champions League qualification or indeed any targets.

The transfer window has seen a number of players depart with Alberto Aquilani, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez leaving with only Fabio Borini arriving. Borini should have no problem adapting to Rodgers' methods having worked with him at both Chelsea and Swansea. As has already been written the signing of  Borini indicates a desire from Rodgers to build a fluid attacking unit based on interchangeable forwards and quick movement. With the emphasis on fluidity it is no great shock that the club are willing to let Andy Carroll go if they can arrange to recoup some money for £35m man.

Speculation is growing that Daniel Agger will make the short trip across the M62 to Manchester City and if this occurs then it seems probable that Liverpool will move for a centre back as Sebastian Coates is still adapting to English football.Swansea's Ashley Williams has been mooted as a possible replacement.

Rodgers will by and large have to make do with the same squad that Kenny Dalglish led to a disappointing 8th place last time out. However it is also the same squad that won the Carling Cup and reached the F.A. Cup final with those runs including victories over Chelsea and both Manchester clubs. Rodgers' main task will be coaxing better performances out of men such as Stewart Downing and Luis Enrique who lost their way badly last year. The spine of the Liverpool team, despite the trials and tribulations of the last few years, is still formidable. Pepe Reina remains one of the league's top keepers, although he will be hoping to eradicate the errors which crept into his game last season. Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger are both excellent centre backs and have formed a solid partnership. Lucas Leiva returns to a midfield which will hopefully include a fully fit Steven Gerrard and up front Luis Suarez remains a high class forward.

It is the players that surround this spine that are the worry; both Glen Johnson and Enrique are inconsistent, Charlie Adam and Downing have yet to justify the club's faith in them whilst Andy Carroll's problems are well documented.

Right now Liverpool's most likely forward line consists of Suarez, Borini and probably Downing although this may change if Rodgers moves for Clint Dempsey. It is in midfield where there are more questions than answers. Fit again Lucas looks set to be a fixture in the squad, speaking about the Brazilian Rodgers said "Everyone told me how special Lucas was as a player and a character, and in reality he's even better than that when I've met him".

"He is going to be a brilliant player for me in my career here at Liverpool and I'm looking forward to seeing him fully fit."

The question is who plays alongside Lucas? At Swansea Rodgers' favored midfield consisted of two "passers", Joe Allen (who is being strongly linked with Liverpool) and Leon Britton alongside a more offensively minded player in Gylfi Sigurdsson (who chose Tottenham ahead of Liverpool). If Lucas is to be one of the passers and presumably Gerrard the more attacking player, then it looks as though the battle for the final midfield spot is between Adam and Jordan Henderson.

Overall this season is very much the first part of what Rodgers' hopes is a successful trilogy over the course of his three year contract. The fans will be looking for improved performances especially at home, where Liverpool's results were dire last term. Anything in the top six should be classed as a success but the man who has placed £44,000 on Liverpool to finish in the top 2 is unlikely to be cashing his slip come May.

Predicted Finish: 6th

Key Man: Luis Suarez: Love him or loathe him, and most people are squarely in the latter, Suarez is Liverpool's most important player. Without him, Liverpool's chance of bridging the gap with the top sides are negligible. Which is why the news of him signing a new £120,000 a week contract has been greeted with such fan fare. There were two things that held Suarez back last season; Indiscipline and poor finishing. Suarez missed 9 games through suspension whilst his finishing often let him down after brilliant approach play. Rectify these two issues and he could easily end the season with 25 goals. There can be no doubt of his abilities, and his gift for jinking past defenders continues to amaze.

Underrated: Jordan Henderson: A tough one. 12 months ago Lucas would have been the obvious example but his long-term absence seems to have finally forced the doubters to realise his importance to the team. Brendan Rogers has already gone out of his way to extol his value. Stewart Downing is not as bad as has been made out but this cannot change the fact that he was poor last season. Perhaps Jordan Henderson is most deserving of this as he does not deserve to be placed in the same category of Carroll and Downing. Whilst not spectacular, Henderson is an intelligent player and his versatility is a major attribute. Probably lacking in confidence at times last year, this problem should decrease as he begins to become more accustomed to life at Anfield.

Watch out for: Fabio Borini. Raheem Sterling is an exciting talent but it seems unlikely he will see much action so Borini could be a surprise package at Anfield. 10 goals in 26 appearances for Roma last term does not tell the whole story with the Italian. He is a very unselfish player and will gladly make runs to create space for his teammates. Borini's finishing however is clinical and he averages out to just over a goal ever other game. The major worry is that he has not played much football so far in his career. In total the 21 year old has only made 47 career appearances.

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Premier League Previews: #5 Fulham

Last Season: 9th

In: Hugo Rodallega (Wigan, free transfer), Mladen Petric (Hamburger SV, free tranfser), Sascha Riether (Cologne, season-long loan)

Out: Dickson Etuhu (Blackburn, £1.6m), Andy Johnson (QPR, free transfer), Danny Murphy (Blackburn, free transfer), Pavel Pogrebnyak (Reading, free transfer), Orlando Sa (released), Bjorn Helge Riise (Lillestrom, free transfer), Marcel Gecov (KAA Gent, £686,000)

If they were an Olympian: Asafa Powell. Well liked by most, had one moment of real international attention, unlikely to ever hit the heights again. Still better than most.

Few people have a bad word to say about Fulham, except for that horrific statue of Michael Jackson outside the ground, and that is largely down to the way the club conducts itself on and off the pitch. There is much to admire at Craven Cottage; from the clubs consistently prudent work in the transfer market to its thriving academy. However the vultures are circling and the club face the realistic prospect of losing one of, or even both, Clint Dempsey and Moussa Dembele. Both are being courted by clubs with greater clout than Fulham. Dempsey and Dembele are both entering the final years of their contracts so the club will surely wish to either sell them now or tie them to new deals. The loss of these players would be enormous, Dempsey scored 23 goals in all competitions last year and few players can glide past defenders as easily as Dembele. With the losses of Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson, both joining old boss Mark Hughes at QPR, Fulham certainly need their two star men to stay.

Boss Martin Jol has attempted to rebuild his front-line which was heavily reliant on Dempsey last season, by bringing in Hugo Rodallega and Mladen Petric. Petric is a talented player and should fit in well but he has never been prolific whilst Rodallega endured a terrible season last year and usually requires 4 or 5 chances to score. Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz should be better off with a full season behind him and should build on the flashes of brilliance he demonstrated last year.

The departure of the ageless Danny Murphy will also hit the Cottagers hard as their former captain had been the heartbeat of their side for a number of years.

Despite the loss of several established players there is plenty to be positive about. Several of their academy players showed real promise last season. Young Swiss winger Kerim Frei destroyed many full backs and Alex Kacaniklic also showed promise. Many around the club also talk up the abilities of Marcello Trotta and Mesca Na Bangna.

Fulham's home form has always been key to their success, last year they beat Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle as well as holding Manchester City and Chelsea, and this year will be no different. The away form, which was a perennial problem, showed signs of improvement last year. Defensively much depends on Mark Schwarzer and Brede Hangeland sustaining their form and this year may see the rise to prominence of young full back Matthew Briggs who is an excellent prospect.

The transfer window is crucial to Fulham's prospects. If they are able to prevent Dembele and Dempsey from departing then they have every chance of continuing last seasons work. Were they to depart then problems would begin to mount as they are the two players in Jol's squad who are irreplaceable and without them the fluid attacking system Jol has developed would be ripped apart.

 
Predicted Finish: 9th

Key Man: Clint Dempsey: Only Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero scored more goals in the league last year than Clint Dempsey and Fulham's hopes are very much reliant on the American remaining at the club. Dempsey's move further forward last year into a "false 9" position was a revelation. Comfortable on either foot, Dempsey can shoot from distance as well as possessing an uncanny ability to time his arrivals into the box, where he has fantastic aerial ability.

Underrated: Philippe Senderos: Much maligned by fans for his time at Arsenal, Philippe Senderos proved his doubters wrong last year with a number of excellent displays at the heart of Fulham's defence.

Watch out for: Kerim Frie: Losing to Arsenal last season, Martin Jol threw on Kerim Frie with instructions to test stand in right back Johan Djorou. The result? Djourou was sent off for fouling Frei and Fulham won the game 2-1. Comfortable going inside or outside, and possessing turbo acceleration Frei was a revelation last season and will look to secure a regular starting spot.

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Premier League Previews: #4 Everton

Last Season: 7th

In: Steven Pienaar (Spurs, £5.6m), Steven Naismith (Rangers, free transfer)

Out: Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache, £2.2m), Tim Cahill (NY Red Bulls, £1.1m)

If they were an Olympian: Dai Greene. Not great starters, improve as the competition progresses but just not good enough to break into the medal positions. Well liked.

Last season was the typical Everton season, uninspiring beginnings were followed by a strong finish. It is pointless to say that if Everton could start the season as well as they finish them then this season could be promising but it has been said too many times. However there are some encouraging signs coming out of Goodison Park. Firstly is that the club possesses a forward who it seems can be relied upon for a regular source of goals.

The signing of Nikica Jelavic last January was the catalyst for Everton's impressive end to the season and Steven Pienaar has returned after the unmitigated disaster that was his time at Tottenham. The loss of Tim Cahill, whilst sad for the fans for whom he was a favorite is nowhere near as big a blow as it would have been two or three years ago. By the end of last season it seemed that Everton had outgrown Cahill. He had been an outstanding servant to the club, often filling in as an emergency centre forward and never letting David Moyes down but he was becoming an unnecessary complication last year. Even when Everton were without a striker it was often Marouane Fellaini who was asked to deputise rather than the Australian. With Pienaar, Darren Gibson and Leon Osman all preferred to the Aussie it was no surprise that he has moved on.

The main problem for Everton this season will be keeping players fit, especially at the back. Sir Alex Ferguson has often stated that when Everton have their first choice XI on the pitch they are as good as anyone on their day but unfortunately it does not occur as often as the Toffees would like. They are particularly short in central defence with Jonny Heitinga, Phil Jagielka and Silvain Distin the only recognised centre backs in the squad.

Further forward much hope rests on two boys who have come through the academy and are considered two of the clubs brightest prospects since Wayne Rooney emerged in 2002. Jack Rodwell has been talked about as a future star for years and this could be the season he really makes a discernible impact, provided he can avoid his worrying tendency to pick up long term injures. Ross Barkley, three years his junior, is a hugely promising talent and starred for Noel Blake's U-19s in this summers European Championships. Best suited to playing just off the striker, Barkley started last season brightly against QPR before David Moyes took him out of the spotlight again. With another year of coaching and experience behind him, a strong season for Barkley could see him following Rodwell and Rooney and gaining full international honours.

Keeping Leighton Baines, the subject of interest from Manchester United,  is vital as the club is not blessed with top quality wide players and Baines' crosses and set pieces are worth 10 points a season. Were Baines to depart it would be a huge blow and would further heighten already heavy tensions between the club's fans and owner Bill Kenwright.

Expect Moyes to keep faith in his 4-5-1/4-3-3 in most games, although he has often shown a refreshing willingness to play 2 strikers, with Apostolos Vellios, Victor Anichebe and Magaye Gueye all options.Steven Naismith, who has managed to escape the sinking ship of Rangers, will provide bundles of energy and effort from wide and also has an eye for goal.

Predicted Finish: 8th

Key Man: Marouane Fellaini: The Belgian is one of the best central midfielders in the Premier League and is also one of the most versatile. Like Yaya Toure at Manchester City he is equally effective playing as either a holding midfielder or being deployed further forward. Whilst he lacks Toure's ability to surge past players he shares the Ivorian's passing ability and strength. Rarely will you see Fellaine loose a tackle or be shoved of the ball. Still only 24, Fellaini is key to Everton's success and the club's best results often coincided with the Belgian's best performances.

Underrated: Leon Osman: At a club like Everton there are any number of players that one could select here but Leon Osman is a player who has been consistently under valued by many, but not David Moyes. Whilst not blessed with outstanding physical attributes, Osman is one of Everton's most intelligent performers. Able to find little pockets of space of the touchline the 31 year old was arguably Everton's best performer in the second half of the season.

Watch out for: Ross Barkley: Already heavily mentioned above but Ross Barkley is a star in the making. Two good feet, strong in the air as well as a sharp turn of pace Barkley has all the attributes required to be a success. We wait to see how much David Moyes chooses to use him.

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Premier League Previews: #3 Chelsea

Last Season: 6th

In: Oscar (Internacional, £25m), Eden Hazard (Lille, £32m), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen, £8.6m), Thorgan Hazard (Lens, £800,000), Kevin de Bruyne (Genk, fee undisclosed)

Out: Kevin de Bruyne (Werder Bremen, loan), Saloman Kalou (Lille, free transfer), Jose Bosingwa (contract expired), Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua Liansheng, free transfer)

If they were an Olympian: Michael Phelps. Inconsistent past couple of years but still ends up with stacks of trophies when it really mattered.

For Chelsea to enjoy a more eventful season than the one just gone, E.T. would have to land in the middle of Stamford Bridge, rifle in a 30 yard screamer and then jump back on his bicycle and fly away. Last season was Chelsea's worst league performance since Roman Abramovich brought the club in 2003, with the club finishing 6th behind Newcastle, a club whose entire first team squad cost less than Fernando Torres and David Luiz.

Yet this poor league season pales into insignificance when compared to the remarkable end to the campaign the club experienced. The F.A. cup was won for the fourth time in six seasons and then most incredibly of all the club lifted the Champions League trophy for the first time. The question on everyone's mind is how can Chelsea and Roberto Di Matteo possibly match this?

No one could accuse the club of resting on their laurels; over £50m has been spent recruiting Oscar, Eden Hazard and Mark Marin with more arrivals on the horizon, with Victor Moses (Wigan) and Spanish right back Cesar Azpilicueta (Marseille) strongly linked. Clearly the club is moving away from the Didier Drogba dominated attacking philosophy that has served Chelsea so well and moving towards a less rigid attacking formula with Torres as its spearhead. The question is will it work? On paper the club possesses an outstanding array of attacking talent; Torres, Juan Mata, Hazard, Oscar and Marin not to mention established players such as Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda (who may still leave) will all compete for starting berths. Keeping all these players happy will certainly be a challenge as all of them are accustomed to being the focal point of their sides. However with plenty of games this season, including the Club World Championship in Japan over Christmas, Di Matteo will be thankful of such attacking depth.

The issue for the Italian is whether he can build on last years success and mount a challenge for the Premier League title. The formula at Chelsea in recent years has been win the league you stay, fail, and you go. With Pep Guardiola waiting in the wings, the pressure will be on Di Matteo from the start and a poor start to the season will raise questions and draw comparisons with Kenny Dalglish's time at Liverpool where he struggled to deliver after a successful care-taking period.

Chelsea struggled at the back last season, with Andre Villas-Boas asking the team to play a high line and pressing game that they were wholly unsuited to. However with so many talented forwards Di Matteo will need his team to play high if they are to control games and provide opportunities for his attacking players to influence the game. This could be the season where John Terry begins to be eased out of automatic selection, with Gary Cahill and David Luiz both more suited to playing higher up the pitch as well as being comfortable on the ball. If Terry is banned by the F.A. over the Anton Ferdinand affair and misses the opening games of the season he may struggle to win his place back.

The departure of Drogba will leave a huge hole in the club. Few players in recent years can rival his impact in "big games" and his record in finals was nothing short of remarkable. Without him Chelsea lack the power that they were known for at the height of their powers and Torres will not relish the physical battles with centre halves that the Ivorian did. What Torres will offer is a genuine threat in behind and with so many talented schemers around him, goals will surely follow. Whether they will be enough to bridge the gap with City and United who finished 25 points ahead of them is a big ask.

Chelsea look the most likely challengers to the Manchester monopoly but despite the admirable work of Di Matteo and the heavy spending of the club the same problems may persist. Egos in the dressing room and an aging spine. Whether the likes of Petr Cech, Lampard, Ashley Cole etc can deliver the type of performances they managed at the end of last season throughout an entire campaign is a big ask.

Predicted Finish: 3rd

Key Man: Fernando Torres: With Drogba gone the burden of firing Chelsea back to domestic dominance rests firmly on the shoulders of Britain's most expensive footballer. Having won the golden boot at the European Championships, Fernando Torres' confidence should no longer be an issue. The question is whether he can deliver the 25+ league goals that is required of him. Firmly established as the club's leading striker with Drogba gone expect the team to play more to his strengths with Juan Mata in particular being tasked with supplying the ammunition for his countryman. If Torres fires Chelsea could challenge, if he doesn't they have major problems.

Underrated: Gary Cahill: Whilst John Terry does everything humanly possible to garner attention on the pitch, his fellow defenders Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz were every bit as important to the club's success last term. Cahill proved a lot of people, myself included, wrong and showed he could adapt to the pressures of European football with a fine performance in the Champions League final where neither he nor David Luiz were fully fit.

Watch out for: Marko Marin: With all the attention likely to be focused on big money signings Hazard and Oscar, Marko Marin has managed to avoid too many headlines. No bad thing as Hazard in particular will be under intense scrutiny after his unedifying attempts in drawing out his departure from Lille. Able to operate anywhere across the front the German is a tricky operator who can score and create. An inconsistent last season in the Bundesliga means that he has much to prove.

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Premier League Previews: #2 Aston Villa

Last Season: 16th

In: Ron Vlaar (£3.8m, Feyenoord), Matthew Lowton (£3.8m, Sheffield United), Katrim El Ahmadi (£2.8m, Feyenoord), Brett Holman (Free, AZ Alkmaar)

Out: James Collins (£3.2m, West Ham), Carlos Cuellar (free, Sunderland), Emile Heskey (contract expired)

If they were an Olympian: Australian Swimming Team. Used to be great, enduring a poor period, looking to get back to the top.

Villa fans will want to forget last season as quick as humanly possible as it was grim viewing. Poor at the back and toothless up front, especially when Darren Bent's ankle ligaments tore in late February. The club and owner Randy Lerner reacted quickly, dismissing Alex McLeish who, despite not deserving the lack of support many gave him, did not do enough to convince anyone that he could turn the club around.

The arrival of Paul Lambert will prove to be the most significant of any transfers the club completes between now and the start of the season. Lambert and Norwich were a revelation last season, finishing level on points with fellow newcomers Swansea and receiving half the credit. Lambert had led Norwich from League One to 12th in the Premier League in 3 seasons and Villa fans will be hoping he can perform more miracles with them.

The club has lost long serving players James Collins, Carlos Cuellar and Emile Heskey but it would be fair to say that none of them had their best days ahead of them. Indeed looking at Norwich's team the average age was consistently in the low 20s and Lambert will want to reinvigorate Villa by blooding more of the youngsters that the club's excellent academy produce. Players such as Barry Bannan, Chris Herd, Marc Albrighton, Gary Gardner and Nathan Delfouneso will all be given chances to impress.

Perhaps the biggest question is what Lambert does up front. Darren Bent's return to fitness will prove timely and if fit and motivated can be relied on for 15+ league goals. Gabriel Agbonlahor is an entirely different question, for whatever reason Agbonlahor's career has stagnated in recent years and it is hard to see what kind of player he is. If Lambert can reinvigorate the club captain then he will have access to a player who for all intents and purposes was AWOL for much of last season, if not then he will have to give serious consideration to letting him go.

Tactically Lambert was one of the league's more adventurous and astute bosses last year. He was able to change formations and tactics on a regular basis. He possessed strong and direct forwards (Holt and Morrison) who thrived on early service and crosses and also willing runners in Simeon Jackson and Wes Hoolahan. On paper Villa posses talented wingers too, but Albrighton and N'Zogbia both failed to shine last year.

For Villa this season will be very much one of transition as the club looks to finally move away from the Martin O'Neill years which delivered short term excitement but not a long term legacy, and towards a squad that is far younger and hungrier. Lambert will be expected to improve both results and performances and anything approaching upper mid table will be a success.

Predicted Finish: 11th

Key Man: Barry Bannan: Has made more headlines away from the pitch in recent years but that does not change the fact that the youngster is a very gifted player and the best passer of a ball that Villa possess. Lambert may well try and use him in the same way that he used Wes Hoolahan at Norwich and deploy him just behind the strikers.

Underrated: Ron Vlaar: Not so much underrated as unknown but Dutch international Ron Vlaar is certainly an upgrade from James Collins as a centre back. Physically powerful he will have no trouble adjusting to the Premier League although he does have the tendency to get caught of position. His partnership with Richard Dunne will be vital to the club's hopes. 

Watch Out For: Nathan Delfouneso: Given the number of youth products blooded last season one could choose any number of players here but I've plumped for Nathan Delfouneso. An England U21, he is still very raw but does have excellent movement which was a trademark of Norwich's strikers last term. Expect to see him given more chances alongside Darren Bent.

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Premier League Previews: #1 Arsenal

 


Last Season: 3rd 

In: Lukas Podolski (£12m, Cologne), Olivier Giroud (£12m, Montpellier), Santi Cazorla (£13m, Villarreal)

Out: Manuel Almunia (free, West Ham), Yossi Benayoun (loan expired, Chelsea)

If they were an Olympian: Andy Murray. Great on their day, worries over long term future, mentally suspect.

After last seasons torrid start which saw the club lose Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas before an 8-2 demolition at Old Trafford, Arsenal are intent on making a better start in 2012/2013. Lukas Podolski and Oliver Giroud have been purchased to add some teeth to an attack that was overly reliant on one man last season. Santi Cazorla's arrival has been announced and the club remain hopeful of bringing in Nuri Sahin from Real Madrid on loan.


All these encouraging signs are offset by the elephant in the room that is Robin Van Persie. After his damming indictment of the club on July 4th precious little has actual progressed. If the papers are to be believed Juventus and both Manchester clubs have lodged bids with Arsenal that have all been rejected. Since his original statement, Van Persie has been silent and has since returned to training, Arsene Wenger set to take his captain with him to Germany this weekend for the clubs last pre season game against Cologne. Whilst it still seems more likely that RVP will leave the club, the odds of him staying must have shortened slightly with City boss Roberto Mancini admitting defeat in his attempts to recruit yet another Arsenal star.

So what of Arsenal's hopes for the coming season. Ostensibly the squad appears solid but a little top heavy. The club possesses an abundance of midfielders and strikers (many with question marks over them) but seem less well stocked at the back. A first choice back four of Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and Kieran Gibbs is good but the back up is less encouraging. Sagna is still recovering from his second broken leg in a year and will not start the season and Gibbs is talented but still young and injury prone. With unconvincing deputies in Sebastian Squillaci, Per Mertesacker, Johan Djorou and Andre Santos as well as unproven youngsters Carl Jenkinson and Nico Yennaris, the Gunners could well be caught short at the back. Equally an injury to first choice keeper Wojcech Szeczeny does not bear thinking about.

Arsenal's realistic aims for the season will be the same as they have been for the last few years; top four finish and decent runs in the domestic and European cup competitions. Whilst it may not be what fans want to hear it is the best they can hope for. The title race looks to be a two horse race, although developments at Chelsea and Tottenham will be watched with interest, so Arsenal will fight with their London rivals for a Champions League place, with Liverpool being a potential challenger too.

Fans hope that the promotion of Steve Bould to assistant manager will help to secure a defence that conceded a club record 49 goals last season. Indeed if Van Persie does leave the club should look to offset the inevitable decline to the clubs attack by at least ensuring that they are more resolute at the back.

It seems likely neither of the clubs confirmed signings will be up to speed in time for the first game of the season but when they have adjusted, assuming Van Persie departs, both will be expected to play key roles. Giroud will be asked to lead the line and recreate the form that took him to 25 league goals last year as Montpellier won Ligue 1. Podolski, as well as being a useful striking option will most likely compete with Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Gervinho for the wide berths in a continuation of the 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 that Arsenal favored last year.

The continued absence of Jack Wilshere is a blow and given the fact that he is yet to leave the gym, coupled with Wenger's unwillingness to take risks with the youngster it seems probable that it will be December time when Wilshere finally gets back into full stride.

Rarely has a start to the season been so crucial for the club. Start well and pressure will ease, regardless of whether Van Persie is there or not. Start poorly and all the questions that were raised last year will return with added potency. Arsenal start with 4 difficult but winnable games. An opening day clash with Sunderland is followed by trips to Stoke and Liverpool before new boys Southampton head to the Emirates. At least two victories are vital as after these games the club play Manchester City and Chelsea as well as kicking off their European campaign.

Predicted Finish: 5th

Key Man: Olivier Giroud: Assuming Van Persie leaves much will depend on Olivier Giroud and how quickly he can adapt to English football.

Underrated: Laurent Koscielny: Whilst Thomas Vermaelen gets the headlines for his penchant of scoring important goals, last season was when Laurent Koscielny established himself as the clubs most important centre back. Commanding in the air, excellent with the ball and fantastic powers of recovery, the club will need the French international at his best if they are to enjoy a successful season.

Watch Out For: Ryo Miyachi: After following in Jack Wilshere's footsteps and spending the year on loan at Bolton, expect Ryo Miyachi to be given increased game time this season. Exceptionally quick with excellent technique Miyachi could be a real asset for Arsenal.

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