TSN.ca 2016-17 Premier League preview

Before Saturday's kickoff, TSN.ca brings you its 2016-17 English Premier League preview, taking a look at the ins and outs of the new season of world football's most prestigious league.

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ARSENAL

LAST YEAR: 20-11-7 (Second)

MANAGER: Arsene Wenger

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Granit Xhaka (Borussia Moenchengladbach)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: MF Tomas Rosicky (released), MF Mikael Arteta (retired) and MF Mathieu Flamini (released)

Could this finally be the end of an era at Arsenal? Arsene Wenger is in the final year of his current contract and it doesn’t appear that an extension is on the table at this time.

Wenger’s reliability is undeniable. He’s delivered the club 19 straight seasons of Champions League football, but the Gunners haven’t won an EPL title in over a decade. Particularly galling for some was the club’s failure to mount a real title challenge last year. With poor seasons from Chelsea, United and Liverpool, a maddeningly inconsistent City side and inexperience in Spurs and Leicester, a championship appeared to be for the taking for Arsenal, but it wasn’t to be.

His transfer policy in recent years has been puzzling to say the least. The Gunners have not been afraid to make big splashes, proven by the glamour signings of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil and this year with Granit Xhaka. What has haunted Wenger in recent years is an inability to secure a true #9 (with no offence to Olivier Giroud). In fairness to Wenger, he thought Jamie Vardy would be that man, activating the England forward’s release clause at Leicester. Vardy, though, chose to stay with the champions. A flirtation with Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette has also been fruitless up until now.

Arsenal is one of world football’s premier clubs, but fails to act like it in transfer dealings and between now and the end of the transfer window in August could define this season for the Gunners. Not only have a number of the club’s star players not been in full training, given extra leave after EURO 2016 and Copa America appearances, the team faces a fresh injury crisis in the back with Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista to miss significant time to start the season (Striker Danny Welbeck is lost until January at the earliest with a torn ACL). Wenger needs to buy cover and can ill-afford to drag his heels. The much-rumoured interest in Valencia’s German international Shkodran Mustafi is a welcome one.

With the top of the table expected to be as tight as it’s ever been, this could prove to be one of the most significant seasons in Arsenal’s history.

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

LAST YEAR: 11-9-18 (16th)

MANAGER: Eddie Howe

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Jordon Ibe (Liverpool), MF Lewis Cook (Leeds), D Brad Smith (Liverpool), FW Lys Mousset (Le Havre), MF Emerson Hyndman (Fulham) and D Nathan Ake (Chelsea)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: MF Matt Ritchie (Newcastle), D Tommy Elphick (Aston Villa), FW Lee Tomlin (Bristol City) and D Sylvain Distin (released)

It’s not a surprise that Eddie Howe’s name came up when it came time for England to hire a new manager earlier this summer. The 38-year-old has been nothing short of a miracle worker with the Cherries in not only guiding the club to the EPL, but also keeping them up despite a lengthy list of injuries. Howe will face a similar battle in ensuring survival for a second year in a row, yet Howe and his club look primed for the challenge.

Though the Cherries made their name with an attacking style, it’s going to be a stiffer commitment to defence that will be needed to keep them in the EPL. Only Villa conceded more goals last season and club captain and starting central defender Tommy Elphick left the club (for Villa, coincidentally) and hasn’t actually been replaced. It’s possible that Tyrone Mings, returning from injury, could be transitioned into a central defender permanently. Nathan Ake, on loan from Chelsea, might also find himself drafted into that role at times.

There’s enough quality in the midfield (including news signing Lewis Cook) to make up for the loss of the influential Matt Ritchie, who signed for Newcastle, and the flanks look downright dangerous with record signing Jordon Ibe out to prove that Liverpool cut bait on the youngster far too soon. A now healthy Max Gradel could be deployed on the opposite side to ideally terrorize opposing defences.

Up front, Callum Wilson, who looked so promising last season before a knee injury sidelined him for six months, seeks to earn himself an England call-up. Paired up with Josh King, who starred in the second half of the season, the duo has the chance to emerge as one of the league’s best young strike forces.

A name to watch for the Cherries this season is Lys Mousset. The young Frenchman is hardly the finished product, but the team is excited about his potential, having arrived from Le Havre, the same footballing factory responsible for Paul Pogba, Riyad Mahrez and Dimitri Payet.

BURNLEY

LAST YEAR: 26-15-5 (First in the Championship)

MANAGER: Sean Dyche

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Steven Defour (Anderlecht), GK Nick Pope (Charton Athletic) and MF Robbie Leitch (Motherwell)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: MF Joey Barton (Rangers) and D Michael Duff (retired)

Burnley is in this really odd spot. The EPL is the biggest league in the world with wild amounts of revenue expected for each member club. The money available allows a team the size of Bournemouth to splash out £15 million on Jordon Ibe. But untold riches don’t turn small clubs into Goliaths overnight. This is a lesson known all too well by Sean Dyche’s club.

After being relegated from the Prem two seasons ago, Burnley returned to the Championship and promptly won the thing and are back up upon first opportunity. But this Burnley squad isn’t even as good as the one that went down in 2015 and is hamstrung by their financial reality, one that won’t change greatly even with EPL money.

Burnley comes back with a small squad and one that isn’t blessed with a ton of quality. They haven’t made any significant signings (though Steven Defour will help) and face a difficult decision with Mike Keane. The former Manchester United youngster was their best defender a season ago and is earmarked as the key man in their backline again this campaign. He’s been the subject of great interest from champions Leicester this summer, but thus far, Dyche has rebuffed their overtures, knowing Keane’s importance to the club.

But could selling Keane be the key for a shot at survival? Though he’s arguably the team’s key figure (outside of maybe Andre Gray), selling Keane could represent a short-term windfall to the tune of £20 million. That money could be spent on needed reinforcements elsewhere as the club attempts to keep its EPL membership. It’s quite the Faustian bargain for Dyche, but surely one worth exploring.

As it stands, another one-and-done season in the top-flight is in the cards at Turf Moor.

CHELSEA

LAST YEAR: 12-14-12 (10th)

MANAGER:  Antonio Conte

KEY ADDITIONS: FW Michy Batshuayi (Marseille) and MF N’Golo Kante (Leicester City)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS:  MF Mohamed Salah (Roma), FW Bertrand Traore (Ajax) and D Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)

Last season was a disaster for the former defending champions as they entered the season with the expectations of a repeat under Jose Mourinho and ended it searching for a new permanent skipper and fighting to get into the top half of the table.

Enter Antonio Conte, fresh off a strong run at EURO 2016 in charge of the Italian team, to try to return Chelsea to their familiar place at the top of the table.

There will be a lot riding on the return to form of Eden Hazard, who struggled or sleepwalked through the entire 2015/16 campaign depending on who you ask, but upon whom many of the offensive fortunes of this team will rest once again.

The addition of midfielder N'Golo Kante from the defending champions will instantly make Chelsea better in the middle of the park and as the team was already showing improvements towards the end of their dismal title defence, a strong start could be enough of a platform to have them challenging for European places again.

CRYSTAL PALACE

LAST YEAR: 11-9-18 (15th)

MANAGER: Alan Pardew

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Andros Townsend (Newcastle), D James Tomkins (West Ham United) and GK Steve Mandanda (Marseille)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: FW Dwight Gayle (Newcastle), FW Emmanuel Adebayor (released), D Brede Hangeland (released), GK Alex McCarthy (Southampton) and FW Marouane Chamakh (released)

Crystal Palace as a club has never had a five-year spell in the top-flight in their history and Alan Pardew has them standing at the precipice of that feat heading into this season. The Eagles aren’t what most would consider a relegation favourite by any means, but some supporters don’t want to count any chickens before they hatch after witnessing the dreadful run by the club post-Boxing Day (two wins in 21 games) that thrust them into a surprise fight for survival.

Much of the blow from that horrible stretch was cushioned by an FA Cup run that saw the club reach its first final of its 100-year history, but that ultimately ended in extra-time defeat to Manchester United and the indignity of watching Alan Pardew trying to dance.

Still, this has been a positive offseason for Palace with what looks like more to come before the transfer window slams shut. England international winger Andros Townsend brings his pace for days, which will offset the loss of Yannick Bolasie, who looks to be off to Everton. French international ‘keeper Steve Mandanda, one of Europe’s most consistent goalkeepers of the last decade, arrives on a free, while James Tomkins provides a steadying presence in the centre of the backline.

But the real fireworks could be still yet to come. Palace teased fans earlier in the summer when they agreed a club-record fee with Marseille for striker Michy Batshuayi before the Belgium international ultimately chose Chelsea. That venture hasn’t dissuaded Pardew from finding a statement striker as the club looks to finalize a deal with Liverpool for a different Belgian international in Christian Benteke. While Benteke has been a flop at Anfield, he’s still only 25 and exactly the type of forward Pardew loves.

If Benteke (and/or West Brom’s Saido Berahino) can be landed, that type of potent attack will have the Eagles thinking big and with a realistic goal of vastly improving on last season’s finish.

EVERTON

LAST YEAR: 11-14-13 (11th)

MANAGER: Ronald Koeman

KEY ADDITIONS: D Ashley Williams (Swansea), GK Maarten Stekelenburg (Fulham) and MF Idrissa Gueye (Aston Villa)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: D John Stones (Manchester City), GK Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), MF Leon Osman (released), D Tony Hibbert (released) and MF Steven Pienaar (released)

Farhad Moshiri is not messing around. The new majority shareholder at Everton moved quickly to get the right people in place to run Goodison Park in manager Ronald Koeman and Steve Walsh as director of recruitment. Koeman proved his EPL mettle at Southampton, overachieving with a Saints squad that was raided in two consecutive offseasons. He replaces Roberto Martinez (the new Belgium manager…what?), who talked a big game, but just couldn’t deliver. Walsh, meanwhile, was instrumental in bringing the likes of Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante to Leicester City.

The problem for Moshiri’s new project is that it could take time and impatience could seriously hinder it. One of the difficulties in previewing Everton’s season is that this team is going to continue to make moves right up until the transfer window closes at the end of the month and then again in January. The Toffees side by the end of the season in May could look very different that the one that kicks off on Saturday against Spurs.

As of right now, this is likely a mid-table squad, even in retaining Romelu Lukaku. Losing a young player the calibre of John Stones obviously stings, but the massive price paid by City certainly cushions the blow. Plus, if we’re being honest, Stones was pretty dreadful for most of last season. The dogged play of Ashley Williams should certainly shore up the Toffees’ central defence, as will that of Sunderland standout Lamine Kone (apparently on the way), who could prove to be a great value buy.

The big thing Everton has to reverse from last season is giving up cheap goals. There were points last term where it looked like any opposition cross into the box was going to end up in the net one way or another. That can’t happen again if this team is serious about pushing for Europe.

Without further signings (Juan Mata? Axel Witsel? Crystal Palace’s Yannick Bolasie appears to be a given), Toffees will find themselves not much higher in the table than they did a year ago, but Everton will be fascinating to watch this season and in the coming years with aggressive ownership.

HULL CITY

LAST YEAR: 24-11-11 (Fourth in Championship, won promotion through playoff)

MANAGER: Mike Phelan (maybe?)

KEY ADDITIONS: Uh, none

KEY SUBTRACTION: MF Mohamed Diame (Newcastle)

Sartre said in No Exit that “Hell is other people.” Conversely, Hull is another Derby County (the 2007-2008 edition, to be precise). It’s not hyperbole to suggest that this edition of the Tigers could be one of the worst teams in the Premiership’s history.

With failing health, owner Assem Allam’s plans to sell the club appear to have been scuttled. Popular manager Steve Bruce quit with only weeks before the beginning of the season after a falling out with the board (reportedly over the club’s refusal to sign former Manchester United midfielder Nick Powell, who spent last season at KC Stadium on loan) and the team has yet to make one signing. If that weren’t bad enough, the team is riddled with long-term injuries to experienced players in Michael Dawson, Alex Bruce and Allan MacGregor. The likes of Jake Livermore and Tom Huddlestone have also missed most of the preseason with various ailments. And now comes word that last year’s leading scorer Abel Hernandez wants to make like Mohamed Diame and head back to the Championship (Hernandez has been attached to Aston Villa in recent weeks).

Don’t worry, things are just as bad off the pitch. Fans are incensed by a new ticketing policy and the honorary club president has been fired.

Is there a silver lining? Well, people had Leicester dead to rights and a surefire relegation candidate last season and they ended up winning the league, so…you heard it here first: Hull City, 2016-17 English Premier League champions.

Right? 

LEICESTER CITY

LAST YEAR: 23-12-3 (Champions)

MANAGER: Claudio Ranieri

KEY ADDITIONS:  FW Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow), MF Nampalys Mendy (Nice), MF Bartosz Kapustka (Cracovia) and GK Ron-Robert Zieler (Hannover 96)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: MF N’Golo Kante (Chelsea) and FW Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim)

You'll be forgiven if it's still sinking in that Leicester City are the defending Premier League champions, but it would be foolish for you to think that it was either an anomaly or a fluke.

Both Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez emerged as superstars in the league as the offensive duo broke records and powered the Foxes over the finish line to their title.  While speculation was rampant that both men would leave in the offseason, they are still in the team to not only help defend the top spot but see what Leicester can accomplish in the Champions League.

One player they were not able to keep was N'Golo Kante who left for Chelsea and who many thought would be the beginning of an exodus that never happened.

Claudio Ranieri is a steady hand in charge of this team and though he continues to state that there is no chance his team keeps hold of trophy no one will be as quick to count them out this season.

 

LIVERPOOL

LAST YEAR: 16-12-10 (Eighth)

MANAGER: Jurgen Klopp

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Sadio Mane (Southampton), GK Loris Karius (Mainz), MF Georginio Wijnaldum (Newcastle) and D Joel Matip (Schalke)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: MF Joe Allen (Stoke City), D Martin Skrtel (Fenerbahce), MF Jordon Ibe (Bournemouth), D Jose Enrique (released), GK Adam Bogdan (Wigan Athletic) and D Brad Smith (Bournemouth)

After joining the team early last season, manager Jurgen Klopp had his first offseason in charge of Liverpool and will now try to return the team to European play and to the upper echelon of the Premier League.  Though they finished out of the top four and did not capture a trophy, they reached both the Europa League and League Cup finals, settling for runner-up both times.  

With Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge and Sadio Mane in their attack, Liverpool should have plenty of pace up front to push the attack.  The addition of Georginio Wijnaldum should help Liverpool’s midfield and a healthy Jordan Hamilton could be key to any success they achieve this season. 

Without Martin Skrtel, who has been a fixture for Liverpool on defence, their shape and resolve will be tested on many set pieces.

MANCHESTER CITY

LAST YEAR: 19-9-10 (Fourth)

MANAGER: Pep Guardiola

KEY ADDITIONS: D John Stones (Everton), MF Leroy Sane (Schalke), MF Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund), FW Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras) and FW Nolito (Celta Vigo)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS:  D Martin Demichelis (released)

It’s the beginning of a new era for the recent two-time champions as Manchester City brings in manager Pep Guardiola to take charge of the team.  The squad that he inherited qualified for Champions League last season through a goal differential advantage over rivals Manchester United and will need to get younger fast if they hope to stay among the elite Premier League teams.  Striker Sergio Aguero remains the key man in attack but once again battled fitness last year and needs to stay on the field for the blue side of Manchester to have any chance at lifting the trophy this season. 

Central defender and captain Vincent Kompany also struggled through injuries last season and they eventually caused him to miss EURO 2016. With him off the pitch, City's defensive problems were magnified.    John Stones has been brought in from Everton at a hefty price as Guardiola begins the process of remaking the team while trying to stay competitive.

MANCHESTER UNITED

LAST YEAR: 19-9-10 (Fifth)

MANAGER: Jose Mourinho (First season)

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Paul Pogba (Juventus), FW Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG), FW Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund) and D Eric Bailly (Valencia)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: MF Adnan Januzaj (Sunderland), D Paddy McNair (Sunderland) and D Donald Love (Sunderland)

In his introductory press conference at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho didn’t mince words when it came to United in the post-Fergie era.

“I prefer to forget the past three years and focus on the giant club I have in my hands now,” The Special One said.

Few United fans will disagree with the sentiment. After David Moyes’ disastrous season and two years under Louis van Gaal marked by expensive transfer misfires and mediocrity, the Glazers have turned the page with Mourinho.

For the two-time Champions League-winning gaffer, this season isn’t only about reestablishing consistency at one of world football’s biggest clubs, but it’s a matter of redemption, as well. Let’s not forget that Mourinho was unceremoniously shown the door at Stamford Bridge only seven months after securing an EPL title for Chelsea following a dreadful start to the campaign. If any luster to the Mourinho mystique was lost last season, there are few better opportunities to reemerge among Europe’s elite managers than at the Theatre of Dreams.

At Mourinho’s disposal will be an embarrassment of riches in his front six. Record signing Paul Pogba, Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Armenian playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan join Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford (whose emergences are inarguably the best parts of van Gaal’s United legacy) and a crowd that includes captain Wayne Rooney. Though Mourinho insists he intends to employ Rooney as a striker, it remains to be seen if that’s going to happen. Having played deeper for both club and country, Rooney isn’t the best option at any position for United at this juncture and it’s going to be difficult for Mourinho to justify shoehorning him into an XI that could very well be better off without him. On top of the Rooney problem, Mourinho only has a couple of weeks left to shake out the deadweight in the United midfield with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Juan Mata primed for exits and Marouane Fellaini, Memphis Depay, Ander Herrera and Morgan Schneiderlin concerned about their Old Trafford futures.

In the back, questions also linger. The world’s best goalkeeper (probably? Yeah, probably) David DeGea is rock solid in net, but what’s in front of him is cause for concern. Chris Smalling and newcomer Eric Bailly make up the first-choice central defence partnership, but the English game will test Bailly and it remains to be seen how he’ll hold up under its rigours over the course of a full season. Luke Shaw returns from his horror knee injury to reclaim his place on the left, while Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian fight for time on the right side with Mourinho seemingly enamoured with neither. The prospects for workhorse Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo look murky at best.

Still, there’s enough here for Mourinho to make a serious title challenge and return United to its mantle as England most feared and hated team. 

MIDDLESBROUGH

LAST YEAR: 26-11-9 (Second in the Championship)

MANAGER: Aitor Karanka

KEY ADDITIONS: GK Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), MF Marten de Roon (Atalanta), FW Alvaro Negredo (Valencia), FW Viktor Fischer (Ajax), MF Gaston Ramirez (Southampton), GK Victor Valdes (Manchester United)

KEY SUBTRACTION: D Jonathan Woodgate (released)

Boro returns to the EPL after seven seasons in the Championship, a cautionary tale for the likes of Newcastle, who are intent to just visit the second tier of English football and not get comfortable. Now back with the big boys, club owner Steve Gibson has designs on his club staying up for the long haul and a summer of smart transfer business has the team primed for survival.

Marten de Roon might not be a glamour signing, but he’s as hardnosed a midfielder as they come and will be crucial to Boro’s success this season. De Roon led Serie A in tackles a year ago and will be looked to bring the same kind of tenacity to England. Of course, with that style of play comes with it the inevitable bookings, something that the Dutchman will need to temper as he gets his bearings in a new league. Danish international Viktor Fischer, once of Europe’s hottest young prospects whose progress was halted with injury, looks to reignite his career at Riverside, deployed on the left.

In net, a pair of veteran goalkeepers looks to stake their claim as the club’s #1 in Victor Valdes and Brad Guzan. Valdes, who endured a bizarre stint with Manchester United, appears to have nosed ahead and should get the start on opening weekend.

To stay up, Boro is going to need goals and that’s where Alvaro Negredo comes in. The former Manchester City striker returns to the EPL after two seasons in La Liga. The 30-year-old has proven himself eminently capable of scoring in this league – the former Spanish international had a streak of 19 goals in 20 appearances for City at one point – and has something to prove following an unremarkable spell at Valencia.

The biggest X-factor for Boro could be the manager himself. The irascible Karanka had a well-documented blow-up with some of his senior players late last season that saw him walk away from the team for a period and it’s almost remarkable that Boro was able to hold things together for promotion. The Spaniard remains one of the bright young managers in England and, if he can keep his charges on the same page, Karanka has an excellent shot at survival this season.

SOUTHAMPTON

LAST YEAR: 18-9-11 (Sixth)

MANAGER: Claude Puel

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Pierre-Emile Hjoberg (Bayern Munich), FW Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), MF Jeremy Pied (Nice) and GK Alex McCarthy (Crystal Palace)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: MF Sadio Mane (Liverpool), FW Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng), MF Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspur) and MF Gaston Ramirez (released)

What will it take to sink Southampton? Year after  year they ship out key men in the offseason and then return to challenge for European football every season.

Last season the Saints missed playing in the Champions League by two places and three points, staying in the fight right up to the final few games of the season.

With Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle both moving on from the squad they'll have to count on new acquisition Nathan Redmond to help fill the void.

Claude Puel takes over from Ronald Koeman as Southampton is also not immune to their managers moving on to bigger opportunities but they always find a way to be right there when the dust settles at the end of the season.

STOKE CITY 

LAST YEAR: 14-9-15 (Ninth)

MANAGER: Mark Hughes

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Joe Allen (Liverpool) and MF Ramadan Sobhi (Al Ahly)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: FW Peter Odemwingie (released) and MF Steve Sidwell (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Water finds its level and perhaps so has Stoke City, as they have managed three consecutive ninth place finishes in the Premier League.

Though the reputation as a physical team will probably never go away, things have changed at the Britannia under Mark Hughes as the team plays a more fluid, possession style game, which has allowed them to sneak up and clip many of the title contenders under his stewardship.

Xherdan Shaqiri and Marko Arnautovic will be the key men up front for a team that struggled to score goals last season and if they can remain consistent throughout the campaign and avoid long injury spells could be the key to pushing the Potters even higher than the ninth place finish to which they have started to grow accustomed.

SUNDERLAND

LAST YEAR: 9-12-17 (17th)

MANAGER: David Moyes

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Adnan Januzaj, D Paddy McNair (Manchester United), D Papy Djilobodji (Chelsea) and D Donald Love (Manchester United)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: MF Yann M’Vila (returned to Rubin Kazan), MF Steven Fletcher (Sheffield Wednesday), MF Emmanuel Giaccherini (Napoli), D DeAndre Yedlin (returned to Spurs) and FW Danny Graham (Blackburn Rovers)

Say what you will about Big Sam’s suitability for the England job, but Allardyce was undoubtedly the perfect manager for Sunderland. Embroiled in a relegation fight in both of his seasons in charge, you somehow just knew Allardyce was going to find a way out of it for his team. Last year’s survival couldn’t have been sweeter for Black Cats supporters since their safety meant the doom of their bitter rivals Newcastle.

Now Allardyce is off to bigger and better things (well, debatable) with former Manchester United and Everton manager David Moyes in his stead, marking a seventh manager in five seasons at the Stadium of Light. Moyes’s forgettable year at Old Trafford and strange and awful sojourn at Real Sociedad might not engender confidence in Sunderland supporters, but let’s not discount the very admirable work that the Scotsman put in for over a decade at Goodison Park. Still, this will be an uphill battle for Moyes to restore his reputation and keep the Black Cats up.

This is undoubtedly a weaker side than the one that stayed up by the skins of their teeth last spring with a number of departures (key defender Lamine Kone is also expected to move to Everton). The team will once again rely on Toronto FC legend former (and maybe future) England international Jermain Defoe to continue his rich vein of form in his EPL second act and bag goals. Moyes is also reunited with former Toffees wunderkind Jack Rodwell, whose once promising career has yet to recover from a big money move away from Everton to Manchester City in 2012. Rodwell is still only 25 and if there is a manager who can help rediscover what made him one of England’s can’t-miss prospects of the last decade, it’s Moyes. His former United charge Adnan Januzaj, who blossomed under Moyes at Old Trafford, comes over on loan.

Just as the last two seasons brought with them some white-knuckle moments as the campaign wound down and the threat of relegation looming large, this year promises to offer much of the same to the beleaguered Sunderland fan base.

SWANSEA CITY

LAST YEAR: 12-11-15 (12th)

MANAGER: Francesco Guidolin

KEY ADDITIONS: FW Borja Baston (Atletico Madrid), FW Fernando Llorente (Sevilla), MF Leroy Fer (QPR) and D Mike van der Hoorn (Ajax)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: D Ashley Williams (Everton), FW Eder (Lille), FW Alberto Paloschi (Atalanta), FW Bafetimbi Gomis (Marseille) and FW Andre Ayew (West Ham United)

After being mired in the relegation zone for much of the early part of last season that cost manager Garry Monk his job, Francesco Guidolin was able to steady the ship and the Swans finished comfortably towards the middle of the table.

With new American ownership, the goal for the Prem’s only Welsh side this campaign is to firmly ensconce itself in the EPL. This is the sixth season of top-flight football at the Liberty and Swans know they’re very close to establishing themselves as a permanent fixture. That could be easier said than done, though.

The Swans come into the new season with a small squad and considerable turnover from last year. The strike force is almost entirely brand new and reliant on question marks. Borja Baston comes over from La Liga as the Swans’ new record signing. Having bagged 18 goals at Eibar (on loan from Atletico) a season ago, there are high hopes for the Spaniard. There certainly is a Michu vibe with Baston, who like the Swans’ former hitman, tore up the lower leagues in Spain for getting his chance to shine, so take that for what it’s worth. Though Guidolin prefers a lone striker up front, he could partner Baston with Fernando Llorente. The former World Cup winner is past his glory days (but still only 31) and sees Swansea as a way back to the Spanish national side.

Gylfi Sigurdsson returns at the heart of the midfield and will once again be the engine that chugs the team along, but it’s hard not to think that Swans made a mistake in missing out on the opportunity to reunite him with Joe Allen, who signed with Stoke.

It remains to be seen what happens in the back with talisman and captain Ashley Williams moving on to Everton. Mike van der Hoorn will replace the Welshman in the centre of the backline. Van der Hoorn is a capable defender, but if he fails to adapt to the EPL quickly, that area could become a sore spot for the team in a hurry.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

LAST YEAR: 19-13-6 (Third)

MANAGER: Mauricio Pochettino

KEY ADDITIONS: MF Victor Wanyama (Southampton) and FW Vincent Janssen (AZ Alkmaar)

KEY SUBTRACTION: D Federico Fazio

Posting one of their strongest ever campaigns, Tottenham looked poised to both finish ahead of their North London rivals Arsenal and capture the Premier League title for the first time last season.

Somehow they managed to fall short of both targets.

Still, there is much to be hopeful for with a young and talented Spurs team that seems poised to mount title challenges for years to come. 

Harry Kane won the golden boot last year as he continues to establish himself as one of the elite strikers in the game. 

Christian Eriksen is one of the key playmakers in the squad and if he can match or better his 13 assists total from last season, the Spurs offence should once again be one of the best in the league.

Make no mistake, this team is also strong in defence and should be considered one of the favourites to finish at the top of the table.

WATFORD

LAST YEAR: 12-9-17 (13th)

KEY ADDITIONS: FW Jerome Sinclair (Liverpool), FW Isaac Success (Granada), D Christian Kabasele (Genk) and D Brice Dja Djedje (Marseille)

KEY SUBTRACTION: MF Jose Manuel Jurado (Espanyol)

While many thought Watford would held straight back down to the Championship in their first year in the league they posted a strong campaign giving themselves something to build on as they try to establish themselves as a Premier League squad.

Isaac Success and Jerome Sinclair were both added to the squad in the offseason to help provide more goal scoring.

Where Watford really struggled last year though was in defence especially towards the end of the season which explains their move for Christian Kabasele.

Manager Walter Mazzarri is now in charge of the squad and his ability to adjust to the league could be just as important as the new players that have been brought in to bolster the squad.

As with most teams that will battle to stay in the league, a quick start to the season could be the difference between an easy or pressure filled campaign.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

LAST YEAR: 10-13-15 (14th)

KEY ADDITION:  MF Matt Phillips (QPR)

KEY SUBTRACTIONS: FW Victor Anichebe (released), MF Stephane Sessegnon (released) and GK Anders Lindegaard (released)

To say that scoring was a problem would be kind to West Brom.  The only team with a worst goal scoring record than Tony Pulis' side last season was Aston Villa, the first team relegated to the Championship.

Last season Salomon Rondon joined the side and though he is young, he will be counted on to improve on the team's offensive struggles.  Rickie Lambert is a player that needs to recapture his once highly thought of level if West Brom is to avoid a relegation battle this season.

They do boast a solid if not star studded defence and with a dependable player like Darren Fletcher in the midfield, their end of the pitch should be well taken care of for the season.

New ownership might not be happy with a bottom half of the table finish so the pressure could be on this team to show instant results to avoid instant changes.

WEST HAM UNITED

LAST YEAR: 16-14-8 (Seventh)

MANAGER: Slaven Bilic

KEY ADDITIONS: FW Andre Ayew (Swansea City), MF Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia), MF Havard Nordtveit (Borussia Moenchengladbach) and FW Toni Martinez (Valencia)

KEY SUBTRACTION: D James Tomkins (Crystal Palace)

West Ham were big time players last season as they pushed from the bottom half of the table to Europa League qualification, taking points off most of the Premier League's traditional powerhouse teams along the way.

Moving away from Upton Park beings a new era for the Hammers and one where the promise shown last season could lead to even more success as they build towards the future.

Andy Carroll is still one of West Ham's main men in attack and has to be healthy and show that he can return to form for West Ham to better their finish and really put a scare into the teams at the top.

The addition of Andre Ayew from Swansea will help with that attack and the skill of Dimitri Payet in the team there could be goals coming from a few sources this season.

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TSN.ca Survey

We've asked some of TSN's soccer experts to answer a short survey about the upcoming season that gives their predictions for the upcoming season:

PREMIER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Mike Beauvais, TSN.ca - Manchester City

Noel Butler, TSN Radio 690 Montreal - Manchester City

Ken Rodney, TSN.ca - Manchester United

Gareth Wheeler, TSN Radio 1050 Toronto - Manchester United

Luke Wileman, EPL on TSN - Manchester United

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REST OF THE TOP FOUR

Mike Beauvais - Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea

Noel Butler - Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United

Ken Rodney - Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur

Gareth Wheeler - Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal

Luke Wileman - Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal

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RELEGATED TEAMS

Mike Beauvais - Hull City, Burnley and Sunderland

Noel Butler - Bournemouth, Burnley and Hull City

Ken Rodney - Watford, Burnley and West Bromwich Albion

Gareth Wheeler - Swansea City, Hull City and Burnley

Luke Wileman - Swansea City, Burnley and Hull City

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Mike Beauvais - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Noel Butler - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Ken Rodney - Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Gareth Wheeler - Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Luke Wileman - Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

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GOLDEN BOOT

Mike Beauvais - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Noel Butler - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Ken Rodney - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Gareth Wheeler - Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)

Luke Wileman - Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

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BIGGEST SURPRISE (TEAM OR PLAYER)

Mike Beauvais - Nathan Redmond (Southampton)

Noel Butler - Stoke City

Ken Rodney - A return to the status quo

Gareth Wheeler - Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)

Luke Wileman - Middlesbrough

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BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT (TEAM OR PLAYER)

Mike Beauvais - Sadio Mane (Liverpool)

Noel Butler - Arsenal

Ken Rodney - Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)

Gareth Wheeler - Dimitri Payet (West Ham United)

Luke Wileman - Southampton

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FIRST MANAGER SACKED

Mike Beauvais - Mike Phelan (Hull City)

Noel Butler - Tony Pulis (West Bromwich Albion)

Ken Rodney - Tony Pulis (West Bromwich Albion)

Gareth Wheeler - Francesco Guidolin (Swansea City)

Luke Wileman - Francesco Guidolin (Swansea City)