Newcastle United
Last Season
Championship – 1st (promoted) FA Cup – Fifth Round EFL Cup – Fourth Round
In’s – Christian Atsu (Chelsea, £6million), Florian Lejeune (Eibar, £8.5million), Jacob Murphy (Norwich, £12million), Javi Manquillo (Atletico Madrid, Undisclosed), Mikel Merino (Borussia Dortmund, Loan)
Out’s – Sammy Ameobi (Bolton Wanderers, Free), Kevin Mbabu (Young Boys, Undisclosed), Florian Thauvin (Olympique Marseille, £9.5million), Haris Vuckic (FC Twente, Free), Vurnon Anita (Leeds United, Free), Yoan Gouffran (Goztepe SK, Free), Adam Armstrong (Bolton Wanderers, Loan), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest, Undisclosed), Sean Longstaff (Blackpool, Loan), Ivan Toney (Wigan Athletic, Loan)
Bouncing back at the first attempt was fairly predictable for Newcastle, with a strong squad that mainly stayed together, some clever additions and of course, Rafa Benitez. Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle were inspired signings by the Spaniard, and with experience in that league, they stood out way above the clouds.
Going forward, Newcastle are a difficult team to predict. A similar side to the one that went down without a whimper two years ago, and with very few signings to bolster that squad at St James Park, you could look at the Newcastle as strugglers. Instead, with Benitez at the helm, many, including me, can see the Magpies staying way clear off the bottom three, someway or another.
In terms of signings, an outlay of £30million on players who no one really knows how they’ll get on. Mikel Merino looks like he has a promising future, Christian Atsu had a good loan spell there last year, Jacob Murphy has earned a move to the top, Javier Manquillo has had a few Premier League loans and Florian Lejuene is almost unheard of in England – doesn’t fill me with confidence.
I’m sure Benitez won’t be happy with the summer so far, as an ambitious manager, he’ll be determined to do some more business before the window slams shut.
Prediction – 14th
Key Player – Dwight Gayle
After three years in the Premier League at Crystal Palace, Gayle failed to impress hugely, with just fifteen goals in that time, which may worry some Newcastle fans, but, after 23 league goals last year in his first season at St James Park, Gayle made himself a fans favourite very quickly.
His partnership last season with Matt Ritchie tore teams apart on their quest for the Championship title, and Benitez will be praying that the pair of them can strike up a similar partnership again.
I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t the starting striker, with only Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic providing him with competition.
One to Watch – Florian Lejuene
One of Benitez’s summer signings, Lejuene has impressed in pre-season for the Magpies after being relatively unknown upon arrival. A £9million move, in this current market could prove to be a bargain for Newcastle.
A competent defender on the ball, as well as more than happy to put his body on the line defensively, he could easily become a fans favourite in Newcastle.
Fans View – William Dickson – @dicksonmp4 @NewcastleFansTV
There is a myth that Newcastle fans are expecting great things going into their first season back into the Premier League, however, this remains a myth. Despite a world-class manager at the helm in the form of Rafa Benitez, the Championship campaign strained the squad to it’s limits and made for a nervy ending as we capitalised on Brighton’s loss of form to win the title in the final minutes.
With a budget that has been limited far more than expected, names such as Sturridge and Sig-urdsson that fans hoped would be thought about this summer have been thrown out the window and, by Rafa’s own admission, our current signings such as Jacob Murphy and Javier Manquillo were not top of his hit list. However, what makes this team better than the team that got relegated is it’s spirit and attitude to fighting back in the face of defeat, making up for a perceived loss in quality. While previous players such as Moussa Sissoko and Gini Wijnaldum hung their heads as we got embarrassed by Crystal Palace, Sunderland and Bournemouth, the current crop of Lascelles, Ritchie, Gayle and Shelvey have fought to the bitter end with a dramatic 4-3 comeback against Norwich, as well as the title win being examples of this.
Even with new found fight, installed by a manager worshipped by fans, we are not expected to set the Premier League alight. Lejuene looks a very good signing with Murphy demonstrating a lot of potential. Additions are needed before we finish the transfer window, mainly left-back, striker and to resolve our goalkeeper issue as well as getting rid of dead-wood players. However, a solid English core from Lascelles to Gayle, as well as a number of players hungry to show their worth in the Premier League with Hayden, Yedlin and Clark in addition to our signings, and of course our man-ager, should see Newcastle survive. Hopefully, we can worry some mid-table teams but not much is expected. However, the hope is back that Rafa can spearhead the club back up the Premier League in years to come.
Southampton
Last Season
Premier League – 8th FA Cup – Fourth Round EFL Cup – Runners-Up Europa League – Group stages
In’s – Jan Bednarek (Lech Poznan, £5million), Mario Lemina (Juventus, £15million)
Out’s – Jason McCarthy (Barnsley, Undisclosed), Lloyd Isgrove (Barnsley, Free), Martin Caceres (Hellas Verona, Free), Cuco Martina (Everton, Free), Jay Rodriguez (West Brom, Undisclosed), Harrison Reed (Norwich City, Loan), Olufela Olomola (Yeovil Town, Loan), Ryan Seager (MK Dons, Loan)
It feels like I have to write pretty much the same thing every year with Southampton. A new manager, but unlike the last three years, no major overhaul of players. Despite a league cup final and an 8th placed finish, Claude Puel was deemed to not have done an adequate job at St Marys and was sacked early on in the summer. Replaced by another manager new to the Premier League, Mauricio Pellegrino arrives from Deportivo Alaves in Spain after he secured a top half finish with them in La Liga last season. A nice fit for Pellegrino and Southampton in my opinion, it certainly won’t be boring down on the South Coast.
An eighth placed finish papered over a lot of the cracks that did see Puel lose his job. The Saints finished closer to the drop zone in points than they did to seventh placed Everton.
The lack of transfer activity as the season begins will no doubt worry a few, if not a lot, of the Saints fans. As you can see above, five players have left the club on a permanent basis, with three of them members of the first team last season. Jan Bednarek, an unproven, Polish centre back is the only current signing Pellegrino has made. Adding to this the inevitable departure of Virgil Van Dijk makes this window relatively poor for a club that needed some added quality if they were to kick on again.
I can see Pellegrino getting something out of what still is a young and exuberant squad. With no European distractions this season, they will be looking for a stable season to stable the ship. A top half finish would be deemed a real success for Southampton in my opinion.
Prediction –10th
Key Player – Manolo Gabbiadini
Gabbiadini had an explosive start to life in the Premier League after his January move to Southampton. Finishing the season with four league goals in just ten games, as well two goals in the EFL Cup final, he caused problems that the Saints hadn’t had since Charlie Austin’s injury.
Now, competing alongside Austin, the Italian just edges it for me. A difficult striker to mark, he’s quite unorthodox is his movements up front, which makes him so difficult to mark. I’m not sure he’ll explode into the this season like he did last, but I’m sure over the course of the season, he’ll win the south coast side a lot of points.
One to Watch – Jack Stephens
Thrown into the limelight last season when Virgil Van Dijk got injured, Puel trusted him all the way to the end. With Van Dijk now all but leaving St Marys, the Saints have yet to sign a centre back who is a guaranteed starter. For that reason, Stephens has a massive chance to make himself a regular after being at the club for six years now.
At 23, it’s his chance now to make himself a household name. Very competent on the ball, strong, and towering over forwards, Stephens appears to have it all. The change of manager could work against him, but he’s almost definitely going to be in and around the squad.
Fans View – Matthew Markstone – @SFCDell_ivery
The 2017/2018 Premier League season has arrived. Accompanying it on the South Coast, for the second year in a row, is a new manager, as Mauricio Pellegrino was brought in to replace the sacked Claude Puel.
Expectations around the club are mixed. Many on the outside struggled to understand the sacking of Puel after he led the team to an 8th place finish, and nearly brought the St. May’s faithful their first major trophy since 1976. However, the style of football just didn’t work and fans grew increasingly frustrated with the team’s apparent lack of ambition, both on and off the pitch.
However, fast forward to now, just a few days before the season begins, and things are looking up, even in the case of Virgil van Dijk (he’s not happy, and things definitely could be better, but the board is showing some backbone). Surely the team could use strengthening, especially at center back. However, with the record signing of Mario Lemina from Juventas having just been announced, and the return of a more attack minded style of play, fans have reason to be optimistic (at least cautiously) about the season ahead.
Most fans will be expecting a top-half finish, with some expecting the team to finish as “the best of the rest.” In reality, anywhere between from 12th to 8th is seemingly possible, with Leicester, West Ham and others (yes, even Bournemouth) looking to improve upon last year’s campaigns.
If last year is anything to go by, where we are on the final table won’t tell the entire story. Some attacking flair, a few more goals at home, some ambition shown in the boardroom, and a press conference or two that are, well, interesting will more than likely see most fans consider this season a success. Pellegrino definitely has his work cut out for him this season. But, the fans are behind him, and together, we march on.
Stoke City
Last Season
Premier League – 13th FA Cup – Third Round EFL Cup – Third Round
In’s – Darren Fletcher (West Brom, Free), Josh Tymon (Hull City, Tribunal), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea, Loan), Maxim Choupo-Moting (Schalke, Free)
Out’s – Daniel Bachmann (Watford, Free), Shay Given (Released), George Waring (Tranmere Rovers, Free), Jonathan Walters (Burnley, £3million), Glenn Whelan (Aston Villa, £1million), Phil Bardsley (Burnley, Undisclosed), Marko Arnautovic (West Ham United, £20million). Ryan Sweeney (Bristol Rovers, Loan), Dominic Telford (Bristol Rovers, Loan)
This prediction may seem a little bit out there going into the new season, but I really cannot see Stoke pulling up any trees over the next year.
I’ve never been the greatest admirer of Mark Hughes as a manager, as spells across various Premier League sides have always seemed to end it negativity. Add to this their squad that I believe has weakened over the summer, this spells a poor season for the Potters, and for me, it spells a return to the Championship.
Losing Marko Arnautovic could prove to be their biggest downfall, with the charismatic wide man providing most of Stoke’s attacking threat over the course of the least two seasons. Unpredictable at times, he has always out performed Xherdan Shaqiri, who now carries the hopes of Stoke on his shoulders. If your top goal scorer is a 36 year old Peter Crouch, with just seven league goals, you’re destined to struggle.
Darren Fletcher, Josh Tymon and Kurt Zouma are smart signings, but are they huge upgrades on the squad that was already there? I’d argue no. Zouma seems a direct replacement for Bruno Martins Indi and Fletcher for Glenn Whelan is in a similar mould, I don’t think they’re squad is any better than it was this time last year.
All of this could change if Hughes pulls his finger out in the final few weeks of the season and signs a striker capable of keeping Stoke afloat once again, but sadly Potters fans, I can see you really struggling this time around.
Prediction – 18th
Key Player – Jack Butland
One of the biggest criteria for a sides key player is their ability to win their side points. This usually falls at the feet of the main striker, but without one of those, Jack Butland is filling the void for Stoke.
Still a young goalkeeper, Butland missed most of last season with injury but didn’t let it faze him when he came back into the fold for the run in. Many people’s choice as the new England number one, Butland has many admirers across the country and it’s easy to see why.
If Stoke are to retain their Premier League status, Butland will have to single-handedly secure points for the Potters, in a similar fashion to his England teammate Tom Heaton did for Burnley last year.
One to Watch – Ramadan Sobhi
To fill a large Marko Arnautovic sized hole is a difficult task for anyone in that Stoke squad at the moment, but best placed to do just that is the exciting Egyptian winger Ramadan Sobhi. Signed last summer from Al Ahly, at just twenty years old he is a full Egypt international and having made seventeen league appearances last time out, he has had a season to settle in and now, with regular game time in front of him, he has a chance to prove himself now.
A hard worker, with bags of pace and trickery to match, he has a lot of the attributes in a top Premier League winner. If he can grow into his body and bulk up a tad more, he will be a thorn in so many defenders sides. `
Fans View – Bear Pit TV – @TheBearPitTV
With a few days to go until the season we still haven’t spent a penny which is worrying. We’ve brought in four players either on loan or for free but there’s still some big gaps in the Stoke City side. It’s going to be a very interesting remaining few weeks of the transfer window because Hughes needs results as soon as possible, and with the very difficult start we have we’re really up against it early on.
Swansea City
Last Season
Premier League – 15th FA Cup – Third Round EFL Cup – Third Round
In’s – Erwin Mulder (SC Heerenveen, Free), Roque Mesa (Las Palmas, £11million), Tammy Abraham (Chelsea, Loan), Cian Harries (Coventry City, Undisclosed)
Out’s – Marvin Emnes (Released), Bafetimbi Gomis (Galatasaray, Undisclosed), Alex Samuel (Stevenage, Undisclosed), Liam Shephard (Peterborough, Free), Franck Tabanou (Released), Gerhard Tremmel (Released), Borja Baston (Malaga, Loan), Jordi Amat (Real Betis, Loan), Jack Cork (Burnley, £10million), Connor Roberts (Middlesbrough, Loan), Keston Davies (Yeovil Town, Loan), Modou Barrow (Reading, £1.5million)
As much as I like Paul Clement and some of the business he has done over the summer, I can see Swansea struggling once again this season. Despite this, I think if Clement can continue the momentum from last season, they could stay well clear.
Where it could all go wrong for Swansea is if Gylfi Sigurdsson leaves the club. Nine goals and thirteen assists last year, he is easily their stand out player, and he will leave a huge hole if he does go. There main creative force, without him they were likely to have gone down last year, so they could struggle unless they find an adequate replacement and fast.
At the back, Alfie Mawson filled a huge hole left by Ashley Williams, so there’s no reason that they can’t find the man to replace Gylfi.
They’re also yet to make enough signings for my liking, with only two players going to make a real impact on the first team in Roque Mesa from Las Palmas, who is highly rated in Spain and could be vital just in front of the Swans back four, and Tammy Abraham, who was highly impressive out on loan at Bristol City last season, and the Chelsea loanee now has a chance to show just what he can do at the highest level.
Prediction – 15th
Key Player – Gylfi Sigurdsson
As I’m writing this, the Icelandic international is still a Swansea player, and therefore HAS to be down as their key player. As I mentioned before, nine goals and thirteen assists, towards the bottom of the league, is the difference between relegation and survival.
His link up play at the back end of the season under Clement with Llorente was the key factor behind the Welsh sides survival in the end. The Sigurdsson assist, Llorente goal link was the most used route for a goal in the whole league last season.
One to Watch – Tammy Abraham
I wasn’t surprised to see just how well Abraham did on loan in the Championship last season. Now given the chance to showcase his talents in the Premier League, I expect him to have a huge effect in South Wales.
Fernando Llorente is expected to be the first choice striker again, but seeing as he is injured for the opening weeks of the campaign, Abraham is the natural replacement. If he can perform well in those opening games, score some goals and impress Clement, there’s no reason Llorente will walk back into the team ahead of the youngster. If he can get close to fifteen goals next season in all competitions, the loan will be a huge success and will put himself in line for a chance at his parent club.
Fans View – Declan Terry – @DeclanTerry_
Going into the new season, I’m still quite unsure about what I can expect from Swansea City. There are signs of optimism that we can improve on what was a pretty farcical 2016/17 campaign, in which we had three managers and only managed to escape relegation by the skin of our teeth. The Swans now have a good boss in charge though and under Paul Clement, I don’t think we will endure such a turbulent time this season. With a decent manager now in place, the next thing to look at is improving the playing squad. Swansea’s campaign will depend heavily on the sale of Gylfi Sigurdsson; if we get a reported £50million for the Icelander and wisely reinvest the money into a right-back, a centre-back, winger and an adequate replacement for Sigurdsson, I think we’ll have the making of a very decent mid-table squad. However, fail to reinvest and fail to replace our best player in Sigurdsson, I can see us struggling again.
We conceded 70 goals last season – more than bottom-placed Sunderland – and still haven’t improved the defence. We’re also looking weak on the wing too, having just sold Modou Barrow and currently having a lacklustre Jefferson Montero in the ranks, as well as an ageing duo of Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer. We’ve strengthened in midfield with the quality addition of Roque Mesa and also have a good strike-force with Fernando Llorente, Jordan Ayew and newly-signed Tammy Abraham, who’s looked brilliant in pre-season. So if we use the Sigurdsson money to plug the holes in a few of the aforementioned positions, I don’t think we’ll need to be looking too far behind us in regards to the relegation battle. It’s a big if though – but hopefully we can learn from previous mistakes and spend some money from any high-priced departures.
Huge thanks to the those who have provided for the fans view section.
Tomorrow’s final preview will include Tottenham Hotspur, Watford, West Brom and West Ham!
George Stokes' Blog 
2 thoughts on “Premier League Preview – Part Four”