The Premier League 2017 / 2018 – who will take the honours?

They have been relatively quiet in the transfer market with a lot of their players coming back in from loan spells. But this is Benitez, and he is a veteran in the Premier League, so I expect them to finish here. I would have had them finishing higher if they had added to their squad during the summer break.

Koeman has done a great job to date at Everton but the reason I don’t think they will improve on last year’s league position is that they have lost 1 of their most influential player’s in Lukaku, with their other, Barkley most probably going to either Chelsea or Spurs in the coming weeks.

Koeman has made a swath of new signings having been active in the transfer market bringing in bringing in the likes of Davy Klassen (Ajax), Michael Keane (Burnley), Ramires (Malaga), Onyekuru (KAS Eupen) and then adding to it with proven pedigree and experience in the form of Wayne Rooney. Icelandic attacking midfielder, Sigurdsson is also expected to join them before the transfer window closes another excellent addition to their team. 

This can be only a good thing, but with some many new signings it may take time for the team to bed in and find their rhythm. These could turn out to be very shrewd signings on Koeman’s behalf as he looks to the foreign market where you can get much better value. I think that they can win a cup this year though, as I think this team will get stronger as the season progresses under the leadership of Rooney.

For me they haven’t strengthened their squad enough, and it now looks inevitable that they will lose Coutinho to Barcelona. On top of that, their rivals have added more effectively to their squads (where they addressed their weaknesses) and they also have Champions League football to contend with this season (assuming they qualify) so their squad will be stretched.  

The jury is still out on their strikers. Sturridge, Ings & Origi just don’t cut it, and it’s not as if they are world class. To compound to Liverpool and Klopp’s misery Lallana is out for 2 months with a thigh injury.

The stark reality is that Liverpool football club need a wealthier owner if they want to take this magnificent club to the next level.

I just can’t see Arsenal under Wenger really changing that much. It helps that there not in the Champions League (but they still have to play in the Europa league), so I really can’t see much change from last season. It must be incredibly difficult for Arsenal fans when you have such a talented group of players under performing so often, and then all they have to show for it are a few FA Cups. The problem with this team is that they can turn it on, and beat most teams on their day. But that’s the problem, on their day. 

Wenger has made one great signing in Alexandre Lacazette, a centre forward from Lyon. But as it stands at the moment, their best player from last season, Sanchez, may leave soon to Manchester City or PSG as he is now pushing a move.

And to be honest, who could blame him.

This was a difficult one, as there is very little between Manchester United and Spurs going into this season.

Manchester United have signed a much needed out and out proven Premier League striker in Lukaku, but Spurs of course have Harry Kane. Spurs were by some distance the 2nd best team in the country last season. But I think Mourinho will have closed the gap on them this season as he has a better understanding of his team and players now.

I think Spurs & Pochecttino will continue to learn this season with what is a young talented team. For me they were really unfortunate not to win the league last season as in the past their winning points total would have been usually enough to win it. But they just came up against an outstanding Chelsea side and my feeling is that it was a missed opportunity last season for them.

Spurs haven’t brought anyone of note in, but they did sell Kyle Walker to Man City which is a significant loss. 

I expect this young Spurs team to be Premier League Champions in the coming years though.

Conte has cut a frustrated figure this summer as a lot of his transfer targets didn’t materialise. He managed to prise Morata from Real Madrid but still has unfinished work to do as he chases Chamberlain and Barkley. Diego Costa has been left out in the cold by Conte and this could prove to Conte’s detriment in his pursuit to retain the Premiership crown if he fails to find like for like replacements.

Top managers such as Ferguson always knew the importance of getting a few new big name signings in after winning the Premier League. So as to keep the players on their feet, maintain the standards, competition, and keep their desire burning.

Conte may have reservations that this same group of players may have the distance to go it again with such few additions to the squad.

I think Man City will be either a revelation under Guardiola this season, in that he will have figured out the Premier League. Or his swashbuckling football approach could end up backfiring badly on him with disastrous consequences.

For me he is still the best manager in world football, and where better to test yourself than at the most competitive football league in the world.

Last season was a baptism of fire for him, and I believe that this season he will have figured out how best to set up his team.

He has strengthened the team where it was weak last season – in defence. He has brought in Mendy (Monaco), Walker (Spurs) and Danilo (Real Madrid), and Silva on the right wing (Monaco). He has to date, done the best business in the transfer window out of all of the big clubs in the Premier League, and he may yet add to that with Sanchez from Arsenal.

I expect them to be the standout team this season.