Leicester City’s title win has shaken the Premier League’s richest clubs out of their slumber, with many still in transition as as the new season approaches.
As in 2015/16, a little bit of early chaos is to be expected: a remarkable eight managerial changes have taken place over the summer, and it could take those bosses a few weeks to fully get their ideas across.
Here is a rundown of each club’s biggest strength and weakness for the season ahead.
Arsenal
The addition of Granit Xhaka adds considerable composure to an already well-stocked central midfield
Strength: Central midfield
For much of the last decade, Arsenal’s lightweight midfield has been their Achilles’ heel, but the addition of Granit Xhaka adds considerable composure to an already well-stocked central midfield. Before Santi Cazorla’s season-ending injury in November, he and Francis Coquelin had forged a wonderful relationship which could be reignited in 2016/17, while Aaron Ramsey will be looking to bring his Euro 2016 form to the domestic game.
Weakness: Lack of signings in key positions
Arsenal need a striker and a central defender; everyone, including Arsene Wenger, knows this. Per Mertersacker’s age and growing injury concerns make him an unreliable partner to Laurent Koscielny – who needs a powerful player alongside him - while the jury remains out on the injured Gabriel. At the other end of the pitch, Olivier Giroud's hat-trick on the final day of the 2015/16 campaign typified his propensity to perform only when the stakes are low. Imagine how many assists Mesut Ozil would have recorded had Gonzalo Higuain been leading the line for the Gunners...
Bournemouth
The striker missed most of 2015/16 after picking up an injury early on, with Max Gradel also sidelined for the majority of the campaign, but both have now returned to action and will be chomping at the bit to get going
Strength: The return of Wilson and Gradel
Bournemouth have made a host of interesting signings, but fit-again Callum Wilson could be their key man this season. The striker missed most of 2015/16 after picking up an injury early on, with Max Gradel also sidelined for the majority of the campaign, but both have now returned to action and will be chomping at the bit to get going.
Weakness: Tactical openness
Tommy Elphick’s departure has left Steve Cook as the only recognised centre-back in the squad, which is a serious concern given how open Bournemouth often are. Eddie Howe’s commendable desire to play an attractive brand of football often meant midfield was not compact enough last term, with the Cherries regularly overrun in the centre of the park. Howe's tactics are unlikely to change, so a strong central defensive pairing is imperative to their chances of survival.
Burnley
Sean Dyche’s side battled valiantly against the drop in 2014/15 but their endeavours were in vain; they enter the Premier League as champions this time, not sixth-placed play-off winners, but the story is likely to be a similar one
Strength: Fighting spirit
Burnley’s position looks very similar to the one they found themselves in two years ago. Sean Dyche’s side battled valiantly against the drop in 2014/15 but their endeavours were in vain; they enter the Premier League as champions this time, not sixth-placed play-off winners, but the story is likely to be a similar one. The Clarets' resilience and team spirit helped them grind out valuable wins at the back end of last season, and they'll need to be more dogged than ever in the coming months.
Weakness: A quiet transfer window
Charlton pair Nick Pope and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are the only signings Burnley have made in what has proved to be a deeply frustrating summer for Dyche. Gudmundsson amassed 11 assists in the Championship last season (the joint highest) but is not of the calibre required to survive in the world’s richest league.
Chelsea
His impeccable ball-winning skills will significantly improve Chelsea’s resilience in midfield and give Cesc Fabregas the creative freedom he requires
Strength: N’Golo Kante
Antonio Conte’s aggressive and energetic philosophy is tailor-made for N’Golo Kante, signed for £30 million from Leicester City. His impeccable ball-winning skills will significantly improve Chelsea’s resilience in midfield and give Cesc Fabregas the creative freedom he requires, but equally important will be Kante’s distribution. An under-appreciated aspect of the Frenchman’s game is his ability to wriggle away from trouble and play the first pass of a counter-attack; Conte’s Chelsea, with so much speed on the flanks, will come to depend on their new recruit in both defence and attack.
Weakness: The back four
Chelsea’s defence is arguably the weakest of this year’s title-challengers. Cesar Azpilicueta is a sturdy left-back but Branislav Ivanovic proved last season that he can no longer be relied upon, while Gary Cahill's not a championship-winning central defender and Kurt Zouma remains raw. John Terry may surprise his critics given Conte’s track record with getting the best out of ageing centre-backs, but Chelsea still need two new defenders.
Crystal Palace
You always know what you're going to get from Alan Pardew's side, whose absorb-pressure-and-break-down-the-flanks model of play has remained unchanged for the last couple of years
Strength: A defined tactical identity
You always know what you're going to get from Alan Pardew's side, whose absorb-pressure-and-break-down-the-flanks model of play has remained unchanged for the last couple of years. This has given Palace a valuable identity, with every player fully aware of what's expected of him.
Weakness: No established striker
Pardew’s system relies on a strong central striker who can hold the ball up and get on the end of crosses. Christian Benteke has been linked with a move to Selhurst Park but Liverpool are refusing to budge on their asking price, leaving Palace short at the top of the pitch ahead of their opening match on Saturday.
Everton
Moshiri's long-term project seems both exciting and realistically, with new stadium plans finally moving along
Strength: A new owner with ambition
British-Iranian billionaire Farhad Moshiri grabbed the fans' attention by promising to hand Ronald Koeman a £100 million transfer kitty and smash the club’s current wage structure, and optimism remains high at Goodison Park despite a slow summer. This is largely because Moshiri's long-term project seems both exciting and realistically, with new stadium plans finally moving along.
Weakness: Ongoing transfer sagas
Everton look set to haggle over Romelu Lukaku until close to deadline day, which could derail Koeman in the short-term. Even if an end to the saga triggers a flurry of high-profile signings towards the end of August, multiple members of the Everton squad will have had very little time to learn their new manager’s methods. That Koeman’s tactical philosophy – direct and quick – is so different from Roberto Martinez’s only makes their stagnation in the transfer market more worrying, so recruiting Ashley Williams is a welcome boost.
Hull City
Striker Abel Hernandez should make a bigger impact on the division now that he's got greater experience of English football under his belt
Strength: Experience
Hull City’s central midfield trio of Jake Livermore, Tom Huddlestone and David Meyler all looked assured during the club’s 2014/15 Premier League campaign. In defence, Michael Dawson and Curtis Davies draw on vast experience at this level and striker Abel Hernandez should make a bigger impact on the division now that he's got greater experience of English football under his belt.
Weakness: The club's in chaos
Where to start? Steve Bruce has resigned, Hull haven’t made a single signing, an injury crisis has hit, Mohamed Diame has left for Newcastle and a new ticketing policy has exacerbated supporters’ anger at the already unpopular owners. Expect protests, panic buys and possibly a challenge to Derby’s record low points haul.
Leicester City
The loss of Kante complicates things slightly, but their string of clean sheets came largely because fearful opponents retreated so deep into their own half in a bid to nullify Leicester’s counter-attacks
Strength: Defence
Leicester conceded just 12 goals in their final 21 Premier League games last season, and even if the champions fail to repeat their extraordinary 2015/16 exploits there's no reason why their defensive resolve will suddenly disappear. The loss of Kante complicates things slightly, but their string of clean sheets came largely because fearful opponents retreated so deep into their own half in a bid to nullify Leicester’s counter-attacks. Unless Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez leave, this won’t change.
Weakness: Midweek matches
The fixture list has been very kind to Leicester, handing them home ties after all six of their Champions League group games. A continental hangover is still likely for a side that thrived on a consistent team selection last year, though, and European commitments could take their toll.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp's attempting to introduce a high-tempo, counter-attacking strategy at Liverpool, and speed in the final third is vital to its success
Strength: Counter-attacking speed
The addition of Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum has injected pace into a Liverpool team that lacked it last season. Jurgen Klopp's attempting to introduce a high-tempo, counter-attacking strategy at Liverpool, and speed in the final third is vital to its success.
Weakness: Defensive midfield
There remains a concern about central midfield, where Liverpool lack defensive clout. Lucas Leiva returned to form under Klopp last year but is surely too slow for the system, whil Wijnaldum is a liability when played in a deeper role. Emre Can and James Milner looked flat for much of 2015/16, and Jordan Henderson's too injury-prone to be relied upon. Marko Grujic will need to settle in quickly.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola's an outstanding attacking coach, and the complexity of Manchester City’s interplay in advanced areas will be a joy to watch this season
Strength: Creativity
Pep Guardiola is an outstanding attacking coach, and the complexity of Manchester City’s interplay in advanced areas will be a joy to watch this season. No other Premier League squad has as many outstanding attacking midfielders, with Leroy Sane and Nolito now added to a list that already featured Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Yaya Toure. In time, English football might be blown away by the swarming, inter-changing movement instigated by the world’s best tactician.
Weakness: Guardiola’s inexperience in England
Aside from a worrying dearth of quality in the full-back positions, how Guardiola adapts to such an aggressive league is City’s biggest concern. His Barcelona and Bayern Munich sides were often most vulnerable against opponents who pressed high and refused his defenders time on the ball – something that English clubs do a lot. However, Guardiola is a remarkably adaptable manager, tweaking his tactical shape in uniquely innovative ways. Expect him to discover some bizarre and interesting solutions over the next nine months (Fernando and Fabian Delph as inverted full-backs, anyone?)
Manchester United
Mkhitaryan has a fantastic pedigree and Ibrahimovic and Pogba are global superstars
Strength: A new spine
Jose Mourinho's made four signings - Eric Bailly, Paul Pogba, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – that should immediately transform Manchester United’s fortunes. Bailly was excellent on his debut against Leicester City, keeping Vardy quiet and looking remarkably assured, while Mkhitaryan has a fantastic pedigree and Ibrahimovic and Pogba are global superstars.
Weakness: Central midfield
Pogba won't fix everything. United’s midfield was flaky last season, and Mourinho will struggle unless Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini significantly improve. Schneiderlin is far more suited to Mourinho tactics than the low-tempo possession game of Louis van Gaal, but he was left on the bench against Leicester.
Home. August 8, 2016
Middlesbrough
Viktor Fischer, a young left winger brought in from Ajax, is highly promising, while Alvaro Negredo and Victor Valdes offer vital experience at both ends
Strength: Intriguing signings
Middlesbrough look the best equipped of the promoted sides to avoid relegation, largely because of several eye-catching signings. Viktor Fischer, a young left winger brought in from Ajax, is highly promising, while Alvaro Negredo and Victor Valdes offer vital experience at both ends. Central midfielder Marten de Roon, a £12 million acquisition from Atalanta, is the most exciting of all: he made more tackles (121) than any other player in Serie A last season.
Weakness: Karanka’s relationship with his players
Aitor Karanka stormed out of training in March last year after falling out with his players, and while he was reinstated in the dugout, the damage done that day could prove to be permanent. Middlesbrough’s form did improve after the spat, but things could get tense if they fail to hit the ground running this season.
Southampton
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is an outstanding addition to an engine room that includes Steven Davis and Jordy Clasie – two hugely underrated players
Strength: A commanding midfield
Even without Victor Wanyama, new manager Claude Puel has a superb central midfield to work with. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is an outstanding addition to an engine room that includes Steven Davis and Jordy Clasie – two hugely underrated players.
Weakness: Up front
Southampton haven't yet replaced Graziano Pelle, which is a huge problem considering their most influential attacker Sadio Mane has also moved on. Shane Long's a talented footballer but perhaps unsuited to play the central role in Puel’s 4-3-3, leaving Charlie Austin as their only current alternative. Southampton’s season could hinge on the final three weeks of the window.
Stoke City
Bojan finished the 2015/16 season warming the bench having faded badly in the spring, but the Spaniard's lack of a pre-season meant he was always likely to tail off
Strength: Bojan Krkic
Bojan finished the 2015/16 season warming the bench having faded badly in the spring, but the Spaniard's lack of a pre-season meant he was always likely to tail off. He should be much fitter this time around, with big things still expected of the former Barcelona youth product.
Weakness: Stoke are on the slide
Mark Hughes’s charges took just nine points from their final 10 league matches last season, and with few notable recruits (although Joe Allen, at £10 million, could prove to be an astute piece of business) their slump could continue. Tricky early fixtures against Middlesbrough, Manchester City, Everton and Spurs may leave them near the bottom and bereft of confidence.
Sunderland
David Moyes is more concerned with a sturdy defence than a free-flowing attack, as Everton and Manchester United fans will attest
Strength: A competent defensive manager
David Moyes is more concerned with a sturdy defence than a free-flowing attack, as Everton and Manchester United fans will attest. That should serve him well at Sunderland, where a series of cautious managers have built a team with a fairly powerful defence and central midfield.
Weakness: Over-reliance on Defoe
Sunderland’s squad looks remarkably light, and at 33 years old it's difficult to envisage Jermain Defoe picking up the slack so effectively again this season. Moyes is not as effective as Sam Allardyce at maximising the talents of a limited group of players, so fresh reinforcements in the final third are vital.
Swansea City
Few teams will be relying on a single individual as much as Swansea, whose star man Gylfi Sigurdsson scored or assisted 33 per cent of their Premier League goals last season
Strength: Gylfi Sigurdsson
Few teams will be relying on a single individual as much as Swansea, whose star man Gylfi Sigurdsson scored or assisted 33 per cent of their Premier League goals last season. His confidence was restored in a free role under Francesco Guidolin, with Andre Ayew's exit making him even more important.
Weakness: Thin on the ground
There's not a great deal of depth to Swansea's squad, something that has been made even worse by Ashley Williams joining Everton. A bout of injuries would leave them down to the bare bones.
Tottenham Hotspur
Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand excelled under his tutelage at Southampton, and Kyle Walker and Danny Rose tore Tottenham's opponents to shreds in 2015/16
Strength: Attacking full-backs
Mauricio Pochettino’s most prominent tactical success in England has been his use of attacking full-backs: Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand excelled under his tutelage at Southampton, and Kyle Walker and Danny Rose tore Tottenham's opponents to shreds in 2015/16. With Spurs' wide forwards always looking to roam infield, more of the same can be expected this term.
Weakness: Vulnerability on the counter
Victor Wanyama should make Spurs better equipped to deal with quick counter-attacks this year. They may have only conceded 35 goals last season, but Tottenham can still improve their solidity.
Watford
His short spell at Inter ended badly, but Watford fans can still be excited about the Italian taking charge at Vicarage Road in 2016/17
Strength: A top manager
Walter Mazzarri has an outstanding CV, winning promotion with Livorno and Reggina, taking Sampdoria into Europe and finishing third and second with Napoli. His short spell at Inter ended badly, but Watford fans can still be excited about the Italian taking charge at Vicarage Road in 2016/17.
Weakness: Too few goalscorers
Only five players scored more than one league goal for Watford last season, with Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney netting 28 between them (70 per cent of the Hornets' total). Mazzarri must find a way to create more dynamism in the final third without losing any of Watford's defensive resilience.
West Bromwich Albion
Salomon Rondon started scoring more regularly towards the end of the season, and he'll be their biggest aerial threat this time around too
Strength: Set-pieces
Unsurprisingly, Tony Pulis’ West Brom are very good at scoring from set-pieces: they netted 12 times from dead-balls in 2015/16, the sixth most in the Premier League. Salomon Rondon started scoring more regularly towards the end of the season, and he'll be their biggest aerial threat this time around too.
Weakness: Scoring goals
Only Aston Villa scored fewer than West Brom’s 34 goals last season; without significant reinforcements it's hard to see them dramatically improving on that tally. New signing Matt Phillips scored eight and assisted five goals in the Championship last season, which instantly makes him a very important player for Pulis.
West Ham
Strength: New stadium
The London Stadium represents a step up for West Ham, and if their opening match against NK Domzale was anything to go by the transition will be a success. The Hammers fans were remarkably loud, creating a superb atmosphere for the players and building excitement about the season ahead.
Weakness: They need a striker
There's a lot of quality in the West Ham squad but Europa League football could have a negative impact. Andy Carroll's unlikely to stay fit for the whole campaign, but even with the versatile Andre Ayew having been landed, another striker wouldn't go amiss.
