Premier League Team Previews for 2011/12 Season
As the 2011/12 Premier League season gets under way on Saturday 13th August, we take a look at each team and choose a few players who could be very influential this season.
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger’s side came so close to a sack full of trophies last season, but, once more, failed to win anything. Much of the criticism last year was aimed at Arsenal’s defence and with no significant signings in that department as of yet, it may be another trophyless campaign.
Best Signing – Gervinho
The Ivory Coast winger has signed from French champions Lille and will add yet more pace and goal scoring threat to an already attack minded Gunners.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Aaron Ramsey
Ruled out with injury for most of 2010 after suffering a broken leg against Stoke, the Wales captain will be key in the Arsenal midfield if stars such as Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are allowed to leave for pastures new.
Aston Villa
Villa’s summer has been dominated by controversial changes to the manager, with former Birmingham manager Alex McLeish moving across the second city to take up the Villa post. McLeish will need to win over the Villa fans but a return to the performances of a few seasons ago when they were a certain top 8 team will go a long way to pleasing Villa’s supporters.
Best Signing – Shay Given
The veteran Irish goalkeeper will provide a safe pair of hands after the departure of Villa’s former keeper Brad Friedel, who has joined Tottenham.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Charles N’Zogbia
Villa signed Frenchman N’Zogbia from Wigan and he will need to help fill the considerable gap left by the departures of wingers Stewart Downing and Ashley Young to Liverpool and Manchester United.
Blackburn Rovers
Rovers’ Indian owners promised cash when they took over the Lancashire club, but so far Rovers fans have been left disappointed with the sale of defender Phil Jones to Manchester United the biggest transfer the club has been involved in.
Best Signing – David Goodwillie
The 22 year old Scotsman joins from Dundee United after scoring 19 goals in the Scottish Premiership last season. Only time will tell if he can continue that rich scoring form in the top flight of English football too.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Christopher Samba
After some very impressive performances towards the end of last season, Samba was linked with a move away from Ewood Park. If Rovers manage to hang onto their big Congolese centre back he will undoubtedly play a pivotal role once more.
Bolton Wanderers
The Wanderers impressed last year under manager Owen Coyle, finishing with a solid 14th place in the league after some poor performances toward the end of the season saw them slip down the table. However Bolton still appear to lack goal scoring threat after losing forwards Johan Elmander to Galatasaray and Daniel Sturridge who rejoined Chelsea after his impressive loan spell. Coyle will need to find someone else to take up the goal scoring mantle or risk slipping further towards the relegation zone.
Best Signing – Nigel Reo-Coker
Former England Under-21 captain has struggled to nail down a place in any team since leaving West Ham 2007. Could this be the place where he rediscovers his top form?
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Kevin Davies
Despite his advancing years, the 34 year old Bolton captain still provides a consistent supply of goals and remains a feared attacking threat for any team in the league.
Chelsea
A new season, another new manager at Stamford Bridge. This time it’s 33 year old former Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas’s who is at the helm and has the unenviable task of attempting to satisfy the thirst for trophies of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Villas-Boas is undeniably a tremendous managerial prospect for the Blues, but may need more than one season to provide the silverware. Will he be given enough time in the manager’s hot seat?
Best Signing – Thibaut Courtois
Many will never have heard of this 19 year old Belgian goalkeeper and most will have to wait a while longer yet. Despite joining the Blues for almost £8m from Genk, he will be loaned out to Athletico Madrid for the 2011/12 season. With top quality goalkeepers hard to come by, watch out for him in the coming years. A tremendous goalkeeping talent has arrived in London, almost!
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Fernando Torres
Can Torres produce the kind of performances this year which will justify Chelsea spending £50m on the Spaniard in January 2011? He’ll need to start with a bang to impress the new boss and with Daniel Sturridge returning from his loan spell at Bolton to join Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in the Chelsea attack. Competition for places is getting tougher and tougher.
Everton
The blue half of Merseyside will perhaps be looking for more of the same over the coming season. David Moyes’s side are tough competitors and very hard to beat, especially at Goodison Park. If Everton are able to turn a few of the 15 draws they got last season into wins next year, European football may be calling Everton once more.
Best Signing – ???????
Everton have made one summer signing, 17 year old Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon on a season long loan. With Dier’s more likely to be featuring for the reserves than the first team, it’s all quiet on the Everton front.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Seamus Coleman
The Irish defender/midfielder proved himself worthy of a place in the Everton team last year, with 6 goals in 40 appearances. Another top quality season and one of the bigger spending Premier League clubs may come knocking on his door.
Fulham
Dutchman Martin Jol takes over as manager of Fulham after Mark Hughes left under a cloud of confusion saying he wanted to ‘further his footballing experiences’. Perhaps that meant more to the Fulham board than it did to everyone else, but the bulk of Hughes’ team remain with another mid-table season expected from the Cottagers.
Best Signing – Pajtim Kasami
A promising Swiss midfielder joins Jol’s team after impressing with his national under-21 side this summer by helping them to reach the final of the under-21 European Championships.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Moussa Dembele
Belgian striker Dembele managed only 5 goals last season but won promising reviews for his instrumental performances. He’ll be hoping to add to his goal scoring tally significantly this term.
Liverpool
‘Big spending Reds’ could be their new nickname after Liverpool have spent considerably on boosting their squad in order to challenge for the title. Their form and performances from when Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish took over were very impressive, but only time will tell if they can better their big rivals Manchester United over the course of an entire season.
Best Signing – Stewart Downing
Downing heads the long list of talented stars joining the Reds this season. Downing’s pace and, more importantly, crossing ability will no doubt provide strikers Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll with many goal scoring opportunities.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Steven Gerrard
He’s been ‘Mr. Liverpool’ for so long now but is age and lack of fitness finally catching up with the Liverpool captain? Summer transfers such as Charlie Adam from Blackpool and Jordan Henderson from Sunderland could in theory fill the gap left by Gerrard in the Red’s midfield, but can anyone supply the desire and passion he does week in, week out?
Manchester City
City will be hoping that their season-opening match with local rivals Manchester United in the FA Community Shield won’t be an omen for things to come this season. They were 2-0 up at half time until United fought back in trademark style to win 3-2. With captain (or should I say former captain) Carlos Tevez’s future seemingly lying elsewhere, City will be relying on Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and new signing Sergio Aguero for goals in this potentially historic season.
Best Signing – Sergio Aguero
He’s small, compact, skilful and Argentinean. Remind you of anyone? Well comparisons may be made between City’s new signing from Athletico Madrid and their wantaway striker Tevez, but the only comparison City fans will care about is whether Aguero can match, or even beat Tevez’s goal haul of 43 goals in two seasons.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Joe Hart
England’s number one goalkeeper was on top form throughout last season and with City aiming for European, as well as, domestic glory their confident shot-stopper will need to be on his game once more.
Manchester United
United won their 19th English league title last season and many are tipping them to take their tally to 20 this year. After losing star players like Paul Scholes and Edwin Van Der Sar to retirement, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has once again placed his trust in youth by signing three talented young prospects in Phil Jones, Ashley Young and David de Gea. If United do what they are undoubtedly capable of, one feels there will be 20 candles on the celebration cake come May 2012.
Best Signing – Ashley Young
Three top quality players have joined the United ranks this year but Ashley Young’s signing from Aston Villa may prove to be the best yet. His pace, crossing ability and goal scoring ability made his a top transfer target for many clubs and with the European Championships starting next summer, Young has the chance to become a key player for both club and country.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Chris Smalling
The young English centre back was thrust into the United first team unexpectedly last year and performed tremendously throughout the campaign. He may be given greater opportunities this year after the summer departures of Wes Brown and John O’Shea and it might not be long before he’s holding down a regular first team place.
Newcastle United
The Magpies begin the new season after a rocky pre-season campaign. Their pre-season friendlies have been disrupted by pitch invasions and bad weather, and star midfielder Joey Barton was told he could leave the club on a free transfer after contract talks broke down. Boss Alan Pardew it seems would be happy if Newcastle managed another 12th place finish in the league this season, only time will tell whether owner Mike Ashley has the same ideas.
Best Signing – Yohan Cabaye
The former Lille midfielder has signed for the Magpies for a reported £4.3m and provides much needed cover for the departed Kevin Noland and possibly departing Joey Barton.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Hatem Ben Arfa
Ben Arfa had a torrid campaign last year. After making four very promising appearances at the start of the season, he suffered a double leg fracture during Newcastle’s game with Manchester City. If the French international can regain form and fitness he could be a potent attacking threat for Newcastle this season.
Norwich
Premiership new boys Norwich will be in for a tough ride this season having won consecutive promotions from League 1 and the Championship to reach the English top flight league. Time will tell whether Paul Lambert’s spirited side can pull their weight amongst Premier League opposition. An opening day fixture against last year’s relegation candidates Wigan Athletic could provide an early season marker for both teams form.
Best Signing – Steve Morison
The Welsh international joins the Canaries from Championship side Millwall and impressed with 17 goals in 43 games last year. However his poor performance for Wales in their Euro Qualifier against England means he’s yet to prove himself on the big stage.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Grant Holt
Last year the Norwich forward scored an impressive 30 goals for the club and many think Norwich’s survival may depend on Holt and his fellow strikers scoring regularly for the club again this season.
Queens Park Rangers
After finishing top in the Championship last time around, the London club seem to be in a good position to begin their fist Premier League campaign since 1996. However manager Neil Warnock is many bookmaker’s favourite to be the first boss sacked this season and with discussions ongoing about possible new owners, could QPR have bitten off more than they can chew this year?
Best Signing – DJ Campbell
QPR signed Campbell from last season’s relegation casualties Blackpool after he scored 13 goals for the Seasiders last year. Campbell will be hoping another relegation battle isn’t on the cards for this campaign as well.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Adel Taarabt
Star play-maker and Captain Adel Taarabt will be staying at QPR for the foreseeable future after his proposed move to Paris St Germain was blocked by the club’s owners. They say he’s ‘fully committed to QPR’! We’ll wait and see on that one
Stoke City
Last season was a successful one for Stoke, with a solid 13th place finish in the league and a tremendous run in the FA Cup which saw them narrowly beaten in the final by Man City, Stoke fans will be hoping for more of the same again. With the added excitement of European football potentially coming to the Britannia Stadium, things are looking up for Tony Pulis’s side.
Best Signing – Jonathan Woodgate
As of yet this has been Stoke’s only summer signing. The 31 year old centre back had suffered with many injuries over the past few years and joins Stoke on a pay-as-you-play deal. If he is able to regain form and fitness he could prove to be the deal of the decade for the Potters.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Kenwyne Jones
The big striker from Trinidad looked, at times, like he was a player made for Stoke’s style of rough and ready play last season. However his form was thoroughly inconsistent and will need to provide goals more regularly to disprove his doubters.
Sunderland
Steve Bruce has been the busiest manager in the transfer market this season, bringing in no fewer than nine summer signings. However after losing star midfielder Jordan Henderson to Liverpool, many are wondering whether Bruce has bought in quantity and not quality. Another solid season would suit the Black Cats nicely.
Best Signing – Craig Gardner.
With so many signings it’s difficult to choose just one, but after impressing as Birmingham’s top scorer last year, Gardner’s goals from midfield could be crucial in helping the Sunderland strikers finish off games.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Asamoah Gyan
The popular Ghanaian striker will be the linchpin of Sunderland’s strike force once again. He appeared lonely last year and struggled to help out his team when their bad form set in, but with greater competition for places this year with the signings of Conor Wickham and Ji Dong-Won, can he regain his top form?
Swansea City
The first Welsh side ever to take part in the Premiership arrived via a play-off final victory over Nottingham Forest. Boss Brendan Rogers has his team playing a popular brand of fast paced and intricate football. Whether they can sustain that style for the entire season will remain to be seen. Survival is the aim for the south Wales club.
Best Signing – Wayne Routledge
The pacy winger joins from Newcastle United after spending the back end of last season at fellow promotion winners QPR. He will be able to join up with fellow winger Scott Sinclair to give the Swans a potent attacking threat out wide this season.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Garry Monk
The Swansea captain signed a new three-year contract with the club and his performances at the heart of the defence will be put to the test when he faces the Premiership’s top strikers. If he performs well, surely it will inspire others to do the same.
Tottenham Hotspur
Last year’s Champions League quarter finalists have been unusually quiet during the summer break. They have made a few low key signings but much will depend on their ability to keep star players Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale if they are to challenge for Champions League football again next season.
Best Signing – Brad Friedel
The 40 year old American goalkeeper joins Spurs from Aston Villa on a free transfer. His experience in the Premiership is his strongest asset and will provide much needed competition for the erratic Heurelho Gomes.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Gareth Bale
The Welshman shot to fame last year with some extraordinary performances, namely against Inter Milan in the Champions League where he almost single-handedly tore apart the defending champions. He won’t be as much of an unknown quantity this year and boss Harry Redknapp will hope his dip in form towards the end of last year isn’t a sign of teams having worked out how to stop him.
West Bromwich Albion
The Midlands’ club start the season with an unfamiliar sense of confidence. Having struggled to stay up on their previous trips to the Premiership, manager Roy Hodgson’s appointment in February 2011 was seen as a masterstroke as he guided his team to a tremendous 11th place finish. Some shrewd business in the transfer market means West Brom are aiming for a mid table finish.
Best Signing – Ben Foster
Foster was once tipped to be the future England goalkeeper. But after making himself ‘unavailable for an indefinite period’ for his country, the former Manchester United keeper, who joins on loan for the season from fellow Midlands club Birmingham can concentrate on becoming the West Brom number 1 instead.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Chris Brunt
The West Brom captain seemed to be given a new lease of life under Hodgson last year and will be instrumental from the midfield once more this year.
Wigan Athletic
Wigan’s aim once more will be to avoid relegation this season after a nail biting finish saw them stay up on the final day of the season. Manager Roberto Martinez opted to stay at Wigan rather than move to Aston Villa in the summer and under his guidance the Latics have a good chance of avoiding the drop once more.
Best Signing – Ali Al-Habsi
Having played for Wigan last year whilst on loan from Bolton, the Oman goalkeeper was pivotal in Wigan’s fight for survival. He joins for £4m and will provide much needed consistency in the Wigan defence.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Victor Moses
The English midfielder’s opportunities have been limited at Wigan since joining from Crystal Palace in January 2010. But whilst Frenchman Charles N’Zogbia’s departure for Aston Villa may seem bad for Wigan, it may prove to be just what Victor Moses needed to break into the first team.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves struggled last year and only narrowly avoided relegation with some gutsy performances towards the end of the season. Manager Mick McCarthy’s side haven’t been strengthened greatly with summer signings, but no major players have left and McCarthy will fancy his chances of avoiding the drop once more.
Best Signing – Roger Johnson
One of the stars in an otherwise poor Birmingham team last year, Johnson’s performances with fellow defender Scott Dann seemed to be guiding Birmingham to safety. But when Dann got injured, Johnson was unable to keep Birmingham from the drop. The 28 year old will hope two consecutive relegations won’t be on his CV by the end of the year.
Player To Watch in 2011/12 – Michael Kightly
After 16 months on the sidelines with injuries, Kightly will seem like a new signing for McCarthy after making his return for the club in April 2011. He will be hoping to regain the kind of form which helped Wolves win promotion to the Premiership in 2009.
Article submitted Friday, August 12, 2011 & read 270 times.
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