@AmazingRambo predicts the outcome of the 2021/22 Premier League season - Who will win the title? Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United or Man City?
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| Manchester City are the reigning champions but will they defend their title successfully? (Photo credit: Premierleague.com) |
It was always wise to wait out the transfer window and see who ends up where before sticking our necks out to predict where teams will finish, it’s showtime, the first international break of the season is behind us and the time is now for us to do it… Shall we?
Title race
The neutrals will have a filled season, thrilling movements
and swaps from time to time and if there’s anything we’re very certain of,
there won’t be a runaway winner this season like we’ve had in at least three of
the last four seasons.
Manchester City failed to add a recognized striker to
replace Sergio Aguero but from all indications, it feels a lot like they want
to put their trust in Ferran Torres who has shown glimpses but if you’re
expecting the Aguero standard you might be disappointed.
Jack Grealish joined for a British record fee and he has hit the ground running.
City won the league without depending on a recognized striker last season, if the Torres experiment doesn’t work then expect them to revert to that.
Defensively they’re still solid albeit without Benjamin Mendy who is
in police custody and not certain will play for City again, City are in the
title race but aren’t favourites.
Manchester United have never looked well equipped for a title challenge like this since Sir Alex Ferguson left.
If they actually don’t win
the league, not just challenge then the role of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer should be
objectively reviewed.
United had challenges with a left-sided defender, they got
an experienced winner in Raphael Varane, they fixed the void on the flanks by
signing Jadon Sancho and ultimately, arguably the best player ever to play
football Cristiano Ronaldo joined from Juventus, what is United’s excuse?
Yes there’s a case for a proper defensive midfielder, Scott
McTominay is currently their best hand in that department and there’s also a case for the ageing Nemanja Matic, but they can make do with the double pivot
in central midfield and see what they can do in the January window, United are favourites.
There’s also Chelsea that are on another level right now, seven points from a possible nine, dropping two points against a potential title rival Liverpool and also beating Arsenal.
Then they’re coming into every
home league game under the special introduction from the loudspeakers…
Champions of Europe!
Chelsea are complete, the depth is very admirable, their second choice 11 will beat two-third of the current 19 teams in the league no disrespect.
The place of their tactical genius Thomas Tuchel is also clear to
see, Chelsea will not only make the top four, but they are also co-favourites with
Manchester United.
Liverpool fans will believe their squad has what it takes to do it again but not quite, their failure to reinforce adequately will haunt them in the long run.
If injuries hit them in the middle like it did in the defence
last season, they will fall off the pace.
Jurgen Klopp has put his faith in kid sensation Harvey Elliot but for how long can his limbs do the trick?
The race will be for the
enduring this season and the lack of a top replacement for Gini Wijnaldum will
come back with questions when games kick in thick and fast during winter.
That’s where it stops for real title contenders, Tottenham may have won their opening three games but from the look of things one can tell that it’s only a matter of time.
Their loyalists will also tell you they beat
City in the process, again it’s a matter of time.
Leicester City are moving in the right direction, show me a
well-run club and I will show you the Foxes, but their best bet would still be
a top-six finish, need not mention Arsenal in this context. Their place is
not anywhere near the top.
Title race verdict: United to be champions
Top 4 verdict: 1. United, 2. Chelsea, 3. Manchester City, 4. Liverpool
Top 6 finish
Westham took off from where they stopped last season and you
can see their ambitions, keeping their core and adding a few legs, but how will
they cope with Europa football? It will be challenging but they should be just fine,
however they may have to prioritize depending on what their ambition is.
Leicester City will also need to be attentive, their manager
is elite so he should help them through the pressure of the Europa league but
they will suffer a bit especially if key player get injured; they have
reinforced well but they’re one major injury away from being thin in the middle.
As at the time of filing this, Arsenal are bottom of the
league, but is that where they belong? They have reinforced the way they know
how to do it, they have a mountain to climb but with no distractions in the
form of European football, their rise to midtable will be easy, but what is
their ambition?
Tottenham will finish in the top ten but not the top 6, they
won the Harry Kane battle but his fitness is something they have to worry
about, their squad looks good on paper but something is missing each time you
watch them play, defensively they will be tested soon and then we’d see.
Top 10 verdict: 5. Arsenal, 6.Leicester City, 7. Spurs, 8. Westham, 9. Everton, 10. Leeds United
Relegation picks
Norwich City will face an uphill task this season, the sale
of Emi Buendia to Aston Villa took a significant level of creativity away from
them, again they will flatter to deceive with mesmerizing games but with slim
losses to show for it.
Like Sheffield United last season, Wolves will labour hard and will face the drop, they don’t play badly do they?
Injuries, managerial
changes and the form of top talents will contribute to their problems this
season and I’m afraid they just might be off the pace this term.
This is brave but it is what it is, Southampton will battle
the drop again this season and it will take surrounding teams to help them rise
from the bottom, selling top talents without significant replacements will hurt
them.
Brighton and Burnley are other teams that squad depth will affect this season. Only three teams will be relegated but they will most likely be among these picks.
