Arsenal:
2010/11: Premier League: 4th. FA Cup: Sixth Round. League Cup: Runners up. Champions League: Round of 16. Top Goalscorer: Robin Van Persie (22)
Key Player: Cesc Fabregas. At the time of writing, Fabregas is still an Arsenal player. But like the past few summers, the Spaniard has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona. The future of Samir Nasri has also been in doubt, although he looks like he will be staying at the Emirates Stadium for this season at least. If both stay, then Arsenal will again challenge for the title. Should they both depart, then Champions League qualification could be in jeopardy.
Lowdown: Last seasons League Cup final against Birmingham City was meant to end Arsenal's six years without a trophy. Instead, it was the the beginning of a disastrous end to the season. Birmingham beat the Gunners 2-1 at Wembley and within two weeks, they had crashed out of the Champions League and FA Cup to Barcelona and Manchester United respectively. Their form in the league wasn't great either. After losing to Birmingham, they won just three of their last 11 league games, ending the season in a disappointing fourth.
Transfers: In: Gervinho (£12m from Lille) Carl Jenkinson (£1.2m from Charlton). Out: Gael Clichy (£7m to Man City), Denilson (Loan to Sao Paulo), Wellington (Loan to Levante), Mark Randall (Free to Chesterfield), Roarie Deacon (Free to Sunderland), Tom Cruise, Jens Lehmann (both released).
Prediction: If any of the teams who finished in the top four last season are going to drop out, it's going to be Arsenal. However, the chasing pack are still a long way behind the Gunners. 4th
Aston Villa:
2010/11: Premier League: 9th. FA Cup: Fifth Round. League Cup: Quarter Final. Europa League: Fourth Qualifying Round. Top Goalscorer: Ashley Young & Darren Bent (9)
Key Player: Darren Bent. When Villa paid Sunderland £24 million for Bent in January 2011, both eyebrows and questions were raised at the price. However, Sunderland's loss was definitely Villa's gain as the England international scored nine goals, including a brace at the Emirates Stadium as they beat Arsenal 2-1 to steer the club away from relegation and towards a respectable ninth placed finish.
Lowdown: Villa were inconsistent last season, largely because they had four managers in a season. Martin O'Neill surprisingly resigned at the beginning of last season, leaving Kevin McDonald to take temporary charge. Gerard Houlier was then appointed manager, but health issues meant he had to step down, leaving ex-player Gary McAllister in charge for the final five games of the season. They have since appointed Alex McLeish as manager from rivals Birmingham, much to the dismay of many fans. Those fans wouldn't have been cheeerd up with the sales of key players Ashley Young to Man United and Stewart Downing to Liverpool. McLeish faces a tough task to turn fans views around, but Villa must stick with him and replace Young and Downing to avoid another inconsistent season.
Transfers: In: Shay Given (£3.5m from Man City) Out:Ashley Young (£20m to Man United), Stewart Downing (£20m to Liverpool), Brad Friedel (Free to Tottenham), Nigel Reo-Coker, John Carew, Robert Pires (all released)
Prediction: Much will depend on who McLeish buys to replace Young and Downing and if the Scot is given time to turn around restless fans. 10th
Blackburn Rovers:
2010/11: Premier League: 15th. FA Cup: Fourth round. League Cup: Third round. Top Goalscorer: Mame Biram Diouf (6)
Key Player: Paul Robinson. The ex-England keeper pulled off a number of important saves last season to keep Blackburn's head above water. His consistent performances earned him the Supporters' Player of the Year last season as well as a call up back into the England squad. He will be a very important player again this season as Blackburn try and battle the drop once again.
Lowdown: After securing Premier League football for another season on the last day of last season, Blackburn's Indian owners will be hoping the club can push on. After all, they sacked Sam Allardyce when the club was in a comfortable mid-table position and replaced him with unknown manager Steve Kean. It went downhill from there, as they went ten games without a win from the begining of February to the end of April. But they ended the season with a four match unbeaten run to ensure Premier League survival, and they'll be hoping to keep that momentum going at the start of this season. They'll have to do it without youngster Phil Jones. He was sold to Man United for £20m.
Transfers: In: Myles Anderson (Undisclosed from Aberdeen). Out: Phil Joines (£20m to Man United), Frank Fielding (Undisclosed to Derby County) Zurab Khizanishvili (Free to Kayserispor), Jason Brown, Maceo Rigters, Benjani (all released)
Prediction: Rovers need to buy a goalscorer if they are to improve on last season. To do that, the Indian owners need to put their hand in their pocket. 15th
Bolton Wanderers:
2010/11: Premier League: 14th. FA Cup: Semi Final. League Cup: Third Round. Top Goalscorer: Johan Elmander (12)
Key Player: Gary Cahill. He's only 25, but he has already played over 100 times for Bolton. The defender received his first England cap last season after another impressive season and started his first international against Ghana in March. He has also been strongly linked with moves to both Arsenal and Man United in the past few months, but at the time of writing remains a Wanderers player.
Lowdown: Bolton were the surprise team for much of last season, but a poor end to last season meant they finished in a disappointing 14th place, despite spending most of the season in the top half. The reason why arguably stems from the 5-0 defeat to Stoke City in the FA Cup semi final. After that, they lost five of their final six games. This season they need to find a goal scorer. Johan Elmander has joined Galatasary, while Daniel Sturridge has returned to parent club Chelsea.
Transfers: In: Darren Pratley (Free from Swansea). Out: Johan Elmander (Free to Galatasary), Ali Al Habsi (£4m to Wigan Athletic), Danny Ward (Undisclosed to Huddersfield), Jlloyd Samuel, Joey O'Brien, Tamir Cohen (all released)
Prediction: If they can buy a proven goal scorer, then there is no reason why Bolton can't finish in the top half this season. Whether they will or not is another matter. 13th.
Chelsea:
2010/11: Premier League: 2nd. FA Cup: Fourth round. League Cup. Third round. Champions League: Quarter Finals. Top Goalscorer: Nicolas Anelka (16)
Key Player: Didier Drogba. It's no coincidence that Chelsea's loss of form coincided with the Ivorian contracting malaria. He got it while on international duty in October but never recovered fully during the season. Much will depend on Drogba's health if Chelsea are to win another league title under new manager Andre Villas-Boas, especially if £50 million Fernando Torres keeps missing the proverbial barn door with a banjo.
Lowdown: Carlo Ancelotti was sacked as soon as last season had finished. However, it was a month later until Andre Villas-Boas was unveiled as the Blues new manager. Chelsea reportedly paid £12 million in compensation to Porto for Villas-Boas' services after he won a treble with the Portugese club last season. Dubbed the 'new Mourinho', Villas-Boas is only 33, but will take on the most pressure filled job in English club football. Things have been made harder with the news that Michael Essien is out for six months after a knee operation.
Transfers: In: Thibaut Courtois (£7.9m from Genk). Out: Michael Mancienne (£3m to Hamburg), Jacopo Sala, Gokhan Tore (Undisclosed to Hamburg), Fabio Borini (Free to Parma), Jack Cork (Undisclosed to Southampton), Danny Philliskirk (Free to Sheffield United), Jan Sebek (Free to FK Baumit Jablonec) Michael Woods (Released)
Prediction: Chelsea will definitely be challenging for the title, but whether they have the strength in depth to compete in all four competitions is another matter. The Champions League, no doubt, remains Roman Abramovich's biggest obsession. 3rd.
Everton:
2010/11: Premier League: 7th. FA Cup: Fifth Round. League Cup: Third Round. Top Goalscorer: Jermaine Beckford & Louis Saha (10)
Key Player: Mikel Arteta. The Barcelona trainee has shown his class for the Toffess in recent seasons and it's a little wonder how they have managed to keep hold of him. It's also a little wonder how Arteta hasn't played for Spain, which shows just how strong Spain's midfield is. He signed a five year contract extension at the beginning of last season, much to the delight of Everton fans.
Lowdown: Everton's now seemingly traditional poor start to the season cost them once again last season as they went without a win for the first six games of the season. Their form picked up however, leading them to a 7th placed finish. Consistency was also an issue. They crashed out of the League Cup to League One Brentford, and out of the FA Cup against Championship side Reading. Yet they did the double over Man City and took four points off both Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as beating the latter in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Transfers: In: None. Out: James Vaughan (£2.5m to Norwich City), Kieran Agard (Free to Yeovil), Hope Akpan (Free to Crawley), John Nolan (Free to Stockport), Iain Turner (Released)
Prediction: With a good start and more consistent performances against the lesser teams, Everton could go far both in the league and cups. 7th
Fulham:
2010/11: Premier League: 8th. FA Cup:Fifth Round. League Cup: Third Round. Top Goalscorer. Clint Dempsey (13)
Key Player: Clint Dempsey. He is Fulham's all time leading goalscorer in the Premier League as well as holding the record for the most goals scored by an American in a Premier League season. He was also voted Fulham fans Player of the Year. His twelve goals last season were important to the Cottager's impressive top half finish. If you take the American's goals out of the season, Fulham would have had eight less points and would have finished 16th.
Lowdown: The 2011/12 season has already started for Fulham after entering the Europa League First Qualifying Round on 30th June, 39 days after last season ended. The club's brief summer holiday was interrupted with the shock reisgnation of Mark Hughes. In came ex Tottenham manager Martin Jol, who will be hoping to reach another respectable league position as well as another good run in the Europa League at a club who constantly punch above their weight.
Transfers: In: Marcel Gecov (£700k from Slovan Liberec), John Arne Riise (Undisclosed from Roma), Dan Burn (Undisclosed from Darlington), Tom Donegan (Undisclosed from Everton), Csaba Somogyi (Free from Rakospalotai). Out: Jonathan Greening (Undisclosed to Nottingham Forest), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Undisclosed to Crystal Palace), Zoltan Gera (Free to West Brom), Diomansy Kamara (Free to Eskisehirspor), Eddie Johnson, Pascal Zuberbuhler, John Pantsil, Matthew Saunders (All released)
Prediction: Fulham may get a good start as they will be well into the swing of competitve football by the time the league season starts. But they may end the season tired and results may deteriorate. 9th
Liverpool:
2010/11: Premier League: 6th. FA Cup: Third Round. League Cup: Third Round. Europa League: Last 16. Top Goalscorer: Dirk Kuyt (15)
Key Player: Luis Suarez. The Uruguyan came to prominence at the 2010 World Cup as he helped his country reach the semi finals. He literally gave Uruguay a helping hand as he handled on the goal line in the last minute of extra time in the Quarter Final against Ghana, but his goals for both country and his old club Ajax helped secure a move to Merseyside. Liverpool paid £22 million for Suarez's services, and he became an instant hit, scoring in front of the Kop on his debut against Stoke. He then provided all three goals for Dirk Kuyt when Liverpool beat Man United in February. After spending half a season in England, much is expected of Suarez this season.
Lowdown: Last season was a season of two halves. The first, under Roy Hodgson, was bordering on a disaster. A poor start to the league season, as well as a shock exit in the Carling Cup against League Two Northampton Town, meant it was only a matter of time until Hodgson was sacked. In came Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish, and after buying Suarez and Andy Carroll from Newcastle and selling Fernando Torres to Chelsea, results and performances improved. An impressive sixth placed finish followed, and the big spending has continued this season.
Transfers: In: Jordan Henderson (Undisclosed from Sunderland), Charlie Adam (Undisclosed from Blackpool), Stewart Downing (Undisclosed from Aston Villa), Doni (Free from Roma). Out: Paul Konchesky (Undisclosed to Leicester City), Gerardo Bruna (Free to Blackpool)
Prediction: Liverpool have strengthened, but the players they have bought aren't world class and they still have some dead wood to sell. Champions League qualification will be a step too far. 5th.
Manchester City:
2010/11: Premier League: 3rd. FA Cup: Winners. League Cup: Third Round. Europa League: Round of 16. Top Goalscorer: Carlos Tevez (23)
Key Player: Joe Hart. Last season was arguably Hart's best. He became both England and Man City's Number One, and was instrumental in ending the club's 35 year drought without a trophy as they won the FA Cup. He kept 29 clean sheets, 19 of which were in the league, winning Hart the Golden Glove. He is, however, prone to the odd error, something he'll hope to sort out sooner rather than later.
Lowdown: With Man City's billions, it was no surprise that they broke into the top four. Roberto Mancini's men were expected to qualify for the Champions League given the vast amount of money they spent last summer. More importantly, they ended the club's 35 years without a trophy, beating Stoke City in the FA Cup final. Now, City face the prospect of Champions League football, and a true test of how far their money can take them.
Transfers: In: Gael Clichy (£7m from Arsenal), Stefan Savic (Undisclosed from Partizan). Out: Felipe Caicedo (£1m to Levante), Jerome Boateng (Undisclosed to Bayern Munich), Shay Given (£3.5m to Aston Villa), Jo (Undisclosed to Internacional), Donal McDermott (Undisclosed to Huddersfield), Scott Kay (Free to Macclesfield), James Poole (Free to Hartlepool), Shaleum Logan (Free to Brentford), Kim Skogsrud and Tom Skogsrud (Free to Rangers), Andrew Tutte (Free to Rochdale), Javan Vidal (Free to Yeovil Town) Patrick Vieira (Retired).
Prediction: They should be Man United's biggest rivals to the Premier League title, and a good run in the Champions League will be a good season for the Citizens. 2nd.
Manchester United:
2010/11: Premier League: 1st. FA Cup: Semi Finals. League Cup: Quarter Final. Champions League: Runners up. Top Goalscorer: Dimitar Berbatov (21)
Key Player: Wayne Rooney. In October last season, Rooney said that he wanted to leave the club and it looked like United's season was in jeopardy. But after a remarkable u-turn from Rooney, United never looked back. There were still doubts over Rooney's form, that was until he scored a remarkable bicycle kick against rivals Man City which Sir Alex Ferguson described as the best goal he ever witnessed at Old Trafford. Rooney's hat-trick against West Ham in April helped United come from 2-0 down, scoring his 100th Premier League goal in the process, while in the penultimate game of the season, Rooney scored a penalty in a 1-1 draw at Blackburn to secure United's 19th top division title.
Lowdown: Last season was one to remember for United fans, just because they overtook Liverpool's 18 league titles. The worrying thing for United's title rivals is that they have strengthened their squad with the additions of Ashley Young, Phil Jones and David De Gea. Two players who have left are Edwin Van Der Sar and Paul Scholes, both have retired, but their squad is still strong enough to compete in all competitions. The only forgetable part of last season was the Champions League Final, where they succumbed to Barcelona's skill, speed and passing. Fergie and company will be more determined than ever to win a fourth European Cup.
Prediction: A 20th league title is achievable with the squad they have, and if they avoid Barcelona, they could well win the Champions League as well. 1st.
Newcastle United:
2010/11: Premier League: 12th. FA Cup: Third Round. League Cup: Fourth Round. Top Goalscorer: Kevin Nolan (12)
Key Player: Cheik Tiote. The Ivorian midfielder has become something of a cult-hero at St James' Park for his tough tackling and all action displays. Indeed, he had one of the worst disciplinary records in the Premier League last season, picking up 14 yellow cards and one red. But it was his goal against Arsenal which sealed a place in Toon fans hearts, a 25 yard volley which completed Newcastle's turnaround coming from 4-0 down to draw 4-4. Halfway through last season Tiote was linked with a move to Real Madrid, but he signed a new six year contract, keeping him at Newcastle until 2017.
Lowdown: The beginning of the 2010/11 season was rosy for Newcastle. They thrashed Aston Villa 6-0 in their first home game of the season, plus they beat rivals Sunderland 5-1 at St James Park and won 1-0 at Arsenal. But after Chris Hughton's surprise sacking in December and Andy Carroll being sold on the last day of the January transfer window to Liverpool, Newcastle's results dropped. Fortunately for Newcastle, they had already amassed enough points in the first half of the season to stave off the threat of relegation. The sale of last season's top scorer Kevin Nolan to Championship side West Ham may prove to be a bad piece of business.
Transfers: In: Mehdi Abeid (Free from Lens), Demba Ba (Free from West Ham United), Sylvain Marveaux (Free from Rennes), Yohan Cabaye (£4.3m from Lille). Out: Kevin Nolan (£3m to West Ham United), Ben Tozer (Free to Northampton Town), Daniel Leadbitter (Free to Torquay United), Patrick McLaughlin (Free to York City), Sol Campbell, Shefki Kuqi, Matthew Grieve, Andy Mogwo, Nathan Evans, Ryan Page, Ben Robinson, Aaron Spear (all released)
Prediction: They should have enough quality to stay up. New signing Demba Ba will be responsible for filling the void left by Andy Carroll in the second half of last season. 14th.
Norwich City:
2010/11: Championship: 2nd. FA Cup: Third Round. League Cup: Second Round. Top Goalscorer: Grant Holt (23)
Key Player: Grant Holt. The Norwich captain scored 21 league goals last season to help the club achieve back to back promotions. This will be his first season in the Premier League; a far cry from where he began his career at non-league Workington. He is well known in the Football League, where he has scored goals at Rochdale, Nottingham Forest and Shrewsbury, before Norwich paid the Shrews £400,000 for him. His scoring raito for the Canaries is better than one in two, and has been Norwich's player of the season for the past two years.
Lowdown: Norwich fans couldn't have wished for a better past two seasons. They strolled to the League One title, despite being humiliated on the opening fixture of that season, losing 7-1 at home to Colchester. Many Canaries fans would have settled for a comfortable mid table finish in the Championship the following season. But instead, they were in and around the playoffs for much of the season before a final surge saw them finish second. It's a remarkable rise, and much of the credit has to go to manager Paul Lambert. Ironically, Lambert was the Colchester manager who masterminded the 7-1 defeat of Norwich. Delia Smith and company sacked then Norwich manager Brian Gunn and brought in Lambert. The rest, as they say, is history.
Transfers: In: James Vaughan (Undisclosed from Everton), Steve Morison (Undisclosed from Millwall), Elliott Bennett (Undisclosed from Brighton & Hove Albion), Anthony Pilkington (Undisclosed from Huddersfield Town), Bradley Johnson (Free from Leeds United), Ritchie De Laet (Loan from Manchester United), Kyle Naughton (Loan from Tottenham Hotspur). Out: Luke Daley (Undisclosed to Plymouth Argyle), Matthew Gill (Free to Bristol Rovers), Sam Habergham (Free to Tamworth), Jens Berthel Askou (Released)
Prediction: If any of the newly promoted teams are going to stay up, it's going to be Norwich. They have made impressive signings and more importantly, have a winning mentality. 17th.
Queens Park Rangers:
2010/11: Championship: Winners. FA Cup: Third Round. League Cup: First Round. Top Goalscorer: Adel Taarabt (19)
Key Player: Adel Taarabt. On his day, Taarabt can be devastating, carving open defences as easily as a knife through butter. He has skills, he has pace, he can dribble and he can finish. But when he has an off day, he can be very frustrating. Fortunately for QPR fans, they saw the former a majority of the time last season as he helped Neil Warnock's side win the Championship. But which Taarabt will they see this season? He has made it clear that he wants to move to a bigger club. Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked with his signature, and Paris Saint Germain have also been strongly linked. He is QPR's captain this season but whether his head is there or not will be key to QPR's fortunes.
Lowdown: QPR spent a lot of money last season trying to get promotion, which they ulitimately achieved, even if their was a cloud hanging over them on the last day of last season as the threat of a points deduction threatened to spoil their promotion party. They are meant to be one of the richest clubs in the world, yet this summer they haven't spent a penny in transfer fees. That doesn't mean they'll struggle, as they have got some very good players in Taarabt, Paddy Kenny and new signings Jay Bothroyd and Kieron Dyer (when fit), but manager Neil Warnock himself has said he is surprised by the lack of transfer activity taking place at Loftus Road.
Transfers: In: Jay Bothroyd (Free from Cardiff City), Kieron Dyer (Free from West Ham United). Out: Mikele Legertwood (Undisclosed to Reading), Georgios Tofas (Free to Anagennisi Dherynia), Lee Brown (Free to Bristol Rovers), Joe Oastler (Free to Torquay United), Gavin Mahon, Josh Parker, Elliott Cox, Roman Rose, Pascal Chimbonda (all released).
Prediction: Much will depend on Taarabt. His mind is probably elsewhere, and if QPR don't strengthen, they'll be in trouble. 20th.
Stoke City:
2010/11: Premier League: 13th. FA Cup: Runners up. League Cup: Fourth Round. Top Goalscorer: Kenwyne Jones & Jonathan Walters (12)
Key Player: Ryan Shawcross. Stoke's captain and a rock in the heart of their defence, Shawcross has been an ever present in helping Stoke survive three seasons in the Premier League. His impressive performances have lead him to be linked with a move away from the Britannia Stadium, but no doubt he will stay at a club who will be playing Europa League football after losing last seasons FA Cup final to Man City. He has also been called up to the England squad, but has yet to receive an international cap. If he performs as consistently as he did last season, he will be knocking on Fabio Capello's door.
Lowdown: Stoke continued to punch above their weight, with another safe mid-table finish in the league last season. The season will be best remembered however, for Stoke reaching the FA Cup final, the first in the clubs 148 year history. That has earnt them Europa League football this season, and Potters fans will be hoping for a good run in Europe. They still have the stigma of being a side who constantly hoof the ball instead of passing it despite having scored some well worked goals last season. They are a much better side than scoring goals from a Rory Delap throw in when they first came into the Premier League, and their league positions and cup runs have shown as much.
Transfers: In: Jonathan Woodgate (Free from Tottenham Hotspur). Out: Abdoulaye Faye (Free to West Ham United), Eidur Gudjohnsen (Free to AEK Athens), Ibrahima Sonko (Released).
Prediction: The Potters will continue to make steady progress under Tony Pulis. A good run in Europe could be a help or a hinderence. 11th.
Sunderland:
2010/11: Premier League: 10th. FA Cup: Third Round. League Cup: Third Round. Top Goalscorer: Asamoah Gyan and Darren Bent (11)
Key Player: Asamoah Gyan. After an impressive World Cup for Ghana, Sunderland paid a club record £13 million for him from Rennes. He had a good debut season at the Stadium of Light, scoring on his debut against Wigan. Much will be expected of the Ghanian this season as he is expected to fill Darren Bent's shoes after his move to Aston Villa in January.
Lowdown: Sunderland struggled after selling Darren Bent to Villa. Bent left when Sunderland were sixth, but nine games without a win saw the Black Cats drop to 14th and into a relegation battle. They did manage to steer clear from relegation, finishing in the top half of the table, but the lack of presence up front following Bent's departure raised questions for this season. To address this, Steve Bruce has bought ten players including hot prospect Connor Wickham, but has lost Jordan Henderson to Liverpool.
Transfers: In: Ahmed Elmohamady (£2m from ENPPI), Connor Wickham (£12m from Ipswich Town), Ji Dong-Won (£2m from Chunnam Dragons), Craig Gardner (£6m from Birmingham City), Sebastian Larsson (Free from Birmingham City), Keiren Westwood (Free from Coventry City), Roarie Deacon (Free from Arsenal), Wes Brown (£1m from Manchester United), John O'Shea (£5m from Manchester United), David Vaughan (Free from Blackpool). Out: Jordan Henderson (£16m to Liverpool), Cristian Riveros (Loan to Kayserispor), Liam Noble (Loan to Carlisle United), Boudewijn Zenden, Jean-Yves M'voto, Nathan Luscombe, Robbie Weir, Michael Noble (all released).
Prediction: Once all Sunderland's summer signings have gelled and Bent's goals have been replaced, the Black cats will again finish in the top half. 8th.
Swansea City:
2010/11: Championship: 3rd. FA Cup: Fourth Round. League Cup: Fourth Round. Top Goalscorer: Scott Sinclair (24)
Key Player: Scott Sinclair. His hat-trick in last season's play off final against Reading ensured that a Welsh team will be playing in the Premier League for the first time. After starting his career at Bristol Rovers, he joined Chelsea but struggled to break into the first team. He had loan spells at six different clubs before joining the Swans at the beginning of last season. It was a great debut season as he scored 19 league goals; his pace causing problems for Championship defences. He will be wanting to prove to Chelsea that he can play at Premier League level.
Lowdown: Brendon Rodgers became Swansea manager at the beginning of last season after Paulo Sousa left for Leicester City. He couldn't have wished for a better debut as the Swans gained promotion via the playoffs. After finishing the season third, they played Nottingham Forest in the semi finals. Despite playing most of the game with ten men, they held on for a goalless draw at the City Ground before winning 3-1 at home. They met Reading at Wembley, where Sinclair's hat-trick helped the Swans win 4-2 in an entertaining playoff final. Their preparation for life in the Premier League has been scuppered with the departures of captain Darren Pratley to Bolton and goalkeeper Dorus de Vries to Wolves.
Transfers: In. Danny Graham (£3.5m from Watford), Jose Moreira (Undisclosed from Benfica), Steven Caulker (Loan from Tottenham Hotspur). Out: Darren Pratley (Free to Bolton Wanderers), Dorus de Vries (Free to Wolves), Albert Serran (Free to AEK Larnaca), Scott Donnelly (Loan to Wycombe Wanderers), Kerry Morgan (Free to Neath), Cedric van der Gun, Yves Makabu Ma-Kalambay (all released)
Prediction: The loss of Pratley and de Vries is a blow. Their passing football will be easy on the eye, but it won't save them from relegation.
Tottenham Hotspur:
2010/11: Premier League: 5th. FA Cup: Fourth Round. League Cup: Third Round. Champions League: Quarter Finals. Top Goalscorer: Rafael van der Vaart (15)
Key Player: Gareth Bale. Everyone in the world knows about Gareth Bale after his stunning hat-trick against Inter Milan in last seasons Champions League. He demolished arguably the best right back in the world, Maicon, with his pace, skill and crossing. His performances throughout last season helped Tottenham to the quarter finals of the Champions League and earnt him a place in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and he was also named the PFA Players' Player of the Year. He missed the end of last season through injury, which coincided with Spurs winning once in ten games, which proved costly as Spurs missed out on a second successive season of Champions League football.
Lowdown: Harry Redknapp's side have gained many admirers from neutrals as they play exciting attacking football. The player that pulls the strings for Spurs is Croatian Luka Modric. His future at White Hart Lane is in doubt after being heavily linked with a move to Chelsea and Manchester United. While Tottenham have many other quality players like Bale and Rafael van der Vaart, losing Modric would be a massive blow.
Transfers: In: Brad Friedel (Free from Aston Villa), Souleymane Coulibaly (£1.3m from Siena). Out: Jonathan Woodgate (Free to Stoke City), Paul-Jose M'poku (£600k to Standard Liege), Jamie O'Hara (£5m to Wolves), Steven Caulker (Loan to Swansea City), Kyle Naughton (Loan to Tottenham Hotspur).
Prediction: Much will depend on the sale of Luka Modric. If he stays, then Spurs will challenge for Champions League football. If he goes, then they'll struggle to replicate last seasons fifth placed finish. 6th.
West Bromwich Albion
2010/11: Premier League: 11th. FA Cup: Third Round. League Cup: Fifth Round. Top Goalscorer: Peter Odemwingie (15)
Key Player: Peter Odemwingie. The Nigerian international signed for the Baggies last August from Lokomotiv Moscow and was an immediate success. He scored an 81st minute winner on his debut against Sunderland and also scored in Albion's 3-2 victory at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal. He had scored ten goals by March and became West Brom's top goalscorer in a season. He also won two Premier League Player of the Month awards in September and April. His goals were key in ensuring West Brom a healthy 11th placed finish in their first season back in the Premier League.
Lowdown: Roberto Di Matteo's sacking came something of a surprise when it was announced on February. The club were out of the relegation zone and looked like they would stay up. Roy Hodgson was brought in and after an impressive run of results, steered Albion to a mid table finish and the club's decision to sack Di Matteo look justified. In the 13 games that Hodgson managed, Albion lost only twice. Hodgson and Baggies fans will be looking for another season safe from relegation.
Transfers: In: Gareth McAuley (Free from Ipswich Town), Billy Jones (Free from Preston North End), Zoltan Gera (Free from Fulham). Out: Scott Carson (£1.5m to Bursaspor), Gianni Zuiverloon (Undisclosed to Real Mallorca), Giles Barnes (Free to Nottingham Forest), Abdoulaye Meite (Free to Dijon), Reuben Reid (Free to Oldham Athletic), Marcus Haber (Released), Dean Kiely (Retired)
Prediction: Albion shouldn't have to worry about the threat of relegation while Hodgson is at the helm. A good cup run may also happen. 12th.
Wigan Athletic:
2010/11: Premier League: 16th. FA Cup: Fourth Round. League Cup: Quarter Final. Top Goalscorer: Charles N'Zogbia (10)
Key Player: Hugo Rodallega. The Colombian has been a huge success for the Latics since he arrived two and a half seasons ago. He is Wigan's all time leading goal scorer in the Premier League, scoring 22 goals, including the goal that kept Wigan in the Premier League last season on the last day of the season at Stoke. His goals will be even more important should last season's top goalscorer Charles N'Zogbia leave to join Aston Villa.
Lowdown: For a club of Wigan's size to have spent six consecutive seasons in the Premier League is something of a miracle. They were 13 minutes away from ending their stay last season. A 0-0 draw at Stoke wasn't enough for them to stay up before Rodallega headed a 77th minute winner. The four games they went unbeaten at the end of last season, including coming from two goals down to beat West Ham 3-2, were priceless. They'll face another battle this season to keep up their record of being the only team in England not to be relegated from the top flight.
Transfers: In: Ali Al-Habsi (£4m from Bolton Wanderers). Out: Antonio Amaya (Undisclosed to Real Betis), Steven Caldwell (Free to Birmingham City), Jason Koumas, Daniel de Ridder, Joseph Holt, Thomas Lambert, Thomas Oakes, Abian Serrano Davila (all released).
Prediction: It'll be a case of unlucky seven for Latics fans as their stay in the Premier League will come to an end. But not without a fight. 18th.
Wolverhampton Wanderers:
2010/11: Premier League: 17th. FA Cup: Fourth Round. League Cup. Fourth Round. Top Goalscorer: Steven Fletcher (12)
Key Player: Matt Jarvis. Wolves' Player of the Season had a season to remember at Molineux last season. His displays earnt him his first England cap, coming off the bench against Ghana in March, and also signing a new contract to keep him at the club until 2015. He featured in all but one of Wolves' Premier League games last season and scored four times. It was his dribbling, however, which caught the eye, often running down the left wing and delivering crosses into the box. He provided six assists last season, and will be key to Wolves' success this season.
Lowdown: You would've thought that Wolves had won the league judging by the scenes at Molineux after the final whistle on the last day of last season. Instead, they had stayed up by the skin of their teeth, by one place and one point. Their survival is largely down to their home record. They picked up 28 of their 40 points at Molineux, including wins against Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.
Transfers: In: Jamie O'Hara (£5m from Tottenham Hotspur), Roger Johnson (Undisclosed from Birmingham City), Dorus de Vries (Free from Swansea City). Out: Greg Halford (£1m to Portsmouth), Adriano Basso, John Dunleavy, Marcus Hahnemann, David Jones, Nathan Rooney (all released)
Prediction: They face another battle to keep their Premier League status but their home record should see them survive. 16th.
My Premier League Table:
1.Man United
2.Man City
3.Chelsea
4.Arsenal
5.Liverpool
6.Tottenham
7.Everton
8.Sunderland
9.Fulham
10.Aston Villa
11.Stoke City
12.West Brom
13.Bolton
14.Newcastle
15.Blackburn
16.Wolves
17.Norwich
18.Wigan
19.Swansea
20.QPR
That is my take on the forthcoming Premier League season. No doubt their will be shocks and surprises and many twists and turns. If it's anything like last season, it will be one to remember.
Note: All transfers accurate up to the time of writing.
