PL PREVIEW: PART TWO

With the new Premier League season now upon us, the prospect of Sunderland facing the big teams as well as some new clubs is becoming more and more exciting. For those who like a long read, Gabriel Naile has done a deep-dive into every single team we'll play in 25/26. This is part two and you can check out part one HERE.

BURNLEY:

THE WINDOW SO FAR

As a team coming up from the Championship, it would be expected that the Clarets would get straight to work and try to lessen the gap between divisions that has become ever prominent in recent years. Fortunately for them, the signings made have shown sparks of promise - the most prominent one being Kyle Walker on a free from Manchester City. Although his age may cause concerns about longevity, he has continued to excel for his side across the eight full seasons he played. His speed still remains a key attribute and hopes to give the side experience moving forward and at the backline. Another name of note is that of Axel Tuanzebe from Ipswich. Formerly a wonderkid of Manchester United, he struggled to find a long-term switch and spent much of his time on loan until his tenure at Ipswich.

LAST SEASON

Despite the loss of promising manager Vincent Kompany, no struggle was shown for the team upon relegation. In came Scott Parker to salvage what Kompany had left and try for a quick return to top flight football. And so he did, with the side finishing second while conceding only 16 goals all season, just narrowly missing out the title to Leeds on goal difference. This marks a very rare moment in which two teams both finished on 100 points. Fans have often criticised the style of play Parker opts for, with a frequent focus on defensive play while not scoring many goals and referring to it as “boring but effective”. Not many have high faith for this style of play in an area like the Premier League where fast-paced play is often what teams thrive on.

THE MANAGER

A long-standing player and still relatively recent manager, Scott Parker is still yet to properly establish himself as a managerial threat in the top flight. Despite having stints and Fulham and Bournemouth, neither were of much length in the Prem. His time at Bournemouth was cut short after losing 9-0 to Liverpool. This again casts doubt on how Parker will cope and what he must do in order to ensure Burnley are not consecutively relegated.

SUMMARY AND PREDICTION

Unfortunately, I believe that the current steps the Clarets have taken cannot drive them any further than what is now unfortunately expected of them, hence why I predict a finish within the bottom three. Unless their style of play from what sent them up changes, they will likely be left unable to handle the pressure.

CHELSEA:

THE WINDOW SO FAR

Despite having to focus on the Club World Cup over the summer, Chelsea have typically active as of recent by signing the energetic winger Jamie Gittens from German giants Dortmund alongside Brighton’s Joao Pedro for a hefty fee. Just before the competition started, they had also won the race to sign popular striker Liam Delap following Ipswich’s relegation. Adding these to their ever-growing roster of star players has made Enzo Maresca’s side look like a threat going into next season. Pedro’s goal to seal the victory over PSG in the Club World Cup final shows why he may be worth the fee.

LAST SEASON

Having lost Mauricio Pochettino to the USA national team following a refreshing season, Maresca had a lot to live up to. Coming off the back of a Championship title win with Leicester, many were quick to label him off as a failure and would be shortly sacked. This was luckily not the case as he went on to win both the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup against Real Betis and PSG respectively. Defying expectations massively, the former Parma coach sent Chelsea back into the Champions League after their two-year absence and made his name known to the fans.

THE MANAGER

A former assistant in the Manchester City academy and someone who has learned much under Pep Guardiola, Maresca took his first managerial gig at Serie A (B at the time of his arrival) Parma in May 2021 where he was quickly discharged in November. After this came nothing until he was picked up by newly relegated Leicester City in July 2023 with the Foxes putting their trust in him to secure them an instant return. For most of the season City were breezing past the competition, until 2024 resulted in a series of errors that almost resulted in a humiliating display of losing the title. Things thankfully steered back in motion and meant they had secured the title and automatic promotion with 97 points. It may have seemed unwise for Chelsea to take a shot at a manager with unproven high level play but it has paid off brilliantly so far.

SUMMARY AND PREDICTION

Now back at the level that the previous Chelsea were at, it is clear to see that all the necessary steps have been taken to propel the Blues higher. While being a turbulent few years trying to get back on track, it is safe to say that this process has been completed, and the club can now focus on impressing on both the European and national stages once again. I predict a repeat of this season once again and finish 4th place again.

CRYSTAL PALACE:

THE WINDOW SO FAR

Coming off the back of what can only be described as an amazing season, Crystal Palace have not been quick to make new signings. The most recent being Ajax full-back Borna Sosa, likely just a solid buy for squad depth following the departures of Jeffrey Schlupp and Joel Ward. Additionally, the signing of goalkeeper Walter Benitez from PSV provides for a solid backup to Dean Henderson. The rumour of a move away to Arsenal for star players Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi have been constantly floating around, although not much has come around yet due to the Gunners opting to sign Noni Madueke.

LAST SEASON

Palace fans will tell you that last season was nothing short of unbelievable, despite the Eagles continuing their mid-table consistency in a 12th place finish which saw them amassing their highest points tally in the Premier League ever at 53. While starting out the season quite poor, consistent runs of form resulted in the middle of the road finish that has come to be expected. Despite the off-and-on season which included conceding five goals to Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester City, the club’s shock triumph in the FA Cup marks their first piece of silverware ever in the 100-year history. A season all fans will never forget, it will be hard to eclipse the success of 24/25. They’ve now also won the Community Shield, beating Liverpool, which is another positive sign for the club.

THE MANAGER

Appointed in February 2024 following the departure of Roy Hodgson, Austrian boss Oliver Glasner has excelled in his time at Selhurst Park and delivered a run of 7 games unbeaten in the final matches of the 23/24 season including wins against Liverpool, Manchester United and Aston Villa. In his 2-year tenure at Frankfurt he guided them to a Europa League victory, beating Rangers in the final. An all-round experienced Bundesliga coach who can get the best out of his players such as the red-hot striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, Glasner’s year-long spell in London has been very well received.

SUMMARY AND PREDICTION

Despite the recent controversy over UEFA’s multi-club ownership pushing the FA Cup champions into the Europa Conference League instead of the Europa, both the club and its fans are equally as annoyed that this has happened to them. But once this is put behind them, the Eagles will likely get back to their regular expectations with the thrill of European football on the horizon. I imagine they will be able to balance the two with yet another 11th place finish.

EVERTON:

THE WINDOW SO FAR

Following a relatively successful second half of the season, Everton have been somewhat active in the transfer market. Earlier in June they secured the signing of rising striker Thierno Barry from Villareal for a fee of around £30M alongside the permanent switch for Carlos Alcaraz. Barry had attracted much publicity after his 11-goal season for the Spanish club and the Toffees have luckily won the race and hope to stop the end of their woes in the striker position. The reinforcements of Bournemouth backup Mark Travers could prove useful also if needs be.

LAST SEASON

Despite a rocky start under Sean Dyche, the club got rid of him in the new year after only winning three games in the period between August-December. After careful decision, ex-boss David Moyes was brought back through the door following his 12-year absence and steered the side to a comfortable 13th place which shattered fans’ hopes of relegation in their final season at Goodison Park. Most notably is forward Iliman Ndiaye who scored a crucial 9 goals in the campaign, with Moyes overseeing a drastic improvement of Beto who experienced a purple patch in form around February and ended on 8 goals. Despite having the second worst possession in the league at 40.6%, goals came when they mattered most.

THE MANAGER

Well known in the Premier League, David Moyes was also (unfortunately) formerly on Wearside, but let’s not sit on that for too long. His first spell in the top flight was an 11-year one with the Toffees and lasted from March 2002-May 2013 with many consistent sixth and seventh place finishes to his name. He then spent a brief year at Manchester United which amounted to little glory. His longest managerial stint after this came in December 2019, when West Ham picked him up after they had previously sacked him the year prior! He remained with the Hammers for nigh on five years, overseeing the club’s first European trophy in the form of 22/23’s Conference League.

SUMMARY AND PREDICTION

After finding their footing towards the middle of the season, it is clear now that Everton have discovered what works now and hope to replicate it going into their new stadium that fans were hoping made it into the top flight. Now that it has, the main focus can now be on survival and maintaining the stability that has been prominent for the last few years. I believe Everton will finish in 14th, with Barry shining in the team.

FULHAM:

THE WINDOW SO FAR

After another standard season for the club, Fulham have not signed anyone so far and have only released Tom Cairney after his 10-year time at the club along with Carlos Vinicius and Willian. While not active in the market currently, it is expected that a few signings will be made to strengthen the positions where there have been departures.

LAST SEASON

Ever since Fulham’s promotion in 2022, they have managed to stay afloat and become a regular appearance in mid-table side. Full-back Antonee Robinson has performed particularly well and was widely recognised as the best in his position with his speed helping him rack up 10 assists across the league campaign. Striker Raul Jimenez was the side’s top scorer with 12 goals with Alex Iwobi not far behind at 9. While not achieving much of note, a particularly poor run of 6 losses in their final 9 league games but still managed their highest points tally since Silva’s appointment with that being 54.

THE MANAGER

Now into his fourth year at the club, Portuguese boss Marco Silva has proven himself amongst fans to be of real quality by helping them out of the Championship finishing on 90 points and winning them the title. The following seasons since their promotion he has kept them stable and formed Fulham into certain candidates for mid-table. Their highest finish to date under Silva remains that of their first season back in the Premier League in which they ended in tenth.

SUMMARY AND PREDICTION

Given that Silva’s formula has shown to be effective, I imagine not much would need to be changed going into 25/26. Established as a quality side with players of equal talent, I believe Fulham can replicate their previous seasons in a 13th place finish.