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The Premier League is back and with that, it’s a good time to take a crystal ball look at what can happen in the league while everyone is still on the level. From the best rookie to picking the most important American for their team, we’ve got every angle covered — even some you didn’t know you needed. Strap in and let’s get to some predictions. Plus, the traditional top four, relegation predictions and title winners, courtesy of the CBS Sports staff. Are you covered?.
Best Newcomer: Darwin Nunez, Liverpool
Nevins is a major addition to the Liverpool attack as Jurgen Klopp freshens up the squad to replace Sadio Mane. Having scored 34 goals and assisted four more with Benfica, it’s safe to expect Nunez to hit 20-plus goals in all competitions as long as he’s consistently on the field. Klopp has already shown that the scouting department is comfortable with transfers from Portugal with the successful addition of Luis Diaz last season, but Nunez is different from Liverpool’s usual forwards.
Shoot first, ask questions later, nuns will trust the service of those around them. The good news is that between Mohamed Salah, Thiago, Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander Arnold, and getting into Diaz’s cross-box is a dream ahead. Even if he moves out to the wing, Salah is capable of filling the middle, making Liverpool more dangerous. The biggest transition will be adjusting to the press, but Liverpool loaded the pre-season with friendlies to give the squad as much game time as possible before the season gets into the grind. The biggest point in Nunez’s favor over the much-heralded move of the summer Erling Holland To City of Manchester This is where I see him getting more into an attack that can match City Step’s stride.
Golden Boot winner: Mohamed Salah, Liverpool
The big red machine moves forward. Salah will continue to play a key role in the attack after signing a contract extension. It seems easy to pick Salah to win the Golden Boot, given that he has already won at least three of the last five editions of the award. He is the only player to best it in the past five seasons. Jamie Vardy And Harry Kane. Vardy has struggled with injuries during his prime while Kane is no longer Spurs’ most feared attacker as the title has now turned around. Hyung Min son who linked Salah with the Golden Boot last year. It will be another strong season for Salah and the Reds and while it will be disappointing not to be at the World Cup with Egypt, it will also be strong for the second half of the season where Salah will be rested while others are not.
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Best Team: Newcastle United
It’s a loaded answer as Newcastle United did well last season but the jump they made from the bottom half to the top half last year is a huge improvement over something like high up in mid-table. Avoid relegation by climbing. Brentford. The Magpies are Europa League contenders with little business this summer thanks to the strength of their defence. Sven Boatman And Nick Pope is a significant upgrade while making Matt Target permanent is also a solid addition for him. Under Eddie Howe, Newcastle need just one. Manchester United p West Ham United Slipping to destroy England’s European party. With Newcastle’s improvement this season, I’d back Howe for manager of the year too if they manage to make it to Europe.
Biggest drop in table: Wolverhampton The wanderer
It’s hard to tell what the Wolves front office is doing. Bruno wants to attack the League reinforcements, but instead Fabio Silva The loan was given to Belgium without an official replacement yet. Raul Jimenez has already been injured to start the season and leaves Wolves even shorter in attack. There has only been one increase this summer. Nathan Collins In central defense. They have a way of rejuvenating the defense after conceding. Romain Sais Leave this summer but he won’t improve Wolves’ most pressing problems. Morgan Gibbs-White could bring his fast form back home with his loan spell. Sheffield United, but playing as a ten instead of a second striker will change how he affects the game. To make the wolves good, Pedro Neto And Daniel Pudenis will need to make significant moves moving forward. It’s certainly possible they do, but if they don’t, an offense that scored just 38 goals last season (good for fourth-worst in the league), will get worse and worse. I team will sink.
Best Developed Aspects: Nottingham Forest
Hardy trees earn this title. Fulham’s history in the Premier League And of Bournemouth Lack of business Steve Cooper has a difficult task getting his new signings to click, but it should also be an easier task than last year when he took charge of the team during the season and saw them promoted from the Championship. gave On paper, Forest have made impressive additions but they need to ensure that Taiwo Ooni and Brennan Johnson Are well supported in attack. It could be a tough start for Forest and they could finish tenth to last in the league and it wouldn’t surprise me. Newcastle, open the season with West Ham, Everton, Tottenham, and Manchester City’s expectations will be low for points out of the gate, but this will give the team a chance to pile on the pressure ahead of three games in a row against teams that will be around the relegation zone with them. . By the end of September we should at least have an idea of where the forest is headed.
Breakout Performer: Eberechi Eze, Crystal Palace
One of the most exciting players in the Championship when he was signed from QPR, Eze could not replicate his strong first season with the Eagles where he scored four goals and assisted six more. After missing significant time with an Achilles injury, he returns with a full pre-season under his belt and the number ten shirt showing he has also earned Patrick Vieira’s trust. with Conor Gallagher Back to Chelsea, Eze will shoulder the responsibility of being the creative focus of the Palace attack, which could easily see him clear double figures in combined goals and assists this season. Vieira is building something special in south London and Eze’s performances will be central to his work this season.
Best Young Player: Bukayo Saka, weapon
Saka will celebrate his 21st birthday a month from now. It’s wild that he’s only 20 years old as the season begins despite having three seasons of Premier League soccer under his belt. Saka is basically a seasoned veteran by this interesting weapon. Coming off the start of a breakout year that saw him score 11 goals and assist a further seven in Premier League play, Arsenal have surrounded Saka with more quality to keep the attack ticking. Gabriel with Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli And Martin Odegaard In the final third, Saka may have nothing to show for last season’s counting stats but will be focused on getting Arsenal back into Champions League play when they take on their north London rivals Tottenham ahead of the final game of the season. They were eliminated due to the loss. . Desperation will hopefully force Arsenal not to leave things so late this season.
Most Valuable American Player: Tyler Adams, Leeds United
with Christian Pulisic With Chelsea needing to fight for minutes, Chris Richards in a similar position with Crystal Palace, and Anthony Robinson fighting an uphill battle with Fulham, all eyes are on Leeds United’s American duo of Tyler Adams and Brendan Aaronson. Adams replaces Calvin Phillips who left for Manchester City. Leeds need to fill the huge hole he left in the squad. Mark stopped And Adams is tasked with it. Adams is a strong defensive midfielder and it is important that Jesse Marsh knows what Adams can and cannot do so that he is not overwhelmed as he tries to adjust to life in the Premier League. For Leeds to go a step further than just avoiding relegation last season, defensive improvements will be needed. Adams will star in it. Leeds have made quite a few signings this summer so a rough start to the season is in doubt but if it goes well Adams will be in a great place ahead of the World Cup in November.
Honorable mention
Worst Neck Tattoos: Gianluca Scamacca, West Ham United
A lion and a woman appear to be on Skamaka’s neck. While he should score plenty of goals for the Hammers this season, I’d love to know the story his tattoo has to tell.
Most likely to be in a head and shoulders commercial: Mark Cuccorella
After a surprise move to Chelsea in a deal that could be worth up to £62million, it’s time to step up Cucurella’s endorsement game, following in Troy Polamalu’s footsteps.
“Wait is he still here?” Anthony Marshall
It feels like every season Manchester United have a player pop up like this but since his strong season in 2019, Martial has been largely absent for United. That could change under Erik ten Hag once he recovers from a minor injury.