It's an exciting time of year for football lovers, whilst it was a welcome relief seeing the Championship return, there's nothing quite like Premier League football. This season looks set to be the most competitive yet, a host of managerial changes in addition to some big name signings means we've a great deal to look forward to.
Can Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham team build on their third place finish? Will Pep Guardiola transform Manchester City into a real force in Europe? Can Antonio Conte get Chelsea back amongst the elite? How will Leicester fair in their first ever title defence? So many questions, so much to sink our teeth into. Here is your Ones to Watch season preview for the 2016/17 campaign;
Team to Watch
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Everton
In all honesty, any of the 20 Premier League clubs could've been selected for team to watch, but it's Everton who are under the spotlight. The Toffees have parted ways with manager Roberto Martinez (who has landed himself the Belgium national team job, kudos) and have appointed highly rated Dutchman Ronald Koeman. During Koeman's tenure at Southampton, he often defied the bookies by leading them to high league finishes despite selling key players.
Koeman has shown tremendous know-how in the transfer market and is undoubtedly a shrewd businessman. He is responsible for bringing the likes of Graziano Pelle, Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic and Cedric Soares to the Premier League for relatively small transfer fees, each of these players went on to become key players for The Saints. Now with the blue team from Merseyside, Koeman finds himself with a talented group of players and has significant financial backing from new owner Farhad Moshiri should he require it. There's every chance Ronald Koeman could be the man to bring the glory days back to Goodison Park.
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Manager to Watch
José Mourinho
The self-proclaimed 'special one' is back in the Premier League, this time taking charge of Manchester United. One thing for certain about Mourinho is the fact that he is not shy to spend money, as he demonstrated with the signing of Paul Pogba for a world record transfer fee. Mourinho arrived with the kind of ambition that will excite Man Utd supporters; he refused to accept a finish in the top four as a good season and has expressed his desire to win the league.
Mourinho is a competitor, and will no doubt want to best all the other high-profile managers in the league. If his activity in the transfer market is anything to go by, the
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Portuguese tactician will be going all out to bring the league title back to Old Trafford. In what is set to be the most competitive Premier League season yet, will Mourinho deliver title 21?
Players to Watch
Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Eden Hazard will be the first to admit that he wasn't up to it last season, but we all know how talented the 25 year old is. Having won the PFA Player of the Year in 2015, Hazard looks set to prove that last season was a blip for him and he is in fact a world class player. Chelsea are without European football this summer, meaning they're likely to throw everything at the league, if they are to be successful, Eden Hazard's performances could well be a key factor.
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Zlatan Ibrahimović (Manchester United)
One game, one goal, one trophy. Ibrahimović's career in England got off to a flyer after a 2-1 victory over Leicester saw his new side capture the Community Shield. Could this be a sign of things to come for the Swedish superstar? At 34, Ibrahimović is in the twilight years of his career and one thing is for sure, he'll want to go out with a bang and not a whimper.
Andre Gray (Burnley)
A lot was said last season about the rise of Jamie Vardy and rightfully so, but Burnley have their own 'from nothing to something' story in striker Andre Gray. Gray arrived at Turf Moore for a record £9M fee, and immediately proved a worthy investment after becoming Championship top scorer and earning the Football League Player of the Year accolade. Gray has so far adapted well to every level he has played at, it will be interesting to see if he can make the final step up and become a Premier League success.
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Erik Lamela (Tottenham Hotspur)
Lamela's Tottenham career stated slowly, but manager Mauricio Pochettino seems to have unlocked his potential. Last season was definitely Lamela's best for Spurs to date, and he'll want to build on that in the coming season. Lamela is still very young at 24 years of age and has significant room for improvement, this season will be the biggest indicator yet of just how good he could become.
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Following a hugely successful Euro campaign with Wales in which he was included in the team of the tournament, Ramsey heads into this season with fire in his belly. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard once went on record stating that on form Ramsey is the "best attacking midfielder in the league," high praise from a high source. The stage is set for
Ramsey to star in the centre of Arsenal's midfield, and in doing so attempt to drive them to a first Premier League title since 2004.
WORDS BY @GeckzExcites
Topics: Football, Premier League