Top goal scorers
Andrew Johnsson - if Arteta would let him take the penalties. But since that's probably not gonna happen.
Wayne Rooney (if his injury isn't serious and won't be out for long)
Darren Bent (Although being in the team with the best strike-force means he won't be guaranteed a spot and will be rotated some of the time which will hurt him in this regard)
Dirk Kuyt
I'd pick Drogba but he'll be away for ACN and I have a feeling will pick up an injury sooner or later that'll keep him out for at least a couple months.
Best new signings to shine
Most of the players who will shine this season won't be this summer's signings but last year's in my opinion.
Guys like Kuyt and S. Kalou who by now have found their feet in EPL and will start showing people just how much better than some think, they are.
But if we're talking about this summer's:
Ben Haim (To get a player of that great of a quality who is still young for a defender and will improve even further and is versatile on a FREE is probably best deal of summer for me)
Sanli Tuncay (Free great player) - Might take a couple months to adapt but when he does, Boro have made one heck of a deal!
Martin Petrov - On his days, will be the best left winger in EPL and tear the defenders he faces, a new @$$hole!! :mrgreen: (Going to be hard to mark and keep ineffective)
Attacking-wise, the most dangerous left-winger EPL will have now (But not the best however since Malouda is more well-rounded and helps in defense, much more of a team player and consistent) and should he avoid injuries, and considering the low price City picked him up for, he'll be a bargain if he can keep his $hitty attitude to himself and under control and not get in trouble with club officials/refs or other players.
Daniel Alves (IF it happens) - No comment even needed! Nobody in his position in EPL even compares to him! If he comes even though it will cost a truckload of $$$ to get him, he'll be more than worth it and immediately make EPL a higher quality and more exciting league and Chelsea a much much stronger team.
Emerse Fae - Won't be a big star by any means but few people know much about him and as a result aren't expecting much. He'll be a good replacement for Sidwell however (even if it take a bit of time) and could prove to be a great buy.
Nugent and Scott Parker will be very good additions to Portsmouth and West ham respectively once they get into grips with their new clubs.
Yossi Benayoun - Very talented Israeli who will show his true worth in Liverpool's red unlike at West Ham. Similar to how Mascherano is doing. He's now settled in EPL and will be the creative attacking midfielder/winger, they needed.
Considering how little $$$ he was picked up for. He'll surprise some people who don't rate him high enough.... and prove to be a bargain.
New signings to flop
Fernando Torres - Good player but has a reputation far bigger than current ability. Needs 3 good chances to put one away and while I won't start necessarily calling him a flop due to his lack of efficiency in front of goal, because of some of the other stuff he brings to the side which are valuable sometimes and the fact that he can improve and has huge potential, the media will. They won't tolerate it when a forward who cost that much misses that many great chances and is not the clinical finisher many (under the wrong impression) thought he was.
LFC could've spent that money more wisely IF their ambition was to fight for title this season but despite this, L'pool fans shouldn't be too worried. Because a Dutchman by the name of Dirk Kuyt will step up this year and surprise a lot of people who aren't rating him as high as they should be right now with goals AND assists to add to the already incredibly impressive work-rate of his which he's already demonstrated.
Cacapa - Came on a free after getting released by Lyon. But as I mentioned a couple months ago, he was probably better off going to a big club in a smaller league like Greece/Turkey. (AEK Athens, Besiktas, Rangers)
Well past his best, fairly injury prone and by the time he starts adapting to EPL, it may already have cost NUFC too many goals, just like their previous shambolic CB's.
Santa Cruz - Real cheap but his reputation >>> ability just like Torres. Is injured for most of the time and when he isn't, will only show glimpses of what he's capable of here and there. Like Samaras in many ways.
Daniel de ridder - Talented Dutch player who is very good technically but weak mentally and physically. He came on a free, so he's not really gonna be a bad signing though...
First Manager to be sacked
Curbishley if West Ham start bad , if not Sammy Lee.
Shock sacking
Hmm.. Curbishley? Steve Bruce if Birmingham get off to a bad start.
Who will Overachieve
Everton - Lot of clubs in England have had take-overs recently and new found rich owners who've splashed the cash more than the blue Mersey-siders but it's a good solid team with David Moyes in charge that's got even better with a couple solid additions. I can see them finishing 6th below the top 5 but ahead of the rest of the pack some of whom spent much more than them. Won't be easy though.
Portsmouth will have a good season as well.
Teams to be relegated
Wigan
Derby (Will give it 110% and become a fav of many neutral viewers. Ultimately though, the squad just probably isn't good enough for the big heart and hardwork to compensate for it)
Reading or Bolton
Which players will have a breakout season?
Tom Huddlestone
David Bentley (now he'll really turn into a quality player!)
S. Kalou
Niklas Bendtner
Steven Davis (Fulham - Former Aston Villa)
David Edgar (Young Canadian Newcastle defender)
Ricardo Vaz Te
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