ARSENAL
What went right/wrong: The first step to that was finding a world class goalkeeper, and in Chelsea legend Petr Cech, they’ve certainly signed one.A horror start to the season cost Arsene Wenger’s side last term, so they need to ensure that doesn’t happen again. The Gunners’ results against top four rivals improved and it needs to do so again if they want to challenge for silverware.
How to improve: The rise of Francis Coquelin has eased the need for a central midfielder, but he cannot do it alone for the duration of the campaign. There’s no doubting Chilean Arturo Vidal would improve the side, but he looks unlikely to arrive from Juventus. Olivier Giroud is class, but unless Theo Walcott steps up, the Frenchman needs support up top. Defensive depth won’t hurt either.
Players linked: Aruturo Vidal (Juventus), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), Faouzi Ghoulam (Napoli), Ezequiel Garay (Zenit St Petersburg).
Done Deals: Petr Cech (Chelsea) , Xhaka , Alex Iwobi, Lucas Perez
DONE DEALS: European Transfer Centre
KIT TIME: All the Premier League jerseys as they’re released
BOURNEMOUTH
What went right/wrong: They are a team that were in League Two five years ago, so it’s safe to say not a lot went wrong when AFC Bournemouth got themselves promoted to the Premier League last season. Led by young manager Eddie Howe, Bournemouth finished top of the Championship table and scored nearly 100 goals in the league.
Adam Federici will be back in the Premier League. Can he be their No.1?
How to improve: It’s never easy to make the jump from Championship to Premier League level especially when you’re the size of a club like Bournemouth. They have already strengthened the goalkeeping position, securing loanee Artur Boruc permanently while adding Socceroo Adam Federici. EPL experience is vital, as is a proven goal scorer, especially given Howe’s positive style of football.
Players linked: Rickie Lambert (Liverpool), Max Gradel (Saint-Etienne), Jorden Ibe( Liverpool)
In: Artur Boruc (Southampton), Adam Federici (Reading), Joshua King (Blackburn), Christian Atsu (Chelsea), Tyrone Mings (Ipswich), Sylvain Distin (Everton)
CHELSEA
What went right/wrong: Chelsea fans will want to see the same level of play through the duration of the season after starting in breathtaking fashion last term.How to improve: Kante relies too heavily on his core stars. Diego Costa needs a reliable deputy - especially if agitated Loic Remy leaves. Radamel Falcao will arrive, but is he reliable, or a gamble? Don’t be surprised if Chelsea make a play for a top central midfielder and right sided winger, while a deputy for Thibaut Courtois is required.
Players linked: Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Paul Pogba (Juventus), Radamel Falcao (Monaco), Asmir Begovic (Stoke)
Done Deals: Nathan (Atletico Paranaense) , Antonio Konte(Leicester) , David Luiz (PSG)
CRYSTAL PALACE
What went right/wrong: Alan Pardew’s arrival marked a turnaround in Palace’s fortunes last term. Taking over with club in the relegation zone at the New Year, under Pardew, Crystal Palace rose to a mid-table finish and knocked off Liverpool (twice), Tottenham and Manchester City by playing to the strengths of lightening quick attackers Dwight Gayle, Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon.
How to improve: It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Palace with Pardew in charge — slumping to a four-game losing streak. That shows that there is still room for improvement and Pardew has targeted the spine, looking to add known quality in Tim Krul, Yohan Cabaye and Ashley Williams which could pose a question about Mile Jedinak’s
role at the club next season.
Players linked: Tim Krul (Newcastle), Idrissa Gueye (Lille), Ashley Williams (Swansea), Morgan Scheneiderlin(Manchester United)
Done Deals: -Newcastle United's Yohan Cabaye in his Newcastle United days.
EVERTON
What went right/wrong: After coming agonisingly close to qualifying for the Champions League in 2013-14, Everton regressed big time last season, finishing 11th, 25 points worse off than the year before. They shipped in an alarming 50 goals, while it wasn’t much better at the other end of the field, scoring 48, a big drop on the 61 they plundered in 2014-15.
How to improve: Not only did Robert Martinez’s rear-guard let him down, the fact is it’s an ageing backline, with Phil Jagielka (32), Leighton Baines (30), and the since released Sylvain Distin (37) and Antolín Alcaraz (32) all the wrong side of 30. John Stones is a one for the future, but another quality centreback is needed, as is a winger, particularly if Kevin Mirallas is lured to Italy. Up front, a lot depends on which Romelu Lukaku shows up, the rampaging beast or his disinterested alter ego.
Bolasie is back at Everton.
They’ve made two excellent midfield signings so far, and will be boosted by no Europa League burden this time around.
Players linked: Scott Dann (Palace) Jonny Evans (Man United), Angelo Ogbonna (Juventus), Denis Cheryshev (Real Madrid), Shinji Kagawa (Dortmund) , Patrick Bamford (Chelsea), Troy Deeney (Watford).
Done Deals: Gerard Deulofeu (Barcelona), Tom Cleverley (Manchester United), Ashley Williams, Bolasie.
What’s your Premier League club need?
LEICESTER CITY
What went right/wrong: It looked for all money that Leicester City would be going back to the Championship after just one season in the top division, but a run of seven wins in their last nine games lifted them from last to well above the drop zone. It was an incredible escape, spearheaded by player of the year Esteban Cambiasso but it wasn’t without controversy — boss Nigel Pearson had a few too many public clashes with journalists and has since been sacked despite his incredible role in their survival.
How to improve: First, cure the instability of losing Pearson. The signing of Shinji Okazaki headlines some smart early off-season business for Leicester, however. EPL veteran Robert Huth has also been joined by Austrian international Christian Fuchs and Leicester look to be assembling a strong squad. But if they want to stay up again they cannot start the season as poorly as they did last — miracles don’t happen twice. They’ll be desperate to keep Esteban Cambiasso.
Players linked: transfer activity might go on hold until the manager position is filled and they have already been linked to Sam Allardyce, David Moyes and Neil Lennon.
Done Deals: Christian Fuchs (Schalke), Robert Huth (Stoke), Shinji Okazaki (Mainz), Slimani
MANCHESTER CITY
What went right/wrong: A terrible run of results post-Christmas effectively handed Chelsea the title, while Pellegrini’s stubbornness with his tactics hurt City too. Yaya Toure had his worst season in a City shirt, Samir Nasri dropped off, while skipper Vincent Kompany had a dire season.
Raheem Sterling would provide youth and energy, but at a cost.
Players linked: Jack Wilshere and Fabian Delph (Villa), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Fabinho (Monaco).
Done Deals: -Raheem Sterling (Liverpool), Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg)
NEWCASTLE
What went right/wrong: Newcastle were frighteningly close to dropping back down to the Championship. For a club that size, with the loyal supporter base it boasts, that just shouldn’t be possible but their season went from bad to worse after Alan Pardew decided he wanted out. Then, they were comfortably mid-table but hindsight tells usPardew knew the ship was sinking, and fast. They eneded the season with just 12 points from 18 games which shows their trajectory under owner Mike Ashley.
Newcastle fans protest against owner Mike Ashley last season.
How to improve: A new owner would go a long way to improving the moral at Newcastle but at the moment that looks as likely as them winning a trophy... The instability engulfing the Geordie giants makes it a difficult job for Steve McClaren to inherit — especially with it almost an annual tradition of them selling their best players come January. But, he must land a striker, amongst a wide strengthening of his squad.
Players linked: Bas Dost (Wolfsburg), Charlie Austin (QPR), Aymen Abdennour (AS Monaco)
Done Deals : Alexander Mitrovic
2016–17 Premier League