This year turned out to be quite a memorable season for the Premier League; from historic to disappointing finishes, the season was filled with drama. Nonetheless, it was one of the more exciting seasons in recent memory outside of Leicester’s magical 2016 run. Let’s make a magical run ourselves down memory lane for the top 10 from the 2017-18 EPL season:
Manchester City first ever to reach 100 points
Manchester City are historic champions; the only to finish with 100 points in a 38 game season. While they were the best, they still need better defenders to contend for a UCL title; Kompany is old, Otamendi doesn’t fit into Pep’s system and Stones hasn’t developed yet. The left-back position needs the most depth with Mendy out most of the year and Delph having to shoulder the majority of the load. And with Agüero expected to leave this summer, it couldn’t hurt to sign a striker to back up Gabriel Jesus. Pep Guardiola recently signed a contract extension through 2021. With that extension, a new dynasty in Manchester could be on the rise with the hope that European success comes with it.
Jose Mourinho guides the Red Devils to 2nd place
Manchester United finished as runner-up unspectacularly. The Red Devils got off to a hot start this season but fizzled out by Christmas. Man United had to resort to grinding out results and one goal wins. The Manchester side was unable to grab any trophies this season having lost in the FA Cup Final to Chelsea. Mourinho has been at odds with his stars and their instincts; Mourinho appears to want his players to be defense oriented, despite the attacking prowess his team possesses. And yet, Manchester need a better defense. This team needs to buy-in to what the coach’s system or the coach needs to allow his attacking players to let their instincts take over; some sort of balance between the two. If they’re able to find that balance, this could be the challenger to Man City’s dominance over the league.
Another season without a trophy for Spurs
Tottenham edge out Liverpool for 3rd and a few questions pose Spurs fans. Will Pochettino stay? Will Real Madrid come calling for Harry Kane? Assuming both stay, what needs to change to put some silverware on the shelf? They need a better midfield outside Eriksen. Or at least better than what Dembélé and Wanyama can offer. While these players have done well in Pochettino’s system, they haven’t produced trophies throughout his tenure as manager; something has to change to pull this team out of limbo. An FA Cup semi-final appearance and a round of 16 appearance in the UCL hasn’t made this season feel any better for Spurs. At this rate, they are the next Arsenal; always finishing in a top spot, but not a trophy to show for it.
Reds reach UCL qualification for 2nd straight year with Klopp
Liverpool land into the final UCL qualifying spot. Mohamed Salah wins the golden boot with a record-breaking 32 goals this season. The 2018 UCL finalists have a couple glaring needs behind their lethal attack that need to be addressed to contend for a domestic title next season; Goalkeeper, defense and midfield. Dejan Lovren‘s days in that backline should be numbered; van Dijk can only influence him so much to sure up the back. The Reds need a better goalkeeper to continue to compete with Europe’s elite; this would solidify their defenses and get them through their defensive woes. And after letting Coutinho go to Barcelona, Emre Can leaving for Juventus, and Lallana and Oxlade-Chamberlain battling injury, the midfield could use some depth that Klopp can depend on. If they’re able to address all of these needs, Anfield can start expecting titles to come; Liverpool was one of the few teams that beat Manchester City over the course of the season. Imagine how unstoppable and entertaining Liverpool would be without the defensive woes.
Underwhelming title defense for Chelsea
Chelsea go from EPL Champions and UCL qualification to Europa League. Despite winning the FA Cup, Antonio Conte could be leaving (or be told to leave) the club after a disappointing season following his successful 2016-17 campaign. Chelsea is hoping to extend Eden Hazard’s contract or else succumb to his desires to leave for Real Madrid. Whether Conte leaves or not, Chelsea will need to recruit a more able forward than the seemingly mentally fragile Alvaro Morata; the departure of Diego Costa in January decimated the depth at the position. While Olivier Giroud seems to have taken away appearances from Morata, Chelsea would relish the chance to sign a better striker. And with John Terry and Nemanja Matic gone, a gaping hole was left in the Blues defense; a hole that will have to be filled to contend with the top 4.
The end of Wenger means a new Arsenal
The Gunners barely squeeze into the Europa League at 6. Arsenal are looking for a new manager for the first time in 22 years. Whoever replaces Arsene Wenger, will have to rebuild the entire team with exception of about a handful of players. The defense is the portion of the team that requires the most attention. Cech, Mustafi, Koscienly and Mertesacker have all seen better seasons; Gunner fans would love to see some competition to get them into gear or be shown the door. A new mentality is what this team needs and the next manager needs to embody that.
A good season by Burnley standards
Burnley overachieved this season and almost unseated Arsenal completely in European competition at 6; the team, unfortunately, slipped up towards the end. A scrappy and fundamentally sound side; Certainly manager of the year considerations go to Sean Dyche for his work with what would be considered a cheap team by the standards of the “big 6” mentioned above. No one is sure how they’ll be able to financially compete with those 6 next season, but that’s why we play the games.
Investments don’t pay off for Everton
Everton end the season in the top 10, which I would say that was their goal this season. However, given how much they spent in the last two transfer windows, they are probably disappointed with how they played. Sam Allardyce recently has been sacked, so the first order of business would be a new manager. Whoever that ends up being will have to find a replacement for Wayne Rooney as the Englishman is leaving for MLS. Striker and midfield would be the areas most in need of improvement for the Toffees; their goal difference of -14 was the worst of any top 10 team.
Foxes return to the top 10
Leicester City finish top 10. Despite some January drama with Riyad Mahrez wanting a transfer, the Foxes were able to stay out of the relegation battle this season. The club expect Mahrez to leave this summer; the club hopes to invest in more talent with his transfer. Defense will have to be addressed as the Foxes were in the negative on goal difference.
Benitez has brought Newcastle back to EPL relevance
From relegation a couple seasons ago and back to the top flight, Newcastle United round out the top 10. Rafa Benitez ought to be satisfied with his job thus far in restoring the historic club. Benitez will have to look for better attackers in the coming transfer window; Newcastle struggled to find the back of the net this season averaging about one goal per game.
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