English Premier League preview and table prediction from a Portuguese perspective
The English Premier League season kicks off tomorrow, on the 12th September - so we thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the upcoming season and which Portuguese players to keep an eye on for the campaign.
In total, there are currently 22 Portuguese players plying their trade in the top flight of English football - though a couple are expected to leave, and there is still time for one or two more arrivals too, with the transfer window remaining open until the 15th October.
Two Portuguese managers are also in the league, with Jose Mourinho at Tottenham Hotspur, and Nuno Espirito Santo at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
But where will they finish? And which Portuguese players, if any, could win the league title, or suffer relegation? Here’s a run-through of our predictions for who will finish where in England’s top division:
20. Fulham
Portuguese players: Ivan Cavaleiro
The only team with a Portuguese player that have been predicted to go down. It was an excellent achievement to return to the top flight at the first time of asking, but with an inexperienced manager and an unspectacular squad, it is likely to be a very challenging season for the London club.
19. Aston Villa
Portuguese players: None.
They’ve been investing money this season - but have been putting huge sums of money towards Championship players, bringing in Nottingham Forest star Matty Cash and Brentford’s talented forward Ollie Watkins. Very good players and good signings too, but enough to escape the drop, having only narrowly avoided doing so last season? It’s going to be another tough season for the club.
18. West Bromwich Albion
Portuguese players: None.
No Portuguese players, but Matheus Pereira has joined the club on a permanent deal from Sporting CP, and you would think that he is going to be crucial if West Brom are to avoid relegation - and adding Krovinovic from Benfica increases their chances of doing so. And they’re going to make a real effort of it, undoubtedly. Every chance they escape, but for now, they’re predicted to narrowly go straight back down.
17. Brighton and Hove Albion
Portuguese players: None.
Often a team predicted to go down ever since they were promoted in 2017. They’ve managed to avoid the drop every year though, finishing 15th, 17th and 15th - and you would certainly expect them to finish around those places again. Could this be the year they go down? It’s definitely possible, and it will likely be a battle between West Brom and them for who avoids the drop.
16. West Ham United
Portuguese players: Goncalo Cardoso.
West Ham managed to escape relegation with relative ease last season after a decent end to the campaign, but it is difficult to see them moving up the table this time around. No real additions to the team - Tomas Soucek the only official one as yet, and he was on loan for the second part of last season anyway. Likely to be another challening season for the hammers.
15. Newcastle United
Portuguese players: None.
Some smart recruitment for the club so far added to a side that already showed some good quality last season, while they have at the helm an experienced managed who surprised many people last season. They should have too much to go down, but will likely finish in the lower part of the Premier League table.
14. Crystal Palace
Portuguese players: None.
A really poor end to last season could spell trouble for Palace this campaign - though that could also be put down to the fact that they had little to play for, while the teams they were facing were generally still fighting for something. But with the experienced Roy Hodgson in charge, it’s difficult to see them being at any major risk of relegation. Should they start the season poorly and panic and sack their manager, then relegation is a major possibility. Their lack of goals last season is also of concern.
13. Leeds United
Portuguese players: Helder Costa.
Having won the Championship and with a prestigious manager in charge of team proceedings, Leeds have what it takes to remain in the big-time for next season, and should be able to secure a relatively comfortable mid-table place. They’ll likely have a very strong opening half to the season, but could faulter in the second as Bielsa’s high-intensity training and preparation leads to some fatigue, but they should still have enough in the tank to be looking upwards, rather than over their shoulder.
12. Southampton
Portuguese players: None.
Impressive second half of the campaign in 2019-20. After losing 1-9 at home to Leicester, it seemed that they were destined to plummet and suffer relegation, but they bounced back brilliantly, going on to secure some highly impressive results, and with Danny Ings still at the club, they can really make a push for the top half of the table.
11. Sheffield United
Portuguese players: None.
Against all odds, Sheffield United not only survived relegation, but cruised to a top half finish, even making a genuine push for European football. It’s unlikely they will hit those heights again this campaign, even if they have invested in strengthening the squad, but there is surely no way they will be at risk of relegation while they have Chris Wilder in charge and play his unique style of football. Comfortable mid-table finish, at least.
10. Burnley
Portuguese players: None.
The only top-flight team in England to have never had a Portuguese player. But there is absolutely no doubt that they are an incredibly well-run side with a manager that knows how to get results, and while he’s in charge, it’s tough to see them having any troubles surviving. Of course, Bournemouth and Eddie Howe suffered relegation last season after impressing for so long, but that just shouldn’t be the case with Burnley, who don’t concede the same number of outrageous goals and are often willling to focus on pragmatism and results rather than style. Top half is certainly manageable.
9. Everton
Portuguese players: Andre Gomes
Another summer of considerable investment by Everton - and you certainly cannot doubt their ambition. But again, there just seems to be a case of spending money a little recklessly. On paper, James Rodriguez and Allan should be tremendous acquisitions, but you have to wonder how quickly they will hit the ground running and if they will live up to expectations having not played all that many minutes in the second half of last season. They are good signings though, and they have a tremendous manager at the club, so they will be pushing for European football next season. But there are at least 7 better teams in the division.
8. Leicester City
Portuguese players: Ricardo Pereira, Adrien Silva.
A thoroughly impressive season last time out, but a case of so near yet so far. After falling out of the top 4 in extraordinary fashion due to a poor run at the end of the season, it is only Europa League football for Brendan Rodgers’ side - but fans would have surely taken that at the start of the season. It’s difficult to predict how they will fare this time around. With no Ricardo Pereira for the first few matches, they might struggle a little more early on, while Europa League distraction may ensure their league form faulters somewhat, so a solid 8th is perhaps most likely. Wouldn’t be all that surprising if they pushed higher though.
7. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Portuguese players: Rui Patricio, Roderick Miranda, Ruben Vinagre, Ruben Neves, Joao Moutinho, Vitinha, Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence, Diogo Jota, Fabio Silva.
I think we all know who are most likely to make up the top seven this campaign - but the question is really the order in which they will come in. Wolves, with the squad at their disposal and no Europa League distraction, are perhaps best placed of all to break into the established top 6 and even make a gargantuan push for top 4. But it's perhaps harder than ever to be able to break up the established hierarchy. They came incredibly close to a top 6 placement last campaign, actually finishing above Arsenal and only behind Spurs on goal difference, but it is surely going to be more difficult to repeat that feat this season, even if they do push incredibly close to doing so. With no Europa League football and with Nuno Espirito Santo at the helm, Wolves and their considerable Portuguese contingent will likely forge part of an elite top 7 in England, and will likely just miss out on the top 6.
6. Arsenal
Portuguese players: Cedric Soares
Really impressive work is being done under Mikel Arteta, who has already beaten the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea and delivered an FA Cup trophy. With their ability to beatquite literally anyone on their day, they should definitely be returning to the top 6 - but their considerable inconsistencies, which look likely to persist under Arteta, makes it hard to see them being one of the sides to make the top 4, which is going to be an incredibly competitive and exciting race. It’s not impossible to break into a Champions League spot, particularly after keeping Aubameyang and investing in some new players, but there are better teams in the league.
5. Tottenham Hotspur
Portuguese players: Gedson Fernandes.
In Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge, you would fully expect Tottenham to improve this season - and they should certainly pick up more points and make a serious push for top 4. Ultimately though, while they have brought in a couple of players in shrewd moves, their squad simply doesn’t have enough depth to make the top four. Two or three injuries to key players will completely derail Tottenham, and without the signing of a genuinely quality backup striker, any injury to Harry Kane would be disastrous. If they manage to go pretty much injury-free throughout the season, then top 4 is a good bet, particularly with the experienced Mourinho at the helm. But realistically, without further investment, a solid 5th place is more likely looking at the other top teams in the division.
4. Chelsea
Portuguese players: None.
This may surprise some. Chelsea have invested heavily this summer, bringing in some globally recognised names for huge sums of money - the likes of Werner, Havertz, Ziyech and Chilwell arriving for massive fees. As such, many will be expecting Chelsea to close the gap on Liverpool and Man City - and they undoubtedly will. But while they may have brought in Tiago Silva, which is a great addition on a free transfer, their defence still looks a little problematic; they conceded many goals last season - the most of any side in the top half - and without a new keeper, which was really where some of their money needed to be invested, it’s tough to see them being able to mount any sort of serious title challenge, or even improve on their league finish last season. 3rd is possible, but it’s difficult to see them closing the gap sufficiently on the top two.
3. Manchester United
Portuguese players: Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes.
It is perfectly reasonable to still not be convinced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as manager, who really only managed to see a very good Manchester United side finish in the top 4 thanks to the signing of Bruno Fernandes, but this Manchester United team are simply too good not to make the top 4, even if the manager is not the most experienced. The addition of Donny van de Beek is a really smart move and an excellent addition that adds some much needed squad depth, while their attacking talent in the form of Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial is quite stunning, and they were clicking impeccably at the end of the last league season. With such a wealth of talent there, they should secure a top 4 spot, though like with Spurs, their downfall could well be with regards to squad depth. Add in Jadon Sancho and 3rd is surely theirs, and they could even be looking to leapfrog one of the established top 2.
2. Liverpool
Portuguese players: None.
A truly unbelievable season from Liverpool last campaign, who for so long looked like they were going to secure a legendary unbeaten season. Sure, the end was disappointing, and they didn’t manage to reach the 100 point mark, but having all but sewn up the league title by January(!), it’s understandable that their foot came off the gas. Can they sustain that drive and determination again this season, having finally lifted the Premier League title? Defending the crown, even if Klopp doesn’t like that phrase, is tough to do, and Manchester City, you would expect, will come back stronger. They should still have more than enough to finish in the top 2, but despite being so far above everyone - including City - last term, it is very possible that Guardiola’s side will be the side to take the crown.
1.Manchester City
Portuguese players: Joao Cancelo, Bernardo Silva.
The loss of David Silva is huge, while Leroy Sane has also departed, but they maintain more thn enough fire-power to reclaim the title, and Ferran Torres could help add some depth and flair that has been lost. Defensively there are still some question marks, but if Cancelo continues to impress at left back alongside Walker on the right, they should not have too many issues, with Nathan Ake also coming into the side to add another option in the centre of defence. The Champions League will be City’s priority, but you would expect that they will be competing on all fronts, and they will surely be the favourites to lift the title this season.
What do you think of our Premier League predictions? Who have we overrate, or underrated? Who do you think will win the league and the battle for the top 4?
Bruno Fernandes. Photo author: Alexander Vepryev. License link.
