It is fair to say that it's been a Premier League season to remember. An incredible first title for Leicester, Man United, Chelsea out of the top 4, and giants Aston Villa and Newcastle relegated. These types of season's come around every 20 years, and we can only hope that next season provides similar entertainment. This post will analyse each team's league performance and give a grade from A* to F, judged on their overall season. Enjoy it and make sure you comment and have your say!
Arsenal (B-)
Having lead the table for the majority of the tough months of December and into early January it looked as if Arsenal may finally once again have a chance to get their hands on the Premier League title. However Leicester were relentless in their pursuit for the title, with Arsenal eventually finishing in a respectable second place, whilst also improving with their results against the 'big four'. However with 4 points fewer than the campaign before, the improvement in placing is somewhat misleading. The need for a world class striker is evident, and the summer transfer window is one that Arsene Wenger will have to get right to keep up with the competition next season. Star Performer: Mesut Ozil.
Aston Villa (F)
Abysmal. The easiest and truest way to sum up one of the most disappointing season's in Aston Villa's 142 year history. Finishing the season on a shocking 17 points, Villa recorded the third lowest points tally in the history of the Premier League. Their own Roy of the Rovers, Gabriel Agbonlahor got more suspensions that goals, and lacked inspiration up front. They need a good manager to get themselves back to where they belong next season. Star Performer: Jordan Ayew.
Bournemouth (B)
The achievement of remaining in the Premier League is one that needs recognition for Bournemouth. A season plagued with injuries to star players, it is surprising that they managed to stay in the division. Fantastic team spirit and a fantastic, young manager in Eddie Howe combined have meant they have cemented their place in the world's best division for another season at least. Memorable victories against Manchester United and Chelsea the forefront of their achievements this season. However, unless they have a better transfer window and more luck with injuries, I could see them struggling to stay in the division next year. Star Performer: Matt Richie.
Chelsea (E+)
A terrible season for Chelsea, from champions last year to 10th place this year. With probably one of the best squads in the league, they should have at least finished in the top 4. There were signs of a revival when Hiddink arrived after Mourinho was sacked, but poor May form means they miss out on even the Europa League and finish the season just in the top half. At least they weren't relegated. Next year, with the imminent arrival of Antonio Conte, they are sure to be back near the top of the pile come next season. Star Performer: Willian.
Crystal Palace (C-)
If the Premier League ended on December 30th Crystal Palace would have had an amazing season, and would have finished in 5th place. They started the season brilliantly, but fell away massively. I think the problem for Palace was upfront. Wickham, Adebayor and Chamakh did not perform, scoring just 6 between them. It will be interesting to see how they progress next season, with a great fan base and a fairly good manager in Alan Pardew. Star Performer: Scott Dan.
Everton (D)
With the squad they have, and with players like Lukaku and Barkely they should have achieved more. Roberto Martinez also has looked a bit lost in motivating his squad this season, and he has failed in his attempt to qualify Everton for a European place. It will be interesting if they keep hold of their star players ahead of what may be a challenging season for them next year. Star Performer: Romelu Lukaku.
Leicester (A*)
If someone had told you last season that Leicester City, having scraped their way out of a relegation battle would be 2015/16 champions, you would have thought they were deluded beyond belief. With just 3 loses in the entire campaign, a lot of respect and admiration has to go into the way Claudio Ranieri motivated Leicester to go above and beyond their capabilities and win their first Premier League title. Its been one hell of a decade for Leicester fans, after dwindling in the third tier of English football just years ago, to now champions. It will be intriguing to see if they can keep hold of their star players and build on what is a brilliant team. Star Performer : Jamie Vardy.
Liverpool (C-)
Liverpool's season has been somewhat of a roller-coaster ride. Starting the season with Brendan Rodgers in charge they performed poorly, leading to his eventual dismissal. However with the arrival of Jurgen Klopp in early October, he has revived the spirit and results are slowly but surely picking up. They still lack consistency however with Klopp having his first big transfer window in the summer, he has to get this right and I think Liverpool can be a force next season! Star Performer: Phillipe Coutinho.
Manchester City (D+)
City started the season in decent form by winning 7 out of their first 9 matches, and topping the table for large periods of the early season. However the announcement of Per Guardiola in the second half of the season massively effected their form, and resulted in City scraping 4th place on goal difference. I think they have the best squad in the league on paper, and I don't think that too many people will argue with this fact. Certainly the best striker in the league in Sergio Aguero and I think the best creative player as well in Kevin De Bruyne, it is remarkable how they have only just managed to finish 4th. However, I do think under Guardiola next year City will be formidable and be fighting to win trophies. Star Performer: Sergio Aguero.
Manchester United (C-)
With a somewhat turbulent summer transfer window and subsequently letting go too many players, it was a season where United were plagued with injuries and simply did not score enough goals. Consistently throughout the season, under Louis Van Gaal united's football lacked any real attacking content, and the only positives of the season can be in the form of Martial, Rashford, Smalling and De Gea. Too many players haven't performed to their potential this season, and it looks like the current manager in Louis Van Gaal is lost and somewhat defeated in his job of taking this great club back to the top of English and European football. After not qualifying for the champions league it seems as if a change in management is needed at the club, and to motivate the players to want to play for United, in the attacking, expressive way which the club is known for. Star Performer: Anthony Martial.
Newcastle United (E)
Manchester City (D+)
City started the season in decent form by winning 7 out of their first 9 matches, and topping the table for large periods of the early season. However the announcement of Per Guardiola in the second half of the season massively effected their form, and resulted in City scraping 4th place on goal difference. I think they have the best squad in the league on paper, and I don't think that too many people will argue with this fact. Certainly the best striker in the league in Sergio Aguero and I think the best creative player as well in Kevin De Bruyne, it is remarkable how they have only just managed to finish 4th. However, I do think under Guardiola next year City will be formidable and be fighting to win trophies. Star Performer: Sergio Aguero.
Manchester United (C-)
With a somewhat turbulent summer transfer window and subsequently letting go too many players, it was a season where United were plagued with injuries and simply did not score enough goals. Consistently throughout the season, under Louis Van Gaal united's football lacked any real attacking content, and the only positives of the season can be in the form of Martial, Rashford, Smalling and De Gea. Too many players haven't performed to their potential this season, and it looks like the current manager in Louis Van Gaal is lost and somewhat defeated in his job of taking this great club back to the top of English and European football. After not qualifying for the champions league it seems as if a change in management is needed at the club, and to motivate the players to want to play for United, in the attacking, expressive way which the club is known for. Star Performer: Anthony Martial.
Newcastle United (E)
Similar to the fate of Aston Villa, relegation should have never been on the cards for Newcastle United, but life in the Championship is something that they must face next season. The appointment of Rafa Benitez was too late and he was unable to guide them to safety. However it seems like he has got them playing good football and the passion seems to be back in the side, evidently in their 5-1 demolishing of near champions Spurs on the last day of the season. I think the main issue for Newcastle this season was the transfer policy of the owner and his lack of investment in players who care for the club, they will need to get that right if they want to be back in the big time next season. Star Performer: Georginio Wignaldum.
Norwich City (D-)
I think one must be realistic when analysing Norwich City's season. They were my firm favourites for relegation at the start of the season and they duly prevailed. I don't think they invested enough in the squad and where they did, yet again their signings did not perform, and back to the championship they go. Star Performer: Jonny Howson.
Southampton (B)
If they had not have started so slowly this season, Southampton would have had an amazing season and would have almost certainly finished in the top 4 of the Premier League. Their 2016 form has been decent and lead them to finish in a very respectable 6th place, and put them in the qualifying stages for the Europa League next season. In Ronald Koeman they have a great manager, and if they can keep hold of his services and build on the current squad they will have an exciting season next year. Star Performer: Saido Mane.
Stoke City (C)
It has been a pretty average season for Stoke City. Finishing in the same position as last year, albeit with 3 fewer points. However a top half finish will encourage Stoke fans, and their new identity as a more attacking side has seen them now cement their place as a Premier League side, with plenty of potential for the future. Throughout the campaign Stoke have always been a hard side to beat, and stellar victories over Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea the obvious highlights of the season. A poor April and May is puts a slight downer on the season, with only a single win in two months. Star Performer: Marco Arnautovic.
Sunderland (D+)
For lengthy parts of the season it very much looked like Sunderland would finally be relegated to the Championship after a few recent great escapes. Dick Advocat started the season poorly and was eventually replaced by Sam Allardyce. When big Sam took over, Sunderland were win less from their first 8 games, but he persevered in his task and eventually led Sunderland to 17th place, and condemning neighbours Newcastle to relegation. Perfect? Sunderland fans must be getting sick of scraping for their Premier League status and will be expecting a better showing next season. Star Performer: Jermain Defoe.
Swansea City (D)
It has been a rather average season for Swansea, at which one point saw them potentially facing a battle with relegation. Getting rid of Garry Monk is one thing I thought that the club got wrong. He got unlucky with injuries and I think tactically he was a good manager. After finishing 8th in the previous season, the drop to 12th this campaign will not be one that is welcomed by Swansea fans. I think investment is needed in the squad to get them back into the top half of the table next season. Star Performer: Gylfi Sigurosson.
Tottenham (A-)
Overall it has been a great season for Tottenham, only for them to disappointingly finish in 3rd place behind fierce neighbours Arsenal. I think they have played the best and most exciting football in the Premier League this season, and they have also been very strong in defence. If you had offered Spurs fans champions league football at the start of the season, most would have jumped at the chance, and being realistic I think Spurs deserve it. They did let themselves down in the title race and their eventual finish but chasing Leicester eventually took its toll. However the future is massively bright for Tottenham and fell they can build on this success and have a strong run in the league next season. Star Performer: Harry Kane.
Watford (B+)
A very respectable season for Watford, who I initially thought would struggle in the fight not to be relegated. They have made themselves a side who are very difficult to beat, especially at their home ground. I cannot believe they sacked the manager Quique Flores, I thought he did an excellent job this season and I think they will struggle next season and could be relegated. Star Performer: Idion Ighalo.
West Brom (C-)
A pretty average season for the baggies with not really much to talk about, slipping one place from their previous years position in the league. Tony Pulis has had to deal with various injury problems and off field problems with star striker, Saido Berahino. They need a good summer transfer window! Star Performer: Darren Fletcher.
West Ham United (A)
A brilliant season for the hammers, and one that has left them with a lot to build on ahead of their move to the Olympic stadium next year. Eventually finishing in 7th place is a bit misleading. The Hammers have flirted with the idea of champions league football all season, and for a side who finished in the bottom half last season, missing out on the champions league by only 4 points this season must be seen as a success. Star Performer: Dimitri Payet.
It has been a rather average season for Swansea, at which one point saw them potentially facing a battle with relegation. Getting rid of Garry Monk is one thing I thought that the club got wrong. He got unlucky with injuries and I think tactically he was a good manager. After finishing 8th in the previous season, the drop to 12th this campaign will not be one that is welcomed by Swansea fans. I think investment is needed in the squad to get them back into the top half of the table next season. Star Performer: Gylfi Sigurosson.
Tottenham (A-)
Overall it has been a great season for Tottenham, only for them to disappointingly finish in 3rd place behind fierce neighbours Arsenal. I think they have played the best and most exciting football in the Premier League this season, and they have also been very strong in defence. If you had offered Spurs fans champions league football at the start of the season, most would have jumped at the chance, and being realistic I think Spurs deserve it. They did let themselves down in the title race and their eventual finish but chasing Leicester eventually took its toll. However the future is massively bright for Tottenham and fell they can build on this success and have a strong run in the league next season. Star Performer: Harry Kane.
Watford (B+)
A very respectable season for Watford, who I initially thought would struggle in the fight not to be relegated. They have made themselves a side who are very difficult to beat, especially at their home ground. I cannot believe they sacked the manager Quique Flores, I thought he did an excellent job this season and I think they will struggle next season and could be relegated. Star Performer: Idion Ighalo.
West Brom (C-)
A pretty average season for the baggies with not really much to talk about, slipping one place from their previous years position in the league. Tony Pulis has had to deal with various injury problems and off field problems with star striker, Saido Berahino. They need a good summer transfer window! Star Performer: Darren Fletcher.
West Ham United (A)
A brilliant season for the hammers, and one that has left them with a lot to build on ahead of their move to the Olympic stadium next year. Eventually finishing in 7th place is a bit misleading. The Hammers have flirted with the idea of champions league football all season, and for a side who finished in the bottom half last season, missing out on the champions league by only 4 points this season must be seen as a success. Star Performer: Dimitri Payet.
No comments:
Post a Comment