FRANK'S   PREMIER PREDICTIONS  -    2024/25

The new football season is rapidly approaching so it is time once again to look into the future, and try to predict the ups and downs of the Premier Season that lies ahead. The disadvantage of early predicting is that the transfer window is still open, so anything could literally happen!

20. Leicester City: They have arrived back in the Premier League at the first time of asking but they have changed manager in the meantime, and the appointment of Steve Cooper does not fill me full of confidence. Add to that the departure of talisman Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea for around 30 million, and they could find themselves struggling again. Kelechi Iheanacho and Mark Albrighton have also been released. Jamie Vardy is still there but at 38, they will have to do a lot better than that, so will Abdul Fatawu or Celeb Okoli save their bacon? Perhaps the costliest thing of all could be a points deduction imposed for over-spending, and this could range from 6 to 12 points and would clearly damage their chances of survival.

19. Fulham: Now here is a big shock but when I look at what they have spent and who they have sold, if I was one of their fans I would be seriously concerned. As this goes to print they have only recruited Ryan Sessegnon on a free and have sold Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich for close to 50 million. Bobby Decordova-Reid has also departed.

18. Everton: Sean Dyche has done amazing things since he took office at Goodison Park, but the club are still be light years away from where they want to be, and have lost some important players in close season. Ben Godfrey went to Atalanta, whilst Amadou Onana was sold to Aston Villa for around 50 mill. They will just have to hope that a few of their new recruits hit the ground running, otherwise they could find themselves in big trouble again - especially if they lose Dominic Calvin-Lewin.

17. Brenford: The key to their success this season could rest with Ivan Tony. If he stays, and remains fit, then I cannot see them near the foot of the table for too long but this is a very big if. They have acquired Igor Thiago from club Brugge for 30 million but have lost keeper David Raya to Arsenal for 27 million and recruitment has been sparse so far. Manager Thomas Franks will have his work cut this term and much will depend on who they buy and who they lose. Finishing 16th last season is a warning.

 16. Southampton: Stuart Armstrong and Che Adams have already moved to pastures new and their new recruits will hardly set the world alight.  Manager Russell Martin likes to play adventurous football but they may need to take a few football lessons from those who are good at it. They could avoid the drop but only just...

15. Nottingham Forest: Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has recruited big, paying 35 million for Elliot Anderson from Newcastle United, along with Nikola Milencovic  from Fiorentina for around 12 million, and a host of other lesser stars. They look too good to go down but they may find themselves in and around the drop zone at times.

14.Brighton: The have a new manager is Fabian Hurzeler and at just 31, he is the youngest head coach in the Premier League. This is a big gamble and it might mean that they will struggle to make much of an impact this season. Their German boss has already spent 72 million in the transfer market but it may take a while for the new kids on the block to gel. Old head Pascal Gross has left the club, along with Adam Lallana along with 14 others!

13. Ipswich Town: This might surprise a lot of people but not those who fully understand football. In two short seasons manager Kieran McKenna has turned this club on its head with back-to-back promotions playing in a way that appeals to supporters. He is a master tactician and for this reason alone, Premier clubs should be on their guard.
McKenna has managed to keep the nucleus of his squad together which did so well in League One, but has also recruited sensibly for the top flight, and to date, they have spent close to 60 million on new additions.

12. Bournemouth: Under Andoni Iraola this small club has gone from strength to strength, and he has got them playing a brand of football that is pleasing on the eye. They appear to have bought well too, so I cannot see them struggling to get points on the board this season.

11. West Ham United: Their new boss Julen Lopetegui might struggle to follow in the footsteps of David Moyes. It will take him I while to adjust, and this might apply to his players as well. They have bought Max Killman from Wolves but Flynn Downes has been sold to Southampton.

10. Crystal Palace: Here is another team that produce very entertaining football, and it would not surprise me if they ended up in the top half of the table, such is their desire to play on the front foot! They have lost Michael Olise to Bayern Munich for around 50 million but still have some amazing attacking options which should  provide fans with much entertainment and goals galore!

9.Wolves: They have bought well and should find themselves in the top half of the table with Tommy Doyle joining from Manchester City and Rodrigo Gomes arriving from Braga of Portugal. Pedro Lima might also impress, but on the downside, they have lost Max Kilman to West Ham United so gaffer Gary O'Neil will have to box clever.

8. Newcastle United: Manager Eddie Howe has spent big again recruiting Lewis Hall from Chelsea for 28 million but they have not purchased anybody else of note. The transfer window does not close until August 30th so there is time, but they have lost Elliot Anderson to Forest for 35 million and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton for 30 million, and have also released a number of others.

7. Chelsea: manager Enzo Maresca will have his work cut out at his new club and I am not convinced he is the right man to greatly improve their fortunes. American owner Todd Boehly is not a patient chappy, and I am still baffled as to why he fired Mauricio Pochettino who was realising the fruits of his endeavours when he lost his job. They have spent big on Dewsbury Hall from Leicester and Kellyman from Villa, but they are not the kind of players that will get bums off seats, so fans might be will be underwhelmed by the style of football employed by Enzo.

6. Manchester United: Erik den Haag kept his job thanks to that unlikely FA Cup Final win over arch-rivals Manchester City last season, but I am not convinced they will do much better in the Premier League. I have a horrible feeling that the Dutchman could be one of the first top-flight managerial casualties this term, because they may start badly, due in the main, to an injury crisis at the club. That said, they have spent over 80 million on two new recruits in Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee. 

5. Tottenham Hotspur: Aussie boss Ange Postecoglou has been rather quite in the recruitment department so far, although he did bring in Archie Grey from Leeds and Tim Werner on a season long loan from RB Liepzig. They have not lost anyone of note so they will be strong again.

4. Aston Villa:  They have spent big but they have also spent wisely so far. In Unai Emery they have one of the best head coaches in the Premier League. Their Champions League involvement might be of detriment to the league status. Acquiring Amadou Onana from Everton and Jade Philogene from Hull City should boost their numbers and a top-four finish will be in their sights again.

3. Liverpool: Under new Dutch head coach Arne Slot Liverpool will be in transition this season, and although they will continue to play exciting attacking football, I think there could be a few bumps along the way, too. As things stand, they have not recruited anyone, and of course, Joel Matip has now been released.

2. Manchester City: Winning the title four times on the bounce is a record breaker, but all good things come to an end, and their prized asset this season could well be the Champions League! It is very difficult to maintain momentum on all footballing fronts, and to date they have only recruited Savio from Troys for 33 million. I think it will be a close run thing again for the title, but perhaps this time around they will fall a little short.

1. Arsenal: Could it be third time lucky for Mikel Arteta? I am inclined to think so because they have come agonisingly close on two occasions now, and their Spanish boss will have learned a lot in the process.Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna is an interesting new addition, as is David Raya from Brentford. Emile Smith-Rowe has left for Fulham but they have a wealth of attacking options.  

Frank Weston