Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews the 2022/23 Premier League Season. The top two position predictions may not surprise you but third and forth position predictions might and how will the new influx of money at Newcastle affect their position this season. You can view all previous and the coming analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication
ARSENAL
Arsenal start the 2022/23 campaign with the first fixture of Game Week-1 on Friday Night Football at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta has brought a few players in but maybe the significant signing is tying Eddie Nketiah down to a new 5-year contract, that sees Eddie receive the Number 14 shirt, worn by the Gunners legend Thierry Henry.
Youri Tielemans is poised to head South to the Emirates, leaving Leicester for London pastures new, which will be a great addition to a squad that looked certain to be playing Champions League football, however, faltered in the final furlong and will head to places such as Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Scotland for Thursday Night Football in the Europa League.
After not playing in Europe last season, the Gooners will have to dig out the passports.
As well as Youri coming into the Emirates, there’s one player that will definitely enhance the team and that is Gabriel Jesus.
Pep 2, worked with the Brazilian at the Etihad so knows the strengths and has allowed Gabriel to wear the Number 9 shirt, vacated by Alexandre Lacazette who has been released.
Whilst there would have been limited game time at Man City, Mr Jesus is still a class player and is only 25 years old, so it could be argued that the best years are in front of him.
Arsenal fans should be excited about GB, as well as his Brazilian mate Marquinhos, a 19-year-old Striker signed from São Paulo.
Whilst Gabriel was getting into the Vauxhall Chevette for the trip down to London, his City mate, Oleksandr Zinchenko jumped in to save on fuel, with the price of a litre of unleaded, sky-high at the moment and joins Mr Jesus at Arsenal.
It appears that Portuguese is the new language in North London with another addition, that being Fabio Vieira, a 22-year-old Midfielder signed from Porto.
Although Fabio has the same surname as the Highbury legend Patrick, the youngster is of diminutive stature and not the tall combative nature of the Crystal Palace manager.
There’s a Goalkeeper that’s incoming too, however, Matt Turner, in from America, will be back up to Aaron Ramsdale.
A quick side note about the ex-Arsenal youngster Jack Wilshere, who has had to pack in playing the beautiful game at the tender age of just 30.
All the best for the future Young Man.
Opening Game Fixture-Crystal Palace Away
Betfred offer Arsenal at 50/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer Arsenal at 2/1 to Finish in the Top 4.
Premier League Finish 5th
ASTON VILLA
Phillipe Coutinho, who was initially signed on loan from Barcelona in January, made the move permanent and swaps the Sun of Espana for the Birmingham rain.
Steven Gerrard has a full pre-season to get his training methods over to his players, after only being at Villa Park, a couple of months longer than Phillipe.
There are a couple more that have signed, Defender Diego Carlos from Seville and Midfielder Boubacar Kamara from Marseille.
Villa paid around £26 Million for the pair with 100% of that money being for Diego as Boubacar arrives as a Free Transfer.
Diego looks a beast and should have a fun time in the Premier League.
Another Sevilla to Villa move is Ludvig Augustinsson, a Defender coming in initially on a season-long loan deal.
The Big Swede has played in the Champions League and the Europa League so will enhance the Villa back-line.
Matt Targett, who left the club in January, made the move to Newcastle, a permanent one, with Aston Villa receiving a fee of £15 Million.
Stevie G, like a lot of managers, would like a few more players in before the Transfer Window slams shut on September the 1st.
All the new boys got a run out in Ozland where Aston Villa faced, Leeds United, Brisbane Roar and Manchester United with all being typical pre-season friendlies, meaning fitness was the key to the outings.
Opening Game Fixture-Bournemouth Away
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Premier League Finish 9th
BOURNEMOUTH
Bournemouth are back in the Top Flight after 2-seasons in the Championship following the relegation under Eddie Howe back in 2020.
The irony in the opening fixture on returning to the Premier League is Aston Villa were the team that finished with just a point more than Eddie’s Cherries back in the Covid-affected 2019/20 campaign, the point coming from a goalless draw gained against Sheffield United after a ‘ghost goal’ scored by the Blades, wasn’t given following a breakdown in communication between the on-field referee Michael Oliver, the dreaded VAR and the dodgy Del Boy watch that didn’t indicate a goal that was clearly over the line.
If that goal had been given, Villa would have achieved 34-points, the same as Bournemouth but would have had an inferior goal difference and would have been relegated.
Eddie Howe left the Vitality in 2020 and the Cherries were unsuccessful in the 2020/21 Championship campaign under several temporary managers, including Jonathan Woodgate.
The Fulham gaffer, that was in charge when the Cottagers were relegated in the 2020/21 Premier League season, Scott Parker, switched clubs and took over at Bournemouth, guiding the South Coast club to a runner-up finish in the Championship and promotion back to the Promised Land, coincidentally finishing 2nd to Fulham.
At the moment, Scott has brought in Joe Rothwell, a Midfielder signed from Blackburn Rovers and West Ham Defender, Ryan Fredericks both on a Free Transfer but should have a couple more come the beginning of September.
Opening Game Fixture-Aston Villa Home
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Premier League Finish 19th
BRENTFORD
After a remarkable inaugural Premier League campaign last season, where Thomas Frank’s Bees finished in 13th place, the Brentford faithful will want the fairy tale to continue.
Unfortunately, the faithful will have to contend with the fact that the star man, Christian Eriksen, has left West London and headed North to Old Trafford.
That must be a bitter pill to swallow after giving the Dane a second chance following the Cardiac Arrest in the Euros last June.
Christian’s club at the time, Inter Milan, couldn’t allow the player to stay at the San Siro due to having an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator) which are banned in Serie A.
After getting healthy again and being declared fit to restart his football career, Brentford took a chance, if one can call it that, on the Dane and signed Christian on a 6-month contract.
Before Christian made his debut back in February, Thomas’s Bees were going through a tricky patch but Mr Eriksen steadied the ship and his superior class shone through, inspiring the team to some well-deserved victories, one being an emphatic demolition of Chelsea by a 4-1 scoreline.
In the 10-Premier League fixtures that Christian played the full 90-minutes, Brentford won 7.
Prior to that, the Bees had lost 8 out of 10.
Mr Eriksen changed the dynamic of Brentford and a lot are saddened that the boy hasn’t shown loyalty to the West London club by signing again.
Unfortunately, although there will be tears of sadness, it’s not how football works.
Christian Eriksen and Brentford signed a 6-month contract with both parties knowing what could happen at the end.
Manchester United came calling and offered Christian a better contract, it’s as simple as that.
Whilst United are in transition at the moment, it is still Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the World.
Loyalty doesn’t come into it and the Bees faithful should be thankful for what Mr Eriksen did in the short time at the Community Stadium and wish the lad well for the future.
Scottish Defender, Aaron Hickey has signed for Brentford for a fee of around £19 Million and comes to West London via Bologna.
The youngster, who has just turned 20 years old, played in Seria A last season with Bologna, after signing from Hearts.
Bologna finished 13th in the Italian Top Flight.
Keane Lewis-Potter, who is not an excited extra from the JK Rowling adventure, comes in from Hull.
Keane is a 21-year-old Striker signed from Hull for a fee of £20 Million, the Bees will be hoping that the lad is keen to score goals for his new club.
You’re welcome!
Ben Mee joins Brentford, signing from relegated Burnley, so that’s Mee to the Bees.
Opening Game Fixture-Leicester Away
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Premier League Finish 16th
BRIGHTON
It’s all quiet at the Amex, with Graham Potter not too busy in the Transfer market.
Julio Cesar Enciso, an 18-year-old Striker is the only player (at the moment) that has ventured to the South Coast.
Yves Bissouma has left the Amex joining Antonio Conte’s Tottenham revolution for £35 Million.
Marc Cucurella is still at Brighton for the time being but the curly-haired Left-Back is wanted by several clubs, one notably being Man City, with Pep Guardiola being a big fan of his fellow countryman.
Now Oleksandr Zinchenko has left the Etihad, Pep could go all out to sign Marc for a fee of around £50 Million, which although the Left-Back would be a significant loss for Graham, £50 Million isn’t too bad of a compensation, considering Brighton paid £16 Million for La Cucurella.
Brighton finished in a commendable 9th-place last season, with 51-points, the highest tally achieved in the Top Flight with 3 of the 51 coming from an emphatic victory against the opening game opponents by a 4-0 score.
Graham’s Wizards achieved 5 Wins from the final 8-Premier League fixtures, including victories against Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham as well as the United trouncing.
Opening Game Fixture-Manchester United Home
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Betfred offer to 9/1 to Be Relegated.
Premier League Finish 11th
CHELSEA
Chelsea are quietly going about their Transfer business, with Thomas Tuchel tweaking his squad with a few surprises.
The first was the signing of Raheem Sterling from Man City.
The 27-year-old Forward comes into Stamford Bridge for a fee of around £48 Million.
It is a great acquisition for Thomas’s Blue Engines that will definitely enhance the team.
Romelu Lukaku has departed Stamford Bridge after a sorry 1-season in London and gone back to Italy rejoining Inter Milan, initially on loan but should become permanent in the future.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen also leave London with Antonio heading to the Bernabeu and Andreas going to the Nou Camp, where both will come face to face in the El Clasico next season.
As a replacement for one of the two departing Defenders, Thomas has signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for a fee of £32 Million.
KK has been a target of a few English clubs over the past few years but Chelsea have eventually taken the gamble and paid the money for the highly rated Senegal International.
Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner and Christian Pulisic could be heading out too, making room for Cristiano Ronaldo who appears to be a potential target, especially with the Blues being in the Champions League which is what CR7 requires.
The Leeds Striker, Raphinha, was also a TTT, (Thomas Tuchel Target!), however, Raphinha’s Agent is the ex-Blue Decco, who has got the Brazilian a move to Barcelona.
Decco stated that ‘London isn’t a place to live but more a place to visit!’
Antonio, Andreas and Romelu agree!
Jules Kounde, a Defender currently at Seville, is also a target but could follow Raphinha and head to the Camp Nou.
There have been a few moans regarding the new Home Shirt which pays homage to the ex-Chelsea gaffer Ted Drake who oversaw the Blue’s first Top Flight title victory back in 1955.
The shirt adorns a white and turquoise collar and a top button, which personally, not being at all connected to the London club, looks very smart.
Opening Game Fixture-Everton Away
Betfred offer 16/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer Odds On 8/11 to Finish in the Top 4.
Premier League Finish 4th
CRYSTAL PALACE
Patrick Vieira starts a 2nd-season at Selhurst Park off the back of finishing 12th in the 2021/22 campaign.
In the final fixture in May, Palace comfortably inflicted defeat on a sorry Manchester United team and will hope to carry that momentum into the opener, against Patrick’s former club, Arsenal, where Mr Vieira is a legend.
Sam Johnstone signs from West Brom for nothing, coming South as a Free Transfer.
Malcolm Ebiowei joins from Derby County after the expiration of the contract with the Rams.
The 18-year-old can play as either a Striker or a pacy Winger.
Patrick Vieira played with one of the best in Thierry Henry and will want to mould Malcolm into the next TH.
Pacy Winger?
Probably comes with the territory that a Winger should be pacy or quick as it’s pointless being slow.
Cheick Doucoure has just landed in London, signing for Palace, with the Eagles usurping the Gunners by clinching the Malian Midfielder for a fee of £21 Million.
Chris Richards, who is a 22-year-old American Centre-Back has joined Patrick’s Eagles coming to Selhurst Park, via Bayern Munich for around £9 Million.
Whilst not making that many appearances for Bayern, Chris was loaned out to fellow Bundesliga team Hoffenheim.
There has been talk that the main man, Wilfried Zaha is on his way to join Dracula at Roma, however, for the time being, Wilf is still an Eagle.
Last season’s loanee from Chelsea, Conor Gallagher has headed back to Stamford Bridge and is unlikely to return to Selhurst Park.
Wolves Morgan Gibbs-White is a possible target, with the Striker, who spent last season on loan at Bramall Lane, thought to be close to signing for Palace, however, new boys Nottingham Forest are also after Morgan which would mean that the lad doesn’t have to move houses, with Nottingham and Wolverhampton being close to each other.
Well, closer than Selhurst Park!
Frank Lampard’s Everton have also made a bid for young Morgan but Wolves rejected the £25 Million offer from the Toffees.
It should be a decent campaign and Crystal Palace won’t struggle, with the Eagle Ultras hoping that their heroes can push on for a European place.
Opening Game Fixture-Arsenal Home
Betfred offer 500/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
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Premier League Finish 12th
EVERTON
Frank Lampard’s Everton have acquired the services of James Tarkowski, who makes the short journey to Goodison Park from Turf Moor.
Although Burnley were eventually relegated, so certain Claret players were bound to leave and stay in the Premier League, James had stated he was always going to leave the Lancashire club and was rumoured to be joining Eddie Howe’s Newcastle revolution, however, Frank, whose mate John Terry, was known as JT, has persuaded the new JT to join the Toffees.
James is a great signing, however, there will be a big omission next season, with Richarlison leaving Everton and joining Tottenham.
Under several managers over the past few seasons, the Toffee’s were always a better team when Richarlison was playing as opposed to not, so the Brazilian will be a big loss.
Fabian Delph, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Cenk Tosun and Jonjoe Kenny have all been released by Everton and can join whichever club fancies them.
At the moment there is confusion as to whether Frank Lampard can sign anyone else due to profit and sustainability rules.
Once that is clearer then Frank has his eyes on Armando Broja and Kyle Walker-Peters who both played for Southampton last season, however, Armando is a Chelsea player who Mr Lampard knows well.
There is also the possibility that Emmanuel Dennis could end up at Goodison Park.
The opening weekend fixture reunites Frank Lampard with his former club.
Opening Game Fixture-Chelsea Home
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Betfred offer 9/2 to Be Relegated
Premier League Finish 13th
FULHAM
The Cottagers are once again back in the Promised Land after a season hiatus in the Championship.
That sequence of yo-yo-ing between the Premier League and Division 2, has occurred every year over the past 5-seasons.
2018-Promoted via the play-offs.
2019-Relegated.
2020-Promoted via the play-offs.
2021-Relegated.
2022-Promoted as Champions.
The new campaign will also see the opening of the new stand at Craven Cottage.
The lower tier of the Riverside Stand will be open, with the upper available next year.
The full conversion has been delayed understandably due to the Coronavirus situation.
Marco Silva, the ex-Hull, Watford and Everton gaffer is seen as an enigmatic manager with a lot not sure of what the Portuguese man brings to the game having failed at Goodison Park.
However, the lad did brilliantly with Fulham in giving the Cottage faithful an entertaining season that saw 106 goals, 43 being from Aleksandar Mitrovic and the title victory.
It will be interesting to see if the Big Serbian can continue that phenomenal goal-scoring achievement in the Premier League.
Marco is looking to bring in Bernd Leno from Arsenal, with the Goalkeeper being, as the phrase goes, ‘surplus to requirements’ at the Emirates but there is a disagreement over the fee Fulham want to pay and Arsenal want to receive.
The Wolfsburg and ex-Newcastle Defender Kevin Mbabu is signed for around £7 Million along with an £18 Million fee for Joao Palhinha, a Midfielder from Marco’s home country Portugal.
Manor Solomon is on his way from Shakhtar Donetsk, as soon as the paperwork can be sorted, with a FIFA ruling in place, regarding players coming from Ukraine, meaning the Israel International can’t officially sign until the 1st of August.
To the Manor Born.
Andreas Pereira, who was definitely surplus to at Old Trafford, comes into Craven Cottage from Manchester United for a fee of £10 Million.
Andreas was a youngster tipped to become a United star but somehow hasn’t trained on so Fulham could just be the place for the youngster to get back on track.
Fabio Carvalho has left the club and joined Liverpool for a fee that will be decided by a tribunal with the youngster being out of contract but only 19.
Marco Silva’s primary objective is to stop the yoyo-ing for a 6th-time in succession.
Opening Game Fixture-Liverpool Home
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Premier League Finish 17th
LEEDS UNITED
‘Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.’
Only a bit of fun for the Marching On Together crew, however, the West Yorkshire puddings have seen their star man, who would never leave Elland Rd, leave Elland Rd.
Kalvin Phillips, reminiscent of the title of the 2nd ever episode of the hit BBC show, Only Fools and Horses, from 1982, has copied the Trotter’s instructions to ‘Go West Young Man!’ and has gone West down the M62 to the Etihad, joining the Champions Man City for a fee of around £50 Million.
The MOT gang were all straight down to Lidl to purchase cheap tissues to cry into after losing their idol.
The Leeds faithful were apoplectic when Noel Gallagher was singing at the First Direct Arena in the centre of Leeds, warbling out the tune to one of his penned hits,
‘Stop Crying Your Hearts Out!’
Another star man, the Brazilian Raphinha is out of West Yorkshire too, joining Barcelona, the lads’ 1st-choice club after it was thought he was off to Chelsea.
Raphinha’s agent, Decco, had stated that ‘London was a place to visit, not a place to live.’
Then bought Rapha, a 3-bedroom terraced house in Barcelona with the Striker asking as to why there weren’t any bars on the door?
Decco replied,
‘This is Catalonia love, not Leeds, it’s a beautiful place to live, o-La!’
A quick word on the use of ‘love’, some might say that this is a derogatory term used against females.
It can be if used in the wrong context, however, John Newsome uses ‘love’ at the end of every sentence., when talking to males, females, girls or boys or in this ever-increasing non-binary world one lives in, anyone.
It doesn’t suggest that one is sexist or misogynist, it’s just a word.
Love and live life, love.
There’s a beautiful person who has been a part of this EveryTip contributor’s life for almost 50 years and the young girl doesn’t even know.
In 1976, before, firstly the internet for the youths, the mobile phone for the mineliums, Channel 5 for the Yuppies and Channel 4 for the Countdown fans, there were only 3-channels on the telly and the wireless.
There was a beautiful human being who won the French Open in 1976, her being Sue Barker, soon to be a Dame.
Whilst most know the young lady as the presenter of Wimbledon and Question of Sport, Sue did win a Major in Tennis.
All the Instagram brigade know Emma Raducanu, do they know Sue?
Or for that matter Virginia Wade? the last British female to win Wimbledon, in 1977.
The 1976 French Open, aged just, well that would be rude to disclose as one should never reveal a woman’s age.
Sue and Virginia were the pioneers long before Emma.
Whilst growing up, John Newsome was a massive Question of Sport fan and rarely got or gets beat on Sports knowledge, the OzScot can vouch for that after the infamous CenterParcs trip in 1987.
One has still got the medal which is currently worth an undisclosed fee!
When Sue Barker took over as host in 1997, there were no conversations about sexism, or why a woman was presenting QOS, it just happened to be that Miss Barker was the right person at that time.
Sue was the host of the legendary show for 23 years and Wimbledon for 30 years.
The young lady has just announced her retirement at the ripe old age of ..21.
Respect Sue Barker, a Dame in waiting and an advocate for women in sport, whether playing, writing, on the radio or as a presenter.
It’s not about equality, it’s about whether one is good enough at the job and Sue Barker is.
Ted Lasso, sorry Jesse Marsch has somehow retained the Head Coach job at Elland Rd after a final day victory against Brentford that kept the Whites in the Premier League.
It looked a certainty that Leeds United would be relegated and Jesse would be down the concrete but Burnley messed things up against Newcastle and Leeds beat the Bees to stay in the Top Flight for a 3rd term and relegate the Clarets.
So the Boy from Wisconsin, U S of A, is back for another crack at the big time.
JM has wasted no time in spending the Phillips/Raphinha money by signing Brenden Aaronson for £25 Million, Tyler Adams for around the same and Rasmus Kristensen at £10 Million, plus Marc Roca, also £10 Million.
Here is a quiz for the West Yorkshire Marsching Crew.
Question 1- Where did Jesse Marsch manage previously?
Answer- Red Bull-Salzburg and Red Bull Leipzig.
Question 2- Where did Jesse Marsch sign Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen from?
Answer- Red Bull-Salzburg
Question 3- Where did Jesse Marsch sign Tyler Adams from?
Answer- Red Bull-Leipzig
Marc played against Red Bull-Salzburg whilst with Bayern Munich in the Champions League, with Jesse the gaffer at RB.
Marco was sent off, however, Mr Marsch must have seen something that night because the Spaniard is now in West Yorkshire.
Darko Gyabi signs from Man City for £5 Million and Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord at £25 Million.
All 6-new boys featured in the first pre-season game against Brisbane Roar, in Australia.
The Ozland branch of this EveryTip column watched the game and were rather disparaging regarding Luis.
However, that said, it’s early days and there’s plenty of time to settle in the sunshine of West Yorkshire.
It will be a tough old season for the Whites, without Kalvin and Raphinha and it’s hoped for the Marching On Together crew that Patrick Bamford is back, fit and firing in the goals to prevent another relegation battle.
Marsching On Together!
Opening Game Fixture-Wolves Home
Betfred offer 750/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer 9/4 to Be Relegated.
Premier League Finish 18th
LEICESTER
All is quiet at the King Power Stadium with no incomings or significant losses (at the moment) so Brendan Rodgers must be happy with his current set of Wonderfuls.
There is still huge speculation that Youri Tielemans will leave and join Arsenal, however, for the time being, Youri is still a Fox.
Despite continuing to be linked with long-term targets Charles De Ketelaere from Club Bruges and Ibrahim Sangare, currently a PSV Eindhoven player, there are no agreement for either appearing to be on the horizon but obviously, that could change in the coming weeks.
Matt O’Riley, who is known to Brendan from his Celtic days is another possible addition at the King Power if terms between the clubs can be agreed upon.
Brendan will just be happy to have players such as Jonny Evans, James Maddison and Jamie Vardy remain injury free for the majority of the new campaign as the Foxes are definitely a stronger team when those 3 are firing on all cylinders.
Opening Game Fixture-Brentford Home
Betfred offer 150/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer 14/1 to Finish in the Top 4.
Premier League Finish 10th
LIVERPOOL
Jurgen Klopp went early in the Transfer Window bringing in Fabio Carvalho from Fulham, Darwin Nunez from Benfica and Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen.
Darwin cost the princely sum of £85 Million, Calvin £6.5 Million with Fabio’s fee having to be decided by a tribunal as although the lad was out of contract Fulham are entitled to some compensation. because he’s only 19.
One significant signing made by Jurgen and Liverpool is getting Mo Salah to extend his contract, meaning the Egyptian King stays in Liverpool for another 4-years at least.
The Fab Three, Roberto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, are now the Fab Two, with Sadio exiting Merseyside and joining Bayern Munich.
Liverpool received £35 Million for the pleasure which considering, Jurgen paid £34 Million back in 2016, is a decent return.
Once Sadio made it clear that Liverpool wasn’t for him, it was imperative that the Anfield Rappers did their utmost to keep Mo Salah.
£400,000 a week (a week!) could have made the decision for Mo to stay a little easier.
Liverpool continue to be linked with another Nunes that being the Sporting Lisbon Midfielder Matheus Nunes.
Granted with an ‘S’ not a ‘Z’ but still!
According to the Portuguese news outlets, Liverpool have made official contact with Sporting over the signing of Mr Nunes.
Other clubs credited with an interest in Matheus are Chelsea and Wolves.
Matheus Nunes is reported to have a release clause worth £50 Million in his current contract, which runs until 2026.
It has also been stated that, despite the release clause, Sporting would not consider selling Mr Nunes for anything less than £34 Million.
This basically means the Portuguese club want some Euros this summer for the lad.
In the recent pre-season trip to Thailand, Liverpool were comfortably beaten by the old rivals Manchester United, with Jurgen’s Reds suffering a defeat against Erik’s Enterprises by a 4-0 scoreline.
The faithful shouldn’t worry too much as the starting eleven put out by Klipperty were,
Alisson, Luke Chambers, Joe Gomez, Nat Phillips, Isaac Mbaya, Fabio Carvalho, Jordan Henderson, Tyler Morton, Luis Diaz, Roberto Firmino and Harvey Elliott.
The 10 outfield players were all taken off after 32-minutes, replaced by another set of squad players.
Alisson was taken off at half-time with a further 10-changes coming in the 61st minute, meaning Jurgen wasn’t taking the game too seriously.
Liverpool head to Old Trafford for the Game Week-3 affair on August 22nd and it’s guaranteed, that particular Premier League fixture will be taken a lot more serious.
The United lineup on that Monday Night Football in August won’t be much different to that that took a 3-nil lead at half-time and scored a 4th late in the 2nd-half.
Ben Davies has left Anfield and joined Rangers for a fee of around £4 Million.
The loveable OzScot over in Melbourne is over the moon about Ben’s arrival at Ibrox and was straight out onto the front lawn dressed as Braveheart shouting and screaming about Rangers’ impending 2nd-placed finish in the Scottish Pub League.
Liverpool, as the FA Cup winners, take on Man City, as the Premier League champions, in the traditional and 100th Community Shield on Saturday the 30th, however, in a first for a long time, the game takes place at the King Power Stadium and not Wembley.
It should be a great showpiece to kick-start the new campaign.
The reason it’s not at Wembley is the Women’s Euro Final, which is due to take place over the same weekend.
Good luck to the England Lionesses.
Jurgen’s Reds won’t be far off come to the business end of the new campaign, however, can Liverpool overhaul Man City?
John Newsome doesn’t think so.
Opening Game Fixture-Fulham Away
Betfred offer 5/2 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer Odds On 1/16 to Finish in the Top 4.
Premier League Finish 2nd
MAN CITY
The 2021/22 Premier League Champions, kick-start the new campaign against West Ham at the London Stadium, which will mean a nice trip down to the Capital for the Citizens.
Let’s hope the rattlers are not on strike.
For some unknown reason, Pep 1 has decided to let Gabriel Jesus leave the Etihad, with the Brazilian heading to the Emirates and joining up with Pep 2 at Arsenal.
That unknown reason could be a certain Erling Haaland.
The Norwegian Striker has signed from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of around £51 Million, however, the total payout, in the end, could be £85 Million when agent fees, signing bonus and other costs are taken into account.
For those not familiar with the story behind Erling, the 22-year-old giant who is 6 foot 5 inches and looks like a Viking, was actually born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.
Erling’s dad is Alf Inge Haaland who was a player at Elland Rd at the time of the youngster’s birth.
Alf Inge then moved down the M62 to Maine Rd (Man City’s old ground before moving to the Etihad) and signed for Man City, so the youngster is following in his father’s footsteps.
Mr Haaland Senior had a famous spat with Roy Keane whilst playing for Leeds United, which resurfaced again at Maine Rd a couple of years later, where Roy dove in on Alf, knee-high (literally) and gained revenge so to speak.
There had been crazy talk over the past few years about Erling Haaland signing for Manchester United.
It was never going to happen.
Another player that has followed in the footsteps of Alf Inge Haaland is Kalvin Phillips who joins Erling from Leeds United and heads the short trip West down the M62 to the Etihad.
The following was documented in this EveryTip column back in April.
‘April 26th
Kalvin Phillips made his first Leeds start since December and was as assured as ever in the midfield, however, could be seeing out his last few games for the Whites in advance of a move in the Summer.
Possibly heading West along the M62 to Old Trafford.
Whilst it would be a great move for the Yorkshire lad and Manchester United would snap him up in a heartbeat, Kalvin is good enough to play for a Top Four club.
Man City are losing Fernandinho this summer.
Mr Phillips would be an ideal replacement in the heart of the City midfield.
A bid of £70 Million may entice the Elland Rd club to at least think about it.
A lot will say,
‘If Declan Rice is worth £100 Million, so is Kalvin Phillips!’
Whilst that is a reasonable argument, Declan at 23, is 3-years younger than Kalvin, 26, so Mr Rice would command a higher fee.
Seventy Million by the way is just a starting point, there is room for improvement.
The Marching On Together crew won’t like to see KP leave, especially to a Manchester club, whether Red or Blue but Kalvin has to think about himself and what he wants from the game.
Does the lad want to win trophies, play in the Champions League and earn a lot of dollar or play every year for his hometown club, battling relegation all of the time?
Maybe today’s game gives Pep Guardiola the ideal opportunity to see what Kalvin Phillips is all about, not that Pep doesn’t know already but KP is definitely in the shop window in this late Saturday afternoon kick-off.’
A lot scoffed at John Newsome back in April.
With Raheem Sterling leaving for Chelsea, Pep Guardiola has brought in another Striker, that being Julian Alvarez.
Julian, an Argentinian forward is also 22, so youth is the way forward at the Etihad, Raheem the Old Boy being 28 in December.
There’s a Goalkeeper too that’s come into the Etihad, with the German, Stefan Ortega Moreno joining from the Bundesliga club, Arminia Bielefeld.
The popular Left-Back Oleksandr Zinchenko has headed South to the Emirates hitching a ride in the Vauxhall Chevette, where an argument had ensued between, Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling as to who was driving.
Raheem correctly stated that the Emirates was further North than Stamford Bridge therefore it was more sensible for Mr Sterling to drive and drop Gabriel and Oleksandr off then continue on.
After several minutes of thinking about this, Mr Jesus accepted the argument but stated that he was paying a tenner less for the unleaded.
With the addition of Kalvin and Erling, Man City will take some stopping to prevent the retention of the Premier League title.
Opening Game Fixture-West Ham Away
Betfred offer Odds On 4/7 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer Odds On 1/50 to Finish in the Top 4.
Premier League Finish 1st
MANCHESTER UNITED
The Circus Tent that is known as Old Trafford continued over the summer, with the Greatest Show on Earth and the Clowns coming to the fore in the Sports news.
It’s probably forgotten that in United’s final 12-Premier League fixtures, there were just 3-Wins, 3-Draws and 6-Losses.
Twelve points from a potential 36, which is simply not good enough.
Cristiano Ronaldo has seen the iceberg and wants away after initially stating that life in the North West was brilliant and he wasn’t going anywhere.
Obviously, no one is privy to the day-to-day life of CR7 and the conversations had between United and himself but it appears the 37-year-old wants, let’s just say a ‘new challenge!’
Barnsley FC have been relegated to League 1, or Division 3 in old money, so a season at Oakwell would certainly come under the banner of ‘a new challenge’.
As of the publication of this EveryTip column, Cristiano is still a Manchester United player but there is constant speculation that the Portuguese legend will be away in the not too distant future.
It started with Manchester United stating that Cristiano ‘wasn’t for sale’, which quickly escalated to ‘willing to listen to offers’.
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to play in the Champions League and won’t anytime soon if he stays on the Red side of Manchester.
There are not many teams pushing to sign Cristiano, with Barcelona being the latest to ‘just say no’.
Atletico Madrid could come calling before the Transfer Window slams shut on the 1st of September.
Whilst a lot won’t want CR7-2.0 to leave, John Newsome wrote the following back in May.
‘There’s also the Defence to address as well as the Shadow of Cristiano Ronaldo, which does sound like a Sherlock Holmes mystery.
There isn’t any mystery, Cristiano has been outstanding this term in the goal-scoring charts, with 18 Premier League goals plus the 6-in the Champions League.
A remarkable effort by CR7-2.0.
However, the Portuguese legend is 37 now and no one is saying that Mr Ronaldo is past his sell-by, it’s just that the lad has a massive presence at Old Trafford and the other players are simply in his shadows.
That isn’t Cristiano Ronaldo’s fault, it’s a combination of the management not being strong enough to use Cristiano when it’s necessary and also the players not being strong enough to challenge Mr Ronaldo and show the manager, whether full-time, caretaker or temporary, that they deserve a chance in front of the Portugal Superstar.
Marcus Rashford is a shell of the player he once was, Jadon Sancho should be rivalling Cristiano, Mason Greenwood has his own problems, Edinson Cavani is past his sell-by date too and Anthony Elanga may come good, if the youth has learned from Mr Ronaldo over the season and steps up next term.
This is what John Newsome thinks should happen regarding Cristiano Ronaldo.
Give the lad a statue outside of Old Trafford next to Best, Law and Charlton, thank the lad for all his endeavour and goals this campaign and say goodbye.
It may hurt a few, like when a relationship ends but it is for the good of Manchester United as a whole going forward and not for the good of placating a legend for one more season.
Thank you, Cristiano Ronaldo, good luck with the future.
There may be a few tears but not as many as there will be if Manchester United continue the demise.’
Erik Ten Hag should give the lad a hotdog and some candy floss and say that Cristiano is welcome back to watch the Circus anytime, however, let Ronnie leave.
Having watched the 4-pre-season fixtures in Thailand and Australia, against Liverpool, Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, it’s quite apparent that Erik’s ways are paying off and United are a better team.
That said, pre-season is about fitness and can easily be misconstrued as the real thing.
John Newsome refuses to change the opinion that is referenced on a weekly basis but will add that if Erik Ten Hag, only uses Cristiano rarely and replaces Fred with Christian Eriksen then there is a chance of a Top Four finish.
Another couple of clowns are still riding the bike with wonky wheels, those being Fred and Scott McTominay.
In a recent friendly between Japan and Brazil, Fred played for 70-minutes, running around like Coco and creating nothing.
With the score at 0-0, the aptly named Brazil manager, Tite, took Fred off.
Within 7-minutes of the Midfielder’s departure, Neymar scored the only goal of the game.
Scott McTominay, aka Charlie Cairoli, has enhanced his body in a bid to enhance his footballing skills.
Whilst this is commendable and only time will tell if the body transformation improves Scott’s ability, a good friend of John’s remarked,
‘Should concentrate on his passing and shooting never mind gym sessions’.
It’s difficult to argue with that sentiment from the Liccle Fella.
Erik Ten has been warned by John Newsome that if Fred and Scott are the go-to Midfield pairing, then United won’t progress and certainly won’t win anything.
That warning was ignored in Erik Five Hag’s first official game in charge of United, where the lineup for a pre-season friendly against Liverpool that took place in Bangkok, Thailand, was as follows,
David De Gea, Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Fred, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
Whilst most will be straight back with the fact that United hammered Liverpool, with Fred and Scott and the added bonus that Fred scored a great goal (credit where!) it was only a 3rd string Liverpool team and no one needs to get excited just yet.
Liverpool come to Old Trafford on the 22nd of August for the Game Week-3 affair.
The starting eleven Jurgen puts out will be totally different from the eleven in Thailand, whereas Erik will have most of the eleven that played in the 1st-half in Bangkok.
A quick mention about a youngster who played in the 2nd-half is Charlie Savage.
Charlie is the son of Robbie Savage who was part of the Class of 92’ but never made it at Old Trafford, however, did forge out a decent career at Leicester and Blackburn.
Keep an eye on Charlie Boy, the lad will be a star.
The lineup for the fixtures against Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa over in Australia, weren’t much different and it does appear that Erik will use Fred and Scott as the go-to Midfielders.
Paul Pogba has finally departed Manchester and has headed back to Italy rejoining Juventus.
In 2012, Mr Pogba left United and joined Juve on a Free Transfer.
In 2016, Mr Pogba joined Manchester United, with United paying just over £90 Million.
In 2022, Mr Pogba leaves United and joins Juve on a Free Transfer.
Ouch!
It’s a funny old game.
It’s fair to say that Paul’s style of football didn’t suit Manchester United, however, will no doubt again produce the goods for the Old Lady in black and white.
PP joins Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard and Edinson Cavani who have departed the Theatre of Dreams this summer.
It’s currently quiet on the incomings into Old Trafford, Christian Eriksen along with Tyrell Malacia, a Left-Back from Feyenoord and Lisandro Martinez another Dedender from Ajax being the only confirmed signings.
The Feyernoord lad signs for a fee of around £13 Million with Ajax pocketing in the region of £46 Million for Lisandro.
Erik the Red wants Frenkie De Jong, that’s Frenkie with an ‘e’ not Frankie with an ‘a’ like Sister Sledge would warble.
The Dutchman (there’s a pattern developing!) wants to stay at Barcelona but is not a firm favourite at the Catalonia club and the Nou Camp faithful will no doubt sing,
‘Frenkie, do you remember him?’
With United not being in the Champions League, the players that are available and of World Class status, don’t want to sign.
Declan Rice is an ideal candidate but won’t leave West Ham for Manchester United to play in the Europa League.
The lad is a Top Four player, the same as Kalvin Phillips.
John Newsome advised the United hierarchy, to go and get two Midfielders playing on the South Coast, those being Brighton’s Yves Bissouma and Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse.
Yves (‘Christmas’ as the lad is known in the dressing room!) has left Brighton for a Top Four club and joined Tottenham.
James is still at St Mary’s, for the time being.
It wouldn’t take many negotiations between Manchester United and Southampton to get the England player to move to Old Trafford.
Christian Eriksen has agreed to a 3-year contract and joins as a free agent.
United have signed Ajax Centre-Back Lisandro Martinez, for around £46 Million for the Argentinian who was also wanted by Arsenal.
Lisandro may surprise a few at Old Trafford as although the lad is a Centre Back, Mr Martinez is only 5 foot 9 inches and not a towering Defender that the Premier League are used to seeing.
The following was an open letter from John Newsome, sent to Erik Ten Hag via this EveryTip column on May 20th, 2022,
‘Hi Mr Ten Hag
The last 3-United managers have done the same thing and have all failed at Old Trafford.
The reason is simple, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralph Rangnick have used Fred and Scott McTominay as their go-to Midfielders.
This simply hasn’t worked yet no one wants to address the situation.
Manchester United have gone backwards because of the constant choosing of Fred and Scott.
Look at the alternatives, Juan Mata, class but too old, Nemanja Matic, class but past his sell-by date, Donny Van De Beek, not trusted because of the blinkered vision of thinking Fred and Scott are the answer.
They are not!
Erik, if one does the same, then one will end up at the same place as Jose, Ole and Ralph.
The Job Centre.
Required are 4-Midfield replacements for Fred, Scott, Juan and Nemanja.
If one doesn’t, United won’t progress.
The Defence is pretty okay-ish and the Forwards are okay-ish but without the bullets of the midfield, that protects and supply, United are nothing.
One last thing, say goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo, the lad is class but he’s a massive shadow over the club that is preventing Manchester United from moving forward.
If one takes stock of this message, Erik will be successful, however, continue to pick Fred and Scott as the go-to Midfielders, one won’t be in Manchester long.
Kind Regards
John Newsome’
In the opening few games that Erik the Red has overseen, albeit pre-season friendlies, Fred and Scott have started in 3 of the fixtures, with Donny Van De Beek the preferred choice for Scott in the 4th and in John Newsome’s opinion, have not progressed even though Fred did score a goal against Liverpool.
Another good friend of John’s (he’s a popular guy!) commented, after once again reminding the ray of Hope that United won’t win anything with Fred and Scott,
‘You need to park this obsession with them two mate, it’s getting boring!’
Granted, it might be ‘getting boring’ and the comment was duly noted by this EveryTip contributor, however, to the Manchester United fans out there, who probably have the same opinion, is it not ‘getting boring’ continually failing to win a trophy?, is it not ‘getting boring’ to see Man City and Liverpool, as well as Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal sign players to enhance and progress their teams and increase the gap between United and themselves?
If the Red Devil faithful want to continue to be blinkered and think that everything wrong with their club is because of the owners or the stadium or this or that, then that is their prerogative.
The fact that Manchester United are in decline is simply because the 3-previous managers, Jose Mourinho, who purchased Fred, won nothing after the purchase and lost his job soon after, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who continued with Fred and Scott McTominay as the go-to Midfielders, won nothing and lost his job and Ralph Rangnick, who continued with the two, saw the iceberg and left for Austria, after winning nothing.
Because of the blinkered outlook, the Midfield has been overlooked and there haven’t been any significant reinforcements.
If Erik Ten Hag doesn’t address this problem and there’s still time, then United will continue to win nothing.
John Newsome apologises to absolutely nobody regarding ‘getting boring’ about Fred and Scott.
The Manchester United faithful can come back to this EveryTip column and say that ‘John is wrong’ if United win something with Fred and Scott.
Until that day, John prefers to be boring and right, than exciting, blinkered and wrong!
Opening Game Fixture-Brighton Away
Betfred offer 28/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer 5/4 to Finish in the Top 4.
Premier League Finish 6th
NEWCASTLE
Matt Targett has made the move from Aston Villa that was initially just a loan, now a permanent one for a fee of £15 Million.
Eddie Howe has brought in the ex-Burnley Goalkeeper Nick Pope, paying £10 Million for the England international stopper.
Newcastle do have a couple of ‘keepers at St James who will still want to be the first choice so competition in that position will certainly be healthy.
Sven Botman, a Dutch Defender, signs from Lille with the new Saudi Arabian owners spending £35 Million for the 22-year-old, which could turn out to be a good investment.
It’s now upfront that Eddie and the Magpies need to invest in as, no disrespect to Chris Wood, the New Zealander isn’t the future, nor the answer.
Attempts to sign Real Sociedad’s Alexander Isak and Reim’s star Hugo Ekitike are ongoing and Mr Howe is working hard to land a top-class Forward with Chelsea’s Armando Brojo remaining a target, however, Armando is a target for several clubs.
Newcastle won’t be fighting relegation this season and the Toon Army will be hoping that their passports will need to be renewed come the end of the campaign.
Opening Game Fixture-Nottingham Forest Home
Betfred offer 80/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer 8/1 to Finish in the Top 4.
Premier League Finish 7th
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Steve Cooper is finally a Premier League manager after being the nearly man in the previous 2-campaigns of 2019/20 and 2020/21.
In 2020, whilst managing Swansea, Steve’s Welsh Wizards were beaten in the play-off Semi-Final by Brentford.
A year later, after Swansea had got a victory against Barnsley in the Semi-Final of the Championship play-offs, the Swans suffered a defeat in the Final at Wembley, once again against Brentford.
So twice, the Bees stung the Swans, which eventually saw Steve Cooper leave Wales after the final in 2021.
After a short holiday, sitting in the back yard of the family home, Steve waited for another opportunity, that soon came following the disastrous start to the 2021/22 Championship season by Chris Hughton, the manager at Nottingham Forest.
Forest were sitting at the bottom of the table when Mr Cooper was appointed gaffer at the City Ground in September 2021, after just 7-fixtures of the campaign.
After lifting the team to the playoffs, narrowly inflicting defeat over Sheffield United in the Semi-Final on penalties, Nottingham Forest got the victory at Wembley, against Huddersfield, which saw the legendary club return to the Premier League after 23 years away.
It was then a party like it’s 1999!
Whilst Steve would never want to take sole credit for turning around the fortunes of Forest, Mr Cooper is a modern coach whose tactical nouse is up there with the best.
This was witnessed first-hand by John Newsome in a game at Oakwell back in September 2021.
In Steve’s 3rd-game in charge, Nottingham Forest travelled to South Yorkshire to take on a struggling Barnsley team, who outplayed Forest for 60-minutes.
Trailing by a goal to nil, Steve saw what was wrong, saw what was needed and made a substitution.
Within 8-minutes of the change, Forest were now leading by 2 goals to 1, eventually getting the victory by a 3-1 score.
Steve Cooper was a Premier League manager in waiting and has restored Nottingham Forest to the Promised Land.
Back in the inaugural Premier League campaign of 1992/93, Forest were one of the founder clubs, with their opening fixture being a victory by a 1-0 score against Liverpool, the goal coming from Teddy Sheringham.
One of the referees in that first Premier League season was a guy called Keith Cooper, who just happens to be Steve’s dad.
Steve still moans about the referees.
Unfortunately, the Midlands club were relegated in 1993 but came back for the start of the 1994/95 campaign and actually finished 3rd in the table, eventually being relegated again in 1999, never to return until now.
There will be a certain legend sat upstairs, with a nice glass in hand and a wry smile with a word or two about Steve Cooper,
‘Well done young man!’
Respect Brian Clough.
There are a few new boys in at the City Ground.
Manchester United Goalkeeper Dean Henderson arrives on a season-long loan, along with Taiwo Awoniyi, a Striker signed from Union Berlin for a fee of £17 Million.
An added surprise in the additions is Wayne Hennessy, the Welsh and ex-Crystal Palace and Burnley goalkeeper, who joins Dean Henderson in the fight for the gloves.
Last season’s stopper at the City Ground, Brice Samba has left and joined Lens in the French Top Flight so Forest were light in that department.
Neco Williams has signed from Liverpool for the same £17 Million.
The Welsh Defender has spent the last 6-months on-loan at Fulham helping Marco Silva’s boys to the Championship title.
Omar Richards signs from Bayern Munich for a fee of around £8 Million.
Omar is an English Defender, who went to Germany in 2021 and featured several times for the Bundesliga Champions, however, training every day, trying to prevent Robert Lewandowski from scoring, is ultimately a priceless lesson.
There are a couple more new boys in Moussa Niakhate, from the French club Mainz and
Giulian Biancone, a Defender arrives from the French club Troyes for an undisclosed fee, which regular readers will know is code for,
‘4-bob and a Blackbirds egg!’
Lewis O’ Brien and Harry Toffolo, who both played against Forest in the play-off Final for Huddersfield, have coupled together their dinner money to buy juice for the Ford Cortina and drive the short ride across the M62 and down the M1, to join the Tricky Trees for the new campaign, stopping off at Woolley Edge Services for a Costa and a Greggs Steak Bake.
The lads were astounded by the cost of a litre of unleaded that the services were charging, £1.98.9, astounding!
The Cortina didn’t get much juice.
One star man from the promotion-winning side who will definitely not be playing for Steve Cooper next term, is Djed Spence, who was on loan from Middlesbrough and has signed for Tottenham but should get a nice ovation when Antonio’s Boys play at the City Ground at the end of August.
Regardless of the final league position that Nottingham Forest find themselves in, in the words of some of the faithful,
‘At least we don’t have to worry about going to Barnsley away for a while!’
The irony in that is Nottingham Forest came to Oakwell and nicked Dane Murphy, the then CEO of Barnsley, took the American to the City Ground, with Dane then helping oversee the promotion.
Whilst writing this extensive EveryTip column, John Newsome had been convinced that Jesse Lingard would be a West Ham player next season and was about to cover Jesse’s move in the Hammers section.
Then surprisingly, news came through on Thursday evening that Mr Lingard had signed a 1-year deal with Nottingham Forest for a staggering £10 Million in wages.
Which equates to just short of £200,000 a week.
Now firstly, good luck to the lad and this is in no way a dig at Jesse Lingard but in this ever-decreasing financial situation that the world is currently experiencing, where families are struggling to put food on the table and pay for gas and electricity as well as petrol, it’s amazing that a football club can pay someone £200,000 a week.
It’s hoped for all the Forest faithful that Jesse produces the goods.
It’s also significant that the deal is only for 1-year as Jesse and his representatives are not confident that Forest will stay in the Premier League.
Opening Game Fixture-Newcastle Away
Betfred offer 1000/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer slight Odds On 4/5 to Be Relegated.
Premier League Finish 20th
SOUTHAMPTON
The Transfer Window is more of a worry for the Saints faithful as it usually means that their star players will be signed by other clubs.
Fraser Forster has left St Mary’s and headed to Tottenham to compete with Hugo Lloris for the gloves.
Fraser will no doubt think that but in truth will be the reserve Goalkeeper at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium.
Armando Broja will more than likely not return after a great season on the South Coast with plenty of suitors wanting to sign the Chelsea lad.
Kyle Walker-Peters is also a target for Tottenham, who sold KWP to Southampton and have a buy-back clause of £30 Million, however, the North London rivals Arsenal and Frank Lampard’s Everton also want the Right-Back.
Shane Long has left after 8-years at St Mary’s, returning to Reading where the Striker played back in 2005-2011.
As for incomings, there’s Armel Bella-Kotchap, a £10 Million signing from Vfl Bochum, Gavin Bazunu from Man City and Mateusz Lis on a free from Altay.
Armel has to be christened ‘Heinz’ by his new Southampton teammates.
Gavin and Mateusz are both Goalkeepers, coming in to fight for Fraser’s gloves.
One player that has been confirmed is Sekou Mara, signed from Bordeaux for a fee in the region of £11 Million.
Probably the best of the signings is ‘Jelly Man’ Joe Aribo, who joins Southampton after a great couple of seasons up in Scotland playing for Rangers.
Joe comes to St Mary’s for a fee of £10 Million.
There was a player a couple of years ago that came down from a Glasgow team in the Scottish Pub League and joined Southampton.
Virgil Van Dijk, whatever happened to him?
Wreck-It Ralph will be hoping that the Kyle Walker-Peters money (if sold) is used to bring in some outfield places.
Liam Delap, another Man City youngster is a target, as well as Levi Colwell.
Liam is the son of ex-Southampton star, Rory Delap so Ralph Hasenhuttl may have the advantage there.
Has young Mr Delap got a long throw-in?
Southampton won’t be in a relegation scrap but the faithful shouldn’t expect much of an improvement on the 15th position that was achieved last season.
Opening Game Fixture-Tottenham Away
Betfred offer 500/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer 10/3 to Be Relegated.
Premier League Finish 15th
TOTTENHAM
Antonio Conte’s Spurs pipped Mikel Arteta’s Gunners for the final Champions League position finishing 4th.
Tottenham have gone early in the Transfer Window and brought in Fraser Forster from Southampton, as number 2 to Hugo Lloris, and Ivan Perisic from Inter Milan, both on a free, Yves Bissouma from Brighton paying £35 Million and Richarlison from Everton for £60 Million, with Clement Lenglet also in on loan from Barcelona.
There’s the possibility of Kyle Walker-Peters returning to the club after leaving in 2020.
There was a £30 Million buy-back clause in the deal that saw KWP head to Southampton but with other clubs interested in the Right-Back, Tottenham could nip in and seal the deal.
That said, Antonio has purchased Djed Spence, for an initial fee of £12.5 Million from Middlesbrough, who plays on the Right as a Defender or Wing-Back, so it’s unsure as to why Kyle would be wanted.
That fee could rise to £20 Million with the add-ons.
What is strange about the Djed Spence transfer is that it is the Championship club Middlesbrough that will be getting the money, however, they didn’t want Djed and loaned him out to Nottingham Forest for the 2021/22 campaign, where Mr Spence excelled and helped Forest clinch promotion to the Premier League but have no contractual obligation to the deal.
It was Neil Warnock who allowed Djed to go to Forest, surely Middlesbrough could have used the lad and maybe it would be them in the Premier League, not the Midlands club.
Nice one Neil!
Daniel Levy has had his critics over the years, not necessarily backing his manager and waiting until the last minute to do deals, however, Antonio Conte is a different beast and if Tottenham want success, Mr Conte will need to be listened to.
With Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur brought into the club in January, AC is assembling a very competitive squad that could legitimately compete for an elusive Premier League title win.
The odds suggest that it will be Man City and Liverpool for the honours but don’t write Tottenham off.
Opening Game Fixture-Southampton Home
Betfred offer 14/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer Odds On 8/11 to Finish in the Top 4.
Premier League Finish 3rd
WEST HAM
David Moyes is on the hunt for a Striker, which is what West Ham have been missing for a couple of seasons.
Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen are more than effective up top but they are the only two and need help.
The Hammers have brought in Nayef Aguerd, a Morrocan Defender, purchased from Rennes for £30 Million.
That does appear a lot of money and it’s hoped for the Bubbles’ sake that David Moyes hasn’t mistaken the lad for Sergio Aguero.
That ‘d’ at the end does look a bit like an ‘o’?
Like a lot of clubs, West Ham want Armando Broja from Chelsea so the young Armenian could be subject to a bidding war, which will be in excess of £30 Million.
The hierarchy have another £30 Million plus+ offer on the fax machine for Lille’s talented Midfielder, Amadou Onana, both aged 20 years old.
Also, confirmation that Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola has signed permanently after the initial loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain, with the Parisian top club, receiving a fee of around £10 Million.
Whilst penning this column it was assumed that Jesse Lingard was heading to the London Stadium.
Jesse could have easily signed last season but West Ham would have had to pay Manchester United a fee, however, Mr Lingard, now being a free agent was open to offers but unfortunately for the Hammers, the £150,000 a week offer wasn’t enough and Mr Lingard has joined Nottingham Forest becoming a Tree instead of a Bubble.
There’s a bid for the Sassuolo Striker Gianluca Scamacca, again around the £30 Million mark, which appears to be the magic number at the London Stadium.
Sassuolo play in the Italian Serie A and are not the title of one of Phil Collins biggest hits.
Flynn Downes, who signs from Swansea for a fee of around £12 Million is a combative Midfielder and although signed from the Welsh club is actually an Essex lad from Brentwood which is a Bubbles heartland.
An added positive for all concerned with the Hammers is the main man and captain, Declan Rice is still at the club and there doesn’t appear to be any rumours of the lad wanting to leave and join a club playing in the Champions League like his England partner Kalvin Phillips.
Maybe there is some sort of private agreement in place that is allowing DR Declan to have another season and then leave next term if things don’t work out and West Ham don’t progress into the Top Four (they won’t!)
Young Flynn could be the man brought in to have a year at the side of Declan and then take over the Midfield mantle when Mr Rice is ultimately sold.
There’s another venture into Europe this season following last term’s Europa League adventure that saw Moyes Boys reach the Semi-Final of that competition.
This season, however, West Ham are in the Europa Conference League (no, still no idea?)
but at least it gives the Bubbles a chance to get the passports out for Thursday Night Football in the Faroe Islands or Turkmenistan.
Opening Game Fixture-Man City Home
Betfred offer 150/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer 12/1 to Finish in the Top 4.
Premier League Finish 8th
WOLVES
This could quite possibly be a tough season for Bruno Lage and his Gold and Blacks.
Wolves lost 5 of the last 7-Premier League fixtures of the 2021/22 campaign, drawing the other 2.
The Lage Louts could argue that their boys were on the beach comfortably finishing in 10th place, with 51-points, however, a further 7-points achieved from any of those final 5 losses could have earned a place in Europe.
It’s unlikely that Wolves will be relegated but not out of the question.
Adama Traore is back after a loan move to Barcelona in January, which didn’t exactly work out, with the Flying Baby Oil-covered Spaniard only featuring 11-times for the Catalonians.
Morgan Gibbs-White, who spent last season, in South Yorkshire, eating greasy chip butties, whilst on loan at Sheffield United, is back but is wanted by Everton, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
One doesn’t want to imply anything but MGW, should avoid Forest as the lad will more than likely be back in the Championship next season.
At the moment Nathan Collins is the only new boy in at Molineux but obviously, that could change in the coming weeks.
Nathan, a Centre-Back, heads South from relegated Burnley and signs for a fee of £20 Million.
Opening Game Fixture-Leeds United
Betfred offer 250/1 to Win the 2022/23 Premier League.
Betfred offer 9/2 to Be Relegated.
Premier League Finish 14th
2022/23 Final Predicted Premier League Finish
1st Man City
2nd Liverpool
3rd Tottenham
4th Manchester United
5th Arsenal
6th Chelsea
7th Newcastle
8th West Ham
9th Aston Villa
10th Leicester
11th Brighton
12th Crystal Palace
13th Everton
14th Wolves
15th Southampton
16th Brentford
17th Fulham
18th Leeds United
19th Bournemouth
20th Nottingham Forrest
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