Arsenal
They managed to keep hold of captain Fabregas but how committed will he be, is his heart really at new Nou Camp? A new front man in the shape of Chamakh is a player Wenger has wanted for a long time but can he cut it in the big league? They will be up there but Arsenal’s problem is in goal a late swoop for a quality keeper is needed or else the trophy room at the Emirates Stadium could be like a desert again.
Key Man Robin Van Persie – He had an average World Cup and injured for most of last season. Arsenal need him on form and fully fit to fight top the title.
Aston Villa
O’Neill’s late departure has left Villa in a mess. Milner was half way to Manchester months ago. Young could be going to London, Villa need to make movements quickly to match last year’s success.
Key Man Gabby Agbonlahor – A lot of pressure to deliver will be on the local lad.
Birmingham City
An excellent season last year, Big Eck will have to match the high expectations at St Andrews now. The loss of Hart in goal is big but in Ben Foster they have a decent replacement.
Key Man - Nikola Zigic The big Serb is your classic Premier League centre forward and he could be the star of Birmingham’s side.
Blackburn Rovers
Big Sam showed what a quality manager he is taking Blackburn into the top 10. A lot again will rest on their home form but they have a solid team.
Key Man - Paul Robinson if he continues his impressive end to last season Rovers will be safe.
Blackpool
Holloway will have the biggest test of his career keeping Blackpool in the top flight. They showed true passion fighting their way up the Championship. Again like with the smaller clubs home form is the key. They won’t pick up much away and it will be a long hard season.
Key Man – Charlie Adam is their best player by far, he has the quality for the Premier League but the rest around him don’t.
Bolton
Coyle annoyed all of Burnley by heading to the Reebok last year. He did however do well and with a couple of shrewd summer singings they will be looking to build.
Key Man – Gary Cahill with having a good show last season rumours with a link to Old Trafford Cahill could be one Englishman high on the one to watch list.
Chelsea
The double winners looked good all season with team sprit high after tabloid scandal hitting most of their players. A quiet transfer market for them but the team does have bags of experience already. Ancelotti will have to work hard to better last season success. The Champions League is top of Chelsea’s wish list I feel.
Key Man - Michael Essien now fully fit he is like a new signing. A lot more responsibility rests with him now Cole and Ballack have left.
Everton
Injuries ripped through Everton last year and left them finishing 8th; it could have been a lot better. Now with Arteta, Fallaini and Pienaar all back Everton will be strong.
Key Man - Jermaine Beckford if he can make the step up he could be the best signing of the summer. He will get chances with Saha being a bit injury prone.
Fulham
They did much better than they could imagine last year. A Europa League Final was amazing for a club Fulham’s size. Now without Hodgson can Fulham continue going forward?
Key Man – Clint Dempsey after an impressive World Cup Dempsey will want to carry on his good form. Will be interesting to see what happens when he comes against Rob Green this season.
Liverpool
A disaster last year, out of the top four, very poor in Europe, however Gerrard and Torres stayed. Joe Cole has come in and Rafa has gone. Hodgson has a massive job to get Liverpool back amongst the top four let alone think about winning the league.
Key Man – Fernando Torres he is now a World Cup winner, he says he wants to be at Anfield let’s see if he pays like it these loyal Liverpool fans deserve a good season from him after a injury hit one last time.
Manchester City
Where to start? They have the most talented and most expensive squad in the league. Can they all fit together; can City break the top four? Can then win something and make the United fans take down that ticking banner at Old Trafford reminding them of how long it been since the won a trophy. It will be one of their biggest seasons in their history.
Key Man – So many to pick from, but I will go for Yaya Toure, he is the only player most likely to play week in week out as he is miles better then Barry and reportedly the highest earner. Toure looked good in Barcelona with stars around him can he cut it here?
Manchester United
United finished only a point behind Chelsea. The United squad has talent, experience, youth and most importantly hunger to get their trophy back. Fergie added where he thinks he needed and believes he has the squad to go all the way.
Key Man – Wayne Rooney is still world class and will put his poor summer behind him. He is loved by the United fans who are use to their England stars getting flak but they back them till the end.
Newcastle United
The Toon made light work of the Championship proving they were too big to go down. However the expectations at St James’ will not be as high this season, it’s all about survival. They have a lot of good players but they must not come apart like two years ago.
Key Man – Kevin Nolan was by far the best player last year, he is Premier League quality and will look to be the driving force from the midfield.
Stoke City
Now an established Premier League side Pulis has made the Britannia a very difficult place for away sides. Their style is unique but effective Stoke will stay up again with ease.
Key Man – Kenwyne Jones is the record signing he is big and powerful, and he will fit into the Stoke style very well.
Sunderland
Bruce took his side to 13th last year, they did have a dodgy spell mid season when they went 14 games without a win. Sunderland needs to start well or they could be in a relegation battle.
Key Man – Darren Bent his goals last year showed he can cut it in the Premier League 20+ more goals is what’s to be expected again.
Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs broke into the top four which is a major achievement. Champions League qualification should be done with a very ease draw. How Spurs do after ‘Champions Leagues’ weeks will tell how good and ready they are for being a real top four side.
Key Man – Luka Modric his creativity in midfield will be vital on those European nights.
WBA
West Brom’s style of football was exciting to watch in the Championship, now back in the big league Di Matteo has to work out a way keeping the Baggies in the league and not being a yoyo club.
Key Man – Chris Brunt has a left foot that is worth £100million to West Brom his attacking style and supply to the forwards to key to their season.
West Ham
New manager means a new hope for the Hammers’ fans. Grant did well at Pompey despite having no money. This year West Ham will be looking to finish much higher up the league.
Key Man – Scott Parker has gained a lot of interest this summer, but he has stayed in the East-End and will as ever give 100% to the cause.
Wigan Athletic
Wigan were only 2 places off the drop zone last year, they also conceded 55 goals away from home. They must tighten up or it will be another nail biting season.
Key Man – Victor Moses will look to impress in his first full Premier League campaign. He has all the quality to go very far in his career.
Wolves
Scoring goals for Wolves was a major problem for Mick McCarthy’s men. He has got in Hunt and Fletcher to boost the strike force. It will be another relegation battle for them.
Key Man - Kevin Doyle is still their best forward and will hopefully link up well with Steven Fletcher.
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