Preseason Musings: Everton - Man City

Everton
Key Player: Leighton Baines - I actually took a long time deciding who to pick here, because Everton are not a team where one man regularly outshines the others, but rather a team of well-gelled individuals. Baines gets the nod here because of his solidity in defence, as well as his attacking prowess and ability from set pieces. Baines is a fantasy football must-buy, and it was no surprise to see him start for England during the summer, having cemented his place as one of the best left backs, certainly in England, if not the world.

Big man, bigger expectations.

Best Signing: Romelu Lukaku - Some might say that because Lukaku spent last term on loan at the Toffees, he shouldn't be included in this bit. To those people, I say "poppycock!" Lukaku's signing represented a massive outlay of £28m for a team who usually keep their egg-basket-throwing to a minimum. Teaming up with fellow Belgian Kevin Mirallas, Lukaku will be looking to spearhead a monster Everton attack with the likes of Barkley, Pienaar, and McGeady in reserve, ready to unleash hell on teams coming to Goodison Park this season. At least, that's the plan.

Season Predictions: Roberto Martinez has settled in well in the blue corner of Liverpool, and will no doubt be looking for his team to push on from their impressive campaign last season which saw them finish 5th. With relatively good squad depth, and some shrewd investment from Mr. Kenwright in the offseason, Everton not only have a team that can push for Champions League places, but also a team capable of reaching the latter stages of the Europa League. Surely though, for Toffees the world over, the most important thing is to finish above rivals Liverpool.
Last Season - 5th
This Season - 5th

Hull City
Key Player: Tom Huddlestone - The former Tottenham fatboy has turned into Hull's midfield muscleman in the last couple of years, shedding that baby fat he was carrying at the Lane, and turning into a mature and sensible holding midfielder. Like any footballer, though, Huddlestone is keen to be amongst the goals, and regularly steams forward, leaving best mate Jake Livermore to cover. The two have a good understanding, and Huddlestone's range of passing is something that is a real asset to a team such as Hull.

Huddlestone will want to avoid this.

Best Signing: Thomas Ince - Son of "The Guv'nor", Tom Ince is a pacey winger with quick feet, who is capable of beating his man both inside and out. With a great final ball, and a fierce shot, Ince isn't far away from being the finished article. Some argue that he was better than Zaha when the two played in the Championship, and this year, the general public may well get a chance to find out why, as Ince adds some bite to this Hull City attack.

Season Predictions: A steady if unspectacular campaign last year, Hull managed to get to the FA Cup Final, and avoid relegation. With potential Europa League football looming for the Tigers, it could well be a season where they simply consolidate their place in the top flight. I can see them losing points after European games, as well as having injury problems if fixture congestion becomes an issue. That said, there are worse team than Hull this year, so they should stay safe.
Last Season - 16th
This Season - 16th

Leicester City
Key Player: Wes Morgan - The big man at the back for Leicester was key for them last season, as they steamrolled their way through the Championship. However, this time around, the emphasis is more likely to be on damage limitation. Morgan is a good man manager who conducts his troops well and knows his weaknesses. Expect him to get physical with opposing strikers all year, and although his disciplinary record come May may not be sparkling clean, he'll have done everything in his power to make sure Leicester stay up.

Obligatory "new-team-shirt-pose" Classic.

Best Signing: Leo Ulloa - Whilst I think spending £8.5m on a Championship striker is absurd, Ulloa has proven himself in the league below, and is ready to make the step up to the Premier League. With Vardy and Nugent already on Leicester's books, it will be interesting to see just where Ulloa fits into Nigel Pearson's strategy, but Leicester should have enough firepower to make them competitive in their first season back in the top flight.

Season Predictions: Pearson brings a well-drilled side devoid of any divas. A team that plays for one another normally does pretty well in the Premier League, but I fear that this may be a step too far for Leicester, as squad depth looks to be an issue, and a number of players are the wrong side of their prime, including Morgan, Paul Konchesky, and Matthew Upson, 3 of the likely starting back 4. They'll put up a fight, no doubt, but I fear they'll fall at the last.
Last Season - 1st (Champ)
This Season - 18th

Liverpool
Key Player: Daniel Sturridge - With the departure of Luis Suarez still looming large over Anfield, the pressure will fall on the shoulders of the former Man City and Chelsea man to carry the expectations of the Liverpool faithful. We all saw what he was capable of last year, and with Lallana, Sterling, Coutinho and the like behind him, there's no reason Studge can't rack up 25+ goals if he stays healthy.

More of the same, please.

Best Signing: Dejan Lovren - The Croatian will no doubt be a massive boon to Liverpool's defence. Much as I like Martin Skrtel, he really is the Premier League equivalent of Pepe, capable of kicking off at any moment. With doubts over the futures of Kolo Toure and Daniel Agger, as well, Lovren may well see himself thrust into the limelight in front of the Kop, but he'll do well, as any experienced player should.

Season Predictions: Juggling the Champions League and 3 other competitions could prove tough for the Reds this season, but the additions of Lallana, Lambert, Lovren and Can give Liverpool more strength in depth than they had last year. However, were Sturridge to go down for any period of time, I can't see Lambert picking up the slack and being as prolific. Midweek hangovers surely won't help either.
Last Season - 2nd
This Season - 4th

Manchester City
Key Player: Sergio Agüero - When the Argentine went down through injury for large chunks of the beck end of last season, City's attack looked far less threatening. Agüero's style of play allows larger, less mobile forwards like Dzeko, and to some extent Negredo, to fill gaps between the defence and midfield to latch onto the end of balls pulled back by Sergio. Agüero's health will be key to City's title challenge this year, as well as how far they go in Europe.

Will he be smiling come May?

Best Signing: Eliaquim Mangala - The former Porto man rejoins teammate Fernando as a new boy in sky blue this season. Fans at the Etihad will be glad to have picked up a strong centre back to play alongside Kompany, Nastasic, or Demichelis. Mangala scored more goals than any other defender in European competitions last year, so City have not only brought in a defensively sound player, but also one who knows where the back of the net is.

Season Predictions: Of course City are major players in the race for the title, however, I think they won the title with the help of a stroke or two of luck, and a slip or two of Gerrard. Chelsea have simply outshone their title-chasing rivals this summer, spending very wisely in areas that needed strengthening, and whilst City still have a strong squad, they will no doubt be looking to go far in Europe this season, leaving them potentially exposed in the domestic campaign.
Last Season - Champions
This Season - 2nd