End of Season Review 2021/2022
Arsenal
Rating: 7/10
With how the season ended for the Gunners, I think their fans may argue my rating is far too generous but with the squad they had this season, even a fifth placed finish was above my expectations for them. This is mainly due to the lack of experience they have, even with the manager. That being said, the growth this season is clear to see. Slowly but surely, they’ve created a style of play, more fitting to their clubs history. They mustn’t shy away from adding the final pieces to an already exciting group of players, if they want to push on. They are crying out for a reliable goalscorer.
Room For Improvement:
The North London club had already let talisman Aubameyang leave in January, but have now let Lacazette leave in the summer on a free too. The Frenchman returning to Lyon. Though the iconic number fourteen shirt has been handed to Nketiah, any hope of him matching that level of goalscoring seems ludicrous. Rumour persist that Gabriel Jesus is on his way to the club, who is unquestionably a great forward but I question whether he can be trusted to get 20+ goals.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
Gianluca Scamacca has the ability to explode at any big club next season and will surely prove to be a bargain at around 30 million GBP. A true number 9, he can hold the ball up, score from inside and outside the box, has great technique and will link up well his teammates.
Aston Villa
Rating: 6/10
A fourteenth place finish for the Villains appears to be an underachievement to me. The club have backed Gerrard with significant investments and look set to do so again this summer. A slow start could see the Liverpool legend shown the door, especially with how they finished the campaign. Only managing two wins from eleven.
Room For Improvement:
The signings of Diego Carlos and Kamara are encouraging. These are two areas of the pitch, I certainly agree needed bolstering. Their midfield lacked bite and a defensive minded midfielder like Kamara, who is equally capable as a defender, should make them harder to break down. Douglas Luiz has entered his final year of his contract, so selling him could allow them to replace him with a taller more physical midfielder. A top half finish has to be the minimum expected of them next season, anything short of that and I would look to replace the manager.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
Florian Grillitsch is available on a free and would offer something they lack. A tall midfielder, in his prime at 26 years old he has 33 caps for Austria. He excels in being a physically strong defensive minded midfielder who is more than capable with the ball at his feet.
Brentford
Rating: 8/10
In their maiden campaign in the top flight, without much top league experience in their squad, I feel most were expecting Brentford to fight for survival. However, they were never in danger and always proved to a difficult team for anyone to face. Highlights in the season included thumping London rivals Chelsea 4-1 at Stamford Bridge as well as beating Arsenal 2-0 at home.
Room For Improvement:
Much will be made out of the dreaded second season syndrome that has hurt many sides in the past. Often sides will become bold and change their approach in the second season, but I can’t see that happening with Thomas Frank in charge. Even if they start poorly, I would avoid the temptation to change coach as that could be the beginning of the end.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
With the likelihood that Christian Eriksen won’t be a Brentford player next season, I feel a playmaker should be top of their wishlist. Charles De Ketelaere has proven his worth at Brugge over the last few seasons, even impressing in the Champions League against PSG. The Belgian is more than ready to take the next step in his career. Whoever lands him will have a potential superstar on their hands.
Brighton
RATING: 9/10
A remarkable season for the Seagulls, which saw them finishing ninth. Incredible, when you consider they never scored a goal at home between 18th January and 24th April. Graham Potter deserves so much credit, because on paper I think their squad is one of the weakest in the division.
Room For Improvement:
Without question, they need to score more next season. In terms of goals scored, they ranked 16th. It raises the question of where they could’ve finished with a true goalscorer.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
Teemu Pukki would prove to be a cheap option for their attack. The Finnish has managed to net eleven goals in both his seasons in the top flight, despite his Norwich City team finishing bottom on both occasions. In between that, he also managed an impressive twenty-six goals in the Championship.
Chelsea
RATING: 7/10
With the arrival of Lukaku, some fans dreamt of a title push this past season. Not only did that not prove to be the case, Lukaku went on to arguably be the worst transfer in Premier League history. With that in mind, a third place finish isn’t bad. Catching the top two is going to be a big ask for any side.
Room For Improvement:
It’s hard to see where Tuchel is taking this team. He is certainly getting the most out of his squad, but without any investment in a proven goalscorer, they will struggle to manage another top four finish.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
Robert Lewandowski would be a statement signing. If they can sign the Poland international, then everything changes. With him, they could realistically compete with Manchester City and Liverpool for the title. They are crying out for a strong number nine. Something they have continuously failed to address.
Crystal Palace
Rating: 8/10
Considering it was his first season as manager in England, Patrick Vieira did an outstanding job. The Frenchman has made them much stronger defensively. In terms of goals conceded, they rank seventh. Usually that would mean their attacking game has taken a hit. That isn’t the case with Palace, who still had the tenth best attack. In terms of goal difference, they rank seventh.
Room For Improvement:
Despite that strong goal difference, a twelfth place finished seems surprising. I think Patrick will target a top half finish next season but replacing Conor Gallagher is a huge ask.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
With Conor Gallagher unlikely to return to Selhurst Park for the new season, a goalscoring midfielder must be the main target. Mario Pasalic would be astute business. The Croatian is coming off his best season in Italy, where he managed fourteen goals from midfield. This wasn’t a fluke as he had previously always scored more than five. In the 2019/20 season, he managed twelve.
Everton
Rating: 4/10
To see Everton fighting for survival is hard to believe. The Toffees have always been a Premier League team but came close to ending that record following a campaign where they lacked an identity, playing well below expectancy.
Room For Improvement:
It’s hard to say where exactly the club need to improve. I think it’d take an overhaul, which can only happen over a few years. While that happens, I think the fans would like to see more home grown talent given their chance to develop.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
Young English talent from the Championship could be one way of going. Lewis-Potter turned 21 in February and with twelve league goals at strugglers Hull City, has shown enough potential to earn a chance at a higher level. The fans are craving a new fan favourite, having seen so many club legends retire over the last few years.
Leeds United
Rating: 5.5/10
Leeds almost fell to the fate of second season syndrome but remarkably avoided relegation, despite an atrocious defensive record. Much more was expected of Bielsa’s Leeds but it appeared his all-out approach was impossible to maintain and the Argentine was axed in February.
Room For Improvement:
With the second worst defence in the league, that’ll clearly be the area of focus for the management to address. They will gladly welcome back Patrick Bamford, who was out injured for almost the entirety of the campaign.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
Evan Ndicka has justifiably earned the attention of most top European sides. But if the Frenchman wants guaranteed game time, perhaps Leeds could be the better option, against a team like Spurs. At just twenty-two years old, time is on his side. He could use a season or two to settle in the league before making that big move.
Leicester City
Rating: 7/10
I think Brendan Rodgers would’ve expected more of his players at the start of the season but injuries and an arduous European campaign hampered their chances of fighting for a top four finish, like previous years.
Room For Improvement:
Conceding 109 goals in their last two campaigns just isn’t good enough. Especially when they lack the ability to score as much as the big boys in the division. At the moment they opt to go with two attacking wing backs, which may be the reason behind their leaky defence.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
The fact Aaron Wan-Bissaka is being pushed out the club by Manchester United fans wouldn’t put me off trying to sign him. Despite only being twenty-four, the English defender has bags of experience and is arguably the strongest wing back in the division when it comes to defending. I trust Rodgers would get the best out of him, especially as the player will have a point to prove.
Liverpool
Rating: 7.5/10
In the end, Klopp’s side just didn’t have enough to edge Manchester City in the race for first which saw the Citizens win their third title in four years. A bitter taste will be left in the mouth of the fans, more so because they also lost the Champions League final as wide favourites against Real Madrid.
Room For Improvement:
I think Klopp will welcome a shuffle of the pack, when it comes to attacking options. Already, Madio Sane has left and Darwin Nunez has arrived. In the Uruguayan they have a true number nine. Something I’d suggest they haven’t had since Fernando Torres. This could allow Klopp to adopt a fresher and more deadly approach to the game.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
If the money was available, I’d love to see either Jude Bellingham or Nicolò Barella arrive at Anfield. What gives Manchester City the edge for me is their midfield quality. With either of these options, Liverpool would become much more threatening. It’d be exciting to see what Klopp could do with them.
Manchester City
RATING: 9/10
Not only did they finish the season champions, they managed to score the most in the league and have the joint best defence with Liverpool. It’s hard to fault Guardiola’s team, who made it three league titles in the space of four years. I’m sure he would’ve liked to get a win against rivals Liverpool but avoiding defeat in both games is acceptable.
Room For Improvement:
As easy as it is to point out the apparent need for an out and out goalscorer, it must be realised that they did manage to score an incredible 99 goals. With Haaland arriving, I think a lot of rival fans are anticipating the likelihood that City may well extend their dominance for a few more years at list. Their grip on the title is certainly stronger, with the young striker bolstering their attack.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
With rumours suggesting that City have landed England International Kalvin Phillips, I’m left wondering if he is the right profile to be bringing in. Granted, it seems a good price. I don’t think anyone could convince me that Declan Rice is 100 million pounds a better player than the tenacious Leeds midfielder. Personally, I would’ve opted for someone like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. For quite some time now, the Serb has been ready for a bigger team than Lazio. His game is perfectly suited to the English game too. He would offer more to Guardiola. Strong, tall and can be deployed deep or behind the striker.
Manchester United
RATING: 5/10
A season to forget for the Red Devils, especially as I struggle to find even one positive from the year just passed. It always felt inevitable that Solskjær had to leave for this team to progress but it’d be unfair to put all the blame on his shoulders. With each season that passes, the clubs identity that Sir Alex Ferguson worked so hard and long to build becomes weaker. Big changes are a must. Unfortunately, patience will be required.
Room For Improvement:
I believe Ten Hag will be under no illusions. He’ll know the magnitude of the job at hand, but he will likely relish that challenge. Without the backing of the management above him, not much can be achieved. A top four finish next season will be an achievement, with Spurs looking stronger than ever under Conte.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
The past few seasons have seen the club overspend like no one ever before. There are certainly bargains out there to be had for players under the ready. Gleison Bremer is coming off an incredible season with Torino, where he was named best defender in the league. Strong, quick and strong with the ball, entering his peak years the defender already racked up 98 league appearance in Italy. Remarkably, he has eleven goals in that time. Whoever manages to sign the defender will probably bag themselves the signing of the window. His 30 million value will quickly double, if not treble.
Newcastle United
RATING: 7.5/10
Eddie Howe has worked wonders since he arrived in Tyneside. He was tasked with the difficult job of keeping the Magpies in the division, but no-one expected him to do it so easily. Excitement will be through the roof now, with the owners set to back him with significant investment. The prayers of this die-hard fan base have been answered. To get the club back in Europe would be an incredible start.
Room For Improvement:
With the amount of cash available to spend, fans will be hoping for investment all over the pitch. Rightly so, because the stats from last season weren’t impressive. Howe will be alarmed by their defensive record. They conceded nine more than relegated Burnley. However, I should point out that Sven Botman is astute business. The young Dutchman will shore up the defence.
Tony’s Transfer Tip:
With it becoming almost inevitable that Harry Kane becomes all-time top goalscorer in the league, I’ve begun to wonder if it’d be fitting if he achieved it in the same shirt as Alan Shearer himself. The Spurs Captain looked all set to leave last summer but with Conte at the club, the job of convincing him to leave has likely become more difficult. Nevertheless, I think the opportunity to join the club at the start of this rebuild and climb up the table, will surely tempt some big names. The chance to write your name in history. It would be some statement signing.
Southampton
Rating: 5.5/10
Looking at the Saints, I feel underwhelmed. The fanbase are given little reason to get excited and stumbling to survival seems the target each year now. It doesn’t feel that long ago that they were regularly unearthing incredible talent, who were destined for the top clubs. In truth, it has been some time. No longer are they finding players of Sadio Mane or Virgil Van Dijk’s quality.
Room For Improvement:
If you take a good look at the squad that Hasenhüttl has at his disposal, you appreciate the job he’s done in keeping them up. How likely is it that any team in the division comes in for their player? Livramento is the only player of any noticeable quality. But the right back isn’t a game changer. Their form at the end of the campaign, which saw them win just once and lose nine, is proof that they desperately need significant improvements.
Tony’s Tranfer Tip:
Ben Brereton Díaz should be given his chance in the top division. 22 goals for a wide man is insane numbers. Surely that proves he’s playing below his level in the Championship. With his contract expiring next summer, he would be available for a reasonable fee. The difficulty could come in competition for him, as other teams around European are interested in the Chile International. I don’t doubt his ability to quickly become a fan favourite.