One team used to having their top talent raided is Southampton and this close-season has been no different, with Victor Wanyama, Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane joining Koeman in departing for pastures new.
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“The Foxes’ fairytale win hit us really hard, with more than 100 punters backing them at 1,000-1 or bigger, so this year many punters are hoping for a similar outcome by backing the newly-promoted sides”.
“We are going to see, these three weeks, how is the game, how is the team, how is the smell”.
“Joe is a player I’m so happy about (with) his qualities, his behaviour, and what he means to this club”. After signing box-office names Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, they should kick off the season expecting to challenge Manchester City and others at the top – and only a win will suffice against Bournemouth. “We’ll defend very strongly our trophy but I think there are big teams now who last season made mistakes”, Ranieri told Sky Sports.
Look for Sergio Aguero to be the division’s top scorer this year (+350 or 2.5) if he can stay fit.
Following last seasons unbelivable feat, when Claudio Ranieri’s side romped to the title with a 10 point lead, Leicester City are once again fancied to do well, although the 5000/1 on offer is a thing of the past. Januzaj, was given his Manchester United debut in 2013 when Moyes was in charge of the Red Devils.
The coach accepts it will take time for City’s squad to fully absorb his tactical theories but he will still accept nothing less than total passion and commitment versus Sunderland, who will be helmed by ex-Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes for the first time this weekend.
But this year, all eyes will be on a club which no one barely knew till a few years back: Leicester City. We know this time last season Chelsea was the favorite to win and Leicester City for relegation, but it’s the scope of the predictions.
Can Conte spring a surprise in his debut season? The jury is still out on whether Chelsea will be as competitive as their odds suggest. Antonio Conte has resisted the temptation to revamp Chelsea’s ageing team but the former Italy coach may be quietly confident his tactical nous and a squad of proven winners can ensure significant improvement after last season’s struggles.
And it is that, despite its obvious failings and the increasing divide that many long-standing supporters feel from a sport that – on occasion last season – felt like it had lost its mind.
Unlike Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham have to juggle European football alongside their domestic aspirations. Chelsea needs another centre-back due to the uncertainty of Kurt Zuma’s health. Fans and players of The Tigers should be on Cloud Nine after gaining promotion. To say nothing of Steve Bruce quitting over the summer and the club have yet to replace him.
“But I can convince the players to put something on the field – not depending on the tactic, on the opponents, but something for themselves, on the inside (beats chest)”.
There is also a full day of horse racing today which will make the bookies even busier. West Ham could make a serious case for a top 6 finish. We beg to differ.
Chris Smalling is unavailable as he serves a one-game suspension after being sent off in last years FA Cup final.
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Striker Saido Berahino, who badly wants out of West Brom, probably won’t see the season out with The Baggies, putting Jose Salomon Rondon under huge pressure to score the goals required to keep West Brom in the division.
