The Nonconsensus WOTP Staff Premier League Top 4
Another Premier League season is on the horizon and the staff at West of the Pond was asked to create a Top 4 prediction that we all could all agree on. After hours of bickering, mounting tensions and unprovoked swearing, we decided that compromise was more than necessary.
Below are each of our staff member’s individual thoughts on how this 2017–2018 season will play out. A landmark piece that will referred to more than once this campaign, bragging rights are certainly up for grabs among all of our writers. Let the fun begin:
Onome Ogude
- Manchester City
The attack is way too good for them not to win the title. I expect them to outscore everyone in the league and the goals should be enough to secure the title. Pep has also had one season to impact his philosophy on the team and the new signings should fit right in.
2. Manchester United
Mourinho seems to have gotten most of the signings he wanted and the spine of the team looks solid. One potential problem is the team not clicking from the start. Three of the starting 11 are likely to be new signings it’s uncertain how consistent the likes of. Pogba and Mkhi can put up good performances. Also, how does Mourinho setup the team?
3. Chelsea
Besides losing a key figure in Diego Costa, the core of team is the same. They might find some games a lot more difficult, but they will put up enough solid performances to be in contention come May
4. Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham’s weakness will be the lack of depth in their squad. It’s a long and tough season ahead and they won’t be able to keep up playing with the same intensity as last season. Would they be able to handle a few injuries to the any of the starting 11?
Tim Lovenguth
- Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham will win the Premiere League. The majority of their core players that made a push for the title last season have returned; they’re hungry and are talented enough to dethrone Chelsea.
2. Chelsea
The Champions of last year lost some key pieces in Costa and Matic. Antonio Conte will have his side prepared for a title defense, but they fall to second this year.
3. Manchester United
Manchester United get back into the top four. The Additions of Lukaku and Matic will give this a better shape than their squad from last year; Jose Mourinho will have them organized and raring to go.
4. Liverpool
Liverpool will beat out Manchester City and Arsenal for the final spot in the top four, as long as they keep their attack in tack. Keep Coutinho and Liverpool will be able to claim fourth; sell him and then it’s Arsenal and Manchester City battling for that spot.
Sonny Cohen
- Manchester City
Manchester City will need to show a massive improvement in their defensive ability, with the signings of Kyle Walker, Danilo and Ederson. Better defensive stability should be expected, and if Gabriel Jesus can develop on the track that he laid out for himself last season, with two top strikers it would be hard to look past Manchester City.
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester United
4. Liverpool
Zachary Rayment
- Manchester City-
In Pep’s second season he has a better understanding of English football. The signings of Bernardo Silva, Ederson, Danilo, Kyle Walker, and Benjamin Mendy show the club knows where they struggled last season. A full season with Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero will bring the title back to the Etihad.
2. Manchester United-
Jose Mourinho has a thing for winning the title in his second season in charge, but he will come up just short. Adding proven Premier League striker Romelu Lukaku is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, he is not much of an addition rather than a replacement for Zlatan.
3. Liverpool-
Klopp’s men will produce plenty of goals with the addition of Salah to the front four, but they still fall short at the back. Expect them to be top scorers but slightly off the pace at the top.
4. Chelsea-
Losing Diego Costa will certainly be tough to deal with even though he seemed to always be a distraction. He has far more talent than Batshuayi and Morata and his departure will see the champions drop down, not quite as far as 2015/16.
Michael Niemeier
- Manchester City
This team has only become stronger, deeper and better all around. In year two under Pep, the question will be if he can lead the City team to the top of the table. He has a record of success with big spending clubs and his debut season with City was not the best of his career but if he can figure it all out and push this team to the absolute limit, then we will see a great City side and a likely champion.
2. Chelsea
A second title reign for Chelsea will be decided by two issues, Conte’s ability to continually adapt to the Premier League and staying healthy within the squad. Conte needs to change his tactics up through out the season if Chelsea want to make a real push for the number one spot but if he fails then so does Chelsea.
3. Manchester United
United made huge signings and the defense only got stronger than what it was in 2015/16 but even with the Lukaku replacing Zlatan it is hard to say that United will finish number one. It will come down to coaching at the end of the day and I personally feel that Jose Mourinho has lost his magical touch. The team sheet alone should guarantee top four security but the real question is if they can be managed all the way to the top?
4. Everton
Everton are a hot pick for top four and the reason I put them in this position is because others (Arsenal, Liverpool) may have not done quite enough to truly earn top four. Everton have a wonderful coach and with signings like Sandro Ramirez, Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen and Jordan Pickford they have done enough to give me belief in them… only time will tell though.
Jim Wicker
- Manchester City
With Pep Guardiola’s first full year of recruitment under his belt, look for City to be the top dog in England this season. Manchester City have spent in excess of 200 million already this summer, so expect the Citizens to be in pole position to claim their third title in seven seasons.
2. Chelsea
Chelsea still may have the most talented starting lineup in the Premier League, but their summer transfer window has left much to be desired. If Alvaro Morata can successfully fill the void left by Diego Costa, there’s no reason this team can’t repeat as champions.
3. Tottenham
Similar to Chelsea, Spurs have among the best first XI in England. They have been worryingly hesitant to add depth and challengers for starting spots, and that may come back to bite Poch’s men. Should be a shoe in for Champions League qualification, but not if the typical injuries keep striking.
4. Liverpool
Losing Coutinho would certainly set them back, but a front three of Firmino, Salah, and Mane is nothing to sleep on. If the back line performs better than last season, Liverpool will be pushing for the title. Should be a scrap with Arsenal and Manchester United for 4th.
Chuck Booth
- Manchester City
The most complete team in the league, if Pep Guardiola can harness their attacking power City can win the league in their sleep with an average defense.
2. Tottenham
Always the bridesmaid never the bride, Spurs will be in the race up to the end only to falter down the streach.
3. Manchester United
A clinical striker and a matic sized shield to the back line will do wonders to begin restoring united to their former glory.
4. Arsenal
The fourth place trophy is back! As long as arsenal keep Alexis Sánchez, the addition of Lacazette will be enough to get them over the hump.
Paul Catrino
- Manchester United
The time has inevitably come for the Red Devils to reclaim their throne in England. Mourinho’s bolstered team will ultimately find a way to achieve winning stability and ultimately win the league by a margin of no less than 5 points.
2. Tottenham
Relatively unchanged from their runner-up campaign in 16/17, Spurs will remain sound in handling opposition this season but will inevitably come up short of claiming the title this season. That said, I believe Harry Kane will three-peat as Golden Boot winner and their defense will be one of the league’s best.
3. Manchester City
There’s no doubting Pep Guardiola’s team has gone a massive revamping. But the system he’s put into place will take time for these newcomers to pick up which will hinder their opening to the season and force them to play catch up over the course of the year.
4. Chelsea
Ambition-less in the transfer window has seen the reigning champions falter once not two years ago, and it certainly looks to be the case this season. Conte’s squad is thin and unresolved tension between players could very well mean another fall off. Still, I think they beat out Arsenal and Liverpool for the final Top 4 spot.
