7th - Swansea City
Manager – Graham Potter
Potter was a bit left field really and you worry if they are going through a bit of a transition. They have a number of players still around and the likes of Jordan Ayew (his brother has gone on loan to Fenerbahce) and Wilfried Bony up top to compliment the young McBurnie. They have experienced wide performers in Dyer and Fer and the backline has solid players in Naughton, Mawson, Olsson. The midfield is lacking real quality but Sam Clucas is still around but they may need to add in this area to give them creativity and bite. I do not see them bouncing back at the first attempt and feel it will take Potter time to adjust to his new surroundings.
IN
Yan Dhanda (Liverpool – free)
Joel Asoro (Sunderland - undisclosed)
OUT
Lukasz Fabianski (West Ham United - £7m)
Kyle Bartley (West Brom – undisclosed)
Roque Mesa (Sevilla £5m)
Ki Sung-Yeung (Newcastle - free)
Kenji Gorre (Nacional - free)
Adam King (Peterborough - loan)
Key Player: Alfie Mawson. Solid centre back who proved he was capable at the top level. Will be a talisman as they attempt to return at the first attempt.
Verdict – Top 10. I think that taking a punt on Potter may backfire. They have still got the crux of a decent side and on paper should be top 6 but I fear that they may have a big of a hangover.
8th - Derby County
Manager – Frank Lampard
Losing Rowett was a blow and bringing in Lampard was a bold move. Historically managerial appointments like this have not worked with first time managers of a pedigree as a player often struggling with their first job at such a level. Derby keep spending money and Mel Morris seems to keep chucking funds at it. You wonder how long this will go on. They have brought in a few younger players in Wilson, Mount and Marriott but the bulk of the side will be the team that has sadly not proved good enough to get over the line the last 3 or 4 years. At time of writing it seems Vydra; their key man may move on also. You worry that the side is simply a year older not wiser and how a new manager can get something out of the squad when experienced managers before him have not been able to.
IN
Harry Wilson (Liverpool)
Jack Marriott (Peterborough)
Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Florian Jozefzoon (Brentford – undisclosed)
OUT
Andreas Weimann (Bristol City - undisclosed)
Charles Vernham (Grimsby – loan)
Key Player: Tom Lawrence. He showed it in fits and starts last season but he needs to be the main creative player this season.
Verdict – Just missing the playoffs….They have brought in some youth to an ageing squad but Lampard will need time to make his mark.
9th Aston Villa
Manager – Steve Bruce
Not brought any players in amidst financial difficulties behind the scenes and also speculation over the future of Steve Bruce. The manager stays for now but there are no newcomers and the likes of Johnstone, Grabban, Snodgrass will not be back. John Terry has also moved on. The imminent departure of Grealish and you worry whether they have enough to sustain another top 6 challenge. Need more goals and consistency from big money signings Lansbury, Hogan and Kodija who have struggled to stay fit.
IN
N/A
OUT
Pierluigi Gollini (Atalanta - £3.75m)
Jordan Amavi (Marseille – loan deal made permanent)
Key Player: Albert Adomah. Always seemed to be the outlet last season when Villa needed to break out and weighed in with his fair share of goals and assists.
Verdict – Mid Table…. This squad looks some way off the side that mounted a challenge for automatic promotion last year. You fear it could worse before it gets better.
10th - Sheffield Wednesday
Manager – Jos Luhukay
They may be under a transfer embargo in the sense they cannot really bring anyone in but you forget they had so many injuries last season and even though the season was a poor one; they finished well. They have a range of striking options and some solid players in the middle in terms of Hutchison, Bannan and Lee. At the back there are questions still and the keeping situation seems a bit muddled with Westwood seemingly on his way out. Forestieri is temperamental but talented and Nuhiu is a handful. Expect them to start better and although will be a way off the playoffs expect them to do better this time around.
IN
N/A
OUT
Jack Hunt (Bristol City - undisclosed)
Jordan Rhodes (Norwich City - loan)
Glenn Loovens (Sunderland – free)
Key Player:
Verdict – Mid table. Had horrendous time with injuries and are struggling due to FFP restrictions but ended the season well and in the likes of Hooper, Nuhiu, Forestieri etc they have good options at the top of the field. Lukukay has got them more organised and disciplined at the back.
11th - Sheffield United
Manager – Chris Wilder
Had a great return to the Championship and even though the play off threat petered out; United always played the right way with attacking and vibrant football. They have some really solid and consistent players in the likes of Basham, O’Connell, Fleck, Sharp and Clarke. They have added players at the back but Brooks will be a loss. Also, still question marks over midfield quarterback Paul Coutts; who is still not back in the first team reckoning yet. United will have to adapt at times as teams know how they play and have to be more clinical at both ends. Should be comfortable around the middle of the league but need to spend on more quality to keep up with the rest. Ownership wrangles off the pitch threaten to halt the momentum Wilder has built up.
IN
Dean Henderson (Manchester United - loan)
John Egan (Brentford - undisclosed)
David McGoldrick (Ipswich -free)
OUT
Chris Hussey (Cheltenham Town – free)
Louis Reed (Peterborough United - undisclosed)
Samir Carruthers (Oxford United - loan)
James Hanson (AFC Wimbledon - undisclosed)
Clayton Donaldson (Bolton - free)
David Brooks (Bournemouth - undisclosed)
Nathan Thomas (Notts County - loan)
Ben Heneghan (Blackpool - loan)
Sam Graham (Oldham – loan)County Needs
Callum Semple (Queen of the South)
Regan Slater (Carlisle)
Harvey Gilmour (Tranmere)
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Key Player: John Fleck. A player that does not get the plaudits he deserves. One of the best midfielders in the division. Good on and off the ball. Makes United tick.
Verdict – Mid table. Wilder will continue to get the maximum out of this group but not sure they can expect seasons like they got last year from messrs Clarke and Sharp. Concerns over lack of pace and goals throughout the rest of the team remain.