Firstly, we apologise to fans of Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Arsenal and even Everton.
Much as we admire the optimism of the supporters of these clubs we have to think that it is misguided.
With the exception of Arsenal, the other clubs which made up last season’s top seven will be expecting a more successful campaign next time out. Arsenal will just be hoping for one, without any real conviction.
However, judging by recent transfer market activity, only Chelsea, City and United have already improved or will significantly improve their squads and, in Chelsea’s case, not much improvement is necessary.
Arsenal have bought Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac, which is good but, as they are likely to lose Dynasty’s Alexis Sanchez, then it is not so good. Sanchez is world class, Lacazette isn’t.
The alternative for Wenger is to be stubborn, something totally alien to him, and keep hold of Sanchez for the final year of his contract before allowing him to leave for free. Doing this and, therefore, keeping a player who obviously does not want to be there would be more stupid than say, keeping a manager who is no longer wanted and, furthermore, extending his stay by two years.
The Emirates soap opera will run and run but, as long as Arséne remains in charge, trophies will be scarce.
Tottenham Hotspur have sold Kyle Walker and may sell Eric Dier, (after all, Dastardly Daniel does have a new stadium to pay for).
The problem is that he also has to replace them for the sake of his manager’s sanity. Ross Barkley could be the next one in although DD doesn’t agree that Barkley is worth £50million, given that he is in the last year of his contract. Strange how he thought Kyle Walker was worth exactly that amount although, in fairness, he still had four years left of a five year contract!
Whatever happens in the immediate future, it will not be enough to see Spurs challenging for the top spot next season and playing their home games at Wembley may even see them kept out of the top four.
Liverpool have been reasonably quiet in the market so far. They have bought Mohamed Salah, they are interested in buying Naby Keita and, apparently, Virgil van Dijk still wants to play for them, despite the Anfield suits upsetting the Southampton suits.
They certainly have money to spend but there are question marks over the signings and potential signings. Will they actually improve the team?
The positive aspect for all Liverpool supporters is the manager. As long as Jürgen Klopp is in charge the roller-coaster will continue to career down the track, occasionally derailing, but always eventually getting where it wants to go. We just have to hope that it can get where it wants to go within the time frame set by the Liverpool board.
Next season will not be a breakthrough season at Anfield.
Everton have brought in a few players, including one of their exes. Sometimes past relationships are better left alone and sometimes they can work when revisited. This particular one with Rooney is interesting in that his return to his favourite club should rejuvenate him and, if it does, they may well finish in the top four next season.
The Goodison Park boys have definitely been improved by their additions and it will be interesting to see who is expected to replace Romelu Lukaku as the main strike threat as that is no longer the forté of Wayne Rooney.
If they can score enough goals, Everton should improve their position next time out.
So, barring a real dark horse appearing out of nowhere, that just leaves the big three. They will finish next season as the top three but in which order? At present that is not a question to which we have an answer but, once the transfer window is closed and business is complete, we will revisit the subject and let you, our loyal readers, know the answer so that you can get down to the bookies in plenty of time to win a small fortune.
You will be amazed at the accuracy of our prediction.
WHY SAY ANYTHING? 