Everton, the next generation.
PHOTO: MARK TAYLOR
Arsenal Scott Silver, Los Angeles native, Belfast resident
Again, we don't have the depth to compete with the Manchester clubs, and we have been in dire need of a quality center-back for years. With Mertesacker out and Gabriel now out this is getting to be a serious problem. We have plenty of power up front as long as Sanchez stays healthy, so I’m expecting a lot of 4-3 games, and the standard 4th place finish.
Everton Mark Taylor, painter, originally from the city of Liverpool (husband to a Connemara native and dad to two sons pictured)
The winds of change have blown through the halls of Goodison. No longer the poor relation we now have the ways and means to compete with wealthy rivals due to our new majority shareholders Iranian billionaire Mr. Farhad Moshiri.
He refused to take no for an answer when taking Keoman from Southampton as our new coach and then Steve Walsh from Leicester as director of football. Two fantastic appointments, in my opinion. As far as new signings I would expect to see at least 5 or 6 new faces before the season starts, with John Stones sold to Manchester City. It is a transitional season. So top 6 would be a real achievement.
I think it will be a year at least before you see the results of our new investment, but the future looks bright for the blue half of Merseyside.
As far as our rivals. Liverpool: I expect them to finish around the same as last year. Klopp loves the attention and plays to the cameras. Laps of honor after score draws. Running up and down the line like the Duracel bunny on acid. Talking nonsense in interviews, with his insane grin. I expect him to be found out this year.
I think Guardiola may be in for a shock. You have to beat more than two teams to win the Premier League. I think Manchester United will win the league. Jose knows his stuff and the players he brought in makes it difficult to look beyond them. My top 4: United, Manchester City, Spurs, Chelsea.
Liverpool Stephen Boland, Longford native, UPS worker
It’s really wide open this year. Klopp’s got a winning personality. He seems to get a lot out of teams. He’s a good motivator. There’s a lot of teams in there and who the hell knows what Leicester will do? Should be a better year for Liverpool. A top-3 finish, and they might even win it.
Liverpool Stevie Doyle, Hoboken resident, member of New York Shamrock FC
Manchester City will top the league this year. With the arrival of Pep Guardiola as manager and some new players coming in this year, I feel they have the strongest squad. I am picking Chelsea to come second in spite of their poor performance last season. They have got a coach with passion that will make them hard to beat and Hazard is the best player in the league so they are serious contenders. Spurs can finish third even though their brilliant year last season was helped along by top clubs under-achieving. Liverpool will benefit from a couple of new additions and their intensifying work rate and fitness levels. Also with no European games this year, they will have an advantage. Arsenal failed once again to buy the center forward or center half they badly need. Manchester United will need a season and some additions to get them back to the club they were, while Leicester will finish eighth at best
Manchester United Paddy McCarry, Floral Park resident, Member of New York Shamrock FC
As much as this pains me to say it, I think Liverpool will be a major improvement on what they were last year. If their strikers stay fit and they buy another center back, they could challenge for the league. Also, the fact that they are not in Europe will help them hugely. Manchester United will be up there until the end of the season. Jose has a point to prove and he will want to win that league. He has made four great buys but I would like to see another center back brought in to top things up. If Arsenal go out and buy a striker and two defenders, they can win the league. They have the best squad by a mile. Manchester City will finish 4th. They have not brought in enough players and the same goes for Chelsea. Spurs could be a dark horse though - they have bought well and kept their squad since last year
Manchester United Ray O’Hanlon, editor, Irish Echo, a United fan since 1965
Another season, another manager for Manchester United. But not any old manager. If Mourinho doesn't work, where do United turn? No matter what, it promises to be an interesting season, indeed riveting. And I'm not just talking about the on-field drama. Personally, I have my doubts about Mourinho, the game's Captain Ahab. He will pursue glory with scant regard to the effects on others around him and either attain it at considerable cost or simply sink the ship in spectacular fashion.
Fasten your seat belts, United fans. This is going to be quite a ride.
Newcastle United John Spinks, visual artist, born in County Clare and raised in Newcastle
The Championship. My son-in-law, a Leeds fan, describes it as a “bloodbath”. A bit strong perhaps, but it is more hectic and physical. It’s a step down but the mood is up. Benitez at the helm has inspired both players and fans in a positive way.
We’ll be going to Barnsley and Brentford; not quite the Emirates or “The Bridge”. We are in “bounce back” attitude and the squad is strong with the dead wood cut away.
All the Championship teams will be eager to topple the fallen newcomers which adds extra edge to every game. Teams in contention for promotion – Villa, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton are realistic contenders. We are up for it. We have to get back where we belong.
West Ham United Joe Hurley: a New York-based singer-songwriter originally from London
Bilic has been a revelation. He's brought back the “West Ham Way” of entertaining, flair football, and that should hold us in very good nick for the season. Lanzini and Payet in particular are a joy to watch and have the sublime skills and creative genius to bamboozle most defenses. The exciting football helped create a fantastic atmosphere last season, and that's going to be very difficult to replicate at our new home, London Stadium. We will miss Upton Park in a thousand ways – the rich history, our spiritual home, the fortress under the lights – the very soul of the club is at stake. We'll have to really band together to keep the essence of West Ham alive and kicking.
Having a local lad, East Ender Mark Noble as our captain, is a huge lift and will go a long way in helping kick-start this new era. If we settle early into our new home. I reckon we'll be pushing for a Champions place, have a great run in Europa Cup, and as I've said every year since I was 6, I've got a very good feeling about the FA Cup this year.
West Ham United Kieran Quilligan, Cork native
Big season for the Hammers as they move to the new Olympic Stadium. The Premier League will be very competitive this year – Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea with new managers. Hammers need to strengthen their squad and could really do with a top class striker. Would settle for a top four finish.
Edited by Peter McDermott
