The Next Rising Underdog?

Last season we saw the formidable rise of Leicester City, going from a late escape of relegation one season, to Premier League stardom and the title the next. The start of this season saw the bookies taking no chances and putting the largest odds of Hull, now at 1500/1, compared to last seasons 5000/1 to the future champions. We do not necessarily expect there to be a title challenge made by another underdog, as that was a one off but every season there is at least one side who does better than many thought, so I will analyse who I feel can over-perform in the coming Premier League season.

This is one of the hardest things to predict in football as everyone sees teams as underdogs for a reason, they do not have the finances, squad and power as other teams. Last season Leicester had no player in their starting 11 worth £10million, and who would have thought Riyad Mahrez could win the PFA player of the year award. So who will do it this time? Middlesbrough? Watford? Stoke? I pick three teams who I feel could the over-achievers of 2016/17.

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough are a side that has already been bolstered by a large number of signings. The arrival of Alvaro Negredo, Viktor Fischer, Victor Valdes, Antonio Barragan, Marten De Roon and Brad Guzan, and making Gaston Ramirez a permanent signing have made their squad a Premier League squad before even kicking a ball. The experience of some players in the squad is now impressive. With a multiple Champions League winner in Valdes, a proven goalscorer in Negredo and the young prospects of De Roon and Fischer, this side should go together strongly. The players they have are not exactly bad either, you normally need to have motivated and mentally strong players to gain promotion from the championship and this is shown from Stewart Downing, who went back to play and fight for his home club and is a good example of a motivated individual. They also have strong players elsewhere, another good striker in Jordan Rhodes, a good young centre back in Ben Gibson, and the leader of the whole squad being Grant Leadbitter, who will miss the start of the season. They have other good players also, Ayala and Bernardo are also good centre backs along with George Friend at left back having a good season last term. With a strong squad, an owner not too afraid to spend and a good manager in Aitor Karanka, they could be on to a winner.

Bournemouth

Last season everyone expected them to go down but the club produced an excellent performance to consolidate their place in the Premier League with a lot of time to spare and this season could see them push on and try and become a mid-table team. The signings they have made have really shown a desire to make a good team in the future. Hyndman, Mousset, Ibe and Cook completely show this as it is obviuos they really want to compete in the Premier League over the long run, not just this season. Eddie Howe could easily be the England manager in the next 5 or 10 years and to think he was considered for it at the age of 38 is magnificent. The club has money, many thought they would struggle for finances in the Premier League, but with how much money is given to the competing sides these days anyone can spend money, so £15million for Ibe was possible. They could really do something great and everyone likes them, they re a club that has been risng for the last few years, it is quite remarkable, and they could do even better this season, possibly mid-table or top half? We will see.

Everton

Last season was another disappointment for them, which saw Roberto Martinez subsequently losing his job. The appointment of Ronald Koeman could give the club a fresh start, the job he did at Southampton could have earned him a job at the best clubs in the country. The job he has is slightly similar to what he had at Southampton, to rebuild the club, however instead of buying new players for the squad, he needs to try to keep some players or get the most money possible from them. He has talented players in his squad, more so than what he had at Southampton, the likes of Barkley, Lukaku and Stones have a bright future ahead of them but recently it has seemed their futures are elsewhere. The finances of the club are now bolstered with the recent takeover of the club, however they have not spent much yet. But I think most people expect them to finish around mid-table or bottom end of the top half, but they could seriously challenge for the top four or top 6 spots if Koeman puts his mark on the team early on, if they keep their players they could be very good under their new boss, or i they do sell, the boss in usually good in replacing players, especially with the amount of money they will get. A bright future could be on the cards.