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English Premier League Team Capsules
Posted: Thursday August 05, 1999 04:19 PM
LONDON (Reuters) -- English Premier League teams' prospects for the 1999-2000 season, which begins on Saturday: Arsenal (Last season: 2nd) Although Nicolas Anelka may have gone and the famous back five may be in the process of being dismantled after a decade of service, Arsenal will again mount a strong challenge for the title with new signings Davor Suker and Thierry Henry adding forward strength to the squad. - - - Aston Villa (6th) Last November Villa fans were dreaming of the title -- by the end of the season, they failed to even qualify for the Intertoto Cup. The distraction of Stan Collymore's "depression" didn't help, but his departure might help Villa settle, although another top-six finish looks a lot to ask. - - - Bradford City (Division One: 2nd promoted) Bradford's return to the top division after a 77-year absence was a remarkable achievement in manager Paul Jewell's first full season in charge. It will be even more remarkable if he keeps them up. - - - Chelsea (3rd) If Chelsea had not thrown away home points late last season it might well have won the league for the first time since their only title in 1955. With the close-season additions of French World Cup skipper Didier Deschamps and Chris Sutton joining Gianluca Vialli's already formidable lineup, Chelsea will again push Manchester United and Arsenal all the way. - - - Coventry City (15th) Coventry has prepared for its 33rd successive season in the top division by adding Moroccans Mustapha Hadji and Youssef Chippo to the midfield -- but they have allowed influential Dutchman George Boateng to follow Dion Dublin down the road to Villa Park. Probably too good to go down -- but not quite good enough to finish in the top 10. - - - Derby County (8th) Derby have steadily improved since arriving in the premier league in 1996 finishing 12th, ninth and eighth but unless it is more potent in attack than last season -- 40 goals in 38 league matches -- the climb may stall. - - - Everton (14th) Once, Everton were regarded as one of England's Big Five -- these days it is fortunate still to be included in the Top 20. Apart from 1996 when it finished sixth, Everton has finished 17th, 15th, 15th, 17th and 14th in the last six seasons. Manager Walter Smith is still restrained by financial worries and another tough season beckons. - - - Leeds United (4th) David O'Leary's young team are being widely spoken of as serious title contenders in two or three seasons' time -- while cup success could come even sooner. Their preparations have been undermined by the imminent sale of last season's top scorer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to Atletico Madrid but still a leading challenger. - - - Leicester City (10th) Manager Martin O'Neill inspired his battling side to the top half of the table and the League Cup final last season, and with striker Emile Heskey and midfielder Neil Lennon signing new long-term contracts it should again reach mid-table. - - - Liverpool (7th) French coach Gerard Houllier has spent 25 million pounds trying to find the right chemistry to bring the title back to Liverpool for the first time since 1990. The main departures have been Paul Ince, Steve McManaman and goalkeeper David James while Dietmar Hamann, Titi Camara, Vladimir Smicer, Sami Hyppa, goalkeeper Sander Westerveld and Stephane Henchoz have come in. How they will gel is anyone's guess. - - - Manchester United (1st) They may be European champions, English champions and English FA Cup holders, but the loathing most neutrals have for Manchester United reached unprecedented heights during the summer, when it was announced it would not compete in the FA Cup to instead play in the world club championship in Brazil. Likely to finish first in the league -- but possibly as low as second if Roy Keane fails to settle his contract dispute and leaves. - - - Middlesbrough (9th) With Paul Ince linking up with Paul Gascoigne in the Boro midfield and German international Christian Ziege adding his considerable presence, Boro should be safe for another season. - - - Newcastle United (13th) Manager Ruud Gullit has spent 10 million pounds on defenders Franck Dumas, Marcelino Elena and Alain Goma and another six on creative midfielder Kieron Dyer -- anything to erase the memory of last season's abject failure in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. - - - Sheffield Wednesday (12th) Will Gilles de Bilde, nicknamed "The Animal" by some of his teammates in the past, provide the steel Sheffield Wednesday has been lacking for so long? Manager Danny Wilson thinks so, which is why he paid PSV Eindhoven 3 million pounds for him. Either way, Wednesday is unlikely to finish above mid-table. - - - Southampton (17th) Success for Southampton this coming season will be staying up -- much as it has been since 1978 when it last won promotion. - - - Sunderland (Division One: 1st promoted) Last season Sunderland scored 91 league goals, amassed a record 105 points and was the outstanding team in the first division. The only thing for certain is that this season will be very different. However, Peter Reid's team looks equipped to stay clear of trouble and consolidate their place. - - - Tottenham Hotspur (11th) How ironic that it should be former Arsenal boss George Graham who turned around Spurs after only six months in charge last season. They won the League Cup -- their first honor for eight years -- qualifying for Europe in the process. David Ginola was named both Footballer of the Year and Player of the Year. Graham will be looking for more improvement in the months ahead. - - - Watford (Division One: 5th promoted) Former England boss Graham Taylor returns to the big time with Watford, which won promotion for the second successive season after a playoff victory against Bolton at Wembley. But there is no money to spend, and there is little doubt Watford will struggle. - - - West Ham United (5th) Paulo Wanchope, Paolo Di Canio and Ian Wright could provide some real excitement up front for Hammers fans, who were treated to some outstanding football at times last season. With youngsters Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and the promising Joe Cole committed for the future, things are looking up at Upton Park. - - - Wimbledon (16th) Former Norway boss Egil Olsen, who has taken over from Joe Kinnear, has promised to keep the Crazy Gang spirit alive and carry Wimbledon forward -- with a succession of long balls if necessary. An eventful, if unpredictable, season awaits.
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