English Premier League is one of the most strongest Leagues in Europe and the World. As always this season was full of interesting matches, great game, and intrigue in the end. A lot of best players from all over the world play in this league. The dream of any novice football player to play for such clubs as Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal or Liverpool. The higher the position of the team in the Premier League table, the greater the chances of getting into the Euro Cups and competing to be the best in Europe. Like every year, there are unpredictable results of the teams, but this only gives more interest to this league and to English football in general.
This season there were a lot of falls and returns to high positions. Each team worked on the goals of the season and wanted to achieve why she participates here. Each season and year brings history, achievements or failures that will influence the achievements of the team in the future. We offer you our thoughts in Premier League 2018/19 Season preview, how some teams looked, why they managed to achieve heights and what will happen next season.
Featured teams
In the long rivalry and hard-nosed struggle, Manchester City became the Champions. Unfortunately, Jurgen Klopp at the head of Liverpool again took 2nd place and proved that they came back on the winning streak. Although, there is a question Who has achieved better results? Jurgen Klopp and Josep Guardiola? Liverpool took 2nd place, moreover, they are finalists in Champions League. While City took the 1st place of Premier League and all other possible Cups in England – FA Cup, English League Cup, and English Super Cup. Both teams played very great and beautiful football and showed their strength to the whole of Europe. Citizens won 22 in their last 23 games in all competitions, losing an important game against Tottenham Hotspurs and being knocked out from Champions League. Liverpool was unbeated in 21 of their last 22 matches in different competitions. The Reds made one of the greatest CL comebacks winning against Barcelona 4:0, after 3:0 lost in Camp Nou.
In addition to the fight for the first place, there was an intense race for 3 and 4 places, as they give the opportunity to play in the Champions League next year. Chelsea and Tottenham got this opportunity after a very tough end of the season. Moreover, the Blues will play in the Final of the UEFA Europa League, while Tottenham in Final of Champions League. Last matches for these teams were very hard, as they needed to give some rest to main squad players and don’t miss the chance to take 3-4 places. At the finish of the season, Tottenham faced injury problem and played without their leader Harry Kane and some other main players. In the other hand, Maurizio Sarri made the same mistake by playing with the same tactic against almost every opponent, what obviously will not work next season. They tried to control the game and ball, made a lot of crosses even playing without Giroud or Higuain. In general, the team got into the Champions League, played well – but not good enough, so there is something to work during the offseason.
Arsenal finished 5th with 1 point difference against Tottenham. Even Spurs draw against Everton and Arsenals win against Burney doest helped Gunners to succeed. They will play in the Europa League Final against Chelsea, and now it is the best chance to be in Champions League group stage next season. Unai Emery also had troubles with injuries and form of several main players. Biggest disappointment of the season was loaned Denis Suarez from Barcelona. Moreover, next season Aaron Ramsey will play next season in Juventus as he left London on a free transfer. Moreover, Petr Cech announced his retirement date after the Final in EL.
Manchester United this year had big troubles, ups and downs, and finally finished at 6th place. They absolutely failed the start of the season and fired Jose Mourinho. Manchester appointed temporary Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a Head Coach and he showed unbelievable results. However, after he joined the team as a permanent manager, the results started to be much worse. At the end of the season, they won only 2 games of their 12 in all competitions. This season they finished without any trophies and achievements.
Wolverhampton Wanderers took 7th place and took a place in Europa League qualification. They have a big chance to succeed there, as Wolves played well against strong opponents and impressed the whole of England by their game. Strongly built team and Head coach Santo Espirito made a big work this year and showed strong results.
Aston Villa, Norwich City, and Sheffield United will join Premier League for the next season. Norwich and Sheffield got into the Premier League, taking the first 2 places in Championship, while Aston Villa ended up fighting for getting into the English League against Derby County and West Bromwich in PlayOffs.
Unfortunately, due to the bad game and lack of strong players Cardiff City, Fulham and Huddersfield are relegated to Championship.
Top players
This season finished very interestingly also because three players got golden boots of Premier League scoring the same amount of goals. Mohamed Salah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Sadio Made scored by 22 goals this season and showed really strong and confident football.
Sergio Aguero – 21
Jamie Vardy – 18
Raheem Sterling – 17
Harry Kane – 17
Eden Hazard – 16
The Eden Hazard took first place by the number of assists this season and in total. Belgium made 15 assits and was involved in 31 goals in EPL, more than any other player. Surprisingly, Ryan Fraser from Bournemouth made 14 assists and took second place.
Cristian Eriksen – 12
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 12
Andrew Robertson – 11
Leroy Sane – 10
Raheem Sterling – 10
By clean sheets (21) in 2018/19 season won newbie of Liverpool Alisson Ramos Becker, who perfectly changed Loris Karius and made a big impact in great defense. The second position took also Brasilian Ederson (20) who joined City in the 2017 year and suited well by the style of the game.
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 14
Jordan Pickford – 14
Hugo Lloris – 12
Martin Dubravka – 11
Moreover, Hazard was named 14 times as a Man of the Match with a big difference against other players, as Mo Salah was only 8 times, however, he is on the second position by this nominee.
Player of the Season – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Manager of the Season – Josep Guardiola (Manchester City)
Goal of the Season – Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
Season 2019/20 Teams
- Liverpool
- Manchester City
- Chelsea
- Arsenal
- Manchester United
- Arsenal
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Everton
- Leicester City
- West Ham United
- Watford
- Crystal Palace
- Newcastle United
- Bournemouth
- Burnley
- Southampton
- Brighton
- Aston Villa
- Norwich City
- Sheffield United
SmashingTip for the 2019/20 Season
Of course, the Premier League is one of the most difficult and unpredictable Leagues in the World. Big amount of super teams are fighting to become winners of England and prove their strength in European Cups. This year, they showed all Europe that they can fully dominate in Europe. Next year among top 5-6 places in Premier League we will see almost the same teams. Looks like Wolves can make big progress next year by taking an even higher place. Manchester United should find a way to succeed in EPL and fix their mistakes. The biggest fail can show Chelsea if they will continue to play the same way. Moreover, they have transfer ban, and very likely Eden Hazard will leave Blues for Real Madrid.
Images are taken from https://www.premierleague.com