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#3 AC Milan
The life of football clubs follows cycles. The mighty fall only to rise again before another trough approaches. The story of AC Milan has followed this pattern. Once the might of Italy, the seven-time European Champions only managed to scrape out a sixth-place finish last season.
That was, however, a great improvement for a team that got nine points from seven matches before Stefano Pioli took over the reins.
Pioli, who was initially considered a stop-gap choice but was recently given a two-year contract, transformed the team, especially after the lockdown as Milan rediscovered some of their lost mojo while playing some pleasing football that brought results.
The experienced tactician has brought stability and structure to the Rossonerri. Milan have also done well in the transfer window, bringing in one of Italy's hottest young prospects Sandro Tonali in midfield and Simon Kjer in the centre of defence.
With their attackers Brahim Diaz and Ante Rebic all adding verve to the team, the Rossoneri could feel really upbeat about the new season. Other key players in the squad all show Milan's investment in youth, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Theo Hernandez, Ismael Bennacer and Rafael Leao all in the mix.
There is also talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic who has stayed on at the club and belies his age every time he steps out on to the field. Expect Pioli's men to challenge for and even get a UEFA Champions League spot even against fierce competition.
#2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
A 2-0 opening matchday win over Sheffield United proves that Wolverhampton Wanderers remain a club on the upward trajectory. United, much like Wolves, surprised a lot of teams last season to finish higher despite modest expectations. The win at the home of United proves that the Nuno Espirito Santo project is still going strong in Wolverhampton.
Santo's boys, who finished seventh last season and also had a great Europa League run till the quarterfinals where they lost to eventual champions Sevilla, will definitely aim higher this season too.
Though there will be no European football for Wolves in 2020-21, that might turn out to be a blessing in disguise as the club can focus all their energy and resources on the Premier League. They have added talented 18-year-old striker Fabio Silva to the squad and, with many of their stars from the last two seasons such as Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez still there, at least for now, Wolves can legitimately look to move higher up the table.
Santo has revolutionised the club by bringing in structure and stability to it, and it seems they have only picked up from where they left off last season. Players like Conor Cody and Joao Moutinho know the system they play like the back of their hands, and Wolves can definitely get back in the top six and even dream of a top-four place if some of the biggies above them falter.
#1 Everton
When the going really got tough, Everton decided to bring in one of the best in the middle of last season. By hiring a three-time Champions League-winning coach in Carlo Ancelotti, the blue side of Merseyside wanted to prove that they are ready to compete with the best. However, Ancelotti could only take a seemingly sapped team to 12th, and it seemed the gamble did not quite pay off.
However, the beginning of the 2020-21 season has seen a really energised and new Everton emerge. By beating one of the biggies, Tottenham, 1-0 on the latter's home turf, things are looking much brighter for the once big guns of the English game.
Ancelotti has made some shrewd signings in the transfer window. James Rodriguez, who made a brilliant debut in the Premier League against Spurs, could prove to be the signing of the season.The Chilean player's vision and class could transform the Toffees from an also-ran to a frontrunner. Everton have also brought in Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure to form what seems like an imposing midfield.
But their main man remains the gaffer. Evertonians trust Ancelotti to get them out of a rut that seems to have lasted a generation. That wish might just come true this time around.
