Playing in Europe is the pinnacle of any footballer’s career. It’s what they all want – to have the opportunity to showcase their skill at the highest level. Whilst it does take massive determination to succeed, it can be equally rewarding.
Last season, we saw Manchester United beat Ajax in the Europa League final. Two decades ago, and that’s the sort of final we’d expect to see in the European Cup. With the introduction of TV money, we’re seeing the Premier League teams almost match each other in terms of ability. Anyone can beat anyone.
For this list, we’re not looking at the ‘big’ teams in the Premier League who are likely to challenge for the title, but instead those that missed out on Europe this season that could go on and have a successful campaign.
That said, here are five teams that should be pushing for a place in Europe this season.
#1 Southampton
The gap between Southampton and Everton last season just shows how far behind they are in the race for Europe. However, with the appointment of Mauricio Pellegrino, they could really go out there and showcase their abilities.
Pellegrino, who coached Deportivo Alaves last season, may not have the most decorated CV but he’s a manager who can make things tick. The squad at hand is very capable of qualifying for the Europa League.
Although Virgil van Dijk seems to be on his way out, Southampton are a team that provide good attacking threat with the likes of Dusan Tadic and Sofiane Boufal whilst they should look to bring in a forward. Do that, and we could see the Saints finish seventh or higher this season.
#2 Swansea City
The 2016/17 Premier League season was certainly one to forget for Swansea City supporters. What once looked so promising ended in the Welsh club battling against relegation. The Swans looked lacklustre up front whilst being shaky at the back, resulting in a -25-goal difference.
However, since the appointment of Paul Clement, who has worked under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid and PSG, they’ve looked much more like a Premier League team. Last season, Swansea beat Liverpool 3-2 at Anfield, lifting them off the bottom of the Premier League, whilst creating a platform from where they rose to safety.
Under Clement, the Swans played good, attacking football, resulting in the Welsh club climbing off the foot of the table and finishing the season in 15th, a whole 17 points above 20th placed Sunderland.
Clement’s record does speak for itself. If Swansea do keep their record going, they could well build on their current five-game unbeaten streak as they head into the new campaign. And as previously shown under their new coach, they’ve beaten Liverpool, Everton, Southampton and drawn with Manchester United. The future looks promising.
#3 Everton
They may not have had the best of campaigns during the 2016/17 Premier League season, undergoing a period of change after Roberto Martinez left the club and Ronald Koeman took over. Now, though, Everton are starting to take shape.
Whilst they’ve made some outstanding signings so far this window, the return of Wayne Rooney to Goodison Park is the one that has dominated the headlines. England and Manchester United’s top scorer is not getting any younger, but at 32, Rooney still has a lot to offer Everton.
Koeman has used his Dutch connections well with the arrival of Davy Klaassen from Ajax Amsterdam – a midfielder that was close to joining Napoli. To beat the Italian club who have the lure of Champions League football is a testament to Everton’s goals. The Premier League club have also welcomed Sandro Ramirez from Malaga, and they don’t look like stopping there.
The Toffees will no doubt be a team to watch next season in what is an exciting time for fans.
#4 Bournemouth
Eddie Howe has always been a highly-thought of manager, and rightly so. Once tipped for the England job before Gareth Southgate took it, Howe’s attacking football has taken Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League.
His attacking football has gained plaudits from many, including Arsene Wenger, whilst it’s bound to be just a matter of time before we see Bournemouth in Europe. At one point, Howe was even linked with replacing Wenger at Arsenal.
Although from a small town on the south coast of England, the Cherries can be regarded as a stable Premier League club now. Ever-improving under Howe, Bournemouth have made some interesting additions this summer, which could propel them further.
Nathan Ake has arrived from Chelsea for a club record fee, whilst the club have also brought in Asmir Begovic – a goalkeeper with Champions League experience. With Callum Wilson returning and Jermain Defoe arriving, Bournemouth could be a force to be reckoned with going forward.
#5 West Ham United
The 2016/17 Premier League season saw West Ham United finish in 11th, 17 points fewer than their tally the previous season which saw them qualify for the Europa League. What once looked so promising under Slaven Bilic turned out to be a season to forget for the Hammers.
Despite their poor outing last year, they have had Europa League experience under Bilic before, whilst a couple of additions to the squad could see them upset the odds and qualify once again.
With the arrival of Pablo Zabaleta, they have someone with Champions League experience, and someone that has won the Premier League with Manchester City, whilst the loan signing of Joe Hart, England’s No. 1, offers stability at the back.
Reports on Thursday suggest that West Ham are close to signing former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez from Bayer Leverkusen. That really is a signing that could propel West Ham to European qualification.
