16. Watford
The parting of ways with last season’s manager Quique Sánchez Flores, after he guided the club comfortably to PL safety in their first season back, came as a surprise to many. However, given their owners, the Pozzos’ style of work, this isn’t entirely a shock and the ambitious signing of former Napoli and Inter Milan manager Walter Mazzari signals a show of intent from them.
Further, Watford have managed to hold on to their key players of last season and have added the exciting Isaac Success from Granada for a club record fee. Their performance this season largely depends on Mazzarri’s adaptability to the league and finding the best possible team quickly which will ensure they get themselves another season in the PL.
15. Middlesbrough
Of the newly-promoted sides, Middlesbrough look the most likely to stay up the coming season. Managed by former assistant of Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, Aitor Karanka, Boro have made nine signings so far, a combination of talent and experience in the form of Víctor Valdés, Álvaro Negredo, Antoine Brannagan, Viktor Fisher, Gastón Ramírez and Maarten de Roon.
The signing of Negredo is a pivotal one for Boro struggled with scoring goals last season and this season could provide Jordan Rhodes the chance to shed his Championship player tag. The presence of a frugal defence coupled with the summer signings will allow Middlesbrough to breathe and stay up this season.
14. Bournemouth
Tipped by many to go down last season, Bournemouth surprised many by not only staying up, but also playing a good brand of football despite injuries to key players Callum Wilson, Max Gradel and Tyrone Mings last season. The addition of Liverpool surplus Jordon Ibe and Brad Smith along with the arrivals of Nathan Aké and highly promising Lewis Cook bode well for the Cherries.
Their biggest accomplishment, however, is holding onto manager Eddie Howe, who was linked to the Everton and England job. The fact that they shipped in the second highest goals last season and so far no goalkeeping or defensive signings have been made is a sign of worry. However, they just have about enough firepower to remain safe this season.
13. Swansea
A regular fixture in the EPL this decade, Swansea’s last season was a mixed bag with the club skirting around relegation before Garry Monk was replaced by Francesco Guidolin at the helm, who steered the club to 12th place. This season seems to be a season of rebuilding as the team adapts to the Italian and has to cope with the departures of André Ayew to West Ham and Ashley Williams to Everton who could be hard to replace.
Nonetheless, the Swans managed to retain the services of their best player, Gylfi Sigurðsson and have added strikers Fernando Llorente from Europa League winners Sevilla and Borja Bastón from Atletico Madrid to bolster the attack. As the Swans rebuild, this season will see the Swans finish in the lower half of the table and a solid platform for next season.
