English Premier League: Club-by-Club Guide to 2013-14 Season

The upcoming Premier League season will be disputed between the more than 320 miles of motorway connecting Southampton and Newcastle and the nearly 310 miles separating Swansea and Norwich.

London and its six top-flight sides will become a familiar destination for all 20 clubs while, for the first time, the South Wales Derby will be a Premier League affair. Never before has a 10th of the division’s representatives hailed from outside England.

Coming into the weekend, four teams have new managers, including Manchester United. No doubt a good many United fans have never known a club campaign without Sir Alex Ferguson. This will be the first Premier League season conducted without him—the first time since 1986 the wily Scot won’t be patrolling the Old Trafford technical area match after match.

Jose Mourinho is back at Chelsea and, as Gary Neville wrote in the Daily Mail last week, his return is good for everyone.

Naturally, there are some new players to get to know as well.

Manchester City made a handful of signings with an eye to regaining the title, and up and down the country money was spent—albeit not to the degree it has been previously—by managers and chairmen hoping for everything from a title challenge to a European place to just another season in the most lucrative football league in the world.

The outset of the season is really the only time in which all 20 Premier League clubs retain an element of pure, unblemished hope and, as such, it’s the best time to take a look at their prospects going into the first round of matches.

The following slides will provide that look, offering a comprehensive, alphabetical guide to each participant of the 22nd Premier League campaign.

Arsenal

Last season: Laurent Koscielny scored the only goal of Arsenal’s final match of the 2012-13 schedule, ensuring the Gunners would pip Tottenham Hotspur to fourth and book a place in the playoff round of the Champions League. Theo Walcott’s 14 goals paced the side while Santi Cazorla found the back of the net on 12 occasions to go along with his 11 assists.

What’s changed: According to many Arsenal fans, not enough. While a handful of players, including Sebastian Squillaci, Marouane Chamakh, Andre Santos and Gervinho were permitted to leave the club over the summer, only France U-20 World Cup standout Yaya Sanogo has so far been brought in.

Hot seat: Arsene Wenger. It has now been more than eight years since Arsenal won a trophy and delivering that elusive piece of silverware will be his No. 1 target in 2013-14. That, and snatching Luis Suarez from Liverpool. Wenger really needs to make at least one impact signing in order to signal his intentions going into the season.

Most influential: Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla. When fit, Wilshere is among the top playmaking midfielders in the division. Walcott is coming off a breakout season in which he agreed a new, long-term contract and Cazorla is the action man, the sort who tends to make things happen wherever he finds himself.

Realistic goals: Top four; Champions League Round of 16; a run in one of the cup competitions.

Aston Villa

Last season: A nightmare campaign ended with Aston Villa finishing with just 41 points—five more than relegated Wigan. Christian Benteke, however, provided a few smiles—19 of them, in fact, as he finished fourth in the Premier League scoring charts.

What’s changed: Brett Holman, Eric Lichaj and Richard Dunne were among the players shown the door at the end of last season. Defenders Jores Okore and Antonio Luna were brought in from Nordsjaelland and Sevilla, respectively, but Villa’s biggest piece of summer business was convincing Benteke to sign a new contract.

Hot seat: Randy Lerner. Without significant investment, Aston Villa risk being dragged into another relegation scrap. Will the owner provide the necessary funds for Paul Lambert to strengthen his side?

Most influential: Christian Benteke, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Brad Guzan. Benteke can be counted on for a consistent offensive contribution but Agbonlahor blows hot and cold. In Guzan, the club has a quality shot-stopper capable of stealing points on his own.

Realistic goals: Not getting relegated.

Cardiff City

Last season: When they finished atop the League Championship standings last spring, Cardiff City achieved a fascinating quad—winning, at some point in their history, each of the top four tiers of the English football pyramid (First in 1924; Second in 2013; Third in 1947; Fourth in 1993).

What’s changed: Heidar Helguson, one of three Cardiff players to score eight Championship goals last season, has retired but owner Vincent Tan has allowed manager Malky Mackay to spend more than £27 million so far this summer. Notably, striker Andreas Cornelius was brought in from Copenhagen, Steven Caulker from Spurs and Gary Medel from Sevilla.

Hot seat: Malky Mackay. It’s not uncommon for a first-year Premier League manager not to stay long in his job. Tan has provided the funds. Now it’s up to the 41-year-old to produce results.

Most influential: Peter Whittingham, Craig Bellamy, Gary Medel. Whittingham was another of the eight-goal scorers last term and Cardiff-born Bellamy will provide some necessary Premier League experience. Medel automatically becomes a key figure in the Bluebirds’ midfield.

Realistic goals: Not getting relegated.

Chelsea

Last season: A late-season push took Chelsea above Arsenal to third in the table and within three points of second-place Manchester City. They also claimed a piece of European silverware for the second year in a row when they beat Benfica to win the Europa League.

What’s changed: Jose Mourinho is back and with his return have come the sort of sky-high expectations he fostered during his first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge. Yossi Benayoun, Florent Malouda and Paulo Ferreira were among the summer exits while the acquisitions included Marco van Ginkel from Vitesse, Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen and Mark Schwarzer from Fulham.

Hot seat: Fernando Torres. He could well begin the season in the third spot on Mourinho’s strikers’ depth chart behind Romelu Lukaku and Demba Ba. When given a chance, the £50 million man will have to take it or he could see quite a bit of time on the bench this term.

Most influential: Oscar, Eden Hazard, Frank Lampard. Oscar and Hazard are two of the best playmaking attackers in the division and will be among the first names on Mourinho’s teamsheet. Lampard led the team in scoring last season and offers both Premier League experience and an understanding of a manager for whom many of his teammates have not yet worked.

Realistic goals: The title; a cup run; the latter stages of the Champions League.

Crystal Palace

Last season: In 2012-13 Crystal Palace turned a fifth-place finish in the Championship into promotion after defeating third-place Watford at Wembley. At the grand old age of 40, striker Kevin Phillips scored the only goal of the match in extra time.

What’s changed: Wilfried Zaha, who scored twice in the promotion semifinal against Brighton, joined Manchester United this summer but Peterborough forward Dwight Gayle, Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh and Sevilla midfielder Jose Campana have all come into the club.

Hot seat: Ian Holloway. The manager has been at this level previously with Blackpool and while the club haven’t spent an extraordinary sum on player acquisitions this summer, he will nevertheless be expected to deliver a second successive season of Premier League football.

Most influential: Glenn Murray, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Marouane Chamakh. Murray’s 30 goals were by far the most on the team last season, which is why Chamakh will need to add some production in 2013-14. Dikgacoi, in the centre of midfield, will need to take his neutralizing game to the next level.

Realistic goals: Not getting relegated.

Everton

Last season: Once again Everton finished in the top half of the table—the seventh season in succession they accomplished the feat—although a gap of nine points separated them from fifth-place Tottenham and the European places. Marouane Fellaini’s 11 goals paced the side and the Belgian also contributed five assists.

What’s changed: Long-time manager David Moyes joined Manchester United in the summer and was replaced by FA Cup-winner Roberto Martinez. One of his first moves was to bring in Arouna Kone from his former club Wigan and two other former Latics—Antolin Alcaraz and Joel Robles—followed a day later. But perhaps the club’s biggest coup was acquiring Barcelona forward Gerard Deulofeu on a season-long loan.

Hot seat: Roberto Martinez. He has come in for some criticism after acquiring three of his former charges at relegated Wigan and was always going to be under significant pressure, given the popularity of his predecessor.

Most influential: Marouane Fellaini, Nikica Jelavic, Phil Jagielka. A few more goals out of Jelavic would be helpful while Jagielka is one of the better defenders in the Premier League. Martinez may, however, face an uphill battle to keep Fellaini.

Realistic goals: Top half; a run in one of the cups.

Fulham

Last season: Fulham won only one of their last seven matches (a 3-0 victory away to Swansea) but nevertheless came 12th in the standings. Dimitar Berbatov’s 15 goals were by far the most at the club but Bryan Ruiz made himself useful in the attacking third by compiling seven assists.

What’s changed: Fulham have had a productive summer, bringing in goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg from Roma, Fernando Amorebieta from Athletic Bilbao and Adel Taarabt on loan from Queens Park Rangers. Simon Davies, Mladen Petric and Mark Schwarzer were all released, while John Arne Riise is also set to be granted a free transfer out of the club.

Hot seat: Maarten Stekelenburg. Manager Martin Jol stuck his neck out to bring the Netherlands No. 1 to Craven Cottage but now the 30-year-old has to replace the popular Schwarzer.

Most influential: Dimitar Berbatov, Brede Hangeland, Bryan Ruiz. Berbatov will need at least to match the 15 goals he scored last season and Fulham could do with a few more tallies from Ruiz as well. Hangeland, the captain, will provide a steady influence in front of Stekelenburg.

Realistic goals: Top half.

Hull City

Last season: Hull finished two points above Watford to ensure automatic promotion to the Premier League, despite failing to win any of their final four matches and scoring only twice.

What’s changed: No fewer than 12 players were granted free transfers over the summer and coming into the club were a pair of goalkeepers—Steve Harper and Allan McGregor—attacker Yannick Sagbo and defender Maynor Figueroa. Striker Danny Graham was acquired on loan from Sunderland.

Hot seat: Steve Bruce. Hull would seem to be relegation fodder but perhaps their best chance of avoiding the drop is the manager, who has extensive experience at Premier League level.

Most influential: Robbie Brady, Robert Koren, Danny Graham. Brady’s 13 assists were second to Tom Ince in the Championship last season and Koren brings both experience and playmaking ability. Graham, who didn’t exactly land on his feet at Sunderland, will be expected to provide the Premier League goal prowess that so often eludes promoted sides.

Realistic goals: Not getting relegated.

Liverpool

Last season: Liverpool finished seventh in manager Brendan Rodgers’ first season at the club, going unbeaten over their final eight matches but still coming two points short of local rivals Everton. Luis Suarez, the source of so much drama this summer, topped the club scoring charts with 23 goals.

What’s changed: Lots—and even more change is in the air. Veteran defender Jamie Carragher retired at the end of last season while Stewart Downing, Jay Spearing and Jonjo Shelvey were sold to West Ham, Bolton and Swansea, respectively. Coming into the club were goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, defender Kolo Toure and attackers Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas. More signings are likely on the way but Suarez’s future remains up in the air.

Hot seat: Brendan Rodgers. He has made some decent signings this summer but has yet to make the sort of splash that would really excite his club’s fans. How he handles Suarez—whether the Uruguayan’s departure from or future at the club—will end up having a lot to do with Liverpool’s fortunes this season, one way or the other.

Most influential: Steven Gerrard, Philippe Coutinho, Luis Suarez. Gerrard, who is fit to start the season, remains the club’s best midfielder and inspirational leader while Coutinho, acquired last January, is magical in the attacking third. Suarez, should he stay, will be either a massively positive influence or a depressingly negative one.

Realistic goals: European qualification; a run in one of the cups.

Manchester City

Last season: Manchester City were reigning Premier League champions when the 2012-13 campaign kicked off but ended up 11 points adrift of Manchester United by the time it finished. Eden Dzeko led the team with 14 goals while Sergio Aguero contributed 12.

What’s changed: The manager, for a start. Roberto Mancini was sacked at the end of last season and replaced by former Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini. Once again club owner Sheikh Mansour bankrolled a number of off-season additions, among them Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic. Carlos Tevez was offloaded to Juventus while Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge and Roque Santa Cruz were all released.

Hot seat: Manuel Pellegrini. Given the resources at City’s disposal, the manager will always be under enormous pressure to deliver results. Job one for Pellegrini this season will be to take the side into the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time.

Most influential: Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero. Kompany is the rock at the back; Yaya can run the show from either a deep-lying or attacking position in the centre of the park; and Aguero, when at his best, is among the top forwards in the division.

Realistic goals: The title; the latter stages of the Champions League; a run in one of the cups.

Manchester United

Last season: Manchester United won a 13th Premier League title and 20th top-tier championship overall (both records) last season, boosted by 26 goals from summer signing Robin Van Persie. Wayne Rooney finished second in team scoring with 12 goals and led the side with 10 assists.

What’s changed: Iconic manager Sir Alex Ferguson retired in the spring and was replaced by former Everton boss David Moyes. Wilfried Zaha, for whom a deal was agreed last winter, arrived at the club, as did Uruguayan full-back Guillermo Varela. But while Moyes pursued Barcelona midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas during the summer, he missed out on both and a lot of United fans are still waiting for the gaffer to make his first, big splash at Old Trafford.

Hot seat: David Moyes. In being the first manager to come after Ferguson at Old Trafford, he takes on one of the most difficult assignments in club football.

Most influential: Robin Van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Michael Carrick. Van Persie led the Premier League in scoring last season and Carrick, who pulled the strings in midfield, was a Player of the Season finalist. Vidic, the club captain, is irreplaceable when fit.

Realistic goals: The title; the latter stages of the Champions League; a run in one of the cups.

Newcastle United

Last season: Newcastle won just one of their last six matches last season (a stretch that included a 3-0 loss to arch-rivals Sunderland), stumbling to a 16th-place finish that left them just five points above relegated Wigan.

What’s changed: Former manager Joe Kinnear is back at the club as director of football but has yet to do much of note. His move for Lyon striker Bafetimbi Gomis has stalled, leaving Metz midfielder Olivier Kemen as his only signing. He did, however, manage to bring in Loic Remy on loan from Queens Park Rangers. James Perch was sold to Wigan while Danny Simpson and Steve Harper were granted free transfers.

Hot seat: Alan Pardew. The manager has been mysteriously quiet since Kinnear’s appointment and the thinking is that if Newcastle stumble out of the gate, it will be the 52-year-old who pays the price.

Most influential: Tim Krul, Yohan Cabaye, Papiss Cisse. Krul is among the better goalkeepers in the Premier League while Cabaye, should he not join a contender, provides an elite level of midfield management. Cisse scored eight goals last season.

Realistic goals: Mid-table.

Norwich City

Last season: Norwich are about to kick off a third straight season in the English top flight, having finished 12th and 11th in the last two. They beat Manchester City 3-2 on the final day of the 2012-13 schedule and were led in scoring by Grant Holt.

What’s changed: Holt left Carrow Road for Wigan during the summer and Simeon Jackson and Leon Barnett were among the other players allowed to leave the club. Arriving wee a handful of players to strengthen each third of the park, including strikers Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Gary Hooper, left-back Martin Olsson and midfielder Leroy Fer.

Hot seat: Gary Hooper. The 25-year-old scored 31 goals for Celtic last season and will be expected to transfer his prowess in front of goal to Premier League level.

Most influential: John Ruddy, Sebastien Bassong, Leroy Fer. Ruddy has become a regular call-up to Roy Hodgson’s England team and Bassong had a quiet, yet effective, campaign in the centre of defence last season. Fer will be expected to set the tempo in the centre of the park.

Realistic goals: Mid-table.

Southampton

Last season: They leaked goals at the back but Southampton also played some entertaining football in their first season back in the Premier League, finishing 14th under manager Mauricio Pochettino, who replaced Nigel Adkins in January.

What’s changed: Following the surprising capture of Gaston Ramirez a year ago, Southampton continued to punch above their weight in the transfer window this summer, acquiring defender Dejan Lovren from Lyon and midfielder Victor Wanyama from Celtic.

Hot seat: Mauricio Pochettino. Adkins was popular at St. Mary’s and while Pochettino not only kept Southampton up but also took them near the top half of the table, he has yet to serve out a full season in charge of a Premier League club.

Most influential: Ricky Lambert, Gaston Ramirez, Victor Wanyama. Lambert’s 15 Premier League goals last season earned him a call-up for England’s international friendly against Scotland this week where he marked his debut with the winner. Ramirez, meanwhile, is the most talented player in the squad. Wanyama will make this side even more difficult to play against.

Realistic goals: Top half of the table; a run in one of the cups.

Stoke City

Last season: A run of just two wins from 12 matches to end the season ended up costing long-time manager Tony Pulis his job. And while Stoke still finished 13th, they earned only six more points than relegated Wigan. Jonathan Walters’ eight goals paced the side.

What’s changed: Pulis was replaced by Mark Hughes ahead of preseason and Rory Delap, Matthew Upson and Dean Whitehead were all allowed to leave on free transfers while Michael Owen retired. Among Hughes's summer signings were New England Revolution forward Juan Agudelo and PSV Eindhoven left-back Erik Pieters.

Hot seat: Asmir Begovic. He is one of the Premier League’s top goalkeepers and will have to deliver the best season of his career in order for Stoke to avoid relegation. There are not a lot of goals in this side and he can’t afford to have an off day.

Most influential: Asmir Begovic, Ryan Shawcross, Jonathan Walters. Stoke are lucky still to have Begovic at the club and Shawcross will keep the area in front of his goalkeeper as tidy as possible. Hughes needs Walters to surpass the 10-goal mark.

Realistic goals: Not getting relegated.

Sunderland

Last season: While his appointment wasn’t popular at the time, manager Paolo Di Canio helped Sunderland avoid relegation and delivered a 3-0 win over Newcastle in the process. His side finished 17th in the standings—three points better than Wigan.

What’s changed: Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet joined Liverpool this summer and a handful of players, including Ahmed Elmohamady and James McClean, have also been shown the door. No fewer than 10 players have arrived at the Stadium of Light the past few weeks, among them United States striker Jozy Altidore, former Basel midfielder Cabral and Italy international Emanuele Giaccherini.

Hot seat: Paolo Di Canio. He still remains unpopular with large sections of the club’s support and will bear the blame for anything that goes wrong in 2013-14.

Most influential: John O’Shea, Emmanuel Giaccherini, Steven Fletcher. In O’Shea, Sunderland have a captain accustomed to success; in Giaccherini, they have a seasoned international who just won a second successive title with Juventus. Fletcher led the team in scoring last season and will be expected to do so again.

Realistic goals: Mid-table.

Swansea City

Last season: Despite losing manager Brendan Rodgers to Liverpool last summer, Swansea recorded a ninth-place finish in 2012-13 under Michael Laudrup and also earned a European berth by winning the League Cup. Michu, acquired at a bargain price from Rayo Vallecano, led the team with 18 goals.

What’s changed: Swansea have only gotten stronger this summer, bringing in defender Jordi Amat from Espanyol, midfielders Jonjo Shelvey from Liverpool and Jose Canas from Real Betis, and striker Wilfred Bony from Vitesse, among a handful of other signings.

Hot seat: Michael Laudrup. He fended off suitors for his signature in the spring and proceeded to strengthen his current side. He’s enjoying significant goodwill at the moment but expectations are high after the success of last season.

Most influential: Ashley Williams, Jonathan de Guzman, Michu. Williams has established himself as a top-level Premier League defender and de Guzman, who led the team in assists last term, is back on loan from Villarreal. Michu is a joy to watch.

Realistic goals: Push for a European place; a run in one of the cups.

Tottenham Hotspur

Last season: Tottenham missed out on Champions League qualification by a single point and scored the fifth-most goals in the division—21 of which came from Gareth Bale, who was subsequently named Player of the Season and has been linked with a move to Real Madrid for much of the summer.

What’s changed: Quite a few players have been allowed to leave the club, among them William Gallas, Steven Caulker and Clint Dempsey. But Spurs have spent some money as well and have so far landed midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians, Twente’s Nacer Chadli and Valencia frontman Roberto Soldado.

Hot seat: Daniel Levy. The Spurs chairman does not want to sell Bale and is trying to coax as much money out of Madrid as he can. But the situation will get even more ugly if the Welshman requests a transfer.

Most influential: Hugo Lloris, Roberto Soldado, Gareth Bale. Spurs are still the sort of team that gives up a lot of shots and France No. 1 Lloris will have to be at his best to record clean sheets. In Soldado, manager Andre Villas-Boas is hoping he finally has a striker he can rely on for the attack game in, game out. And Bale, should he remain at the club, is one of the best players in the Premier League.

Realistic goals: Top four; latter rounds of Europa League; a run in one of the cups.

West Bromwich Albion

Last season: They won only one of their last nine matches to finish last season, but so strong was their start to the campaign that West Brom wound up eighth in the standings when all was said and done. Romelu Lukaku’s 17 goals paced the side and he was also the co-assist leader with four helpers.

What’s changed: Lukaku has since rejoined Chelsea after a productive season on loan at the Hawthorns; Zoltan Gera and Marc-Andre Fortune were among the players allowed to leave on free transfers earlier this summer. Nicolas Anekla was acquired in early July and, just a few weeks ago, Diego Lugano arrived from Paris Saint-Germain.

Hot seat: Steve Clarke. The manager worked wonders last season but with so little money to spend, he is also one of few things chairman Jeremy Peace can change if the season somehow goes off the rails.

Most influential: Ben Foster, Jonas Olsson, Shane Long. Foster has made a good career for himself, even earning a recall to the England squad after ending his self-imposed international retirement. Olsson, meanwhile, is one of the more underrated defenders in the Premier League and Long is West Brom’s top returning goalscorer.

Realistic goals: Mid-table.

West Ham United

Last season: Solidly mid-table, West Ham were difficult to break down last season and finished the campaign in 10th spot with a respectable goal-difference of -8. Kevin Nolan led the team with 10 goals while Andy Carroll contributed seven.

What’s changed: Carroll, who was a Liverpool loanee last season, is now owned by West Ham outright, as is the striker’s former Anfield teammate, Stewart Downing—acquired just this week. Other new faces include Romania left-back Razvan Rat, signed on a free transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk, and goalkeeper Adrian, snatched up from Real Betis. Carlton Cole and Gary O’Neil were among the players shown the door over the summer.

Hot seat: Andy Carroll. West Ham have now paid £15.5 million for his signature and the 24-year-old will be expected to repay the club with goals.

Most influential: Kevin Nolan, Matt Jarvis, Andy Carroll. Nolan is the club’s inspirational leader and, more often than not, its best player. Jarvis offers a bit of pace in an attacking role down the right and Carroll is at the head of whatever this team creates going forward.

Realistic goals: Mid-table.