What's Next for the Premier League's Perennial Contenders?
Leicester City are champions of England. An odd occurrence, but they have 12 months to celebrate. Meanwhile, the Premier League's remaining clubs have already started thinking about how to unseat them.
The way English football changes from this point is that every club should think: "This year can be our year." Leicester's improbable run displays any side—regardless of history or expectation—can be title contenders, supposing they execute over a 38-game season.
It was always that way, but the Foxes are proof of possibility.
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Perhaps this begins a turning point in Premier League football, where television money and prize winnings create enough parity that the established order is no longer relevant.
One must imagine, however, that England's top six clubs over the past decade, will not stand idle as their European places—and reputations—are threatened by upstart and/or previously stagnant outfits.
The league's middle class (West Ham United, Everton, Southampton, etc.) are just as capable as—if not more so—Leicester to win trophies, should they deem the task plausible.
After 2015/16, there is little reason to think the upcoming summer will not be filled with owners spending millions on that presumption.
Clubs in the best position to spend, though, are indeed the usual suspects. What should they have learned from this season, and what might the summer hold for the would-be "top six" teams?
It seems worth an enquiry.
Arsenal
What Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger failed to realise, along with just about everyone else, was how far the presumed title contenders were going to fall.
Petr Cech was a great signing, but goalkeeping was not Arsenal's biggest issue. Surely it was their inability to consistently score goals from centre-forward.
Spending £42.5 million on Mesut Ozil and £30 million on Alexis Sanchez in 2013 and 2014 respectively, massive investment towards a world-class striker should have been the Frenchman's mission.
His faith in Olivier Giroud as a lone striker was misplaced, thus, summer 2016 renews the north Londoners' quest for dependable goalscoring.
Or at least they hope.
Chelsea
Instead of asking what went wrong for Chelsea, the most efficient question might be: "What went right?"
The emergence of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Bertrand Traore, Kenedy and sometimes Baba Rahman were highlights, but other than that quartet of youngsters—and the performances of Willian—nothing much went as planned. There was an air of Murphy's Law for the Blues this season.
Antonio Conte is the man tasked with revamping Jose Mourinho's former champions. Getting Eden Hazard back, as shown in the Belgian's past two league fixtures, would be a perfect start.
Then it's buy, sell, loan (a lot, knowing the west Londoners) and maybe pray.
Liverpool
One cannot have expected Jurgen Klopp to enter Anfield's dressing room and work miracles. The best that could have happened has: A deep UEFA Europa League run and a top-eight Premier League finish.
Working with Brendan Rodgers' players, Klopp essentially enjoyed a seven-month crash course in English football, learning the Reds squad and starting whatever preparations for 2016/17.
Improving his counter-pressing ethos, training methods, fitness levels and adding/subtracting components, Liverpool are a dangerous club heading into the off-season—mostly because they have improved already, without much tinkering.
Their German gaffer, though, has been waiting since he arrived for this summer's transfer window; it has nearly arrived.
Manchester City
Should one ever announce their manager is leaving in mid-season? Probably not.
To his credit, Manuel Pellegrini was the consummate professional since Pep Guardiola's impending takeover was announced, but it must sting.
Winning three trophies with the Citizens and reaching their first UEFA Champions League semi-final, the Chilean's tenure was a measured success, but this season was sporadic at best.
Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany—the catalysts for City's two Premier League titles—are nearing their respective finish lines (the former through age, the latter injury); Guardiola needs a central-midfield dynamo and a stalwart centre-back to have any chance next year.
Manchester United
Who will manage Manchester United: Current manager Louis van Gaal or (his former assistant at Barcelona) Mourinho?
It's the question of the summer (that and who will win Euro 2016).
More than new management, 2015/16 has shown what United required most is health insurance. Injures ripped apart United's squad depth, making the Dutchman utilise his youth academy far too frequently; they were gifted Marcus Rashford, but trophies cannot be won with 18-year-olds, at least not the trophies Red Devils supporters want.
Whether Van Gaal or Mourinho: Manchester United need better luck, and possibly better players—because Sir Alex Ferguson is not walking through that door.
Tottenham Hotspur
Were it not for English football's greatest-ever shock, Tottenham Hotspur would have won their first Premier League title. Mauricio Pochettino was on the verge of something special, but Leicester City's collective spirit was three games too much.
That said, Spurs will not be starting from scratch this summer.
Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier seem a magnificent young trio of English talent, just waiting to grow. Add the veteran presence of Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld, etc. and the makings of something exists.
Pochettino needs more squad depth and/or another superstar, and north London will heat up further.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
