Everton: Premier League Season Preview

With the Premier League season now rapidly approaching, I have decided to take a look at each of the 20 sides that will be playing at the top level of English football during this upcoming season.

I have decided to actually go in reverse order, with Wolverhampton starting the list off and Arsenal concluding it right before the start of the Premier League season.

In the 13th installment of this series, I will look at Everton , who finished eighth in the Premier League last season after getting off to one of their worst starts in recent memory.

Review of Last Year

After a second straight fifth place finish in 2008-2009, Everton had high hopes of qualifying for the Champions League in the 2009-2010 season.

However, a terrible first half made it nearly impossible for Everton to attempt to qualify for European competition.

But, the arrival of Landon Donovan on loan helped the Toffees beat the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United as Everton finished eighth, just two points behind Liverpool for the final Europa League spot.

Transfers:

Incoming Players:

Jermaine Beckford (Leeds United), João Silva (Clube Desportivo das Aves), Magaye Gueye (Strasbourg), and Jan Mucha (Legia Warsaw).

Departing Players:

John Ruddy (Norwich City) and Lucas Jutkiewicz (Coventry City).

Everton Fixture List

All times are GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

 

Major Questions Going into This Season:

1. Will Everton get off to a strong start this season?

Always a major key in European competition is getting off to a strong start, something that Everton was not able to do last year.

Now, Everton should be able to start off strong with four of their first six fixtures being winnable (Manchester United and Aston Villa could both be non-wins), and that start can propel the Toffees to a great season.

2. How large of an impact will injuries have on the club?

Last year Everton's squad was decimated by injuries almost from day one.

But this year it is highly unlikely that injuries will hurt the Toffees as much as they did in 2009.

3. Will Everton get Landon Donovan?

David Moyes has been keen on getting the American back onto his squad since Donovan was a major reason why the Toffees were able to rebound last season.

Right now, it seems unlikely that Donovan will return to Goodison Park, but anything can happen in the transfer window, so don't be surprised if you see Landon Donovan playing for Everton next season.

4. Will Everton get a Europa League spot?

In all likelihood, Everton will get a Europa League spot next season, as they will rebound from the injuries suffered last season.

For a preview of Fulham's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Liverpool's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Manchester City's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Manchester United's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Newcastle's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Stoke City's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Sunderland's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Tottenham's Premier League season, please click here.

For a premier of West Bromwich's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of West Ham's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Wigan's Premier League season, please click here.

For a preview of Wolverhampton's Premier League season, please click here.