World Football: 5 Smaller Teams That Will Exceed Expectations Next Year

The summer transfer window is underway as clubs start to acquire new players. For a lot of teams, things are already great and no movement needs to be done during the offseason. For others, lots of work has to be done. The summer is intended to be used by clubs to change. 

Here's a list of five clubs that will have a superb next season, beyond all expectations:

(The article title points out "smaller." Not all five teams listed are actually small, but they aren't the biggest clubs at the moment.)

Honorable Mentions

Benfica

Lazio

Palermo

Blackburn Rovers

Everton

Schalke 04

Bayer Leverkusen

Villarreal

Malaga

Few people know too much about Malaga.

Just five season ago, the team was playing in the second division of Spain and was having huge financial difficulties. Lucky for them, Sheikh Al Thani came to the rescue and purchased the club. Since then, Malaga's new owner has been very pragmatic and intelligent with his transfer acquisitions. In January 2011, Malaga was hovering above the relegation zone, so Sheikh Al Thani chose to buy defender Martin Demichelis and midfielders Julio Baptista and Enzo Maresca. These purchases ended up showing their worth as Malaga then finished the 2010-2011 La Liga season in 11th place, but still only three points above the relegation zone.  

Sheikh Al Thani has only been at Malaga for a year now, and it seems he will be the type of owner who spends money carefully.

Malaga wasted no time in the summer transfer window. So far, since the window opened, the team has signed Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Monreal, Mathijsen, Toulalan and Joaquin. Their new signings are all players past their prime, bar Monreal. Still, these players are great signings and can help Malaga do well next season.

I would expect Malaga to keep their signings going, and I certainly believe that next year will be the Spanish side's breakout year.

Borussia Dortmund

To many, putting Dortmund on this list will seem like a strange decision. The German champions had a superb 2010-2011 campaign in the Bundesliga. However, they have a very bad recent European record: Borussia Dortmund will be placed in Pot 4 in the Champions League group stage.

That just sums it up.

Last season, the German side was in the Europa League and was knocked out in the group stage—with two wins, three ties and one loss. 

Dortmund are possibly on the rise back to the top after their domestic success. To be at the top, a team needs to also triumph in the European competitions. Dortmund's last European success came in the 1996-1997 Champions League. Since then, success outside of Germany has been limited for the club.

It is time for the team to start winning European games.

Paris St. Germain

Paris St. Germain has gone down tremendously in popularity in recent years. One cause for this is that the French Ligue 1 has also suffered a popularity decrease. In addition to this, Paris almost suffered relegation in the 2007-2008 campaign. After a good 2008-2009 season, Paris once again failed to live up to expectations in the 2009-2010 term.

In summer 2010, Nene was brought to the Parc des Princes, as well as Mathieu Bodmer. Both of them helped Paris St. Germain finish fourth in the Ligue 1, their best league ranking since 2004. This was a major success for the French side as they qualified for the Europa League. Paris was subsequently bought by a Qatar Investment group (70 percent stake). With the club acquiring a lot more money, $16 million was dished out for Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro.

There hasn't been anymore recent transfer news, but it is clear that Paris St. Germain have money to spend. The Qatar investment will certainly help Paris St. Germain achieve glory.

Juventus

Juventus wasted no time after the 2010-2011 season ended. After what was an unsuccessful campaign, manager Del Neri was fired and replaced by Antonio Conte. Marco Motta, Simone Pepe, Fabio Quagliarella and Alessandro Matri were all purchased after successful loan spells at the Stadio Olimpico.

In addition, a strange deal was made for 31-year-old Andrea Pirlo. Nobody can blame Juventus for being productive early in the summer. Their season was under par, and fans are certainly angry. The club has promised that new signings will be joining this summer, which will be appreciated by supporters.

My inclusion of Juventus may be a long shot, but I believe that, if money is used wisely and in the correct positions, then the team can triumph next year. Juventus will only play in domestic competitions, but that may be better for the club. 

Liverpool

Liverpool are by no means a small club. My decision to put the Merseyside team in this list is not supposed to be seen as an insult.

Liverpool finished last season trophy-less yet again, crashing out early in each knockout competition and ending sixth in the EPL. That means that the club will now be without any form of European football next year (the first time since 2000). Nobody really expects too much from the Reds at the moment, but I expect the players to step up now.

It is almost certain there will be new faces at Anfield next season. Jordan Henderson has already sealed his move from Sunderland, but that's not enough for fans. The rumors say that bigger signings, including Zapata, Adam and Mata will be made. If you add these new names to the Liverpool team that is visible at the moment, the Merseysiders could be a powerhouse English club next season.

Liverpool have money to spend. Like I said in the other slides, the club has to spend wisely in order to avoid a Manchester City dilemma (too many players not playing well with exorbitant wages). The Reds won't have Europa League or Champions League next year, which will let the team focus solely on the EPL (and the FA Cup).