Post by Mikey (Admin) on Sept 2, 2021 17:13:09 GMT
ESL Preview
We take a look at the 10 founding member clubs launching the inaugural ESL 1st season..
ATLETICO MADRID
Last season Atletico under 11kiwis finished in 8th place on the final day of the season for 2nd successive season, but no trophies. The Board will be expecting at least 1 trophy this season with a very strong squad..
The beast Diego Costa still leads the attack, Saul, Partey and Melo provide a highly experienced and talented midfield trio and will be key to any success for the club.
At the Bruma and Gimenez lead the way but investment is needed to tighten up the backline, the club have one of the best keepers in Oblak.
With manager 11kiwis now settled at the club expectations will be high, the club should achieve survival but lightweight for title challenge.
BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern Munich completed another season under manager Raingod, and still no trophies which must be a worry for the Board and fans, Bayern have a strong team and should be doing better, they finished in 6th place 24pts behind the Champions.
In Jeremy Doku they possess one of the best young strikers and prospects but he needs a good young partner in attack, with 5 midfielders over age 30 and underperforming this must improve area if the boss is to deliver any trophies.
They do possess a quality trio of defenders in Boateng, Kana and Tah but need some improved backup and challengers in defense.
The manager must deliver this season even if just a Cup, will comfortably stay up and unless investment in the team will finish in top 6 but not title challengers.
CHELSEA
Chelsea had a great season winning the English National Cup before a change in management with Niall taking the reigns and continuing the great work of previous manager ColinW. Niall and the Blues lifted the Champions League beating Manchester United, then clinched the Primera League title on the final day when Ajax slipped up.
The Blues are favourites to win the ESL title, in Neymar and Aguero they have a powerful attack capable of scoring many goals. Chelsea's midfield is one of the strongest in all leagues with Busquets, Robben, Seri and De Bruyne and not to mention Isco still producing the goods.
At the back a settled defense over several seasons with Christensen, Alonso, Telles and Azpilicueta providing the backline and 2 quality young defenders with Wakely and Simeu developing and highly regarded.
Title favourites and expected to deliver more trophies....
FC BARCELONA
FC Barcelona stormed to the Tercero League title as expected and will face a much tougher league this season, they also lifted a thrilling Copa Del Rey Trophy beating arch rivals Real Madrid and losing to Manchester United in semi finals of the Champions League.
A good season and now the big challenge starts for manager Ian Thompson, with Moura, Bacca and Aubameyang the club possess 3 powerful strikers who scored for fun last season.
In midfield, Rabiot, Bruno Fernandes and Candreva bring the attacking threat and passing skills, 20 year old Rivera is a hot talent chased by 8 clubs and will provide great quality in the season. The backline of Pique, Dalbert and Guerrero are settled but some more quality will be needed to make Barca into a force again. A better keeper is also required as an urgency for the manager.
Barca should be safe and expect a mid table finish.
MANCHESTER CITY
Another big club like Bayern with no trophies, and a Board and fans will be expecting some signs of improvement this season after finishing 12th and missing out on European Competition again. Manager Darlington will need to work hard with his team as there has been little investment over the last 2 seasons, Raheem Sterling continues to lead the attack but needs more quality to work with. Kai Havertz is the star in midfield and one of the best midfielders in the game, but again he needs more quality midfielders around him if the club are to have any success with 5 of the 9 midfielders over 32 new blood is needed.
Ginter provides the only quality in defense, much investment is needed to improve the backline but at least Ederson is a good keeper.
A long season expected and relegation a real possibility for City.
MANCHESTER UNITED
United finished 4th in the league and their reign of winning league titles like the previous two seasons ended by Chelsea, and no trophies delivered by manager Grandadam.
United will be expected to challenge Chelsea for the ESL title, they do have one of the best Academies and many quality young players coming through the ranks.
With Pepe and Ronaldo in attack they will always trouble defenses and score goals, Koke leads midfield with his quality and backed by two young rising stars in Garner, Leoni and Gravenberch.
De Ligt, Shaw, Di Lorenzo and Fernandes provide the backline and a quality defense that will be key for United, good young players working through the team and De Gea the best keeper in all leagues should be another good season for the club.
Fans and the Board will demand at least one trophy and will be title contenders.
PARIS ST GERMAIN
PSG had an incredible Season 2 winning 5 trophies, and followed that up with 2 more trophies winning the Coupe de France and retaining the Europa League for the 2nd successive season no mean feat under manager Stevie.
Stevie has moved on now Drum79 takes over a club who finished 3rd in the league their highest finish and possessed one of best attacking teams, but Cesc Fabregas and Bruno Henrique have both moved on. Still the club have Harry Kane who was fire last season, Berghuis and Bale provided many goals for front trio to scare all teams.
Midfield is their strength with the best midfielder in the game in Marco Veratti, partnered with Hamsik, Herrera and newly arrived Khedira it would be hard to bet against PSG.
Marquinhos, Kimbempe, Martinez and Darmian provide the backline and settled strength, maybe 1 or 2 more defenders would be massive boost to the team
PSG have been the dominant team over 2 seasons with 7 trophies and expect more, PSG will be title challengers with Chelsea and United.
PORTSMOUTH
With Ajax FC, Inter Milan and Juventus now managerless and denied a place in the ESL, Portsmouth have been a big surprise and take their place after an incredible 5th place league finish and winning the WSM Cup under manager Swedish80.
She has proved herself a quality manager rebuilding Ajax FC into a force and continuing that work with Pompey, one their strengths has been scoring goals with Son Heung Min and Lavezzi rotating and towards ends of season Bruno Henrique arrived in a £165 million record transfer fee.
Plenty of quality youngsters coming through the 1st team and Academy, in midfield Youri Tielemans is the main man and chased by 5 clubs along with a young developing midfield.
David Luiz and Demi Lusala the main two defenders, with young defenders coming through they have enough depth and with a good manager should finish comfortably in midfield.
REAL MADRID
One of the big surprises of the WSM was up to this season no trophies, but manager Bielsa has changed that with Real Madrid winning the BBVA League Cup, finishing runners up in the Copa Del Rey but a disappointing league campaign saw them finish in 9th and missing out on European Competition on goal difference.
Surprise was young Torben Musel who has developed into a quality striker working well with Mauro Icardi and young swedish striker Nygren.
Real's strength is the quality fo their midfield compared to other clubs, with 7 quality midfielders led by Dele Alli, Mario, Tadic and Matic and young midfielders coming in too.
Eric Bailly is the main man in defense, but with 3 out 6 defender over 30 investment is needed but they do possess a young talened keeper in Reckart who has been chased by 7 clubs.
Not title challengers yet, but should have a good season and finish in top half.
RSC ANDERLECHT
RSCA have continued to surprise many under manager Macca, finishing in 7th place and European Competition again.
Heavy underdogs being promoted into this league, young Unuvar is developing into a quality striker but needs another goalscoring striker to work with him.
Gomes, Chadli and Marin provide the heart of midfield and quality, but do need more strength inmidfield. Alaba, Rose and Arnold the key in defense, again investment needed to here to help the club.
Will be in relegation battle with Manchester City to stay up, unless good investment can give more strength to the team.
We take a look at the 10 founding member clubs launching the inaugural ESL 1st season..
ATLETICO MADRID
Last season Atletico under 11kiwis finished in 8th place on the final day of the season for 2nd successive season, but no trophies. The Board will be expecting at least 1 trophy this season with a very strong squad..
The beast Diego Costa still leads the attack, Saul, Partey and Melo provide a highly experienced and talented midfield trio and will be key to any success for the club.
At the Bruma and Gimenez lead the way but investment is needed to tighten up the backline, the club have one of the best keepers in Oblak.
With manager 11kiwis now settled at the club expectations will be high, the club should achieve survival but lightweight for title challenge.
BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern Munich completed another season under manager Raingod, and still no trophies which must be a worry for the Board and fans, Bayern have a strong team and should be doing better, they finished in 6th place 24pts behind the Champions.
In Jeremy Doku they possess one of the best young strikers and prospects but he needs a good young partner in attack, with 5 midfielders over age 30 and underperforming this must improve area if the boss is to deliver any trophies.
They do possess a quality trio of defenders in Boateng, Kana and Tah but need some improved backup and challengers in defense.
The manager must deliver this season even if just a Cup, will comfortably stay up and unless investment in the team will finish in top 6 but not title challengers.
CHELSEA
Chelsea had a great season winning the English National Cup before a change in management with Niall taking the reigns and continuing the great work of previous manager ColinW. Niall and the Blues lifted the Champions League beating Manchester United, then clinched the Primera League title on the final day when Ajax slipped up.
The Blues are favourites to win the ESL title, in Neymar and Aguero they have a powerful attack capable of scoring many goals. Chelsea's midfield is one of the strongest in all leagues with Busquets, Robben, Seri and De Bruyne and not to mention Isco still producing the goods.
At the back a settled defense over several seasons with Christensen, Alonso, Telles and Azpilicueta providing the backline and 2 quality young defenders with Wakely and Simeu developing and highly regarded.
Title favourites and expected to deliver more trophies....
FC BARCELONA
FC Barcelona stormed to the Tercero League title as expected and will face a much tougher league this season, they also lifted a thrilling Copa Del Rey Trophy beating arch rivals Real Madrid and losing to Manchester United in semi finals of the Champions League.
A good season and now the big challenge starts for manager Ian Thompson, with Moura, Bacca and Aubameyang the club possess 3 powerful strikers who scored for fun last season.
In midfield, Rabiot, Bruno Fernandes and Candreva bring the attacking threat and passing skills, 20 year old Rivera is a hot talent chased by 8 clubs and will provide great quality in the season. The backline of Pique, Dalbert and Guerrero are settled but some more quality will be needed to make Barca into a force again. A better keeper is also required as an urgency for the manager.
Barca should be safe and expect a mid table finish.
MANCHESTER CITY
Another big club like Bayern with no trophies, and a Board and fans will be expecting some signs of improvement this season after finishing 12th and missing out on European Competition again. Manager Darlington will need to work hard with his team as there has been little investment over the last 2 seasons, Raheem Sterling continues to lead the attack but needs more quality to work with. Kai Havertz is the star in midfield and one of the best midfielders in the game, but again he needs more quality midfielders around him if the club are to have any success with 5 of the 9 midfielders over 32 new blood is needed.
Ginter provides the only quality in defense, much investment is needed to improve the backline but at least Ederson is a good keeper.
A long season expected and relegation a real possibility for City.
MANCHESTER UNITED
United finished 4th in the league and their reign of winning league titles like the previous two seasons ended by Chelsea, and no trophies delivered by manager Grandadam.
United will be expected to challenge Chelsea for the ESL title, they do have one of the best Academies and many quality young players coming through the ranks.
With Pepe and Ronaldo in attack they will always trouble defenses and score goals, Koke leads midfield with his quality and backed by two young rising stars in Garner, Leoni and Gravenberch.
De Ligt, Shaw, Di Lorenzo and Fernandes provide the backline and a quality defense that will be key for United, good young players working through the team and De Gea the best keeper in all leagues should be another good season for the club.
Fans and the Board will demand at least one trophy and will be title contenders.
PARIS ST GERMAIN
PSG had an incredible Season 2 winning 5 trophies, and followed that up with 2 more trophies winning the Coupe de France and retaining the Europa League for the 2nd successive season no mean feat under manager Stevie.
Stevie has moved on now Drum79 takes over a club who finished 3rd in the league their highest finish and possessed one of best attacking teams, but Cesc Fabregas and Bruno Henrique have both moved on. Still the club have Harry Kane who was fire last season, Berghuis and Bale provided many goals for front trio to scare all teams.
Midfield is their strength with the best midfielder in the game in Marco Veratti, partnered with Hamsik, Herrera and newly arrived Khedira it would be hard to bet against PSG.
Marquinhos, Kimbempe, Martinez and Darmian provide the backline and settled strength, maybe 1 or 2 more defenders would be massive boost to the team
PSG have been the dominant team over 2 seasons with 7 trophies and expect more, PSG will be title challengers with Chelsea and United.
PORTSMOUTH
With Ajax FC, Inter Milan and Juventus now managerless and denied a place in the ESL, Portsmouth have been a big surprise and take their place after an incredible 5th place league finish and winning the WSM Cup under manager Swedish80.
She has proved herself a quality manager rebuilding Ajax FC into a force and continuing that work with Pompey, one their strengths has been scoring goals with Son Heung Min and Lavezzi rotating and towards ends of season Bruno Henrique arrived in a £165 million record transfer fee.
Plenty of quality youngsters coming through the 1st team and Academy, in midfield Youri Tielemans is the main man and chased by 5 clubs along with a young developing midfield.
David Luiz and Demi Lusala the main two defenders, with young defenders coming through they have enough depth and with a good manager should finish comfortably in midfield.
REAL MADRID
One of the big surprises of the WSM was up to this season no trophies, but manager Bielsa has changed that with Real Madrid winning the BBVA League Cup, finishing runners up in the Copa Del Rey but a disappointing league campaign saw them finish in 9th and missing out on European Competition on goal difference.
Surprise was young Torben Musel who has developed into a quality striker working well with Mauro Icardi and young swedish striker Nygren.
Real's strength is the quality fo their midfield compared to other clubs, with 7 quality midfielders led by Dele Alli, Mario, Tadic and Matic and young midfielders coming in too.
Eric Bailly is the main man in defense, but with 3 out 6 defender over 30 investment is needed but they do possess a young talened keeper in Reckart who has been chased by 7 clubs.
Not title challengers yet, but should have a good season and finish in top half.
RSC ANDERLECHT
RSCA have continued to surprise many under manager Macca, finishing in 7th place and European Competition again.
Heavy underdogs being promoted into this league, young Unuvar is developing into a quality striker but needs another goalscoring striker to work with him.
Gomes, Chadli and Marin provide the heart of midfield and quality, but do need more strength inmidfield. Alaba, Rose and Arnold the key in defense, again investment needed to here to help the club.
Will be in relegation battle with Manchester City to stay up, unless good investment can give more strength to the team.
