The Premier League 2019/20 season has finally finished. From times when we thought it would never end to times when we thought relegation would not be part of the season, it is a blessing in itself that we saw the end of this season. Many will be relieved to see the back of it. In a season full of uncertainty and surprise, we seek to assess how each of the 20 clubs performed this season.
20. Norwich (D): Despite finishing with the 6th lowest Premier League points total, Norwich fans should be proud of their young side. Impressing many with performances and style of play, the Canaries just shipped too many goals on their way out of the Premier League. The promoted squad deserved a shot at the top tier and Farke rewarded them with such, however it just wasn’t meant to be. Keeping hold of the likes of Godfrey, Aarons and Buendía will be vital if they are to mount a challenge for promotion back to the Premier League next term.
19. Watford (E): After a torrid start to the season, Pearson looked set to be the saviour. No one will ever know how the final two games will have gone if he’d stayed in charge, but replacement Hayden Mullins failed to guide the Hornets to safety. The £27m signing of Ismaila Sarr last summer signalled intentions of Watford’s aims to push for European football, relegation therefore is even more disappointing and surprising.
18. AFC Bournemouth (D-): What a ride it has been for the Cherries! It will no doubt be difficult for the club to bounce straight back but, whatever the future may hold, it should not stain any memory of the marvellous journey the club has been on under (now former) manager Eddie Howe. The fact that very few were predicting Bournemouth to go down this season is testament to the work put in by everyone associated with the club. Sadly, their leaky defence proved costly in their survival bid, and injuries to hitmen Wilson and King meant that matching teams goal for goal was always going to be a difficult task.
17. Aston Villa (C+): The target set this season was to stay up and, although they left it late, the Villains got the job done. Despite spending over £100 million last summer, a few acquisitions are needed defensively to shore up what has become a leaky back four if Villa are to stay up next season. However, survival will make it much easier to retain the services of starlet Jack Grealish, no doubt bolstering their attacking chances next season.
16. West Ham (C-): This is the second occasion David Moyes has guided the Hammers to safety. Somehow, though, the jury still seems out on whether the ex-Manchester United manager is the right man for the job. Perhaps if he is financially backed in the summer and is given a proper opportunity, he will prove the doubters wrong. Michail Antonio is reminding people of why he was called up to the England squad a few years ago, Rice is turning into a Rolls-Royce of a midfielder. Moreover, although Fabianski has slightly under-performed this term, West Ham are, more often than not, looking defensively sound. Once more for Moyes, job done, but for a club of West Ham’s magnitude, he really ought to be building on this and pushing for a mid-table finish next season.
19. Watford (E): After a torrid start to the season, Pearson looked set to be the saviour. No one will ever know how the final two games will have gone if he’d stayed in charge, but replacement Hayden Mullins failed to guide the Hornets to safety. The £27m signing of Ismaila Sarr last summer signalled intentions of Watford’s aims to push for European football, relegation therefore is even more disappointing and surprising.
18. AFC Bournemouth (D-): What a ride it has been for the Cherries! It will no doubt be difficult for the club to bounce straight back but, whatever the future may hold, it should not stain any memory of the marvellous journey the club has been on under (now former) manager Eddie Howe. The fact that very few were predicting Bournemouth to go down this season is testament to the work put in by everyone associated with the club. Sadly, their leaky defence proved costly in their survival bid, and injuries to hitmen Wilson and King meant that matching teams goal for goal was always going to be a difficult task.
17. Aston Villa (C+): The target set this season was to stay up and, although they left it late, the Villains got the job done. Despite spending over £100 million last summer, a few acquisitions are needed defensively to shore up what has become a leaky back four if Villa are to stay up next season. However, survival will make it much easier to retain the services of starlet Jack Grealish, no doubt bolstering their attacking chances next season.
16. West Ham (C-): This is the second occasion David Moyes has guided the Hammers to safety. Somehow, though, the jury still seems out on whether the ex-Manchester United manager is the right man for the job. Perhaps if he is financially backed in the summer and is given a proper opportunity, he will prove the doubters wrong. Michail Antonio is reminding people of why he was called up to the England squad a few years ago, Rice is turning into a Rolls-Royce of a midfielder. Moreover, although Fabianski has slightly under-performed this term, West Ham are, more often than not, looking defensively sound. Once more for Moyes, job done, but for a club of West Ham’s magnitude, he really ought to be building on this and pushing for a mid-table finish next season.
Despite 11 goal involvements (three of which coming in that win against Liverpool, pictured above), Ismaila Sarr's contributions were not enough to keep Watford up this season
15. Brighton (B-): Graham Potter will reflect on his first season as a manager in England’s top-flight with pride, with his Brighton side never really threatened by relegation. However, he is a long way off of building a side that is capable of playing the style he favours – the style he has become a renowned coach for at Swansea and in Sweden. As it is, however, it feels like little progress has been made following the departure of Chris Hughton. Yet, survival was the aim and this was achieved by Potter, so it is difficult to be too critical.
14. Crystal Palace (C): Palace this season felt very hit and miss. They can be excellent; they can be dreadful. Like the recent few years, it feels like their success is determined by Wilfred Zaha’s performances. As Benteke’s goalscoring struggles continue, the reliance on Jordan Ayew (who impressed this season) and Zaha seems unsustainable, as Palace need to build on the measly 31 goals they managed this season. Is Roy Hodgson the right man to take Palace any further forward than a lower-mid table finish? Palace may not be in any real danger of going down under Hodgson, but don’t seem to be making any progress towards breaking into the top half.
13. Newcastle (C+): The takeover mess aside and focusing on the pitch, Steve Bruce has worked wonders. Granted, Joelinton has not been the prolific goalscorer he was brought in to be, but Allan Saint-Maximin has been an inspired arrival – taking to the Premier League like a duck to water. Bruce hasn’t won fans over, however, unlike former manager Rafael Benitez, despite playing a more attacking style and achieving similar finishes. These successes, though, have been blighted by the proposed takeover and its subsequent collapse. Due to this, Bruce now has a behemoth task to repeat the feat with off-field problems as far as the eye can see.
12. Everton (C-): The Toffees finally brought in the man they wanted – Carlo Ancelotti. His first half-season in Merseyside has been a little underwhelming, but the Italian is not familiar with the word failure. Richarlison is beginning to become the player he was at Watford and Calvert-Lewin is proving himself to be a prolific striker. Surely, with a whole pre-season to work on the team – and no doubt a hefty budget, too – Ancelotti will demonstrate why he’s one of the world’s most respected managers in 2020/21.
11. Southampton (B+): Following THAT defeat to Leicester, it took a lot of guts for the Saints to stick with Hassenhüttl. What a stroke of genius that turned out to be. Danny Ings has been magnificent and – had Euro 2020 been going ahead this summer – would have been a shoo-in for an England recall. Post-lockdown especially, Southampton, with their captivating high-pressing style, have been the team to watch. Now, it is the difficult task of recruiting wisely and continuing that form into next season, something easier said than done.
14. Crystal Palace (C): Palace this season felt very hit and miss. They can be excellent; they can be dreadful. Like the recent few years, it feels like their success is determined by Wilfred Zaha’s performances. As Benteke’s goalscoring struggles continue, the reliance on Jordan Ayew (who impressed this season) and Zaha seems unsustainable, as Palace need to build on the measly 31 goals they managed this season. Is Roy Hodgson the right man to take Palace any further forward than a lower-mid table finish? Palace may not be in any real danger of going down under Hodgson, but don’t seem to be making any progress towards breaking into the top half.
13. Newcastle (C+): The takeover mess aside and focusing on the pitch, Steve Bruce has worked wonders. Granted, Joelinton has not been the prolific goalscorer he was brought in to be, but Allan Saint-Maximin has been an inspired arrival – taking to the Premier League like a duck to water. Bruce hasn’t won fans over, however, unlike former manager Rafael Benitez, despite playing a more attacking style and achieving similar finishes. These successes, though, have been blighted by the proposed takeover and its subsequent collapse. Due to this, Bruce now has a behemoth task to repeat the feat with off-field problems as far as the eye can see.
12. Everton (C-): The Toffees finally brought in the man they wanted – Carlo Ancelotti. His first half-season in Merseyside has been a little underwhelming, but the Italian is not familiar with the word failure. Richarlison is beginning to become the player he was at Watford and Calvert-Lewin is proving himself to be a prolific striker. Surely, with a whole pre-season to work on the team – and no doubt a hefty budget, too – Ancelotti will demonstrate why he’s one of the world’s most respected managers in 2020/21.
11. Southampton (B+): Following THAT defeat to Leicester, it took a lot of guts for the Saints to stick with Hassenhüttl. What a stroke of genius that turned out to be. Danny Ings has been magnificent and – had Euro 2020 been going ahead this summer – would have been a shoo-in for an England recall. Post-lockdown especially, Southampton, with their captivating high-pressing style, have been the team to watch. Now, it is the difficult task of recruiting wisely and continuing that form into next season, something easier said than done.
Only Jamie Vardy bettered Danny Ings' league tally of 22 goals this season, a continuance of this form next season will make him irresistible for a Euro 2021 call-up
10. Burnley (A): Short spells of poor results should take nothing away from the brilliant job Sean Dyche is still doing at Burnley. Recruitment has been, as always, outstanding and the team ethic is unrivalled. Such recruitment awarded Dyche with a squad depth that he has not known at Burnley before. Defensively solid, hardworking and efficient, Burnley have a distinct identity that is difficult to pick holes in. Players may come and go but keeping hold of Dyche is the key to continuing success.
9. Sheffield United (A+): Tipped by many to go down, it seems the Premier League was wholly unprepared for the over-lapping centre-backs that Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United have become known for. To be in with a shout of European football is a superb achievement and, despite not quite reaching that milestone, a top-half finish is not to be sniffed at. Similar to Burnley, success lies in the manager and there will be plenty of ‘bigger clubs’ interested. However, Blades fan Wilder is unlikely to veer from the project he is building at Sheffield United.
8. Arsenal (C): Arteta is slowly breathing life into what was a limp Arsenal team. While performances still remain inconsistent, there have been strong glimmers of what Arsenal are capable of. Look no further than their 14th FA Cup trophy – beating Chelsea in the final. Arteta publicly stated the importance of retaining Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and that will, no doubt, be fundamental if Arsenal are to challenge for the top four next season. European football (thanks to that FA Cup triumph) will make that task a little less difficult. Even David Luiz is looking revitalised, putting doubts about Arsenal’s back-line very much on the backburners.
7. Wolves (A-): Nuno Esperito Santo is a cult figure in Wolverhampton, and with good reason. Their second season in the top flight, their second 7th placed finish. If they win the Europa League this August, Champions League football will have been secured. If not, they fail to qualify altogether. However, sometimes this season Wolves have looked tired – perhaps due to the amount of games they’ve played, so being out of Europe next season could be a blessing. Even more so if they keep hold of the likes of Jiménez, Neves and Adama Traore.
6. Tottenham (C+): When Mourinho took charge of Spurs in November, steering them back to European spots was the job at hand. On the final day of the season, Mourinho succeeded. Despite only losing once since the restart and keeping four clean sheets in that time, fans are yet to warm to him as they did with Mauricio Pochettino, but ‘The Special One’ has made a good start at Spurs. Time will tell if he can replicate the successes he achieved in the blue part of London.
9. Sheffield United (A+): Tipped by many to go down, it seems the Premier League was wholly unprepared for the over-lapping centre-backs that Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United have become known for. To be in with a shout of European football is a superb achievement and, despite not quite reaching that milestone, a top-half finish is not to be sniffed at. Similar to Burnley, success lies in the manager and there will be plenty of ‘bigger clubs’ interested. However, Blades fan Wilder is unlikely to veer from the project he is building at Sheffield United.
8. Arsenal (C): Arteta is slowly breathing life into what was a limp Arsenal team. While performances still remain inconsistent, there have been strong glimmers of what Arsenal are capable of. Look no further than their 14th FA Cup trophy – beating Chelsea in the final. Arteta publicly stated the importance of retaining Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and that will, no doubt, be fundamental if Arsenal are to challenge for the top four next season. European football (thanks to that FA Cup triumph) will make that task a little less difficult. Even David Luiz is looking revitalised, putting doubts about Arsenal’s back-line very much on the backburners.
7. Wolves (A-): Nuno Esperito Santo is a cult figure in Wolverhampton, and with good reason. Their second season in the top flight, their second 7th placed finish. If they win the Europa League this August, Champions League football will have been secured. If not, they fail to qualify altogether. However, sometimes this season Wolves have looked tired – perhaps due to the amount of games they’ve played, so being out of Europe next season could be a blessing. Even more so if they keep hold of the likes of Jiménez, Neves and Adama Traore.
6. Tottenham (C+): When Mourinho took charge of Spurs in November, steering them back to European spots was the job at hand. On the final day of the season, Mourinho succeeded. Despite only losing once since the restart and keeping four clean sheets in that time, fans are yet to warm to him as they did with Mauricio Pochettino, but ‘The Special One’ has made a good start at Spurs. Time will tell if he can replicate the successes he achieved in the blue part of London.
Wolves completed the double over Man City this season, with captain Connor Coady pictured celebrating the third goal at Molineux
5. Leicester (B): Champions League football was at the Foxes’ fingertips, and perhaps that slipping away will tarnish what was a fantastic season. At the start of the season, Europa League football will have been viewed as a success. Rodgers is building a well-structured team, playing attractive, forward thinking football with an emphasis on youth. The glaring exception to the focus on youth may be Jamie Vardy, but as long as he continues to score goals at the rate he does, Rodgers would be a fool to drop him. With clubs around them building, it is sure to be a tough campaign for Leicester in 2020/21, but Europa League football should ensure some pulling power.
4. Chelsea (B+): Unable to buy players and the loss of Eden Hazard, Chelsea fans will be forgiven for being pessimistic about Chelsea’s chances this season – despite club legend Frank Lampard taking the reins. Guaranteeing Champions League football is a major success for Chelsea, as is convincing the likes of Ziyech and Werner to sign for the Blues. Hopefully, the end of their transfer ban doesn’t signal the end of awarding chances to youth. The likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Billy Gilmour have impressed this season and should be rewarded with more game time in the upcoming campaign.
3. Manchester United (B+): Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is proving the doubters wrong. A 3rd place finish is a great achievement. The January signing of Bruno Fernandes has rejuvenated the likes of Pogba and Martial, and is already becoming a firm favourite at Old Trafford. Greenwood, too, is a star in the making. United’s defence feels like their weak spot currently and will need bolstering if they are to build on this finish.
2. Manchester City (B-): City will feel disappointed that they couldn’t retain their Premier League crown this season. The void left by Vincent Kompany has not yet been filled and will be Guardiola’s first objective this summer. Losing David Silva could hurt, as well, but Phil Foden looks like he could be a long-term replacement. Over 100 goals scored is telling, defence is a perennial issue for City now. They’re still in the Champions League but successfully appealing their European ban could be the biggest victory of the season. Keeping hold of De Bruyne could be the victory of the transfer window.
1. Liverpool (A+): An incredible side ended Liverpool’s wait for their first Premier League
title. Mané is improving season on season, Van Dijk is the equivalent to a brick wall in defence, and youngsters like Curtis Jones and Neco Williams are coming through from the academy. Repeating the feat and winning back-to-back titles will be harder than winning this one, but there does seem a huge chasm between the exceptional team Jürgen Klopp has built and the rest of the Premier League.
4. Chelsea (B+): Unable to buy players and the loss of Eden Hazard, Chelsea fans will be forgiven for being pessimistic about Chelsea’s chances this season – despite club legend Frank Lampard taking the reins. Guaranteeing Champions League football is a major success for Chelsea, as is convincing the likes of Ziyech and Werner to sign for the Blues. Hopefully, the end of their transfer ban doesn’t signal the end of awarding chances to youth. The likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Billy Gilmour have impressed this season and should be rewarded with more game time in the upcoming campaign.
3. Manchester United (B+): Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is proving the doubters wrong. A 3rd place finish is a great achievement. The January signing of Bruno Fernandes has rejuvenated the likes of Pogba and Martial, and is already becoming a firm favourite at Old Trafford. Greenwood, too, is a star in the making. United’s defence feels like their weak spot currently and will need bolstering if they are to build on this finish.
2. Manchester City (B-): City will feel disappointed that they couldn’t retain their Premier League crown this season. The void left by Vincent Kompany has not yet been filled and will be Guardiola’s first objective this summer. Losing David Silva could hurt, as well, but Phil Foden looks like he could be a long-term replacement. Over 100 goals scored is telling, defence is a perennial issue for City now. They’re still in the Champions League but successfully appealing their European ban could be the biggest victory of the season. Keeping hold of De Bruyne could be the victory of the transfer window.
1. Liverpool (A+): An incredible side ended Liverpool’s wait for their first Premier League
title. Mané is improving season on season, Van Dijk is the equivalent to a brick wall in defence, and youngsters like Curtis Jones and Neco Williams are coming through from the academy. Repeating the feat and winning back-to-back titles will be harder than winning this one, but there does seem a huge chasm between the exceptional team Jürgen Klopp has built and the rest of the Premier League.
Written by - James McEvoy
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back
Edited by - 3-At-The-Back