Soccer Preview 2021-22

 Soccer Preview 2021-22

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

10:06 PM

My favorite of the 3 previews. College football has gotten just a little too predictable : Alabama,  Clemson, Oklahoma, Ohio State - there you go, my playoff picks for the 2021 NCAA campaign. NFL is always fun, just because I think it’s the most difficult league to predict outside of hockey, although last year we really should've known the whole time. In any case, a nibble of the crazy European entity that just got even crazier over the last 72 hours.

England Premier League:

Winners: Manchester City. - why not? 4 of the last 5. 

2nd-4th: Manchester United, Chelsea, Leicester City. I struggled with this. I'll explain later.

5th-7th: Liverpool, Tottenham, Aston Villa. One of these is not like the others.

Relegation: Newcastle, Brentford, Watford. I feel bad for Bruce. The other two need just a bit more.

FA Cup winners: Arsenal. A mild surprise perhaps.

Carabao Cup Winners: Manchester City. - why not? 6 of the last 8.

City has some fun options to use this year. I hope they don't forget about Phil Foden... Manchester United and Chelsea will push City hard to the end, in my opinion. The only difference that separates them is the Pep factor. He does such a good job getting the best out of his team for 38 games. Tuchel did a great job in the knockout stages of Champions League. Ole is a tough manager to beat. But they just aren't able to get everything out of their players the way Pep does... Leicester and Liverpool will fight for 4th until the final day. This time I think it ends the other way, because I remember things getting stale with Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund. While I don't think Liverpool will be in the bottom half of the table like Dortmund was, I think they're going to struggle to get momentum this year. After the relatively easy fixture against Norwich in matchday 1, it gets tricky quickly. Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all show up before matchday 10… I like Patrick Vieira going to Crystal Palace, I just think it will take awhile for him to settle in. It's a pretty settled squad though, outside of Andres Townsend, I didn't notice much movement. Maybe he can freshen up the squad with some of the youth… Love Leeds' roster, think they will just miss out on a European place. A good window before the end of August might change things, but for now I think they're just shy of Thursday night football… Everton, Southampton, Arsenal and West Ham will have quiet seasons. I could see West Ham maybe doing something exciting and really pushing for success in the Europa League... Only Mikel Arteta will feel the fire for finishing in the mid-table. But he could see another season with a cup win.

Ligue 1:

Winners: PSG. Can't imagine anyone saying anything different.

2nd-4th: LOSC, Marseille, Lyon. Really solid clubs, in really solid positions.

5th-6th: Monaco, Rennes. If Camavinga stays, Rennes has a shot at Europe.

Relegation: Strasbourg, Lorient, Brest. Thanks to BeIn Sports, I just picked the 3 I knew the least about. Only league I don't get in my sports package.

Coupe de France: PSG. Might as well. Good chance to improve my prediction percentages.

I wish I could see more of this league, but the only way to do it is to sign onto a $70 monthly package. When I can get Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference for $5, this makes no sense. So here we are in America, and not able to see Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Leo Messi playing together. If they're all fully fit, I can't imagine things going any other way. And if they can only score 2 goals a game? Gianluigi Donnarumma will be there to keep it tight at the back… I love Lille (LOSC), and every year, they get hammered by the vultures and lose top players. For some reason, they still have Renato Sanches who could be playing for Liverpool or Barcelona by now. He wasn't the key piece in their title run last year, but still is one of the more exciting players in world football. If he stays, they have the talent to still get that 2nd spot… On paper, Marseille made some of the best improvements in Europe… Monaco and Lyon should battle it out for that 4th spot, however because of coefficients, it means a Europa appearance instead of Champions League. Still a good finish in what is slowly becoming a better league.

La Liga:

Winners: Atletico de Madrid. The other two haven't convinced me.

2nd-4th: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Villarreal. The league isn't really strong enough to challenge these sides at the top, but maybe Sevilla surprises if Jules Kounde stays, and Real Sociedad has some interesting talent. 

5th-6th: Sevilla, Real Sociedad. May as well say it. 

Relegation: Rayo Vallecano, Mallorca, Espanyol. Didn't see much roster improvement to make me think any of them have a chance.

Copa del Rey: Sevilla. They're usually good for a cup. I'll make it domestic this time.

ESPN+ finally gets La Liga, and Messi, Neymar and Ronaldo are gone.  There are still some ultra talented players in La Liga, but they aren't on the star level that those three gave this league for multiple years. Atletico has held onto all of their star talents so far, and so I don't see why they can't repeat. If they are able to sign Dusan Vlahovic in the upcoming days to pair with Luis Suarez, then I don't see any club able to beat them. Vlahovic scored over 20 goals for relegation tested Fiorentina last season, having the likes of Saul, Thomas Lemar, Marcos Llorente, Rodrigo de Paul and Joao Felix will only encourage him to score more… Real and Barcelona had interesting off-seasons to stay the least. Zidane is no longer at Real Madrid, and Ancelotti wasn't able to bring in any of his targets. They've lost both of their starting CB's as well, and only David Alaba has come in to replace them. I rate Eder Militao very highly, but to step into Sergio Ramos's shoes would be tough for anyone… Barcelona lost what's his face this summer, and while no one loves Memphis Depay more than I do, I'm not sure a front 3 of Griezmann, Depay and Martin Braithwaite is going to chase down a title. There's still some time in the transfer window to make a change as it appears Sergio Aguero will be out for a few months, but with Ansu Fati still sidelined for a few more weeks with the knee injury and Pedri still resting up from a fantastic Euro, I think Barcelona might be chasing teams from the back, instead of leading the way.  

Bundesliga:

Winners: Borussia Dortmund. It feels like Bayern's time has come to an end. 

2nd-4th: Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Hertha Berlin. Germany usually has one surprise a year, why not go with the team from the capital. 

5th-7th: Borussia Moenchengladbach, Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt. This zone could be influenced by 5 or 6 teams, but these three have players capable of making that push. Bayer Leverkusen keeps selling those players. 

Relegation: Augsburg, Greuther Furth. Augsburg dumped a bit of salary, nothing exciting left. Furth should enjoy things for about 25 weeks. 

DFB Pokal: FC Schalke. Wouldn't that be something? 

While Dortmund essentially swapped Jadon Sancho for Donyell Malen, I think Marco Reus is ready to captain a Bundesliga winning side. Marco Rose got close in the past with Gladbach, and he's never had this much talent at his disposal. Gio Reyna should be ready to take that next step, and Erling Haaland has been beyond spectacular since his arrival in the Ruhr region... Bayern still has some time to add to the squad, but for the first time since maybe the 2000's, their depth is coming up a bit short. If any of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka or Robert Lewandowski miss extended time, counting on Eric Choupo-Moting, Marc Roca, and Corentin Tolisso might not be enough. And Tolisso might not be in the team by September either. They do have some young, exciting talent coming through the ranks like Fiete Arp, and Joshua Zirkzee, but I think both of them need a year or two before they can compete at the highest level. Jamal Musiala, not so much, but that's asking a lot of an 18 year old that's had limited first team experience... the reason I love this league so much is because from about the 4th place in the table to the 14th it could be interchangeable. Hoffenheim could make Champions League and I wouldn't be surprised, they could also be battling for relegation. I thought Bayer Leverkusen would be on the fast track for 4th at the beginning of the year, but losing Leon Bailey really hurts, and I'm not sure they have someone that can come in yet. Nadiem Amiri, and Kerem Demirbay are nice players, but enough to get Leverkusen into a Champions League place?

Serie A:

Winners: Juventus. I guess. This should be wide open for the first time in years, unless Cristiano Ronaldo can turn back the clock. 

2nd-4th: Atalanta, Inter Milan, AC Milan. Atalanta excites me. Losing Achraf Hakimi and Romelu Lukaku does not. 

5th-7th: Lazio, Napoli, Roma. I guess Jose Mourinho is working some magic? I like Sassuolo and Verona rosters more.

Relegation: Spezia, Venezia, Empoli. A battle of about 5 clubs, Torino and Salernitana escape.

Coppa Italia: Napoli. Still a bit of talent in this squad, they could definitely chase a trophy.

I could actually see any of the top 6 challenging for a title, but it's hard to not pick Juventus. Ronaldo, Enrico Chiesa and Paulo Dybala need to be great, but that could easily happen... The squad I'm most excitied about is Sassuolo. They remind me of Leeds United. High energy, and Giacomo Raspadori is the best player you've never heard of. He's already on the national team, and should be on a top 6 side next year. Reminds me a bit of Lorenzo Insigne or Antonio Di Natale... Roma will be fun to watch. Not because of the style of football; I'm intrigued to see what Jose will do with this roster, especially with star Leonardo Spinazzola out for a few more months. Edin Dzeko is likely gone, and Nicolo Zaniolo is still coming back from his catastrophic knee injuries. They still have a few talents in the roster, but where does Jose find his talisman?

Champions League:

Quarterfinalists: Juventus, PSG, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Atalanta, Liverpool, Sporting Lisbon.

I can just see Real Madrid getting an Atalanta, and the free flowing side giving them everything that they have. Chelsea will be going for a different title, and Atletico will draw a PSG or Bayern to really give them all they can handle. Sporting had one of the best domestic campaigns I've ever seen last season. Let's reward them with a final 8 appearance. 

Semi-finalists: Juventus, PSG, Manchester City, Atalanta. Maybe some fun draws. Not the best 4, but the potential of a difficult draw for Bayern makes me think they're gone from this comp too. 

Finalists: Juventus vs PSG. I really want this. Ronaldo vs the World (or at least Neymar, Mbappe and Messi) We haven't heard from him yet, which I find interesting. I bet he's fuming inside. Either that, or plotting his escape to join the trio in 2022. Maybe he beats them too. But I have a hard time picking Wojciech Szczesny over Donnarumma. So I won't. PSG to take it. 

Europa League:

Finalists: Napoli vs West Ham. Maybe they're all in. I like the attacking options at West Ham's disposal. Why not a run against some of Europe's more established sides. Sevilla out in the semi's.

Nate's World 11:

GK: Jan Oblak. Back to back La Liga titles is no easy task for a non Barca or Real side.
LB: Raphael Guerreiro. If Dortmund is to win, he'll be a major player.
CB: Ruben Dias. Leapfrogs a few to become one of the world's best CB's. 
CB: Matthias De Ligt. If Juventus is to win, he'll be a very important part of it.
RB: Dani Carvajal. I thought about others, but this kid is steady.
6: Kante. One more go around before the next age of top 6's are ready to challenge.
8: Bruno Fernandes. Almost world class last year, enters the conversation this year.
10. Mason Mount. Will carry Chelsea through some tough spells, if they win the EPL, look at him.
CF: Leo Messi. I'm picturing the most motivated of individuals.
CF: Kylian Mbappe. All those Messi assists have to go to someone.
CF: Erling Haaland. Almost picked Neymar, but 30 goals and a Bundesliga title is better. 

Nate's Favorite 11:

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma. From age 16 man, I just love watching the guy. Reminds me of Peter.
LB: Luke Shaw. My favorite comeback story. Never lost faith in him, and so happy it's going well.
CB: Harry Maguire. I wanted him from day 1. Worth every penny. We were lost when he was out.
CB: Mats Hummels. Makes some mistakes, but I just feel better when he's at the back.
RB: Achraf Hakimi. Wish Dortmund had paid the fee, but PSG is getting next gen's best.
6: Declan Rice. England hates him, but all I see is a Michael Carrick 2.0.
8: Eduardo Camavinga. Along with Wayne Rooney and Michael Ballack, loved him from 1st sight.
10: Phil Foden. Still think he will be the next generation's best player. Fight me.
LW: Marcus Rashford. Hurry back, please.
CF: Erling Haaland. Can't pick against my 4th son. Even if he is 4th favorite.
RW: Mason Greenwood. Rather put him at the 9, but that's how good Haaland is. Next level soon.

Players to watch:

1. Yusuf Demir. (Barcelona) While I do think Foden is the best attacking midfielder of tomorrow, Yusuf Demir might be right behind him. Stumbled onto his YouTube videos when I was watching those of my other favorite Amad Diallo, and Demir should be better. Barcelona already got him, and if he's ready, he'll play a ton this year. Think Foden but right behind the striker. We share a birthday as well, so he'll always have my love and affection.

2. Pedri. (Barcelona) I mean really, not all is lost for Barcelona, even though they lost Messi last week. When Fati comes back, they could potentially have the world's 3 best teenagers playing in their side. Not to mention Ilaix Moriba who had an impressive run in the first team last season. If they do it right, we have the next group of all-stars that will chase the trophies of Messi, Iniesta and Xavi. Pedri is a little Iniesta and a little David Villa. If you saw him in the Euro's, you know what I mean. 

3. Mason Mount. (Chelsea) I continue to wonder why Chelsea keeps buying players in attacking positions. Hakim Ziyech. Kai Havertz. Christian Pulisic (albeit a different style of attacker). But while I'll never be the biggest Chelsea fan, he reminds me of when Wayne Rooney was in the Manchester United side and they started to buy players (Chicharito, Juan Mata, Shinji Kagawa) that could potentially push Wayne out. And Wayne kept his place. And United kept winning. The same thing could happen here. I think Mount is one of the few indispensable players in the Chelsea side. He loves the club, he puts them on his back, and this could be the year he approaches world class. Grealish for 100 million, and Mount for free. 

4. Jack Grealish. (Aston... Manchester City) This is a fun one too. I wasn't sure that the left side of Manchester City's attack was the problem. Ferran Torres did a job there. Raheem Sterling usually plays at the highest level. Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden can play on that side if needed. So why not keep the cash, and chase that #9 it seems they so desperately need? If Kane is in the team last year, don't they win the European Cup? So here comes Grealish, Torres moves into the striker position with Gabriel Jesus, and off City go again. If he blends in with no problem, then I look silly, and City might be challenging PSG for that ever elusive Champions League trophy. 

5. James Maddison. (Leicester City?) What an intriguing story. Here he is, the #10 on a team pushing for Champions League football, and maybe even a Europa League trophy, and his name keeps getting mentioned with Arsenal. Which is great, don't get me wrong, the club has a wonderful history, and usually battle for those Champions League places. But right now, Arsenal is in a bit of disarray. I don't think they're good enough to think about a top 4 place, let alone a European one. But here they come for Maddison. He is surrounded by talented players like Youri Tielemans, Jamie Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi and Harvey Barnes. For 36 weeks it looked like this group would be in Champions League. They added Patson Daka, who while not Haaland, did score plenty of goals for RB Salzburg, and Boubakary Soumare who may be the closest thing I've seen to Patrick Vieira in the last 10 years. So what does Madds do? Stay tuned to this story.

6. Thomas Muller. (Bayern Munich) Raumdeuter. The space interpreter. 10 years ago, I had no idea what that term meant, even after it was explained to me in English. He understands space? Great. So do I... but then I started to wonder. What are Muller's best traits? He's not typically fast. He's not a powerful player. Doesn't really beat defenders 1v1. He can't really whip in a cross. Doesn't really pressure defenders from his position. He doesn't really build attacks. Nothing special in the air. So why is he one of the best player's in the world?... Oh, Raumdeuter. He just finds the space necessary to put the ball into the back of the net. That's it. The only thing he's good at. 9 Bundesliga titles in a row. Watch him before he's gone. 

7. Atletico's midfield. I couldn't really put just one guy here, because it wouldn't be respectful to the other pieces in the unit. It's probably the group of players that I enjoy watching the most in the sport. For a lot of people, it's not aesthetically pleasing to watch. It's tactical, not technical. It's roles and expectations, not joy and excitement. Koke is a great passer of the ball, but I've never seen him beat a defender with a skill. Marcos Llorente is fit, but he doesn't ping a 40 yard pass over the top. Geoffrey Kondogbia doesn't chase players down like Kante, but he is a wall in front of the defenders. Saul won't rip shots from deep like Toni Kroos, but you can't give him space. They all just do their roles so well, and there's something for everyone. Carrasco plays well on the wing. Lemar cuts inside and delivers opportunities to the strikers. Angel Correa is difficult to win the ball off of. And now they've added De Paul to the mix, who can deliver a through ball at any moment. Any player for any game. Youth coaches, take notes.

8. Luis Diaz.  (FC Porto) Aiden wants me to put him in here. I've been waiting for the next James Rodriguez. For those of you that remember the 2014 World Cup, he was a revelation. He was smiling and enjoying the matches, yet he fought so hard to win games for his country. All the emotions made him very fun to root for. Diaz is built in a similar way, and Colombian to boot. Loves to cut inside. Scores goals at FC Porto for fun. I think he's a player that could make a big money move next summer, so listen to Aiden and enjoy these final months at my son's favorite club.

9. Erling Haaland and Facundo Pellistri. (Borussia Dortmund; Alaves) May as well finish with Logan and Lucas's favorite players, respectively. Haaland is already very well known, but even when he's not scoring goals, he is an absolute handful for opposing teams. A lot of Dortmund's goals will come from defender's mistakes, and Haaland has a lot to do with that. They get tired going toe-to-toe with one of the biggest and strongest physical specimens I've ever seen... Pellistri was signed by Manchester United last season, but we never really got to see him. He played in the reserves a bit, and then got sent on loan to Alaves. But, boy is he exciting to watch. He has a little Nani in him, but with composure in his attack. See his pre-season goal from a few weeks ago. He is back at Alaves for the 2021-22 season, but if you have ESPN+, gives this kid a glance.