The new Premier League season begins this week.
Everton will be hoping for a much-improved campaign after a whirlwind year, which saw Rafa Benitez sacked and Frank Lampard help the Blues to safety in dramatic circumstances. Dwight McNeil, James Tarkowski and Ruben Vinagre have all been added to the ranks at Goodison Park, with Cenk Tosun, Fabian Delph, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Jonjoe Kenny and Richarlison all leaving the club on a permanent basis.
Renowned for being one of the most unpredictable leagues in the world, predicting how the campaign will play out is no simple task. But, here at the ECHO, we have attempted just that and have shared below what we believe will be in store during 2022/23.
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Joe Thomas:
Where will Everton finish:
I think this season will be positive for the Blues. In speaking with Frank Lampard and his coaching staff over the summer, and from watching their ideas play out in training and during friendlies, I think the manager and his team are well aware of the squad's strengths, its weaknesses and how to get the best out of the options available - which will increase over the coming weeks. Success has to be viewed in the context of last season and the wider restructure and influx of new ideas at Finch Farm, however. The best sign of genuine progress may well be smaller steps that are built on solid foundations. I don't think Everton will be in a relegation battle, though I think Europe is too distant given where the squad is currently at. A 13th place finish in a season with little peril, more attractive football and the development of some younger players would be clear progress.
Everton player of the season
James Tarkowski. Over pre-season he has displayed the strength and leadership everyone expected his arrival to bring while also showing his ability on the ball. Everton should be strong at the back this season and I would not be surprised if the sight of him playing sweeping balls across the pitch to find wide players in space becomes a regular feature.
Everton breakout star this season
Nathan Patterson. I'm excited by the prospect of Patterson. I think he has a lot to learn and there is a chance Alex Iwobi starts the season at right wing-back. But if Patterson gets the opportunity to play I think he will be a really effective attacking outlet - particularly if Everton strengthen in central midfield and find players who can provide cover for a marauding wing-back.
Premier League Golden Boot
Erling Haaland is a disappointingly obvious choice but given how many chances Manchester City will create for him, and his form in every side he has played in, it's hard to see beyond him.
Premier League Player of the Year
Christian Eriksen. His recovery has been as remarkable as it has been inspirational. If Erik Ten Hag can find any way of making progress with Manchester United, you would think the Denmark international would be key. As stressful as it was to watch given the context, Eriksen was a joy to watch at Goodison Park last season.
Top four prediction
Manchester City; Liverpool; Tottenham Hotspur; Chelsea
Bottom three prediction
Southampton; Fulham; Bournemouth
Domestic cup winners
FA Cup: Everton. Why not? Hopefully Everton will have a solid start to the season and a good draw in the opening rounds. If they do and can be confident of avoiding a relegation battle by the middle rounds of the competition then I think Lampard will go for it. The wait has to end at some point, surely?
Carabao Cup: Tottenham Hotspur. I think some managers, at least once the final comes into sight, understand how important the Carabao Cup can be in providing momentum for the rest of the season, and in giving supporters something to cheer. I think Spurs will be strong this year without really competing for the title, so this could provide a chance for Conte to point to more progress after last season.
Adam Jones:
Where will Everton finish
Well, isn't that the question? I think realistically, you've got to be targeting a slow progression from the club in what should be a new era under Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell.
As much as European football is the aim everyone eventually wants, it just doesn't feel like the right time at the minute. Staying away from the relegation zone, a little more comfortably than last year hopefully, should be top of the agenda.
Long story short, I'm going 12th.
Everton player of the season
Now I understand that he's injured for the first part of the season, and that's going to be a concern for the side. But, if Dominic Calvert-Lewin can find consistency in terms of his fitness, then it's hard to look past him in terms of potential goal output.
As things stand at the time of writing, Dwight McNeil is the only forward addition that has been brought to the club over the course of the transfer window. I actually think that he might have an outside shout at this if he hits the ground running, but he's not exactly a clinical goalscorer.
Calvert-Lewin was vital under Carlo Ancelotti, he was sorely missed over the course of last season, and he is still the main threat that Everton have at the top end of the pitch. Everything changing behind him is all set up to try and give him as many goals as possible, and if he can do that then Everton will be fine this season.
Everton breakout star this season
There's a couple of options here, I think - with one particularly actually going out on loan already in Tyler Onyango. But, of those still at the club at the time of writing, I've got to go for Nathan Patterson.
I can understand shouts for Lewis Warrington and Stanley Mills as well as they are clearly phenomenal talents, but even with five substitutes how many chances are they going to get? Certainly not as many as the right-back, you feel.
He really grew into the side over the course of pre-season and the distinct hope is that can continue throughout the rest of the campaign. He's still got a lot to learn, but who better to teach him than Seamus Coleman?
Premier League Golden Boot
Everyone is surely saying Erling Haaland, right? Well, I'm actually going to go for Harry Kane, because for some reason he's just relentless and I think Spurs actually look quite good this season.
Premier League Player of the Year
Always a tough one to predict, but I don't think defenders get enough love for this award. I'm going for Ruben Dias.
Top four prediction
Man City, Liverpool. Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea. In that order.
I like the business that Arsenal have done and if they can knit things together with those new signings they've got a great shout, but this window isn't over and I just think Chelsea will keep their noses in front right now.
Bottom three prediction
Fulham, Bournemouth, Brentford.
Domestic cup winners
I'll go with Spurs picking up an FA Cup win for Antonio Conte, and let's be honest it got to a point recently where they might as well have just named the League Cup after Man City - so it's hard to look past them for that.
Chris Beesley:
Where will Everton finish
13 th . Unlucky for some but maybe not Frank Lampard’s side after he battled just to keep Everton up last season after inheriting the mess left by Rafael Benitez who won just one of his last 13 Premier League matches in charge.
Richarlison is obviously a big loss and his departure puts increased emphasis on Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting back among the goals on a regular basis with the likes of Anthony Gordon and new boy Dwight McNeil expected to supply him from out wide while increasing their own scoring output. Avoiding another relegation fight would represent steady progress ahead of the opportunity of offloading more dead wood next summer and further reshaping of an expensively-assembled but under-achieving squad.
Everton player of the season
James Tarkowski. Hopefully the new teak tough centre-back becomes Everton’s very own Mr Nasty (in the best possible way) and adds some much needed backbone to the side.
Everton breakout star this season
Vitalii Mykolenko. After what was a difficult start for him in the Premier League, both on and off the pitch, after a mid-season move from Dynamo Kyiv, the left-back started to blossom towards the end of last term and can kick-on again in the coming months with the competition provided by new signing Ruben Vinagre challenging him to raise his game.
Premier League Golden Boot
We’re told by many that Erling Haaland is the best centre-forward in world football these days so it figures that he takes this gong even if it is his debut season in English football. He certainly won’t lack for chances playing for his new side.
Premier League Player of the Year
There was surprise that Kevin De Bruyne didn’t win this award for the third straight season last term so I’ll tip him to take it back.
Top four prediction
Manchester City (1); Liverpool (2); Chelsea (3); Tottenham Hotspur (4). A repeat of last year with the Champions League places for me. While Blues might be relieved that it’s Pep Guardiola’s side who might pip their neighbours for the title again and secure what would be their fifth crown in six seasons, it would be an historically significant success in that it would move them level with Everton on nine League Championships and on their way to the seemingly inevitably overhauling of the Blues.
Bottom three prediction
I got this horribly wrong last year as I tipped Crystal Palace to go down and like all these predictions being made before the transfer window shuts, I’m not going into this with any degree of certainty but I’ll go for Fulham, Bournemouth and Leeds United. As much as he’s a nice guy and had them romping to the Championship, Marco Silva left Everton with the team in the bottom three and couldn’t save Hull City from the drop; Bournemouth don’t seem to have strengthened sufficiently (yet) and Leeds United, who only stayed up by the skin of their teeth have lost both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha.
Domestic cup winners
Manchester United and Manchester City. Erik ten Hag has his work cut out reviving fortunes at Old Trafford but while he might not get them back in the Champions League, perhaps a domestic trophy could be a start while across town, normal service is resumed for Pep’s lads.
Connor O'Neill:
Where will Everton finish
After last season, I think most Everton supporters would settle for a mid table finish, with their side safe by late January / early February. That should be the aim, anyway.
However, unless the Blues manage to bring in a few more signings, with a couple of midfielders being the priority, then it could be another tough campaign for the Blues. But sticking my neck out on the line, I think Everton will finish 12th this season.
Everton player of the season
If Dominic Calvert-Lewin stays fit for the majority of the campaign, then he will be in the running, especially if he has another campaign like he did during the 20/21 season.
Jordan Pickford is another who could be in the running, but I think Nathan Patterson is the outside shout. The full-back has impressed in recent weeks and looks a real threat down the right.
Everton breakout star this season
This is an easy one, provided he doesn't leave the club on loan, but the answer is Lewis Warrington. The midfielder is simply class, and hasn’t looked out of place when playing for the first-team in pre-season.
Premier League Golden Boot
Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland are the standout names when it comes to this battle, but I think Gabriel Jesus and Harry Kane are also worth a mention. However, if I had to pick one it would be Haaland.
Premier League Player of the Year
Kevin De Bruyne or Virgil van Dijk. The destination of this award will be decided by who wins the title, but it will be between these two.
Top four prediction
Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea, in that order. Arsenal could push Chelsea close, but I think Thomas Tuchel is a better manager than Mikel Arteta and that will show.
Bottom three prediction
Fulham, Bournemouth and Southampton in no particular order. Neither Fulham or Bournemouth have strengthened enough, and I don’t think Southampton have enough quality to avoid the drop.
Domestic cup winners
The drought has got to end at some point so I’m backing Everton to finally get their hands on a trophy and claim the Carabao Cup this season. It is about time Blues supporters had another trip to Wembley to look forward to.
While in the FA Cup, the Blues will get to the quarter-finals, where they will be beaten away by Chelsea, who will then go on to the final, where they will be beaten by City.
Paul Wheelock:
Where will Everton finish
11th - but a lot depends on how long Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out for and how long it takes to get back-up for the desperately unfortunate striker. There is still lots of work to be done on the squad but another forward following Calvert-Lewin's latest injury setback is now the number one priority. The Blues need to build on the momentum generated at the back end of last season when they took 14 points from a possible 24 before the dead rubber at Arsenal on the final day. They cannot afford a slow start. But with Calvert-Lewin seemingly sidelined for most of the opening month of the campaign, the worry is: where are the goals going to come from? Especially with Richarlison departed. Get someone in who can replace and deputise for Calvert-Lewin, and make another midfield addition to what appears the impending return of Idrissa Gueye, and I think Frank Lampard's side could finish fairly comfortably in mid-table. But if not I fear another season filled with worry, albeit not as anxiety ridden compared to what Evertonians lived through last term.
Everton player of the season
James Tarkowski - or Idrissa Gueye. The former is already through the door and has shown enough in pre-season to suggest he is exactly the centre-back the Blues have been crying out for. But the return of Gueye could be equally as influential. If he's anything like the player he was in his first spell at Goodison Park - and bar from having a few more miles on the clock, you'd hope he would be better given the level of football he's been playing at - then he should prove to be a superb signing and, in front of Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford, form a strong backbone to the side.
Everton breakout star this season
Nathan Patterson. From the fleeting glimpses we've had of the January transfer window arrival from Rangers, it's clear he's not the finished product. But with Seamus Coleman sidelined, and with Lampard likely to operate with wing-backs, for the start of the season at least, this is Patterson's time to shine.
Premier League Golden Boot
Hopefully Calvert-Lewin will force his way into the reckoning but I imagine it will be the usual suspects vying for the Golden Boot - Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah and, if he stays, Cristiano Ronaldo. But despite the mockery that accompanied his performance in the Community Shield last weekend, I'm going for Manchester City new boy Erling Haaland. With the chances he'll be presented with at the Etihad, he could hit 30 league goals if he steers clear of the niggles that troubled him at Borussia Dortmund.
Premier League Player of the Year
The fact that Haaland and Salah will not be playing at the World Cup may help their bid to claim this prize. But I'm going with Harry Kane.
Top four prediction
1 Manchester City 2 Liverpool 3 Chelsea 4 Tottenham Hotspur
Bottom three prediction
18 Nottingham Forest 19 Fulham 20 Bournemouth
Domestic cup winners
As much as I'd like to see Everton end their long wait for silverware, it's harder than ever to win domestic cups given the squad strengths of the teams at the top. I'll go for a Chelsea Carabao Cup and FA Cup double to avenge their unlucky defeats in last season's finals.
Matt Jones:
Where will Everton finish
13th. I think the start of the season could be tough as the team tries to gel and get fully acquainted with the three-man defence. There also may be some hairy moments if Lampard seeks to play more expansive football with what remains a limited squad. However, the development of some younger players and building of cohesion will see Everton well clear of another relegation flirtation. Hopefully.
Everton player of the season
James Tarkowski. Has looked a fine footballer in pre-season. Precise, committed and aggressive in all of his work. Whether it is in a three-man or two-man defence, expect him to glue things together for the Blues.
Everton breakout star this season
Nathan Patterson. Still has raw aspects to his game, but looks to have all the attributes needed to be an effective modern-day attacking full-back. Playing as a wing-back should give him extra license to push forward and that should suit his ability to make vertical surges and deliver pinpoint passes into the box.
I also think Stanley Mills will feature in at least 10 first-team games. Excellent prospect.
Premier League Golden Boot
Harry Kane. Spurs are going to be a fearsome opponent this season, having appointed a world-class coach and made some intelligent summer signings.
After a summer off and without transfer speculation, Kane should be able to hit the ground running this term and that should lead him to rediscover that goalscoring touch. With Son Heung-min, Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison also taking up the attention of defenders, the England captain will light it up in the early weeks of the season before the World Cup.
Premier League Player of the Year
Kevin De Bruyne. Still the best midfielder on the planet and late last season he really kicked into gear playing in a more advanced role. Whether it's from a deeper position or pushed forward, he operates with so much clarity and purpose under intense pressure.
Top four prediction
Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Arsenal in that order. Chelsea's recruitment feels a little slapdash and with no natural high-class centre-forward they might slip out of the top four. Cristiano Ronaldo to be United manager by the end of the season (half joking).
Bottom three prediction
Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth. The former have lost two huge players in Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha, the latter lack the squad depth to pick up points regularly and Forest have taken a big gamble by signing so many players and upsetting the dynamic that worked so well for them last season. Have a feeling bringing in Jesse Lingard on £200,000-a-week will look a little ludicrous in May.
Domestic cup winners
Arsenal are going to have a good season this year after some really sensible summer recruitment, so will back them for FA Cup success. Tottenham to win the League Cup and end their silverware 'drought' since 2008.
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