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The Premier League is often regarded as the most competitive league in the world. The English top division can never be predicted accurately, since there is always a surprise package. However, the term 'surprise package' goes both ways. A team that is expected to struggle may overachieve, while a side with lofty ambitions may stumble.
Which sides are expected to fall short in the Premier League in 2021-22?
The 2021-22 Premier League is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons of recent times. As many as four sides head into the new campaign with title aspirations, with a minimum of nine sides competing for European football. On the flip side, no club will hope to entangle themselves in a relegation scrap.
However, as the season wears on, some sides will punch above their weight, while some fall short of their respective objectives. For instance, while West Ham United finished in the top six in 2020-21, Arsenal and Tottenham missed out.
The same applies for the 2021-22 Premier League season. There will be sides that garner fans' interest, but there will also be sides that disappoint. Here are five teams who are not expected to improve in the 2021-22 Premier League season.
#5 Watford FC
Watford return to the Premier League after a one-year absence. The Hornets formed part of the top division for five consecutive seasons before finishing just one point short of safety in 2019-20. They head into the 2021-22 campaign with the objective of staying up.
But looking at their squad, recruitment and the man in charge, their survival chances seem bleak. Watford do have some exciting players such as Ismaila Sarr at their disposal, but on paper the team might not be good enough for the Premier League.
Unlike Brentford and Norwich, their recruitment has also been poor. Imran Louza from Nantes is a shrewd signing, but their attacking signings have been woeful. Josh King has signed for a free transfer from Everton. Emmanuel Dennis, who did not score a single league goal in the Bundesliga or the Belgian top division last season, has also signed for Watford.
Their biggest problem, however, is their inexperienced manager. Xisco Munoz was hired by Watford in December 2020. Prior to this, the Spanish manager managed Georgian side FC Dinamo Tbilisi. His severe lack of experience is a cause for concern, especially in the Premier League. Considering all the aforementioned factors, Watford could be heading for a disappointing season.
#4 Southampton FC
Southampton have established themselves as a midtable Premier League side. The Saints are a club that are usually never in danger of relegation and have challenged for European qualification consistently. Their golden era since returning to the Premier League saw them finish in the top eight for four consecutive seasons from 2013-14 to 2016-17. However, Southampton have failed to finish in the top half of the table since.
Ralph Hasenhuttl has done a good job ever since his arrival at the helm. The Austrian manager has implemented an attractive brand of football. His enthusiasm for working with youth has also helped the club align their vision with his own. Southampton are a smart club when it comes to recruitment, but this summer has seen a mass exodus of experienced individuals.
Danny Ings, who has scored 34 goals in the Premier League over the past two seasons, has left for Aston Villa. Jannik Vestergaard is close to joining Leicester City.
Despite their past trends, replacing these two mainstays is not an easy feat. To add to this, the sides around them have improved considerably. Southampton might be in for a tough ride this season and could find themselves struggling to improve on their 15th-placed finish.
#3 West Ham United
David Moyes led West Ham United to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League in 2020-21. The east London side also secured qualification to the Europa League. Moyes and West Ham have perfected the art of playing on the counter. Smart recruitment last season also propelled them into the top six.
West Ham's driving force in the second half of the season was Manchester United loanee Jesse Lingard. However, they have failed to sign him this season. In fact, their only notable addition ahead of the new Premier League campaign is goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. Considering Michail Antonio's fitness issues and the quality of their centre-backs, a lot is left to be desired.
West Ham's lack of depth in key areas could also haunt them this season. The added burden of continental football might also take a toll. Unless Moyes gets his targets in the transfer window, West Ham could be in for a tough season ahead.
#2 Everton
Everton have hired former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez ahead of the new 2021-22 Premier League season. His appointment raised eyebrows among the red half of Merseyside owing to their history with the Spaniard. Benitez has not managed clubs in Europe since his departure from Newcastle, so his return could be interesting.
Everton have been poor on the recruitment front this summer. The only notable incoming player is Demarai Gray from Bayer Leverkusen. Andros Townsend has also signed for the Toffees after his contract with Crystal Palace came to an end. Apart from this, Everton have signed goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.
Everton's 10th-placed finish in the 2020-21 Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti was underwhelming. This season, they may finish even lower. The teams around them have all made impressive signings. Rafa Benitez isn't a particularly exciting appointment either.
If their key players fail to deliver match-winning performances on a consistent basis, Everton could slip into the bottom half of the Premier League table.
#1 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur's quest for a new manager ended when Nuno Espirito Santo agreed to join the London club. The former Wolves manager has a tough task at hand, starting with convincing Harry Kane to stay at the club. The English striker has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City.
Nuno was relieved of his duties as Wolves boss this summer following a disappointing Premier League season which saw them finish 13th. The Portuguese manager is tasked with returning Spurs to the Champions League, after they finished 7th in the Premier League in 2020-21. Considering the quality of other top teams, however, Spurs have some catching up to do.
The departure of experienced centre-back Toby Alderweireld was compensated for by the arrival of Cristian Romero from Atalanta. Talented youngster Bryan Gil has also been signed from Sevilla. However, the club's biggest achievement this summer will be keeping Kane at the club.
The 28-year-old striker seems adamant on joining Manchester City. Should his transfer materialize, Spurs will have an uphill task in seeking a replacement. The north London side are desperate to return to the European places, but it could prove impossible without their talisman.
There is also pressure on Nuno to deliver instant success on that front. It's not the ideal atmosphere for any manager to be walking into a new club. And that might just prove to be detrimental to Spurs' ambitions.
