5 new potential 2015/16 title challengers in Europe's top leagues

The new football season brings new hope for clubs across Europe, but in the continent’s top five leagues each country’s respective champions can often be predictable. England has the potential for the most competitive title race, with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Manchester City all in the running for a shot at Chelsea’s crown. In Spain it’s the usual two - Barcelona and Real Madrid, and in France (PSG), Germany (Bayern Munich), and Italy (Juventus) the league can often be a one-horse race.However, there are other teams in these leagues who are able to mount a challenge if everything falls into place. They will need new signings to gel quickly, and the stars of previous seasons to maintain their form. Add a bit of luck to the mix, and there could be a new name on a league trophy next season. Here’s a look at some of the clubs looking to cause upsets in the European leagues.

#5 La Liga - Atletico Madrid

Since 2001, only two teams have been able to break up Barcelona and Real Madrid’s dominance of La Liga: Valencia and Atlético Madrid. A combination of shrewd signings and Diego Simeone’s supreme management means that Atlético will be the team most likely to crash the party at the top of the table this time around.

In attack, they boast two of the most exciting players to come from Argentina in recent years. Former San Lorenzo youth player Ángel Correa has recovered after undergoing heart surgery last year and looked bright in the 2015 South American Youth Championships, scoring four goals as his side won the tournament.

21-year-old striker Luciano Vietto joins the club from Villarreal after impressing in La Liga during the last two seasons. Both players have been compared to former Atlético star Sergio Aguero. If one of the pair can emulate the world-class Argentine then the club’s striking department will be in safe hands.

Just in case they don’t, the club have also spent big on Colombian Jackson Martinez from Porto. The dynamic forward scored 67 goals in 90 league appearances for the Portuguese club, and a productive season from him will help them challenge the big two.

In defence, the side have lost their Brazilian stalwart Miranda but have José Giménez and new signing Stefan Savi waiting in the wings to partner captain Diego Godin in the middle.

But the main force driving Atlético on to a title challenge will be their manager Diego Simeone. Their boss could probably walk into most managerial jobs in Europe should he wish to, but for now he remains in Madrid and is the main reason they will be the side pushing Real and Barca at the top this season.

#4 Ligue 1 - Lyon

In France, the last three Ligue 1 titles have been won by the powerhouse from the capital; Paris Saint-Germain. There have been different runners up on each occasion – Marseille, Monaco, and Lyon. But who from the chasing pack could provide a serious title challenge this season?

Lyon look the most likely, and keeping hold of local boy Alexandre Lacazette, even though he signed a new contract, will be vital during this transfer window. If the 24-year-old striker is still in their squad come the start of September, then the club should be able to mount a title challenge. His 27 goals from 33 games saw him finish as the league’s top scorer last season, and he also added six assists along the way.

Attacker Nabil Fakir provides a threat in behind or around Lacazette, and last season the exciting young French international racked up 9 assists and 13 goals. The prolific pair were ably supported by French midfielder Corentin Tolisso and Cameroonian forward Clinton N’Jie, who both contributed seven goals to their team’s tally last season.

The important thing for Lyon and their manager Hubert Fournier is that they’ve managed to keep their squad intact, but they’ve also added a few reinforcements to their side. Brazilian right-back Rafael da Silva arrives from Manchester United, and French striker Claudio Beauvue joins from Guingamp, for whom he scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 last season.

Building from a position of strength is much better than rebuilding. And Lyon could be the side who possess the quality to challenge the billionaires from the capital.

#3 Serie A - AS Roma

Juventus have won the last four league championships in a row, and the Turin club also won their last two Scudetti by the considerable margin of 17 points. The runners up on both occasions were AS Roma, and they could be the side most likely to upset the Serie A applecart in the coming season.

The inextinguishable Francesco Totti remains at the club into an unbelievable 24th season, and he’ll provide the side with a memory of their last league title in 2001, along with his priceless experience. The Romans boast an impressive and varied squad, ranging from the industry of Radja Nainggolan, Daniele De Rossi, and Kevin Strootman in midfield, to the mercurial but occasionally sublime attacking talents of Adem Ljaji, Gervinho, and Juan Iturbe.

Pinning it all together will be Bosnian midfielder Miralem Pjani, who has been the subject of transfer rumours during most windows since joining the club in 2011, but remains in Rome. Joining him there for this season are two loanees from the English Premier League, who the club will hope can give them the edge. Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny joins on a season-long loan from Arsenal and attacking midfielder Mohamed Salah joins on a similar deal from Chelsea.

When a club mounts a title challenge, inspirational moments can sometimes come from unexpected places. Roma have two exciting young midfielders on their books in the shape of Argentine Leandro Paredes, and Turkish youngster Salih Uçan. One of the pair could provide the Giallorossi with a season-defining moment, or maybe they’ll just leave it to Totti.

#2 Bundesliga - Wolfsburg

Sisyphus would have been right at home in the Bundesliga. Pushing that rock all the way to the European places with the top of the league in sight, only to have it repeatedly pushed back down by Bayern Munich. Pep Guardiola’s Bavarian machine are the kings of this particular castle, but last season’s runners-up Wolfsburg will be hoping the Spaniard’s champions will slip up, allowing them to go one better this time around.

The boot of Bas Dost was partly responsible for last year’s impressive showing, as the Dutch centre-forward bagged 16 goals in the league. However, the key to their success was the performances of Kevin de Bruyne, who finished top of the assists charts in Europe’s top five leagues, with 20.

If Wolfsburg are to get anywhere near Bayern Munich, they’ll need some similarly world class performances from their Belgian attacking midfielder this time around. The club’s biggest priority in this transfer window will be to keep hold of De Bruyne, but a few reinforcements wouldn’t go amiss.

Forward Max Kruse has already arrived from Borussia Mönchengladbach for €12 million, whilst they’ve also snapped up left-back Ricardo Rodríguez’s brother Francisco – a Swiss midfielder from FC Zürich. Rodríguez’s attacking contributions from full-back will also be important in determining how much success the team might have. And his set-piece expertise means he can win matches all by himself. He’s also another player they might have to fight to keep whilst the transfer window remains open.

The rest of Dieter Hecking’s squad will have to contribute to the collective aim of reducing the amount of goals in the against column. Whilst their 38 goals conceded last season isn’t too bad, reaching the next level would require this figure to be closer to the 20s.

Along with the defence (plus captain and goalkeeper Diego Benaglio) the likes of Luiz Gustavo and Josuha Guilavogui could play a big part from midfield when it comes to halting opposition attacks.

Elsewhere, German under-21 internationals Robin Knoche and Maximilian Arnold will be looking to take the step up to more regular senior international appearances, whilst André Schürrle will also be looking to build on his first season at the club.

#1 EPL - Manchester United

Can anyone take the title from Chelsea? A Community Shield victory against the champions might suggest that Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal are the most likely candidates, but there’s another wily old manager assembling a team of winners further north.

Louis van Gaal and Manchester United. Two entities which can never be written off, no matter how perilous that defensive line might be.

Plenty of money has been spent already, but one solid, experienced, defensive signing could turn an uncertain looking defence into something more structured. Even without this, Phil Jones, once dubbed “the new John Terry”, still has the potential to be one of the best centre-backs in the league. An experienced head to guide him could make all the difference, as the dynamic full-back duo of Luke Shaw and new signing Matteo Darmian operate either side of them.

But a lot could hinge on whether David De Gea remains at the club. The acrobatic Spanish goalkeeper won his side a fair amount of points last season with his heroics between the posts. That said, United’s real defensive strength could come from the acquisition of Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton who, just two seasons ago, even managed to make Dejan Lovren look good.

Alongside him, new signing Bastian Schweinsteiger – a perennial trophy lifter, World Cup winner, and experienced campaigner – will give the younger players in the squad an idea of how to carry yourself as a champion. Something they’d lost thanks to the departure of several old heads during the past few seasons. Add to this the underrated trio of Ander Herrera, Daley Blind, and Michael Carrick, and you begin to see a picture of a midfield which could really make United tick.

Further forward, the much coveted Dutch star Memphis Depay opted to join countryman Van Gaal in Manchester, adding an exciting unpredictability to the team’s attack. One which will be spearheaded by an ever-hungry Wayne Rooney who, turning 30 this year, will be looking to secure his legacy at the historic club by adding more goals and trophies to his already impressive haul.

Edited by Staff Editor