Page 20 - Soccer360 Issue 107

SEASON PREVIEW
2024-25
EPL SEASON REVIEW
Brighton Hove & Albion, Top: Fabian Hurzeler is the Premier League’s youngest ever full-time head coach
Chelsea, Top:
Enzo Maresca signed a five- year contract, keeping him at Stamford Bridge until June 2029
Crystal Palace, Top:
Crystal Palace star Jean- Philippe Mateta is one of Europe’s most in-form strikers
Everton, Bottom: Dominic Calvert- Lewin remains key in attack
Fulham, Bottom: Fulham made Emile Smith Rowe their new record signing
LAST SEASON
LAST SEASON
LAST SEASON
“THE
HIRE OF
ENZO
MARESCA
ISA
RISK
CHELSEA
KEY PLAYER
KEY PLAYER
HOPE
KEY PLAYER
WILLPAY
OFF”
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
FINISH: 11th place RECORD: 12-12-14 MOST GOALS: Pedro (9)
CHELSEA
FINISH: 6th place RECORD: 18-9-11
MOST GOALS: Palmer (22)
CRYSTAL PALACE
FINISH: 10th place RECORD: 13-10-15
MOST GOALS: Mateta (16)
For all he achieved during his relatively short time in charge, including the club’s first ever foray into Europe, it was surprising how things fizzled out for Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton. To help enliven things again, the Seagulls have hired the youngest
ever Premier League manager in Fabian Hurzeler, who looks a good fit for their possession-based approach.
It’s tricky to predict how Brighton will
fare under the German. They’ll need to overcome the loss of club legend Pascal Gross to Borussia Dortmund, which leaves them slightly short on creative options in midfield. That said, wingers Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma will offer a major threat while they’ll hope Deniz Undav can be the prolific striker they need after his excellent return of 18 Bundesliga goals for Stuttgart in 2023-24.
Deniz Undav
Two years on from the takeover by
BlueCo, instability continues to reign at Stamford Bridge. Despite a strong finish
to 2023-24 which secured a top-six finish and a return to European competition, Chelsea unexpectedly dispensed with coach Mauricio Pochettino and opted for another clean slate under the considerably less experienced Enzo Maresca. It’s a risk that the club and its increasingly restless fanbase hope will pay off.
After another signing spree this summer with arrivals including Pedro Neto and Barcelona starlet Marc Guiu, the main aim for the Italian this season will be to take Chelsea back into the Premier League’s top four and consistently compete towards
the top. Those hopes will be written
off by many, but with an abundance
of expensively assembled talent at his disposal including jewel in the crown Cole Palmer and the fit-again Christopher Nkunku - who promises to be the clinical striker the Blues have lacked in recent years - expectations are high.
Cole Palmer
After a thrilling finish to last season which sealed them a place in the top 10, there is real excitement and anticipation for what Crystal Palace might produce this time around. The impact of manager Oliver Glasner following his appointment in March was such that the Eagles transformed themselves into a free-scoring force, and
if they can keep that up, they have the potential to make a serious claim for a European place.
Undoubtedly the loss of the uniquely talented Michael Olise to Bayern Munich
is a significant one, but Eberechi Eze and red-hot striker Jean-Philippe Mateta remain while the arrivals of explosive winger Ismaila Sarr and Japan playmaker Daichi Kamada put them in a good position to progress higher up the table. Full of energy, pace, and creativity, Palace should be exhilarating to watch.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
18 SOCCER360