Who will win the Premier League? Predictions and ones to watch for every club

With the 2020/21 Premier League campaign already upon us, we've taken the opportunity to pick out three players to watch for every single club. The categories for each are 'Key Player', 'Best Signing' and 'Youngster', while we've even put our neck on the line with a league finish prediction for each...

Arsenal

Key Player: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - Aubameyang will have Arsenal's top four hopes on his shoulders but so rarely disappoints and is a banker for 20+ league goals a season, which you perhaps can't say of any other player in the league.

Best Signing: Dani Ceballos - It's not de ja vu, Ceballos really is Arsenal's most important signing once more and after a frustrating spell under Emery is now a key player under Arteta, having had a huge impact on results.

Youngster: Eddie Nketiah - There are plenty of youngsters to choose from, with Bukayo Saka perhaps the most obvious, but this could be a huge season for Nketiah, with Lacazette clearly seen as disposable by Arteta.

Season Prediction: 5th - The Gunners have made real strides under their rookie coach and should begin to bridge the gap to the top four, but a Champions League finish may be just beyond them.

Aston Villa

Key Player: Jack Grealish - Possibly the easiest selection on any team, Grealish is far and away Villa's leading light having inspired the club to promotion and then kept them up, with team high tallies for both goals and assists.

Best Signing: Ollie Watkins - Given Wesley's struggles before injury and neither of Villa's stand in strikers netted post-lockdown, a goalscorer was a must and Watkins bagged 26 in the Championship without a single penalty.

Youngster: Douglas Luiz - Perhaps Villa's strongest and most consistent performer in their great escape last season, Luiz - still just just 22 - will be pivotal once more having matured and adapted to the pace of the game.

Season Prediction: 16th - The strides Villa made from a defensive standpoint over the break last season should not be overlooked and if Watkins can adapt, with more money to be spent, they should be safe.

Brighton

Key Player: Lewis Dunk - Captain Dunk made an impressive transition from solid defender to ball-playing centre-back last season and the fact he turned down interest from Chelsea to sign a new contract is huge for Brighton.

Best Signing: Adam Lallana - Signing Lallana on a free transfer was quite the coup for Brighton this summer and the ex-Liverpool midfielder will only help steer the club in the right direction on and off the pitch under Potter.

Youngster: Ben White - White was a standout performer in Leeds’ promotion from the Championship last season and several big clubs will be tracking his progress in his maiden top-flight campaign.

Season Prediction: 14th - After avoiding relegation in his first season, now is the time for Graham Potter to kick on and Brighton have made steady improvements in pre-season to do just that.

Burnley

Key Player: James Tarkowski - After finishing 2019/20 in the WhoScored Team of the Season in Europe’s top five leagues, it is crucial Burnley hold on to star defender Tarkowski amid strong interest from West Ham.

Best Signing: Will Norris - It has been a typically frustrating summer for Burnley boss Dyche, who has so far only managed to sign ex-Wolves shot-stopper Norris as Nick Pope’s back-up in goal.

Youngster: Dwight McNeil - McNeil counters the generalisations made about the way Burnley play with technical skill and guile and 2020/21 promises to be another big season for the rising 20-year-old.

Season Prediction: 12th - Burnley have established themselves as a solid mid-table side under Sean Dyche and there is no reason to expect a drop if they keep hold of their key players this summer

Chelsea

Key Player: Mateo Kovacic - As N’Golo Kante and Jorginho really struggled for form and fitness last season, Kovacic emerged as the star of Chelsea’s midfield and it’s a position they’ve not strengthened so far this summer.

Best Signing: Timo Werner - There is plenty of competition in this category for Chelsea but in Werner they’ve signed someone that scored more league goals (28) than any other Premier League player (23) last season.

Youngster: Kai Havertz - Made one of Chelsea’s most expensive signings of all time, it will be fasincating to see how Havertz transitions from the Bundesliga to the Premier League this season.

Season Prediction: 3rd - After spending more than £200m a title challenge is the minimum requirement for Chelsea but it is still going to be a tough ask to dethrone both Liverpool and Man City.

Crystal Palace

Key Player: Wilfried Zaha - With no real interest in Zaha this summer, Palace are heading in to the new season with their best player still at the club and he will once again prove invaluable to their chances of beating the drop.

Best Signing: Eberechi Eze - Palace pulled off a coup to land one of the best players in the Championship last season and it now looks like Eze will dovetail with Zaha rather than replace him.

Youngster: Nathan Ferguson - It has been 12 months in the making but Palace have finally signed  a replacement for Aaron Wan-Bissaka and ex-West Brom defender Ferguson has big boots to fill.

Season Prediction: 18th - Palace always seem to do just about enough to avoid relegation without ever showing any ambition to push on. They can expect to linger around the bottom three this season.

Everton

Key Player: Richarlison - Everton are desperate to challenge for Europe and their chances hinge on whether star forward Richarlison can quickly strike up a dynamic relationship with new creator Rodriguez.

Best Signing: James Rodriguez - Everton have arguably pulled off the signing of the summer to land Rodriguez from Real Madrid and it will be fascinating to finally see what the Colombian is like in the Premier League.

Youngster: Mason Holgate - Everton have spent a lot of money to improve their defence in recent years but it was Holgate, a £1m signing from five years ago, that emerged as their best centre-back last season.

Season Prediction: 10th - There are big expectations of Everton this season after completing a stunning midfield overhaul this summer but consistency could still prove a massive issue for the Toffees.

Fulham

Key Player: Aleksandar Mitrovic - Last season's Championship top scorer is getting another shot in the Premier League, but Mitrovic may have to improve on a modest 11-goal haul in his last attempt, with no real cover at present.

Best Signing: Harrison Reed - The embodiment of manager Scott Parker on the pitch, Reed's arrival on a permanent deal was rightly seen as a priority and he'll be a busy boy in shielding a defence that will rely on his protection.

Youngster: Antonee Robinson - It will be interesting to see how Parker utilises Robinson and whether the full-back could play further forward given the attacking qualities that saw him on the verge of a move to AC Milan in January.

Season Prediction: 20th - No doubt Fulham will make more much needed additions by the time the window shuts but the squad lacks quality right now and hardly set the Championship alight last season.

Leeds

Key Player: Kalvin Phillips - Phillips will be keen to show his best side having played in an unfamiliar role with England and is pivotal to Leeds' play with and without the ball, both in regaining possession and build up play from deep.

Best Signing: Robin Koch - While all eyes will be on new striker Rodrigo, Koch is arguably the greater coup for Leeds given his age and reputation in Germany as a potential regular for the national side in the years to come.

Youngster: Illan Meslier - Having dislodged the experienced Casilla and impressed as Leeds romped to the title at the end of last season, 20-year-old Meslier may well be the youngest starting keeper in the division.

Season Prediction: 13th - Somewhat reminiscent of the Wolves side that took to the top-flight with ease given the players' familiarity with their roles under Marcelo Bielsa, most expect Leeds to follow suit.

Leicester

Key Player: Wilfred Ndidi - While most might understandably point to Vardy as the key, Leicester’s drop off in correlating with Ndidi’s injury problems was no coincidence. It amazes that still no offer from a top club has emerged.

Best Signing: Timothy Castagne - Plenty have been linked to the Foxes to now but only Castagne has arrived to effectively replace Ben Chilwell. It will be interesting to see whether he lines up on the left or the right once Pereira returns.

Youngster: James Justin - An important player for the club in the absence of their first choice right-back, Justin’s versatility could see him become a regular feature this season having been eased into action last time around.

Season Prediction: 8th - Many saw Leicester’s disappointing end to last season as a regression to the mean, but while it’s unlikely they’ll be in a top four race, European football is still a realistic aim.

Liverpool

Key Player: Mo Salah - Salah has played a direct hand in 101 goals in 108 Premier League matches since joining Liverpool and he is key to the club’s chances of defending their title.

Best Signing: Kostas Tsimikas - With no Thiago in sight, Tsimikas takes this category by default as Liverpool’s only signing of the summer but Jurgen Klopp finally has a back up to Andrew Robertson at left-back.

Youngster: Curtis Jones - After showing flashes of his immense potential last season, Jones was rewarded with a long-term deal in the summer and a big sesaon awaits the teenage midfielder.

Season Prediction: 1st - Liverpool finished 18 points clear at the top of the table last season and have kept the core of their side together. Landing Thiago will only make them more likely to finish top

Manchester City

Key Player: Kevin De Bruyne - The fact that De Bruyne was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year despite City finisng so far back is evidence of a remarkable individual season and the Belgian is the undisputed star man in the league.

Best Signing: Nathan Ake - He didn’t come cheap and might not set the world alight but Ake is just the sort of defender City have craved. Calm, composed and dependable at the back, his ability to play centre or left back is a boost.

Youngster: Ferran Torres - Having lost Leroy Sane to Bayern, the need for more natural width has been remedied by the addition of the exciting Torres, who already has Champions League and international experience.

Season Prediction: 2nd - Having been denied the opportunity to sign Lionel Messi, it’s gone quiet on the transfer front at Man City, who haven’t strengthened enough to bridge the gap as things stand.

Manchester United

Key Player: Bruno Fernandes - United have January signing Fernandes to thank for finishing in the top four last season and the ex-Sporting captain will surely only get better for the Red Devils.

Best Signing: Donny van de Beek - As talks for Jadon Sancho trudge on, Van de Beek takes this category by default as United’s only signing of the summer but the ex-Ajax star looks shrewd business at less than £40m.

Youngster: Mason Greenwood - Greenwood finished his breakthrough campaign with 17 goals in all competitions, including 10 in the league, and is arguably already United’s best finisher at the club at the age of just 18.

Season Prediction: 4th - United haven’t kicked on at all after finishing third last season and it is difficult to see them finishing any higher than fourth unless there is a sudden flurry of transfers.

Newcastle

Key Player: Allan Saint-Maximin - It took time for the winger to settle in the Premier League but by the end of the season Saint-Maximin was among the most exciting players around and made an otherwise turgid team watchable.

Best Signing: Callum Wilson - After the unmitigated disaster that was the transfer of Joelinton, or at least the fee, Bruce has a proven Premier League striker to rely on but Wilson must improve on his previous campaign.

Youngster: Jamal Lewis - With quality at full-back in short supply, the signing of Lewis could prove something of a coup for Newcastle, although the youngster is undeniably at his best in a possession-based, attacking side.

Season Prediction: 15th - He may not have been the fans choice but Bruce undeniably did a good job in steering Newcastle to a comfortable finish but it’s difficult to see how they can build on that.

Sheffield United

Key Player: Sander Berge - The Blades pulled off a real coup to land Berge in January and his performances should only improve now he finally has a pre-season at the club under his belt.

Best Signing: Aaron Ramsdale - Ramsdale has big gloves to fill after coming in to replace Dean Henderson over the summer but appears astute business by the Blades after an impressive season for Bournemouth.

Youngster: Ethan Ampadu - Ampadu has always looked a real talent when used, whether for Chelsea, RB Leipzig or Wales, but the problem has been a lack of game time. Hopefully that changes on loan at Sheffield United.

Season Prediction: 11th - Sheffield United overachieved massively last season and face a tough task repeating their 9th-place finish with other teams strengthening significantly this summer.

Southampton

Key Player: Danny Ings - He may be 28 but last season was a breakthrough one for Ings, who steered clear of injury and proved just what a natural goalscorer he is. Those aren't easy to come by so Saints are lucky to have him.

Best Signing: Kyle Walker-Peters - The departure of Hojbjerg was certainly softened by Walker-Peters moving in the opposite direction and with very little competition for a starting place this will be a big season for the right-back.

Youngster: Mohamed Salisu - With a full season in LaLiga under his belt at the age of just 21, Saints fans will be keen to see just what Salisu can do having played a big part in an excellent defensive record at Real Valladolid.

Season Prediction: 9th - A team on the rise under an fine coach, Southampton look among the most settled squads in the league and in Ings have a striker more than capable of firing them to the top half.

Tottenham

Key Player: Harry Kane - After an injury-hit 2019/20, Kane will be keen to restore his reputation as one of the best strikers in Europe by helping Tottenham challenege for the top four.

Best Signing: Matt Doherty - Wolves surprisingly didn’t put up any fight to keep Doherty and let him go for what seems a low price. He represents a huge upgrade on Serge Aurier at right-back.

Youngster: Steven Bergwijn - Bergwijn showed glimpses of his potential after joining Tottenham in January and will hope to feature more prominently now he has a pre-season at the club under his belt.

Season Prediction: 7th - Spurs have signed smartly this summer but it the jury is still out on whether Mourinho is a top manager anymore. No one would be surprised if he was sacked at some point.

West Bromwich Albion

Key Player: Matheus Pereira - Whilst he may be a new signing, on a permanent basis at least, it’s impossible to argue that Pereira isn’t West Brom’s star man having scored 8 and registered a league-high of 16 assists last season.

Best Signing: Grady Diangana - Diangana’s return to the club is another massive boost to the Baggies and the regard in which he was held, at least by his fellow players at West Ham, has been made clear. The Hammers’ loss is Bilic’s gain.

Youngster: Dara O'Shea - While fans may have been disappointed to see Nathan Ferguson leave, in O’Shea they have another youngster that arguably exceeded his performance levels and offers a threat from right-back.

Season Prediction: 18th - While securing both Pereira and Diangana on a permanent deals is huge to West Brom’s survival hopes they are more or less unchanged as things stand and lack a quality striker.

West Ham

Key Player: Declan Rice - Rice didn’t miss a single minute of Premier League action last season and is just about the only ray of positivity West Ham supporters have to cling on to at the moment.

Best Signing: Tomas Soucek - Soucek exceeded expectation after his January arrival and played a major role in helping West Ham beat the drop. Making his loan move a permanent one was a no-brainer, even for the Hammers.

Youngster: Jarrod Bowen -  You can count on one hand the good signings West Ham have made in recent times and Bowen is one of them. He will play a key role in whether West Ham can beat the drop this season.

Season Prediction: 17th - West Ham appear in crisis before the season has already started. They’ve had a stinker in the transfer market and things look very bleak heading into the opening weekend

Wolves

Key Player: Raul Jimenez - One of the most complete strikers in the league and pivotal to Wolves’ play, Jimenez followed up a strong debut season with 17 goals last time out and is more than capable of improving once more.

Best Signing: Marcal - Given their very clear style of play it isn’t straightforward to find a natural fit in terms of new signings for Wolves but Marcal is one of those, capable of playing on the left of a back three or at wing-back.

Youngster: Fabio Silva - We’re not going to pretend to have followed Silva through the youth ranks at Porto but for any club to splash £36m on a teenager suggests a hugely exciting prospect and Wolves so rarely get it wrong.

Season Prediction: 6th - The fact that Wolves narrowly missed out on a European finish last time out should give them a better chance and after a slow start Nuno’s side were a force to be reckoned with.