Who could challenge the top six this season?



Who could challenge the top six this season? 


By Jonny Bray
The Premier League is getting stronger and stronger each season. 
The gap between the top six and the chasing pack is getting smaller, with several sides threatening to break into a European spot.
West Ham and Leicester City look most likely to do it this season, having already cracked the top six in the past.
But we have also seen massive investment into Aston Villa's squad over the last 12 months. 
Then there is Crystal Palace, who have combined exciting recruitment with an inspirational new manager in Patrick Vieira. 
So which clubs can challenge the traditional top six next season? 

West Ham 


West Ham have been a completely different side since David Moyes started his second stint at the club.
They finished sixth in the 2020/21 season and followed it up with seventh place last year. 
Some might say they let Champions League football slip out of their grasp two years ago, but regardless, they have shown they have the quality to challenge the top sides in the league. 
They have also added to their squad, signing exciting young midfielder and Hammers fan Flynn Downes from Swansea. Leicester City

Leicester City have been on the verge of Champions League football for years now, but Brendan Rodgers is yet to get the Foxes over the line. 
They still have an elite squad and were able to finish a respectable eighth last year despite suffering some key injuries throughout the season. 
This could be the last chance for this squad to qualify for the Champions League, with many stars like Jamie Vardy and Kasper Schmeichel entering the twilight of their careers. 
But it will be a big ask in one of the most competitive Premier Leagues in years. 

Crystal Palace 


Palace looked a totally different side under new boss Vieira last season. 
This time around, they'll have to make do without Conor Gallagher, but they will have a fully fit Eberechi Eze as well as a maturer Michael Olise at their disposal. 
Wilfried Zaha looks like he'll be staying for at least another season, while the club have also signed exciting young stars in Cheick Doucouré and Malcolm Ebiowei.
They're dark horses, but if Vieira can get the best out of the young talent he has available to him, then there is no telling what Palace could achieve. 

Aston Villa


Aston Villa have had a mixed start to life under Steven Gerrard. 
However, the former England international has been backed yet again in the transfer market and now has one of the best squads in the league available to him. 
They have signed exciting 22-year-old Boubacar Kamara as well as decent cover at goalkeeper and left-back in Ludwig Augustinsson and Robin Olsen. 
They have made Philippe Coutinho's spell at Villa Park permanent and brought in highly rated defender Diego Carlos. 
Add that to their long list of signings last summer, and Gerrard has one of the deepest and most talented squads in England at his disposal.

Photo Credit: Getty Images


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