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August 7, 2024
Leeds and Burnley are set to battle for promotion, while Wayne Rooney embarks on a new journey with Plymouth.
Leeds United, guided by Daniel Farke, aims to secure automatic promotion after narrowly missing out last season in the playoff final against Southampton. Despite losing key players like Archie Gray to Tottenham and Crysencio Summerville to West Ham, Leeds remain strong contenders. Brenden Aaronson’s return from his Bundesliga loan is seen as a boost to their chances.
Burnley, now under Scott Parker after Vincent Kompany’s departure to Bayern Munich, are also strong promotion candidates. Parker, experienced in taking teams up from the Championship with Bournemouth and Fulham, has bolstered the squad with promising signings like Mike Trésor and Maxime Estève, making Burnley well-positioned for a quick return to the Premier League.
Middlesbrough, a club that has produced two recent England managers, Steve McClaren and Gareth Southgate, could see Michael Carrick follow in their footsteps. The former England midfielder, who signed a long-term contract this summer, is quietly expected to push for a top-two finish after Boro’s strong eighth-place showing last season. Despite losing first-team coach Aaron Danks to Bayern Munich, hopes remain high, mainly if striker Emmanuel Latte Lath stays fit. With talents like Seny Dieng, Rav van den Berg, Hayden Hackney, and Isaiah Jones, Boro is strong across critical positions.
Meanwhile, Luton, known for their resilience in last season’s Premier League campaign, remains a team no one can overlook. However, their automatic promotion hopes could take a hit after losing influential midfielder Ross Barkley to Aston Villa.
Hull City narrowly missed the top six last season, leading to Liam Rosenior’s rather harsh dismissal. Now, it’s up to Tim Walter to meet the high expectations of owner Acun Ilicali. However, the challenge is made tougher by the departure of winger Jaden Philogene to Aston Villa. This significant loss will need addressing.
Sunderland, regularly drawing over 40,000 fans at the Stadium of Light, is looking for new French coach Régis Le Bris to transform its young, talented squad into promotion contenders. Key players like Jobe Bellingham (Jude’s younger brother), Jack Clarke, and Dan Neil will be central to that push.
West Brom’s new US owner, Shilen Patel, took over last February. With Carlos Corberán still in charge, Shilen Patel has promotion ambitions. Having reached the playoff semi-finals last season, they’ll aim to go one better this time, though EFL restrictions on transfers due to financial sustainability issues could pose a problem.
Norwich, another semi-finalist from last season, is a bit of a wildcard after replacing David Wagner with 35-year-old Dane Johannes Hoff Thorup. Meanwhile, Coventry, under Mark Robins, can’t be ruled out after their steady progress.
Chris Wilder, with his history of EFL promotions, is rebuilding at relegated Sheffield United, but an immediate return to the Premier League might be a tall order for the Blades, given the scale of the challenge.
All eyes will be on Wayne Rooney’s new venture at Plymouth, where his managerial skills will be tested as they look to avoid the drop. Oxford, Cardiff, and Portsmouth could also find themselves in the relegation battle, each facing tough challenges.
The towering 6ft 3in defender significantly impacted his debut season, winning Middlesbrough’s Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards. Turning 20 this July, Van den Berg has shown versatility across the backline, particularly excelling as a center-back. His calmness on the ball, ability to pass quickly, and defensive maturity have attracted interest from top clubs like Milan, Roma, Borussia Dortmund, and Tottenham.
This England Under-20 midfielder has already worn the captain’s armband for Sheffield United and provided a bright spot during their brutal Premier League campaign last spring. A blend of vision, technique, and tenacity, Arblaster spent part of last season on loan at Port Vale but was recalled mid-season. Chris Wilder is expected to build his new-look squad around Arblaster’s dynamic central midfield play and goal-scoring instincts.
Joseph’s pre-season form has earned him attention, and the Spain Under-21 international seems ready for a breakout campaign at Leeds. Born in Santander, Spain, and with a family connection to Emile Heskey, Joseph was courted by Spain and England. Known for his strength, technical ability, and comparisons to a young Sergio Agüero, he has spent two years at Leeds. He is poised to transition from promising cameos to a critical starting role.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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