Premier League Newcomers
Published:
Norwich City heldoff the challenge of Sheffield United to claim a shock title win. Few wouldhave tipped them to be on top of the table at the end of May, but they achievedit thanks largely to the 29 league goals of Teemu Pukki.
The Blades werethe runners up, having only been promoted from League One two seasons before.They battled with Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United, but even the Argentiniancouldn’t spy a way past Chris Wilder’s side.
Aston Villa cameup through the play-offs, putting together a late run and beat Frank Lampard’sDerby County in the Wembley final.
Champions: Norwich City
Stadium: Carrow Road
Location: Norwich, Norfolk
Capacity: 27,244
Best way to get there/transport links: Carrow Road is within walking distance of Norwich Railway Station; it’sno more than a 10-minute stroll. If travelling by car, the ground is wellsignposted from the A11 and A47.
There is ample carparking at Norfolk County Hall, which is well signposted on the left of theA146. Be advised; if you want to get out in good time, make sure you’re inbefore 1pm!
Things to do in Norwich: NorwichCathedral, Norwich Castle, City of Norwich Aviation Museum
Manager: Daniel Farke
Star players: Teemu Pukki, Max Aarons, Emiliano Buendia
Kits: Yellow and Green
Norwich City’spromotion to the Premier League was a surprise to many, including their ownsupporters. Former Borussia Dortmund reserve coach Daniel Farke got themplaying some wonderful football on their way to the title.
The goals ofFinnish star Teemu Pukki will be vital in ensuring they stay in the PremierLeague. He hit 29 in their title winning season and will be joined in attackthis season by new signing Josip Drmic from Borussia Mönchengladbach.
In the stands,celebrity chef Delia Smith will be hoping they can cook up some success; she’snot only their most famous fan but also the owner of the club. She famouslytook to the field in 2005 to gee up the crowd, slurring the immortal words‘Let’s be having you’ at the home supporters.
Runners Up: Sheffield United
Stadium: Bramall Lane
Location: Sheffield, Yorkshire
Capacity: 32,702
Best way to get there/transport links: The ground is approximately a mile walk from Sheffield Railway Station,or ten minutes from Granville Road Tram Stop.
There is no carparking at the ground, but plenty of off-street matchday parking available onroads such as Eyre Street, Furnival Gate, Matilda Way and Sidney Street.
Things to do in Sheffield: Meadowhall Shopping Centre, Sheffield Winter Gardens, Crucible Theatre.
Manager: Chris Wilder
Star players: Billy Sharp, Lys Mousset, Oliver Norwood
Kits: Red and White stripes
Sheffield Unitedmade their way into the Premier League with a team spirit that ensured theywere far stronger than the sum of their parts. Players like David McGoldricklooked to be at the end of their careers but proved to be wise acquisitions.
Led by evergreenhomegrown hero Billy Sharp, as much a part of Sheffield as steel and The FullMonty, the Blades will be hoping that Chris Wilder’s golden touch in thetransfer market pays off once more. Their big summer signing is forward LysMousset, a club record signing from Premier League side Bournemouth.
They play withthree central defenders at the back and will be dogged and hard to break down,much like the characters normally played by one of their famous fans, SeanBean. Given Wilder’s transfer policy of late, it’s a surprise he hasn’t triedto sign Bean up.
Play off winners: Aston Villa
Stadium: Villa Park
Location: Aston, Birmingham
Capacity: 42,682
Best way to get there/transport links: There are two train stations close to Villa Park. Aston Station isapproximately 15mins on foot, whilst Witton Station is only five minutes away.
There is limited car parking on matchday around the ground, it’s permitted only on matchday. The A38M does run right past the ground, but the club advises that ‘the further you park away from the ground, the easier your return journey will be’.
Things to do in Birmingham: Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park, The Bull Ring, National Motorcycle Museum.
Manager: Dean Smith
Star players: Jack Grealish, John McGinn, Wesley
Kits: Claret and blue
Aston Villa areperhaps the biggest name to emerge from the Championship last season. They’vebeen a staple of the Premier League since it began in 1992 but struggled to getback after relegation in 2016.
They reliedheavily on the goals of Chelsea loan star Tammy Abraham, one positive to comeout of Steve Bruce’s ill-fated reign.
Dean Smith has recruitedplenty of new faces though. Brazilian striker Wesley has cost the Villans £22m,with Tyrone Mings joining from Bournemouth for £20m after he stamped hisauthority on Villa’s side during a loan spell last season.
They’ll be hopingto remain in the Premier League after sneaking into the play-offs in theChampionship last season. The club will also have a few famous fans that willbe urging them on too. Prince William is an Aston Villa fan, as are formerPrime Minister David Cameron and Sir Mervyn King, the Governor of the Bank ofEngland.
Promoted clubs are often amongst the favourites for the drop and despite Villa’s spending, Sheffield United’s spirit and Norwich’s Pukki, all three are tipped to be around the bottom six. However, each season at least one of the sides that come up do seem to surprise everyone, so the race is on for one of these three to escape the drop zone and prove their worth as a top-flight side.
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