Predicting the 2017/2018 Championship table
By Josh Tonti
7. Norwich City
Key Players: CF – Nelson Oliveira, RB – Russell Martin
7th place – the toughest position to be in for England’s second division. Norwich City is ripe with talent all over the pitch. The Canaries brought in highly-rated Manchester City goalkeeper Angus Gunn to compete with incumbent Northern Ireland international Michael McGovern.
Steven Naismith, Josh Murphy, and Marley Watkins complement star forward Nelson Oliveira; who could very well lead the league in scoring.
8. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Key Players: RW – Helder Costa, CM – Rúben Neves
Wolves broke a club record transfer fee in the signing of 20-year old central midfielder Ruben Neves. At £15.8 millon, Neves represents the highest fee ever for the English Championship.
Wolves outdid themselves again by adding Diogo Jota on-loan from Atletico Madrid, and Willy Boly from Porto.
Their influx of young talent is mitigated slightly by the loss of longtime number one goalkeeper Carl Ikeme. Ikeme was diagnosed with blood cancer in June.
He’s out for the year, but hopefully makes a return to the pitch in the near future. To cover the goalkeeper position, Wolves signed free agent, and ex-England international, John Ruddy. Wolves’ inexperience and high defensive turnover means they finish outside the top-six.
9. Sunderland A.F.C.
Key Players: CDM – Lee Cattermole, AM – Lynden Gooch
Darron Gibson’s drunken rant and poor pre-season fixtures aside, Sunderland is a talented group. They lost Jermain Defoe, Jordan Pickford and others following relegation, but return a nice nucleus of young players.
In comes Everton duo Brendan Galloway and Tyias Browning to man the fullback spots. Paddy McNair, Lynden Gooch, Duncan Watmore, and Donald Love represent more under-23 talent available to The Black Cats.
Where Sunderland finishes is anyone’s guess. They could win the league or get relegated and not one person would bat an eye. Simon Grayson has his hands full with this squad.
10. Leeds United
Key Players: CF – Chris Wood, CB – Pontus Jansson
Gone is Garry Monk, in is Thomas Christiansen for the The Whites. Leeds host a strong first eleven, but not much behind that.
Chris Wood scored 30 goals last term, but it wasn’t enough for Leeds as they finished in a disappointing 7th.
If Leeds adds to its squad depth, it’s not hard imagining them make a title run; though, with the present roster, they are probably a bit outside that right now.
11. Reading
Key Players: RB – Chris Gunter, CM – John Swift
Reading made an impressive run to the Championship playoffs last season, but a repeat may be a bit tougher.
Leading goalscorer Yann Kermorgant turns 36 this fall, and aside from Iceland international Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (who didn’t play well at Wolves), Reading don’t have a lot to turn to for goals.
On the positive end, The Royals should be tough to score on with Vito Mannone in net and a plethora of solid defenders to choose from.
12. Cardiff City
Key Players: CM – Aron Gunnarsson, RW – Anthony Pilkington
Mid-table seems about right for the Bluebirds, who finished above Aston Villa on goal differential last season. Nothing really stands out for the Welsh club who don’t excel or struggle at any position.
Long-time starters Aron Gunnarsson, Anthony Pilkington, and Sean Morrison will be called into action for Cardiff. There is a lot of continuity in the first eleven.