Season 21 Premiership Talk & Predictions Thread

This is the 21st season for the Dynasty Liga Premiership League.

Season 20 Champions:

In a season where the title was decided on the final day of the season, Chelsea were crowd the Premiership Champions and will look to defend their Crown.

Season 20 Teams:

ARSENAL (27/2)
Owner: Gooner
Assistant Manager: Marco Rose
Captain: Declan Rice
Top Earner: Wojciech Szczęsny
Lowest Earner: Dominik Livaković
Key Player: Kieran Tierney
Zizou’s Key Player: Martin Odegaard
Oldest Player: Sergio Ramos, 35
Youngest Player: Bukayo Saka, 19
Average Age:: 24

Last Season Prediction: 12th
Last Season Finish: 10th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 14th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 25-1

Zizou’s Thoughts: For the first time in seemingly FOREVER, Arsenal will someone’s club other than Mark. Unlike the real Arse and all, Mark’s Arsenal was a team covered in glory and one of the benchmarks of Dynasty. Over time, you just knew what to expect. You know they’d be incredibly good. You know they’d have insane depth. You know they’re gonna have a tac that’s hard to beat. But we are in for a handful of surprises this season. FM gave Arsenal no respect, selecting them to bring up the rear in the Premiership this season. I don’t feel as glum about their chances. Arsenal made some real upgrades positionally including getting the playboy Prima Donna Sergio Ramos for the backline, as well as Caglar Soyuncu, Bukayo Saka, Albert Sambi Lokonga and calling up Tomas Soucek. Arguably one of the most stunning piece of business this off-season was Arsenal’s pickup of Declan Rice and assuming the Captaincy. One of the youngest teams in the league, the average age for Arsenal is on average two years younger than his Championship club.

FC BARCELONA (25/3)
Owner: BLAUGRANA
Assistant Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
Captain: Gerard Piqué
Top Earner: Gareth Bale
Lowest Earner: Everton
Key Player: Erling Haaland
Zizou’s Key Player: Frenkie de Jong
Oldest Player: Dani Alves, 38
Youngest Player:: Erlin Haaland, 21
Average Age:: 27

Last Season Prediction: 2nd
Last Season Finish: 6th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 8th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 15/1

Key Categories led: Passing, Anticipation, Vision, Corner Taking, Free Kick Takers, Technique

Zizou’s Thoughts: Right around the time that Mark decided the bloom was off the rose for him, I sought the market for potential GMs. I knew that I wanted someone reliable, who knew his stuff and who wouldn’t take arguably the biggest treasure trove of players and prospects anyone has inherited and squander them all for nothing. I wanted to make sure I had knowledge and commitment. Once I started to see the changes being made and the trades agreed to, I thought to myself that I probably picked the right person to bring aboard. However, not impressed with the changes made, FM Prognosticators gave Blaugrana’s FC Barcelona chances the same as last year’s Arsenal, which is not to say that Mark’s Arsenal teams were not considered as fearsome as they once were. But many changes were afoot right off the bat as soon as Blaugrana took over. Sergio Agüero, who Mark agonized over moving, retired due to a medical condition. Robert Lewandowski was moved. Among the new faces, Joao Felix, Frankie de Jong, Jules Kounde and Barca stalwarts Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique. Certainly, he can’t take all of the credit but this is the first time that I’d seen a GM lead the league in a key category like Vision amongst every single one of his teams. It’s pretty impressive to say the least and certainly says something about the intention. After a season under the learning tree, Erling Haaland has ascended to the role of the CF leading the line for FC Barcelona.

BAYERN MUNICH (25/3)
Owner: James
Assistant Manager: Julian Nagelsmann
Captain: Bruno Fernandes
Top Earner: Romelu Lukaku
Lowest Earner: Jhilmar Lora
Key Player: Romelu Lukaku
Zizou’s Key Player: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Oldest Player: James Rodríguez, 30
Youngest Player:: Facundo Pellistri, 19
Average Age:: 24

Last Season Prediction: 6th
Last Season Finish: 12th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 9th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 15/1

Zizou’s Thoughts: Although arguably weak in terms of depth past the Starting XI, Nagelsmann’s Bayern represents one of the biggest opportunities to date for James’ men. Along with a handful of promotions, as James likes to build teams himself, the acquisition of Paul Pogba gives Bayern an instant boost in midfield. The much-maligned French midfielder will see starting alongside Bruno Fernandes familiar, but he’s arguably never had a CF like Romelu Lukaku to feed. And while FM sees Bayern lacking in dynamic dribbling or flair, Vini Jr. and Phil Foden aren’t exactly schleps. For a club that is the jewel of Germany, will james see the same success repeated? The work will be there and I’ve no question the desire. I root for the underdog and there’s a lot to like about this FC Hollywood.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND (27/3)
Owner: Santiger Munez
Assistant Manager: Julen Lopetegui
Captain: –not yet selected–
Top Earner: Jack Grealish
Lowest Earner: Dan-Axel Zagadou
Key Player: Jack Grealish
Zizou’s Key Player: Sadio Mané
Oldest Player: Giorgio Chiellini, 36
Youngest Player:: Alexander Isak, 21
Average Age:: 27

Last Season Prediction: 9th
Last Season Finish: 13th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 6th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 11/1

Zizou’s Thoughts: Changes were fine in numbers for Der BVB but substantial additions were made by way of Franck Kessie and Moussa Diaby. But for the quality of players BVB has on display, there is certainly questions that remain about whether this current leadership group will get it done for Santi. There had seemed to have been a leadership chasm for BVB at the end of last season so it is only fitting that we see the return of Marco Reus to the squad, a much-needed morale booster heading into the new season. Questions remain about the shape and look of the team moving forward and whether their weaknesses in depth will be exploited or whether they have enough to endure through the longest stretches.

BORUSSIA MÖNCHENGLADBACH (27/3)
Owner: Roberdino
Assistant Manager: Vincenzo Montella
Captain: –not yet selected–
Top Earner: David Alaba
Lowest Earner: Lucas Ocampos
Key Player: David Alaba
Zizou’s Key Player: Luis Díaz
Oldest Player: Raúl Albiol, 35
Youngest Player:: Pedri, 18
Average Age:: 27

Last Season Prediction: 14th
Last Season Finish: 11th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 13th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 25/1

Zizou’s Thoughts: For Pedri, it was always a matter of time before he was playing for the big club. For the golden boy from a little town in Tenerife, Pedri’s destiny of stardom has always been predetermined. For players like that come once in a generation. And players like that are born for the moment. With Pedri’s early promotion, the odds of Mönchengladbach for heading into the season improved substantially. Combined with arguably one of the best finds in the last few transfer windows, Luis Díaz’s ascent has been nothing short of remarkable. Roberdino continues to collect players that continue to develop making the most of his bids, like a hockey club going the safer route on draft day; Yves Bissouma and Sérgio Oliveira being a perfect example. A story to watch will be the usage of Darwin Nuñez. Inarguably one of the most explosive players on the roster, there is some doubt as to whether he’ll win the CF spot straight away as you could argue he should be deeper on the depth chart to start the season. Roberdino opted to infuse younger talent into the lineup of what was the oldest team in the league on average.

CHELSEA (27/3)
Owner: ProPAIN
Assistant Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
Captain: Matthijs de Ligt
Top Earner: Eden Hazard
Lowest Earner: Giacomo Raspadori
Key Player: Kevin de Bruyne
Zizou’s Key Player: Antoine Griezmann
Oldest Player: Luis Suárez, 34
Youngest Player:: Lucien Agoume, 19
Average Age:: 25

Last Season Prediction: 5th
Last Season Finish: 1st
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 7th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 13/1

Key Categories led: Flair

Zizou’s Thoughts: For Chelsea, it must’ve felt like a long time coming. Champions. Finally. After years of trying, ProPAIN achieved the tippy top that this league has to offer. What next for The Blues? ProPAIN started the offseason as aggressively as they ended it with high profile u21 bids, as well as impact trades that will surely affect future Chelsea teams to come. Making way, Federico Chiesa and Mason Mount join an already Championship-level calibre of club. Not to mention Nicolo Zaniolo, who was acquired by ProPAIN earlier in the offseason, ProPAIN looked to continue to find ways to retool. So now the question is posed to you. How much would you have changed? Frankie de Jong was traded, Dani Carvajal was demoted and Eden Hazard is bound to face increased challenges for a starting spot he’s long held. We are guaranteed to see a different-look Chelsea side than we have in recent seasons. We are also guaranteed fireworks during the first Chelsea/Inter matchup of the season. These are special times for The Blues of West London. Would you put your money on a repeat?

INTERNAZIONALE (26/3)
Owner: Zizou
Assistant Manager: Diego Simeone
Captain: Lionel Messi
Top Earner: Lionel Messi
Lowest Earner: Iñaki Peña
Key Player: Kylian Mbappé
Zizou’s Key Player: Bernardo Silva
Oldest Player: Manuel Neuer, 35
Youngest Player:: Ibrahima Konaté, 22
Average Age:: 26

Last Season Prediction: 4th
Last Season Finish: 2nd
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 2nd
Odds to win Championship (FM): 11/2

Key Categories led: Decision-Making, Pace, Balance, Off-The-Ball Movement, Finishing, Heading, Long Shots, Tackling, Crossing, Penalty Taking

Zizou’s Thoughts: I Nerazzurri fell short on the final day of the season, losing the Premiership title to Chelsea. All the move incentive to go all-in for Season 21. However, the story that is bound to dominate Inter’s season will be the saga regarding Kylian Mbappé’s long-term future looking more and more to be away from the San Siro. Time will tell whether Mbappé will have the same impact as previous seasons for Inter or whether he will finish the season with them at all. History has shown that no one is above the club rules. With Mbappé, Inter remain a destructive offensive force on a team you’d have thought would be Messi left, Messi middle, Messi right. Without him, we’re left to wonder what they might look like but even so, Inter stand to fight for another Premiership title. The distraction will remain unless Mbappé commits his future with Zizou and will have many implications for years to come. Zizou has called on Mbappé to settle his future and clear the rumors. Out of respect for Zizou, Mbappe has called a Press Conference ahead of the season to declare his intentions beyond this season.

JUVENTUS (25/3)
Owner: Luigi
Assistant Manager: Antonio Conte
Captain: Joshua Kimmich
Top Earner: Philippe Coutinho
Lowest Earner: Gedson Fernandes
Key Player: Harry Kane
Zizou’s Key Player: N’golo Kanté
Oldest Player: Cristiano Ronaldo, 36
Youngest Player:: Facundo Medina, 22
Average Age:: 26

Last Season Prediction: 1st
Last Season Finish: 7th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 1st
Odds to win Championship (FM): 5/1

Key Categories led: Acceleration, Fitness

Zizou’s Thoughts: The constant demand that Juve boss Luigi requires of his players is prevalent in the kind of players Luigi recruits. Harry Kane sees a high-profile off-season move a season after Cristiano Ronaldo made a similar move to Turin. Juventus are looking to shake off the disappointment in last season’s mid-table finish with many experts picking them as one of the pre-season favorites, Juve failed to show the mettle they had in years past. For the Old Lady, depth is something in abundance with Luigi having had years to stock his cupboards. And whether Sergio Ramos’ trade to Arsenal was a reflection of their depth or perhaps a message and a scapegoat being made from the previous season, one thing’s for sure… the goals will be flowing like wine down the streets of Turin.

LIVERPOOL (27/3)
Owner: Curtinho
Assistant Manager: Jürgen Klopp
Captain: Jordan Henderson
Top Earner: Karim Benzema
Lowest Earner: Armando Obispo
Key Player: Karim Benzema
Zizou’s Key Player: Jordan Henderson
Oldest Player: James Milner, 35
Youngest Player:: Willem Geubbels, 19
Average Age:: 27

Last Season Prediction: 8th
Last Season Finish: 9th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 9th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 16/1

Key Categories led: First Touch, Leadership, Concentration

Zizou’s Thoughts: The leadership hierarchy for Liverpool is a Coach’s dream. And for Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and James Milner, I’m sure that Jürgen Klopp is a Player’s dream. Much of Curtinho’s Liverpool side remains unchanged, reflected by the consistency in their prognostications and last season’s performance. Before the season started, they were predicted by FM to finish 10th, the same position they had finished prior. Zizou felt slightly better about the Reds and picked them to finish 8th. Liverpool finished 9th, the same place FM is predicting they will finish this season. Much remains unchanged and yet, for Curtinho’s fortunes to turn around, something will need to.

LYON (27/2)
Owner: Xerxes
Assistant Manager: Pep Guardiola
Captain: Thomas Müller
Top Earner: Mohamed Salah
Lowest Earner: Evan N’Dicka
Key Player: Mohamed Salah
Zizou’s Key Player: Nabil Fekir
Oldest Player: Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 32
Youngest Player:: Dusan Vlahovic, 21
Average Age:: 26

Last Season Prediction: 11th
Last Season Finish: 5th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 12th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 18/1

Key Categories led: Stamina

Zizou’s Thoughts: The addition of dynamic CF Dusan Vlahovic was a welcomed sight for Olympique Lyonnais, who had toiled in finding a suitable #9 to trigger their rise up the table until the acquisition of Maxi Gómez. Despite Gómez’s excellent second-half, it’s expected Dusan Vlahovic will see some of the ball to start as he settles into life in the Premiership. Speaking of excellent second-halfs, Nabil Fekir was spectacular down the stretch when it mattered most, giving then Standard their highest table finish to date. Expectations are now something Lyon will have to contend with. Sometimes we create our own heartbreaks through expectations. But at the same time, high achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.

MANCHESTER UNITED (26/3)
Owner: JR
Assistant Manager: Erik ten Hag
Captain: César Azpilicueta
Top Earner: David De Gea
Lowest Earner: Bruno Varela
Key Player: Lautaro Martínez
Zizou’s Key Player: Jadon Sancho
Oldest Player: Fernandinho, 36
Youngest Player:: Jadon Sancho, 21
Average Age:: 27

Last Season Prediction: 10th
Last Season Finish: 3rd
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 5th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 11/1

Key Categories led: Aggression, Bravery, Determination, Workrate

Zizou’s Thoughts: The workman-like presence that United carries has always been there going back to the days of the Busby Babes. Having personally known JR since I was old enough to remember being carried by him, I can attest to the kind of player that inspires JR’s tastes. JR likes a hard worker. We are Mexican, after all. JR wants a player who will put his nose to the grindstone. JR doesn’t like a quitter. So when the strength of character in many of United’s players is highlighted, you know it’s not by accident. For JR, it was a great season, as they didn’t have enough to catch the sprinting Inter and Chelsea but had enough to outlast the pack behind for a third place finish. JR responded by trading Paul Pogba in favor of Jadon Sancho, capping very minimal changes in United’s core and with reason. The biggest question mark heading into the season: David De Gea.

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (27/3)
Owner: evilo
Assistant Manager: Mauricio Pocchetino
Captain: Robert Lewandowski
Top Earner: Robert Lewandowski
Lowest Earner: Axel Disasi
Key Player: Thibaut Courtois
Zizou’s Key Player: Robert Lewandowski
Oldest Player: Pepe, 38
Youngest Player:: Hamed Traoré, 21
Average Age:: 27

Last Season Prediction: 3rd
Last Season Finish: 4th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 3rd
Odds to win Championship (FM): 10/1

Key Categories led: Teamwork, Agility

Zizou’s Thoughts: Falling short and leaving evilo disappointed to fall short yet again, he was amongst the most aggressive in the transfer window, turning over a brand new-look PSG side. Robert Lewandowski, Federico Valverde & Leroy Sane were poached from FC Barcelona. Thibaut Courtois and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were flipped in a blockbuster trade with FC Bayern. Victor Osimsen was promoted after a stellar goal-scoring campaign. And somehow, miraculously, Pepe managed to find his ass still on this team by the end of the transfer window. Whether PSG have enough is anyone’s guess. They could also be in the running in the Kylian Mbappé sweepstakes, should Zizou put him on the market so you never know what roster PSG will finish the season with.

TOTTENHAM (27/2)
Owner: Kawai
Assistant Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Captain: Thiago Silva
Top Earner: Luka Modric
Lowest Earner: Felipe Anderson
Key Player: Jan Oblak
Zizou’s Key Player: Heung Min-Son
Oldest Player: Samir Handanovic, 37
Youngest Player:: Ismaïla Sarr, 23
Average Age:: 29

Last Season Prediction: 13th
Last Season Finish: 7th
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 4th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 11/1

Key Categories led: Composure, Dribbling

Zizou’s Thoughts: Age didn’t seem to hold Tottenham back last season as the Spurs finished 7th after a 5th place pre-season predicted by FM. This season, they are predicted to finish 4th and a look at the depth chart shows why. But for all Spurs have going for them on both sides of the pitch, the constant reminder is there… much of this team was already built when Kawai inherited it. Much of this team is still reflected by Plato’s Balkan All-Stars. And every season that passes is another year on those knees. Spurs walk into the season the oldest club on average in the league. And while that might scare off some GMs, that suits Kawai just fine. Especially when one of the game’s best goalkeepers is in goal in Jan Oblak. It’s anyone’s guess how long these players that continue to turn back the clock in Luka Modric, Juan Cuadrado and Thiago Silva will have to keep going but if their endurance is any indication, there is much be excited about for potentially years beyond this season still to come. Whether these old geezers aid their chances or hold them back is anyone’s guess though. Because… that’s so Spursy.

VALENCIA (26/3)
Owner: xavi4life
Assistant Manager: Xavi Hernández
Captain: Sebastian Coates
Top Earner: Ederson
Lowest Earner: Vinicius Souza
Key Player: Fabinho
Zizou’s Key Player: Gabriel Jesus
Oldest Player: Felipe, 32
Youngest Player:: Antony, 21
Average Age:: 26

Last Season Prediction: 7th
Last Season Finish: 14h
This Season Predicted Finish (FM): 10th
Odds to win Championship (FM): 16/1

Key Categories led: Marking

Zizou’s Thoughts: Valencia broke Xavi’s heart last season. In what was undoubtedly his most trying and costly season to date, Xavi found little in the way of answers for what ailed Valencia and as they staggered down the table, unable to pull the nose up enough to prevent their inevitable collapse. From Round 22, Los Che fell from 11th down to 14th, after flip-flopping with 13th-placed Borussia Dortmund on the final round of the season. Was it Xavi’s tacs? Was it his over-strengthening Vitória and leaving Valencia undermanned? We’ll really never know and Season 20 is over. The heart of the club lives in the heart of the bustling city of Valencia. The city is alive and all around you’ll see the colors of white, black and orange from the Mestalla to the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias. And while there’s life, there’s hope. Xavi was quick to list his number of mistakes with Valencia but understood he felt he could probably only make incremental progress in the short-term. The story of the off-season for Valencia saw a transfer splash in the return of Bruno Guimaraes, as well as the promotion of the enigmatic Antony, and the promotions/returns of Angel Correa and Joaquin Correa. Certainly, these upgrades alone make Valencia on-paper much better than last season. But questions will still be asked. You can’t shake off the stink of a 14th placed finish in pre-season. You don’t shake it off until the start of Round 1. We are ready. So will be Valencia.

Notes:
– Liverpool is the only team in Dynasty where the real-life captain also serves as captain in FM.

– Borussia Mönchengladbach have the most amount of players (24) with Championship-level eligibility.

– Jordan Henderson serves as Captain for Liverpool. Both of them.

– Robert Lewandowski (PSG) is the highest-rated player in the league.

– Dani Alves (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Pepe (Paris Saint-Germain) are the oldest players in the league.

– The youngest player in the league is Pedri, 19 (Napoli).

– FC Bayern lead the league with the most internationally capped players, with 21.

– Lorenzo Insigne (Paris Saint-Germain), 5’4″ (1.63 m), is the shortest player in the league.

– Thibaut Courtois (Paris Saint-Germain), 6’7” (2.00 m), is the tallest players in the league.

– Harry Maguire (FC Bayern) is the heaviest player in the league at 220 lbs (99.79kg).

– Tottenham Hotspur is the oldest team in the league.

– Arsenal and FC Bayern are the youngest teams in the league.

– Juventus has the highest Average Player Value of any team in the league.

– Chelsea has the highest Average Player Salary of any team in the league.

– FC Bayern is the most diverse team in the league, representing 26 nationalities. Manchester United are the least diverse with 7 nationalities represented.

FM Golden Boot Predictions:
01. Kane (Juventus), 9-2
02. Messi (Inter), 5-1
02. Lewandowski (PSG), 5-1
04. Mbappé (Inter), 6-1
05. Haaland (Barcelona), 13-2
06. Suárez (Chelsea), 10-1

FM Golden Ball Predictions:
01. Lewandowski (PSG), 8-1
02. Dias (Manchester United), 17-2
03. Mbappé (Inter), 9-1
03. De Bruyne (Chelsea), 9-1
05. Messi (Inter), 10-1
06. Salah (Lyon), 11-1

FM Predicted XI of the season:
GK: Courtois (PSG)
RB: Kimmich (Juventus)
CB: van Dijk (Liverpool)
CB: Días (Manchester United)
LB: Cancelo (Inter)
RM: B. Silva (Inter)
CM: Modric (Spurs)
CM: Kanté (Juventus)
LM: Neymar (Juventus)
ST: Lewandowski (PSG)
ST: Mbappé (Inter)

Zizou’s Predicted Table:
01. Juventus
02. Paris Saint-Germain
03. Internazionale
04. Chelsea
05. Manchester United
06. Valencia
07. Barcelona
08. Liverpool
09. Lyon
10. Arsenal
11. Tottenham
12. FC Bayern
13. Borussia Dortmund
14. Borussia Mönchengladbach

Zizou’s Predicted Golden Boot Winner: Robert Lewandowski