West Bromich Albion - Matej Vydra
West Brom were a revelation last season, as the arrival of Steve Clarke as a Premier League manager turned the club from the perennial yo-yo team between the top and second divisions into a stable Premier League outfit. The performances of the side last year were consistent and competent, which is somewhat remarkable considering the club retaining many of the same players from when the club was last relegated in 2009. The team's finish in the top half of the table would have been considered a minor miracle five seasons ago, but now they appear as though they belong and richly deserve the stability and success that they accrued in the last twelve months. The main aims of the club this year will be to stay in the division chiefly, but hopefully will think bigger in terms of finishing well in the final table and have a run at one of the domestic cups. Having said that, it will obviously be difficult to improve on last year with the budget they work within and the quality of player they can attract. Players will come and go over time at the Hawthorns, but the Baggies must ensure that they retain the services of Clarke for as long as possible to continue the stability of the side that it hasn't had before in the Premier League. With regards to the transfer activity this Summer, the club have focused predominantly on experience, and they don't come more experienced in the English top flight than Nicholas Anelka, who will bring his share of goals and assistance to the side. But, the player that I have chosen is based solely on the strength of his performances in the Championship last year is Matej Vydra. Playing for Watford as one of the Udinese contingent sent on loan, it was obvious throughout the campaign that he had ability beyond the second tier, as the Czech was able to win the Championship Player of the Season for 2012/13. A prodigious talent at only 21, he certainly has a lot to learn in football. But the rate at which he was able to adapt and thrive in the competitive Championship bodes well for his debut season in the Premier League. West Brom were heavily reliant on the goals and performances of Romelu Lukaku last season, the strikers will need to perform effectively for the team to carry on his success, and the combination of Vydra, Anelka and Shane Long should prove to be effective throughout the campaign. Vydra as the young upstart will be an unknown quantity for the Premier League defences, which could prove to be an asset in unlocking their defences, and hopefully over the course of the season will learn from his experienced team-mates to build upon his success in the Championship.
Where will they finish? - 11th