With the conclusion of the Premier League season fast approaching, there have been a number of surprise packets that fans and pundits wouldn’t have anticipated prior to the 2022/23 campaign getting underway.
Whether it be Arsenal’s exceptional run that has seen them win 25 games this season (at the time of writing), or Newcastle United’s likely top four finish – it’s refreshing to see the league continue to be largely unpredictable. However, it’s not just at the summit of the league table that has been full of surprises, with several big clubs finding themselves toward the bottom and unexpectedly fighting for their right to stay in the top-flight.
With that in mind, read on as we dissect the clubs who have disappointed the most this Premier League season.
West Ham
With a deep Europa League run last season and a talented squad that includes the likes of Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen, Declan Rice and Kurt Zouma to name a few – there were some who were of the belief that the east London club could be challenging for a Champions League spot this season.
Yet despite their talent, David Moyes’ men have been poor this season. With just ten wins in 36 appearances, their lackluster attack and glaring holes on the defensive side of the ball are a far cry from the Hammers we saw secure back-to-back top eight finishes in 2019/20 and 2021/22.
While relegation was still a real possibility a month ago, a 2-2 draw with then league-leaders Arsenal and a 4-0 victory over Bournemouth in late April has all but confirmed their spot in the Premier League for 2023/24.
However, with Rice entering the final year of his contract in the offseason and being tipped to move elsewhere – it could be another long campaign for West Ham if they can’t make some noticeable improvements to their personnel between now and next season.
Everton
One of the most recognisable clubs globally outside of the big six – to say Everton’s 2022/23 season is one to forget would be an understatement. The famed Merseyside club has never been relegated from the Premier League – however – with just seven wins to their name this season and currently sitting just one point clear of the relegation zone – this could very well be the year that the Toffees find themselves in the Championship.
It has been a chaotic six months for Everton, who have gone through managerial changes, a plethora of injuries and a number of off-field incidents that have marred the season from start to finish. As a result, Everton are garnering odds of 9/4 in the premier league relegation odds, with Leicester and Leeds the only two clubs boasting shorter odds.
If they were to be relegated, it couldn’t come at a worse time for the club, who will be playing at their new and improved 52,888-seat Everton Stadium as of next season. For obvious reasons, ownership would much rather the unveiling of their new stadium be in a Premier League fixture rather than in the Championship.
Chelsea
With a couple of marquee signings and a record spending spree in the transfer windows – anything other than a top four finish for Chelsea should be considered a failure. To add insult to injury for Chelsea fans – not only will they be unsuccessful in their bid for a Champions League spot this season – they will finish outside the top ten for the first time since 1995/96.
Their calamity of a campaign includes 11 wins, 10 draws and 14 losses – and with the uncertainty surrounding who their manager will be next season and the headaches that come with a blown budget – don’t be shocked if 2023/24 ends up being much of the same.