Promoted Aston Villa and a ‘new’ Newcastle United could shake up the established order.
Aston Villa clinched promotion yesterday to reclaim their place in the Premier League.
It was also a day of hope for Newcastle United, who were reported by The Sun to be on the brink of a £350 million takeover.
The two clubs are among the best supported in England, and both of them are on the brink of unlocking their potential again.
Villa were taken over last summer by new investors, who showed their financial power by holding off big bids for Jack Grealish.
The Villans can now start spending more freely, albeit sensibly, in an effort to consolidate their status as a top flight club.
Rivals Wolves are the model to follow, rather than Fulham, who made the mistake of replacing more than half of the team who won promotion.
Villa need to replace or re-sign their loanees, while keeping the core of their squad in place. Wolves finished seventh, showing what can be achieved by promoted sides if they set their sights beyond simply survival.
Newcastle finished the season in 13th place, working under financial constraints. Now if Rafa Benitez is given the freedom to spend, then the Toon can target pushing for European places.
Along with Wolves, Everton and Leicester, Villa and Newcastle can start putting real pressure on the established ‘top six’ and break the stranglehold.
The transfer market could be competitive this summer, and that will just be the start. It’s good to have Aston Villa back, and Newcastle potentially re-awakening too.
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