The 2019-20 season might not have been the most exciting season because of the pandemic. But, we did get a preview of what the next season has in store for us football fans. Some teams have been performing way above their standards while other teams have had underwhelming campaigns. The sheer unpredictability of the game is what makes it such an attractive choice of sport.

Here's my pick of teams that will look to impress when the next season kicks off.

I have decided to exclude obvious teams who perform well each season. This list will include teams that can push towards being a strong European contender.

Criteria of Selection.

  1. Performance this season.
  2. Size and Depth of squad.
  3. Quality of game play.

6. RB Leipzig.

Leipzig are one of the teams that are giving Bayern Munich a run for their money in a three-horse race. They started the campaign strongly and held the first position in the league. But, as the season progressed they lost the momentum. Leipzig have virtually pinned down a Champion's League spot.

They might lose key players like Timo Werner and Dayot Upamenco but they still have a lot of quality to compete for the Bundesliga Title next season. Leipzig have a huge and youthful squad. They have been very smart in the transfer window. They've signed very talented players like Dani Olmo, Patrick Schick, Angelino and Ethan Ampadu (on loan).

If they mange to keep some of their key players and sign reinforcements, Leipzig will be in contention to win the title next season. They have the quality to even 'pull off an Ajax' in the Champion's League next season.

5. Atalanta.

Atalanta first grabbed the headlines for securing Champion's League qualification after finishing ahead of Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma last season. They were started of slow in their UCL campaign but manged to qualify for the Round of 16. They absolutely dominated Valencia (who have more Champion's League experience), scoring 8 goals over two legs.

Atalanta have been consistent since Gasperini took over. Atalanta finished second in Copa Italia. They have great quality and a decently sized squad. A few new recruits will make them a great team. You never know, maybe they could be the first team to upset the Juventus domination in Serie A next season.

Atalanta might be a in a strong position right now but they still have a long way to go. With right steps and gradual growth they could be competing in Europe every season.

4. Ajax.

Youthful, elegant and just so good. Ajax have gained reputation to not only help homegrown talents but also sign youngsters with immense potential and groom them into top players. Ajax is an attractive destination for European giants looking for talented players. They strike the balance perfectly when it comes to combining youth with experience. Dusan Tadic and Daley Blind are leaders of the team who lead the team from the front and help the youngsters develop.

Ajax have a key player - Hakim Ziyech leaving for Chelsea next season, but they have the quality to cope with this loss. The emergence of Ajax talents like Sergino Dest, Edson Alvarez and Lisandro Martinez will help them keep up with the Europe's best.

Acquisitions like Ryan Babel have indicated that Ajax will look to sign experienced players before the start of next season. A few signings will help Ajax have a strong 2020-21 season.

3. Leicester City.

Leicester City was the name on everyone's lips after their famous Premier League triumph in the 2015-16 season. They defied all odds (5000/1 to be accurate) to lift the title. They had very uneventful campaigns after that season until Brendan Rodgers took over in February last season.

Since then, Brendan Rodgers has breathed new life into Leicester. Youngsters like James Maddison and Youri Tielemans have stepped up and have taken over the responsibility of performing week in, week out. Wilfred Ndidi, who was brought in to fill in the boots of N'Golo Kante has been a rock in front of the defence. They also have Jamie Vardy spearheading the attack (who in my unpopular opinion is the best English striker in the league).

One of the biggest reasons of Leicester's downfall after 2015-16 season was that they sold many of their best players and couldn't find a proper replacement. If they manage to keep hold of their star players this time and add a few through strategic investments, it is hard to not see them have an exciting 2020-21 season.

2. Lazio.

Lazio is the most recent team to try and put an end Juventus's domination in the Italian league. Lazio's performances this season have been criminally underappreciated. They trail Juventus by 1 point, have lost the fewest games in the league, all while conceding the fewest goals in the league. Strakosha has been simply excellent. Acerbi, Mlinkovic-Savic and Immobile have also contributed largely to Lazio's performances this season.

The defence is well drilled and move like a unit. They are living proof that possession is overrated. Possession has been of no importance to Simone Inzaghi's side. Luis Alberto has also played a key role in this system adopted by Inzaghi.

Lazio have good balance in their squad but, they need new players. Lazio will surely look to sign a striker to take some load off Immobile.

  1. Chelsea.

Last summer when a transfer ban was imposed on them and their best player left for Madrid, many thought that Chelsea will fail to have a good season. Chelsea have proven all of them wrong. Frank Lampard has surprised everyone by taking a bunch of youngsters and maintaining a top 4 position. To be honest no one expected them to even qualify for Europa league. But, Super Frankie has done the unthinkable once again.

They had their transfer ban overturned after a successful appeal to the CAS. They were allowed to make signings in the winter transfer window but they opted against it (It is like proving you are innocent and still living in a jail).

Chelsea have signed Ziyech already, are on the verge of signing Wener and hopeful of signing Havertz. These acquisitions are gonna be vital in Chelsea's revamp. These are world class players they are signing. They have accumulated enough money to be ruthless in the transfer window. The transfer ban doesn't look so bad now, does it? The last time Chelsea were this ruthless in the transfer window, they ended up winning the league multiple times and th Champion's League once.