Checking in on the rest of the football world

The football season is here! In less than a week, the English Premier League season will kick off. It's been a short off-season and there was plenty of football to watch over the season, but it's nice to have the Premier League back. Every year, we here at 7500 to Holte like to do a roundtable to preview the season, and it's time for this year's. In part one of the roundtable, we ask the 7500 staff some questions about the world of football outside the Premier League.

Who will win the Champions League?

Robert: I know this is boring, but Barcelona. They're just too damn good not to.

James: I wouldn't put it past PSG or Chelsea. Barcelona will be up there as well.

Tom: Barcelona. Again.

Adam: Writing in from Chile, and seeing the Vidal transfer, I think Bayern Munich might have enough this year, as they'll be able to rotate players in and out while cruising the Bundesliga.

Herbert: Real Madrid

RJ: Barcelona defend the trophy. It's been awhile since a club won back-to-back Champions League, but with that front three of Neymar, Suarez, Messi, I've got to go with them.

Rory: Not exactly an original opinion, but I think Barcalona repeat. Messi, Neymar, and Suarez on the pitch at the same time? C'mon, that's not fair.

Brian: I'll go with Bayern.

Alex: Barcelona again, I guess? I don't know. There's like, three really good teams in Europe, and they're the ones I don't completely hate.

Matt: Barcelona seem like the obvious answer, but in the Champions League era, no team has defended the trophy. Maybe they're too good and will end that, but I'm gonna go with history and pick them to lose and for Bayern to come away with the trophy.

What team outside England are you most interested in watching this year?

Robert: I feel as if my answer should be someone in Ligue 1 because that's where our signings will come from. But as I say every year I want to start watching MLS, and if that's going to happen I've got to watch the Sounders.

But if I'm realistic I'll be so busy writing about this team's quest for the Premier League title that I won't have time to watch anyone else.

Tom: Valencia have overcome their financial struggles and their new owner has spent an awful lot of money on players I haven't even heard of. Worth keeping an eye on!

Adam: I'm interested to see if the Italian teams can continue their resurgence, especially Juventus.

Herbert: Inter Milan

RJ: Dortmund. With the Bundesliga on Fox Sports this year in America, I really hope it's an exciting season. BVB might be the only club that could challenge Bayern for the title, and it'll be interesting to see how they do without Champions League to worry about.

Rory: Juventus. There's been so much movement within their squad over the summer. Pirlo out, Khedira in. Tevez out, Mandzukic and Dybala in. Vidal out, Draxler (possibly) in. Can the new squad make another deep run in the Champions League?

Brian: I'll go with Barcelona. I think Dortmund's style is more fun to watch, but Barca are more available.

Alex: FC Nantes. Ever since PSG went spending big, I've lost interest in them, and wouldn't have minded finding a new French club to kinda follow. I really appreciate the way their chairman handled the Jordan Veretout transfer, so I've got a lot of #respect for that club now. Hope they do well.

Matt: SC Bastia. They are my French club, and if you want to support a French club, I cannot recommend them highly. They are crazypants. They're a solid lower mid-table team, that is actually fun. Like Villa, but they won't bore you to tears.

Let us know what your answers are in the comments and check out part two of our season preview roundtable tomorrow.