After a week of staring in to space and showering
fully clothed I’ve now found something to get me through this difficult post
World Cup period. And that’s the fact that It’s only 26 days till the Premier
League season kicks off and my weekly dose of top class football returns. It’s Tuesday afternoon (which is normally my ‘thinking time’) so let’s review this
years title contenders.
Last year we were treated to a bit of a strange
season with no real standout team and the main focus being on the demise of
Manchester United rather than where the trophy ended up. Some big names have
left these shores and some new faces arrived, but what we can guarantee is
another year of great goals, great scandal and the guarantee of a competition
that doesn’t feature Andy Townsend.
So let’s start with the champions - Manchester
City. The Citizens have had a relatively low key summer as they spend the
majority of it making sure that everyone at the club knows when Yaya Toure’s
birthday is rather than focus on any big new arrivals. Bacary Sagna on paper
seems a good addition, but I’m not sure this was an area City needed
strengthening in. Pablo Zabaleta has arguably been the best right back in the
country for the past two seasons and in Clichy and Kolarov they have two able
left backs. City will be strong again and will be there or thereabouts at the
end, but I think it might need one more big signing to up the momentum and
maintain the title.
The revolving door at Anfield has been busy this
summer with the acquisitions of Can, Markovic and Southampton FC. Liverpool
have the impossible task of replacing the irreplaceable. Luis Suarez may be the
Putin of football at the moment, but there’s no way you can replace his goals
and assists with one individual. Coutinhio, Gerrard, Sterling have all got to
come to the party to repeat last seasons achievements. The key to last years
title push was their domination of teams at Anfield, but they failed to take
that form on the road. Brendan Rodgers has shown he has the ability to play
away from home in his private life, an attribute he must now install in his
club. Liverpool will be a more recognised threat next year and no doubt their
supporters expectation levels will raise slightly, but with the added Champions
League campaign I think a top 4 finish is their main aim and I think they will
have to over perform to get that.
Most eyes will be on Manchester United next year
and there is surely no chance of them repeating their failures of last year.
They’ve certainly made their intentions clear with some big money signings and
no doubt more will follow. There’s one simple goal for Louis Van Gaal - get
back Champions League football. David Moyes was given a raw deal last year, he
thought he was inheriting a Ferrari rolling fresh off the courtyard; instead he
inherited a mini metro with 100,000 miles on the clock. More under performers
will follow Patrice Evra out the door in order to build a top 4 squad. I think
they will do it, but they do need to invest in the centre of defence. You can’t
go in to battle with Jones and Smalling as your back two. I think a nappy-less;
pre toilet trained child has more chance of keeping clean sheets.
Arsene Wenger is a man after my own heart. Sat on
the beach for the majority of the summer surrounded by scantily clad Brazilian
Ladies he’s managed to pull off one of the transfer coups of the any pre season
in Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez apparently chose the Emirates over some Northern
rivals due to his desire to be in the capital. The first deal in Premiership
history clinched by a season pass to Madame Tusuads, 2 tickets for the London
eye and a Big Ben figurine. He fits the Arsenal mode and could be the player
they have been missing since Dennis Bergkamp departed these shores (most likely
on a boat). If they manage to land Khedira too then they have to be taken
seriously for a tilt at the title. If everyone stays fit, this could be a
memorable season for the Arsenal.
Finally my tip for the title is Chelsea. Some
shrewd summer signings in Cesc ‘I’ll never play for another English team…sorry?
How much? Yeah go on then’ Fabregas who will add goals and guile to the
midfield and a fit Diego Costa will bring them their 15 goal striker they have
lacked for a few years now. Diego Costa had a shocking World Cup, but his
visible fitness reminded me of early episodes of ‘Celebrity Fit Club’ - he will
get better. (Plus, has no one pointed out just how much he looks like Fernando
Hierro? Just me? Ok.). Chelsea’s title campaign just petered out last year, but
Jose knows from experience that the relationship with Roman doesn’t stay sweet
for long. And if you’re giving him no silverware to put on his yachts then he
gets very grumpy.
So Chelsea are my tip for the title. So all rush
down to the bookies now and put all your money on them, after all I’m never
wrong. My last few bets were England to win the World Cup, Alastair Cook to be
player of the series versus India and Katie Price to go a whole year without
being pregnant. I’m a visionary.
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