The best league in the world has been won by only two clubs in the last 7 years, says a lot about the competition at the top doesn't it? While the earlier statement is true it doesn't give the exact picture of the fight for the Premier League title, Arsenal were in a very strong position to win the title in 2 of those 7 years and Liverpool once but both blew their chances away with self-inflicted wounds. How about the new season which is starting in a few weeks?
It's tough to be in the prediction business and so many changes afloat at the top clubs don't make the job any easier. A quick look at the possible contenders:
Arsenal - The whole world knows about the Gunner's frailties at the back and not much has changed in the current transfer window as yet, in fact the the proverbial hole at the back has got even bigger with Frenchman Gael Clichy leaving for greener pastures of Eastlands. While there is almost a month before the window closes, considering Wenger will go for a cut-price nobody, for anyone to come in and make an immediate difference will be asking too much.
The Arsenal front line has improved further with the addition of Ivory Coast international Gervinho who scored a brace in a pre-season against Cologne. The imminent departure of Nicholas Bendtner could only be better for the team as it will clear out a big ego from the dressing room without any serious loss of talent.
The biggest upheaval that the Gunners might see is in the middle of the park where they might still lose Captain Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. While Arsene Wenger seems to be doing well to tie down the duo for at least another season it's difficult to bet on them till the transfer window closes.
If Fabregas and Nasri do leave and Arsene Wenger ends up without a major signing at the back, Arsenal will struggle to stay in the top 4, winning the title will be a far fetched dream. If the duo stay and a couple of quality defenders are signed, well then the Gunners are always a challenger.
Chelsea - Another season, another manager and another title challenge. Chelsea are a club always in transition, since the arrival of an insanely rich Russian, title contenders. Andres Villas Boas or AVB or the new Special One has to manage a team that saw a tumultuous second half of the last season which started with the departure of Ray Wilkins, and hopefully for them, has ended with the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.
While AVB has followed a somewhat similar path to Chelsea that Jose Mourinho did, the going might not be as good as it was the original Special One. Jose was already a Champions League winner with Porto when he arrived at Chelsea, inherited a strong squad in it's prime and a blank cheque book.
The core of the squad has remained the same over the years and has seen many more summers added to them. In the past season John Terry and Peter Cech were erratic by their very high standards, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba were either injured or out of form for too long and with all of the earlier mentioned being in their 30's a similar trend cannot be ruled out. Michael Essien might be out for a while again and John Obi Mikel has not lived up to the promise. Among the last season's signing, Torres was a flop but can bounce back and David Luiz should be rock solid in his first full season.
Overall Chelsea are a good bet as always but might just struggle if they do not spend the cash again.
Liverpool - The Scousers have spent big since the arrival of Kenny Dalglish and should see some reward for it. While a good part of the money they have spent will probably go the drain even if one of Henderson or Carrol fail and considering how few prospective English talent make it really big due to their self destructing culture there is a good chance they will. The likes of Luis Suarez, playing his first full season, Charlie Adam and Stewart Downing should add some real quality in the midfield and forward line too.
The Reds are a good bet for the top four and if King Kenny's magic works like it did last season then who knows what might happen!
Manchester United - The Red Devil's have already spent big and have given no indication that their spending is over, that after winning their 4 title in 5 years!
He might not accept it but Alex Ferguson does realise that he was lucky to win the title last year. Not that United didn't deserve to win, but the overall quality at the top of the league was relatively poorer compared to a last few seasons and the proof of it was the beating that was handed out to the English Champions by the Spanish and European Champions.
While Ferguson's eventual aim seems to bridge the gap in class between his team and the European Champions, he is also rebuilding his squad to maintain the gap between United and the other title contenders namely Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool who have either spent big or have shown a strong tendency to do so. If Ferguson does land Samir Nasri or Wesley Sniejder both of whom have been linked heavily with the club at different times, it will probably be enough to keep the contenders at bay for another year.
Manchester City - City announced their arrival in the top end of the league table in style with a third placed finish and the F.A Cup trophy. Roberto Mancini was often criticised last year for being too conservative in his team selection considering the talent at his disposal. While Mancini was generally conservative I think it was more down to the need of the club to win at all cost and break into the top four then a choice of style. Now that City are there with the so called big boys of English football and playing in Europe that might change.
The signing of Sergio Aguero should add further flair to an otherwise efficient team. City already have David Silva whose Spanish flair was visible last season. The limitless talent that the club have signed up in the last 2 seasons has put them with at least 2-3 top quality internationals fighting for each position. If the club don't win anything or don't challenge for the top honours then it will be purely down to the management.
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Vishal Kotak
said:
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... Very well written article Mr. Asif.... By the way... you missed one more strong contender in your list... yes it's Norwich city... don't underestimate it... who knows.... they may claim the title claim as well... |
Asif Khan
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... Thanks Vishal. As for Norwich City, no offence but there is a good chance they will be number one from the bottom  BTW so much in love with your adopted city and so soon? |
Vishal Kotak
said:
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... Wait and watch... Norwich will surely make an impact in this season  ha, bolte hai na... jis desh mein rehte ho... us dil se chhaho to hi rehne mein maza aayega |
Srijan Choudhary
said:
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... if i wud go by the signings i would also want to include #Sunderland and #Newcastle at least giving some competition.... and #Spurs always a threat for any team.... only if they able to sign a good striker.... well written sir... |
Asif Khan
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... @Srijan Sunderland and Newcastle? you talking about the bottom of the league or the top? Sunderland have seen too many signings and departure in the last couple of years, have promised a lot and then struggled a lot. I expect more of the same from them. As for Newcastle, they will be without some of the best players from last year, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Jose Enrique have all either left or on the verge of leaving and there are no signs of big arrivals. It will be a struggle for Newcastle to stay up if things stay the way they are. Spurs have a good chance to be in top 4, winning the league is altogether a different matter. Unless Harry Redknap pulls a coup like last year and makes signings of the caliber of VDV, which will be tough considering they are playing in the losers cup, they stand no chance! |
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