The 2013/2014 Premier League RunUp.
With the transfers window finally closed, I now write my yearly review and analysis of some select teams in the English premier League. This years championship promises to be very interesting and balanced. For the first time in a long while, we actually have six teams that have realistic chances of winning the league.
The reigning champions, Manchester United, will be without their iconic manager , Sir Alex Ferguson for the first time in 25 years. His successor, David Moyes, formerly the Manager of Everton would like to assure any doubters at Old Trafford that he is the right man for the job.
Whereas in King's Road, Chelsea's iconic Manager has returned "home" and will be looking forward to rekindling the successive championship success of 2005-2007 seasons. This Chelsea team, though it has remnants of those glory days, is quite different. It will be interesting to see how the rechristened "Happy One" will mould this younger, somewhat less talented side to the championship winning side of his first incarnation.
The Spurs and the Man. City have spend close to $200 million between them to fortify the squads. Liverpool has also brought in some good players and most crucially, stopped their talisman, Luis Suarez from joining Arsenal. Wenger, in a statement of intent, uncharacteristically broke the club's transfer record to bring in Mesut Ozil from Real madrid
Without much further ado, read the predictions below.
Arsenal
Trophy-less for eight seasons now. Frustrated Arsenal faithfuls will be longing for the glory days to return again. Wenger responding to the yearnings for a marquee signing and bought Ozil from Real Madrid for a club record fee of $66 million. Only time will tell whether it is the right signing Arsenal needs, considering Giroud is currently the only striker Arsenal have,since Podoski's injury. Arsenal made fourth place last season but only just. This season they have started well, especially with a win over potential rivals and neighbors, Tottenham. A second place finish might be the best this maturing Arsenal side can do for now.
In: Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid £42.5m, Mathieu Flamini Milan, free, Yaya Sanogo Auxerre, free, Emiliano Viviano Palermo, loan
Out: Gervinho Roma, £8m, Vito Mannone Sunderland, £1.5m, Marouane Chamakh Crystal Palace, free, André Santos Flamengo, undisc, Andrey Arshavin Zenit St Petersburg, free, Denilson São Paulo, free
Final Position - 2nd
Chelsea
Don't underestimate the winning value of the Mourinho effect. The Happy One brings box office to the league and will inherit Fergie's crown as its top dog.
It remains to be seen which tactics, Mourinho will employ in his quest to guide his side to championship victory. Will we see the counter-attacking system, he deployed in his stint with the Galaticos? Or do we see a return to workman like system used in his first stint as Chelsea boss. A giveaway will be the players, he has purchased to fit into the system he hopes to use. As usual, Mourinho favors physically strong players with a high work rate over guile and flair. Although, this Chelsea team lacks the quality of the 2005-7 side, the Special One's experience will prove too much for the opposing pretenders to the throne.
Warning: Expect a Wimbledon-seque ride.
In: Willian Anzhi £32m, André Schürrle Bayer Leverkusen, £18m, Marco van Ginkel Vitesse Arnhem, £9m, Christian Atsu Porto, £3.5m, Cristian Cuevas O’Higgins, £3m, Mark Schwarzer Fulham, free, Samuel Eto’o Anzhi, free
Out: Victor Moses Liverpool, loan, Jeffrey Bruma PSV Eindhoven, £2.5m, Ross Turnbull Doncaster, free, Florent Malouda Trabzonspor, free
Position: 1st
Liverpool
The most decorated team in English football will be looking to getting back on their perch. It will be ironic, if they succeed in doing that in the first year of absence of the man responsible for eroding their status as the kings of English football. Brenden Rogers has done the best business in the transfer window. Retaining the petulant Suarez, and bringing in quality signing such as Simon Mignolet, who might well be the key to Liverpool regaining their Champions League position. Sturridge and Countinho seem to have struck a cord. Hopefully, their symphony maybe what the Reds needs to propel them to the top of the league. The last time Liverpool started well, they almost won it. Could history repeat itself? Probably, and I won't put it pass them. Without the distractions of Champions League football, the Scousers could focus all their efforts in reclaiming their position as the best team in the land.
Warning: Control Suarez.
In Mamadou Sakho PSG, £12m, Iago Aspas Celta Vigo, £9m, Simon Mignolet Sunderland, £9m, Luis Alberto Seville, £6.8m, Tiago Ilori Sporting Lisbon, £6.8m, Kolo Touré Manchester City, free, Victor Moses Chelsea, loan
Out Andy Carroll West Ham, £15m, Stewart Downing West Ham, £5m, Jonjo Shelvey Swansea, £5m, Jay Spearing Bolton, £2m, Dani Pacheco AD Alcorcon, undisc
Position: 3rd
Manchester United
There is a saying that Sir Ferguson sitting on the ManUtd bench, brings the team, an extra 12 points plus fergie time. Already, the change of guard has cost ManU points from unfavorable crucial refereeing decisions: A penalty versus Chelsea, 5 yellow cards against Liverpool. During the match against Liverpool, some might have been asking, "What would the great man do to turn the game around"? When their biggest rivals were a goal ahead for much of the game. Such is the burden, Moyes faces as he steps into, probably the biggest shoes in world football.
Warning: A blip of poor form will draw doubts,unfair Fergie comparision on Moyes.
Out Bebé Pacos de Ferreira, loan, Sean McGinty Sheffield United, free, Frederic Veseli Ipswich, free, John Cofie Barnsley, free, Reece Brown Watford, free, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Scott Wootton Leeds United, undisclosed
Position: 4th
Once again, the blue side of Manchester has spent heavily to fortified their side for this season's champaign after the poor defense of their championship last season. Even the Coach Manchin was not spared as Mancity management try to right the wrongs of wretched champaign. The new additions that Pellegrini brought will need time to settle into fast pace of the premier league. Known for a 4-4-2 formation, Pellegrini will look to forge a winning side from a chaotic dressing room.City might have all the money in the abundance but they lack team spirit. Sadly, that is what wins titles.
Warning: Pellegrini needs to check the egos.
In Fernandinho Shakhtar Donetsk, £30m, Stevan Jovetic Fiorentina, £22m, Jésus Navas Seville, £17m, Alvaro Negredo Seville, £16.4m, Martín Demichelis Atlético Madrid, £3.5m
Out Carlos Tévez Juventus, £10m, Denis Suárez Barcelona, £1.3m, Maicon Roma, undiscl, Wayne Bridge Reading, free, Roque Santa Cruz Málaga, free, Kolo Touré Liverpool, free, Gareth Barry Everton, loan
Position: 5th
Tottenham
Over $100m spent on players this season by Spurs. Villa-Boas has assembled an army capable of going toe-toe with any team. Questions will be asked of the impact of Bale's loss. Hopefully, someone from the new recruits will fill Bale's void. This Spurs side is quality. Unfortunately, one will have to wait till the second half of the season to see it.
Warning: Gel quickly or Fade out.
In Erik Lamela Roma, £30m, Roberto Soldado Valencia, £26m, Paulinho Corinthians, £17m, Christian Eriksen Ajax, £11.5m, Étienne Capoue T oulouse, £9m, Vlad Chiriches Steaua Bucharest, £8.5m, Nacer Chadli FC Twente, £7m
Out Gareth Bale Real Madrid, £86m, Steven Caulker Cardiff, £8m, Clint Dempsey Seattle Sounders, £6m, Tom Huddlestone Hull, £5m, Scott Parker Fulham, £2m. Benoît Assou-Ekotto QPR, loan, Tom Carroll QPR, loan
Position:6th
The Eventual League Table
1. Chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. Liverpool
4. Manchester United.
5. ManCity
6.Tottenham.
As a Chelsea fan I can't help but agree :-)
ReplyDeleteThough i find it hard to see how Liverpool will finish above City.
Thanks for your comment. Yes you might be correct. On face value alone, City have the better squad. But a team of prima donnas can only go so far . The eventual winners of any league, must show consistencies,resolve and immense team spirit i.e the ability o pull through as a group when the going on the pitch are not favorable. Case in point, last season's Premier league Campaign , the FA cup final, woeful champion league run continue to be-plague them. At the risk of being accused of casting aspersions, most of City players might be happy to just get the money without needing to repay the club in silverware. On other hand , Liverpool previous poor league results were down to poor goal keeping, lack of strikers and generally weak team. This season they seem to have remedied that with Minolet in goal , justifying the ouster of Reina. 3 out 3 is no joke . But lets not get ahead of ourselves. In December, we shall see how it pans out. Either way, it promises to be a very fun-filled ride.
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