In our final preview for the upcoming Premiership season, we take a look at the five teams who will battle for the title along with places in the following year's Champions League. There really is no need to introduce the teams, so without further delay, let's get right into it.
5. Liverpool (Finished 8th in the Premiership)
Liverpool FC -29.304.000 £
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| Total: 31.944.000 £ | Total: 2.640.000 £ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
I believe it is safe to say that the King Kenny era has ended with a whimper rather than a raucous celebration. After spending a boatload of $$$ on a quartet of underwhelming British players, King Kenny well on his sword and was let go by the Fenway Sports Group at the end of last season.
Brendan Rogers, formerly of Swansea, is the new manager at Liverpool and he will be looking to implement his fluid 4-3-3 system to Anfield. As always when discussing Liverpool, they will only go as far Steven Gerrard takes them, and as he enters the twilight of his career, it might be time to look for a new savior. In my opinion Liverpool suffered after the injury to Lucas Leiva, the much-maligned Brazilian midfielder who helped solidify Liverpool's defensive shape. Unfortunately, the clubs above Liverpool are too strong, so the best the Reds can hope for is an FA Cup triumph and a deep run in the Europa League.
4. Arsenal (Finished 3rd in the Premiership)
Arsenal FC -7.480.000 £
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| Total: 37.840.000 £ | Total: 30.360.000 £ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
During the course of the past week, Arsenal have lost their enigmatic talisman Robin van Persie to Manchester United and Alex Song is en route to join Barcelona. Talk about everything going to shit for the Gunners. However, the sky is not quite falling. Last season saw the re-emergence of Thomas Vermaelen as Arsenal's best defender and the arrival of 'The Ox'.
For Arsenal to finish in a Champions League place for the coming season, new strikers Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski will have to adapt quickly to the British game and become instant difference makers. Furthermore, a healthy Mikel Arteta and England's forgotten man, Jack Wilshire will have to be key players in the middle of the park for the Gunners. At the end of the day, Arsenal will finish in the top four, but again, without a trophy.
3. Chelsea (Finished 6th in the Premiership)
Chelsea FC -70.004.000 £
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| Total: 70.400.000 £ | Total: 396.000 £ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
We all know how the AVB Chelsea Project finished . . . it never really took off. While AVB tried to accelerate the latest Chelsea revolution, he found a locker room that was resistant to change and was unceremoniously sacked as manager, leaving lead assistant Roberto Di Matteo to man the ship. Using a pragmatic approach, RDM brought Champions League glory to the Blues.
Fast forward to eve of the new campaign and Chelsea have arguably made the biggest splash in the transfer market, bringing in young and talented attacking midfielders in the form of Eden Hazard and Oscar. At the same time Chelsea jettisoned some of the old guard, allowing Drogba to chase gold in China and Kalou to have a French adventure with Lille. However, Chelsea's future success can be tied to the form of their star striker Fernando Torres. If Fernando starts scoring the goals, then I have no doubt that Chelsea will finish in the top four . . . and if he doesn't, well that surely can open the door wide open for Newcastle, Tottenham and Liverpool.
2. Manchester City (Finished 1st in the Premiership)
Manchester City -11.616.000 £
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| Total: 13.200.000 £ | Total: 1.584.000 £ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Manchester City had a spectacular season last year in the Premiership, primarily by winning the title and signalling their intent to become England's biggest and best club. Buoyed by David Silva, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero, City nipped their neighbors in red to win their first championship in quite some time. Also, how great was it to see Super Mario playing well, he is such a character on and off the pitch.
For the upcoming season, Manchester City still possess one of the strongest teams in the Premiership. The question that needs to be asked is if the same desire and passion exists throughout the squad. Roberto Mancini is wise to declare United the favorites for the title and thus putting less pressure on his own squad to repeat as champions. City are the better team on paper, but with a greater focus on the Champions League points will be dropped during the domestic campaign allowing United to keep the title in Manchester albeit for the club in red.
1. Manchester United (Finished 2nd in the Premiership)
Manchester United -42.323.600 £
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| Total: 47.696.000 £ | Total: 5.372.400 £ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The look on Sir Alex's face when Sergio Aguero scored the winning goal for City to clinch the Premiership title was absolutely priceless. That was the first time I had seen Sir Alex utterly shocked and confused and I am willing to predict it will be the last time we ever see that face. By all accounts, Manchester United had a terrible season. First they were knocked out of the Champions League during the group stage and for the first time since 2007 they finished without a trophy. We all knew that Sir Alex was not going to sit quietly during the off-season.
Manchester United will win the Premiership because of three things that are working in their favor. First and probably the most important aspect that makes United the favorites is the newly formed striker partnership between Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. Secondly, United will welcome back their captain, Vidic, who should helped solidify the Red Devils back line.
In my opinion United will win the title for the simple reason that Sir Alex will not tolerate another disappointing season.
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