Here we go!
Here We Go !!
With just 24 hours until kick off, fans up and down the country are eagerly awaiting the start of the new Premier League season. You would think we would all be tired of football as there has not really been a break but the World Cup was so exhilarating it has just wetted our appetite. Plus, this season looks like one of the most open for many years – and that’s after Manchester City’s two titles in 3 years were both won on the last day of the season! Usually we talk about the Big Four, but this year we could say the Big Five or is it Seven?
You would have expected Man City to be the bookies favourite – they have a talented squad (David Silva has indicated they are a happy bunch by signing a 5 year contract), stability in Pellegrini and now a winning track record. But they are being hard pushed by Chelsea where Mourinho has now put his stamp on the team. Who can fault his judgement in letting Mata and Luiz go and he now has a potent strike force with Costa and, the fans favourite, Drogba.
Man Utd refuse to be left out. Still smarting from their lowest league position for 30 years they now have a new manager and new players. The class of 93 has finally bowed out with Giggs retirement but Rooney, as the new club captain, will be wanting to take on the mantle. And with Van Persie et al beside him would you bet against them!
And what about Arsenal? The relief of finally winning a trophy after 9 years of near misses should have freed them from the shackles of expectation. Wenger has also finally released himself from the chains of budget constraints. Sanchez is a quality striker, Ozil recaptured his form as the World Cup progressed and Ramsey is fit again. Their 3-0 win in the Charity Shield shows how confidence is riding high.
The bookies have Liverpool as 5th favourite for the title, belittling their 2nd place finish and perhaps giving too much weight to Suarez’s departure. Don’t forget Sturridge and the rest did a fine job whilst he was suspended and there are a few quality additions to the squad this term. If they can keep playing that fast moving, attacking brand of football they will be hard to live with.
Not far behind we have Tottenham who have been knocking on the door for the last few seasons without success. In Pochettino they have a shrewd tactician who showed at Southampton that he can bring the best out of his players. And he has a pretty good squad to work with.
Finally we have Everton who moved up a couple of gears under Martinez. No more slow starts, they hit the ground running last season and outplayed some very good sides. For a period they were the form team but can they keep it going for a whole season? They are a young and developing squad who will continue to improve and, whilst not favourites for the title itself, will definitely have a say on where it ends up.
So here we go, here we go, here we go…….
Let us know your views on who you think will come out Champions next April.
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