Tomorrow is the eagerly anticipated start of another Premier League season, and for the first time, Sheik Mansour's Manchester City genuinely look for the first time like title contenders. Having splashed the cash, hired and fired a bundle of managers, can City really reign champions? At the other end of the table, who will survive the drop and can the Swans stay afloat as the first Welsh side in the new look top flight?
The moment Sheik Mansour announced his intention to buy Manchester City, many agreed that it wouldn't be long before City were to be challenging at the top, due to the almost bottomless oil well of money they now had control of. And indeed, City look strong, with a team of high-profile internationals, and still have the luxury of spending £38 million on one player, they could posses a strong threat to the title challengers. So what makes this year different to the last two? Well, firstly growing success. Mancini's men successfully achieved Champions League qualification, whilst also ending their silverware drought by winning the FA Cup. Secondly, stability. The the majority of the current squad have been with each other for over a year, and most remarkably so has the manager. This in turn leads to better unity within the squad, and they are less likely to be seen as individuals. Finally, ability. City's squad is stronger than it has ever been, with the likes of Aguero and Yaya Toure, and an abundance of high profile players who can play at the highest level of football. Man City will never however be able to play down the talk that they 'bought' the FA Cup and 'bought' a Champions League place, and in my opinion, that couldn't be closer to the truth.
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| Title Contenders? |
City's red neighbours, Man United, are aiming to achieve a record 20th Premier League title, and they definitely look capable of it. Another blossoming of young talent, a trademark of Sir Alex Fergusson, adds a squad depth that many thought they would lose after the summer departures and retirements. Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, products of the academy, both with top flight experience, look set to challenge for first team places, alongside Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, all who seem to have the potential to be very successful at the club. The only thorn in their side is the hole left in midfield after Scholes' retirement, a hole they need to fill, with Wesley Sneijder the favourite.
Chelsea are also looking strong, with new boss Andre Villas-Boas seemingly whipping the unruly blues players into shape, with his strict discipline, which many of the players prefer. Though they haven't made too many high profile signings, they do look strong, and if £50 million man Torres finds his former form, then they will be right up there come the last day of the season.
Liverpool are my final contender, with the Arsenal omitted for the first time in a long time. King Kenny has got the Reds playing good football again, and with the new signings Dalglish has brought in, they now possess one of the strongest sides of recent years. Liverpool have seemingly gone under the radar as title contenders due to their poor showing last year, however, I believe Liverpool can easily secure a top four finish, and maybe even more. Notably, Arsenal are no longer in my view title contenders. Without talisman Nasri and Fabregas, who are almost certain to leave, and a lack of movement in the transfee window, Arsene Wegner will have a job on his hands to give his side a respectable finish this year. Arsenal fans, this could be a long season for you.
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| Who will lift the Premier League trophy this season? |
So who will survive the drop? I'm expecting a scrap of a bundle of teams, and they include Swansea, Wigan, Fulham, QPR, Norwich, Blackburn, and perhaps even Newcastle, Aston Villa and Bolton. Out of those who I feel are ill-equipped to stay up, are QPR, Swansea and Blackburn.
QPR came up with the promise of a transfer bounty, a bounty which we have yet to see. They may have a strong squad - at Championship level, but I don't believe Neil Warnock can keep the R's up this year, though most of the Loftus Road faithful will disagree with me, they are for the drop, unless we see a late influx of transfers.
Swansea came up to the Premier League through the Play-Offs, and despite breaking their transfer record fee for Danny Graham, that fee remains only just over £3 million, which for me means they can't acquire nor spend enough on better talents. Perhaps they'll prove me wrong, but I can't see the Swans causing a stir this year.
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| Danny Graham |
After the charade of the remarkable decision to sack Sam Allardyce last season, Blackburn under Steve Kean look a weakened side. I cannot see them pulling up any trees this year, or ruffling any feathers under the ownership of the chicken factory. I will be very surprised should they escape a relegation battle this year, and they are my favourites to go down.
Finally, my over-achievers and one to watch for this year I think will be Everton. Though over the last couple of years they have started dreadfully, I think they can overcome this glitch and should they play to the same standard as they finished last season, they will without doubt be contesting a European spot.
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| Leighton Baines' Everton are a potential surprise package |
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