paperbiz89
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- Jun 14, 2012
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Finally! The day we've all been waiting for is here. After a 2 month hiatus, the best league in the world is back with us. Of course there was The Olympics to keep us busy, but let's face it, nothing trumps football! Let me review the teams which finished in the Top 6 last season and what I expect them to achieve this time round
Chelsea - The boys in blue finished 6th last time out. They however scooped both The FA Cup and elusive trophy of Roman Abramovich's reign, The UEFA Champions League! It was gritty performances which led to Chelsea being crowned European Champions and were it not for the performances of talisman Didier Drogba, last season would definitely have been considered a disaster. In what was to be his last kick for the club, Drogba slotted home the winning penalty in The Champions League Final against Bayern Munich. Of course Drogba has now left for China. But it seems success in Europe has spurred Abramovich to open his chequebook again. The club has spent big on new recruits Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin - the three costing a reported 60 Million GBP combined. With old heads such as Frank Lampard and John Terry still around, I expect them to improve from their current position and finish 3rd
Newcastle - The Magpies had a brilliant season in the top flight last term. Alan Pardew marshaled his side to very impressive displays over the course of the season including a win at Old Trafford. Whether Newcastle will be able to cope with the rigors of both the Europa League combined with the Premier League are in doubt. Their squad depth does not allow them that luxury. I see them finishing in 6th. A very impressive performance still considering the amount of quality on show in this season's league
Tottenham - The blow of finishing 4th last time out and still not gaining a spot in the Champions League courtesy of Chelsea's win in Europe's premier competition is too much for them to handle. Manager Harry Redknapp was fired for having let slip a 10 point lead over Arsenal in third place. Luka Modric has also left for sunny Madrid as his move to play for The Galacticos has depleted Spurs' midfield. New Head Coach Andre Villas Boas has a tough task on his hands. I see Tottenham finishing dropping down a place and finishing in 5th position this time round
Arsenal - The Gunners have again left it late to lose their star players. Robin van Persie has moved to Manchester United and Alexandre Song is rumored to be close to a move to Barcelona. However, Manager Arsene Wenger has done one of the most astute business in recent years, snapping up Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski. Even without van Persie, that is still a mouth-watering attacking trident. And with the likes of Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Rosicky, Arteta and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, you can see that Arsenal are not exactly struggling for attacking talent. But of course they never have. It is the field of defence that has been Arsenal's biggest drawback over the years. The expected departure of Song will likely be replaced with another defensive midfielder. The promotion of Steve Bould to assistant manager is also expected to lead to a tightening of the defence as the former Arsenal player was a defending stalwart during his heydays. Arsenal's squad is stronger than last season's and I expect them to finish at least second, and ready to take advantage of any slip ups by the rest of the pack
Manchester United - I see the signing of Robin van Persie as a really unnecessary move. United were already strong in attack with the likes of Nani, Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck. It is in midfield that the team mostly needs new players. Only Shinji Kagawa has arrived. The defence too is getting old. Evra and Ferdinand are far from their best. Captain Nemanja Vidic is unlikely to be at his best form after being out for such a long time. I see United finishing in fourth, ultimately leading to the departure of Alex Ferguson
Manchester City - The Sky Blues sealed the Premier League in the most emphatic of fashions last season. They have not strengthened the squad much (only Jack Rodwell has arrived as at the time of writing this post), but in all honesty the squad does not need much strengthening! No one has left the team. And with the players having the benefit of playing together all last season not to mention this year's pre-season, they are the team to beat. I believe it is Manchester City's title to lose.
All in all, looking forward to the start of the league tomorrow. May it be a memorable one!
Chelsea - The boys in blue finished 6th last time out. They however scooped both The FA Cup and elusive trophy of Roman Abramovich's reign, The UEFA Champions League! It was gritty performances which led to Chelsea being crowned European Champions and were it not for the performances of talisman Didier Drogba, last season would definitely have been considered a disaster. In what was to be his last kick for the club, Drogba slotted home the winning penalty in The Champions League Final against Bayern Munich. Of course Drogba has now left for China. But it seems success in Europe has spurred Abramovich to open his chequebook again. The club has spent big on new recruits Eden Hazard, Oscar and Marko Marin - the three costing a reported 60 Million GBP combined. With old heads such as Frank Lampard and John Terry still around, I expect them to improve from their current position and finish 3rd
Newcastle - The Magpies had a brilliant season in the top flight last term. Alan Pardew marshaled his side to very impressive displays over the course of the season including a win at Old Trafford. Whether Newcastle will be able to cope with the rigors of both the Europa League combined with the Premier League are in doubt. Their squad depth does not allow them that luxury. I see them finishing in 6th. A very impressive performance still considering the amount of quality on show in this season's league
Tottenham - The blow of finishing 4th last time out and still not gaining a spot in the Champions League courtesy of Chelsea's win in Europe's premier competition is too much for them to handle. Manager Harry Redknapp was fired for having let slip a 10 point lead over Arsenal in third place. Luka Modric has also left for sunny Madrid as his move to play for The Galacticos has depleted Spurs' midfield. New Head Coach Andre Villas Boas has a tough task on his hands. I see Tottenham finishing dropping down a place and finishing in 5th position this time round
Arsenal - The Gunners have again left it late to lose their star players. Robin van Persie has moved to Manchester United and Alexandre Song is rumored to be close to a move to Barcelona. However, Manager Arsene Wenger has done one of the most astute business in recent years, snapping up Santi Cazorla, Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski. Even without van Persie, that is still a mouth-watering attacking trident. And with the likes of Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Rosicky, Arteta and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, you can see that Arsenal are not exactly struggling for attacking talent. But of course they never have. It is the field of defence that has been Arsenal's biggest drawback over the years. The expected departure of Song will likely be replaced with another defensive midfielder. The promotion of Steve Bould to assistant manager is also expected to lead to a tightening of the defence as the former Arsenal player was a defending stalwart during his heydays. Arsenal's squad is stronger than last season's and I expect them to finish at least second, and ready to take advantage of any slip ups by the rest of the pack
Manchester United - I see the signing of Robin van Persie as a really unnecessary move. United were already strong in attack with the likes of Nani, Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck. It is in midfield that the team mostly needs new players. Only Shinji Kagawa has arrived. The defence too is getting old. Evra and Ferdinand are far from their best. Captain Nemanja Vidic is unlikely to be at his best form after being out for such a long time. I see United finishing in fourth, ultimately leading to the departure of Alex Ferguson
Manchester City - The Sky Blues sealed the Premier League in the most emphatic of fashions last season. They have not strengthened the squad much (only Jack Rodwell has arrived as at the time of writing this post), but in all honesty the squad does not need much strengthening! No one has left the team. And with the players having the benefit of playing together all last season not to mention this year's pre-season, they are the team to beat. I believe it is Manchester City's title to lose.
All in all, looking forward to the start of the league tomorrow. May it be a memorable one!
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