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Ed Chamberlin assesses the Premier League’s top 10 clubs as the new season closes in…
The weekends just aren’t the same without football, are they? I’m sure you’re ready to start all over again and I cannot wait for our first show of the season at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday.
Stories abound before a ball has even been kicked in the Premier League; Liverpool kick us off on Super Sunday back at Stoke where they were humiliated 6-1 on the final day of last season.
They will be the big story in the opening weekend and that’s likely to remain the case for the first few weeks after all their high profile signings this summer and their brutal opening set of fixtures, particularly away from home.
Other stories include whether Chelsea are still head and shoulders clear of the rest, have Manchester City got their mojo back, can Louis van Gaal sign/keep the players he wants to launch a title challenge or could this finally be Arsenal’s year?
Bournemouth’s arrival in the Premier League is another of the great stories and I can’t wait to see how they get on. We see them first on Monday Night Football at Liverpool on August 17.
For Eddie Howe and Bournemouth it’s all about survival but this is how I see the top ten panning out this season.
The hardest thing to do is retain the Premier League title. Will the fire still burn for the Chelsea players? There is absolutely no danger of that being an issue with Jose Mourinho at the helm.
Gary Neville said at the back end of last season they could put the title to bed with a mega summer signing like Gareth Bale. That hasn’t happened yet but they still look the most talented, powerful squad and have a serial winner in charge.
It will be fascinating to see if Jose can re-ignite Radamel Falcao, who looked shot at Old Trafford last season. You sense getting Falcao firing would give Mourinho immense satisfaction. It should be closer this time but Chelsea were so much better than the rest last season they are hard to oppose.
Recent summers have guaranteed turmoil. This summer tranquillity, calm and confidence have descended on the Emirates. Jamie Carragher will be happy as they’ve signed a top-notch goalkeeper in Petr Cech. He will help create a winning mentality.
The talent is there. Is there still a mental barrier? The Community Shield win can do no harm and at least ends the Mourinho run against Wenger.
Arsenal now feel like a jigsaw puzzle that’s nearly finished. The missing pieces still look to be an A-list striker and a defensive midfielder. Morgan Schneiderlin would have been perfect. Francis Coquelin was a revelation last season but where is the back-up option? Schneiderlin could have played alongside him in big away games.
Arsenal proved they can dig out a result at Manchester City last season. Now they need to do that on a regular basis. Signing a top class striker before the end of the month would be a major statement of intent.
Hunger was the missing ingredient last season for City, as retaining the title proved to be a step too far for this group again.
The engine room that’s driven City to the title in the past – Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero – are another year older, while the young legs needed around them are still not there.
The conundrum remains over what formation to play in big games. Does Yaya play in a midfield two or off the front?
They desperately need their captain to return to his inspirational best. Kompany was a shadow of his former self last season. They are yet to find him a reliable partner in the centre of a defence that rapidly needs to improve. The four goals City conceded in the first half against Stuttgart on Saturday highlighted those concerns.
I defy anyone to confidently predict what United will do this season. They could easily be title challengers but it could also all go wrong at Old Trafford.
Morgan Schneiderlin is a top signing. In the No 4 shirt at Southampton Steve Williams was my hero growing up. Schneiderlin is the best I’ve seen since and he has the talent and character to thrive on the Old Trafford stage. He’s also the athlete and energy that Man Utd’s midfield so badly needs. Matteo Darmian and Memphis Depay also look exciting signings.
Their season could revolve around the next few weeks as they try to hold on to David de Gea, sort out their back four and bring in the match-winners that Louis van Gaal craves.
With so many attacking options it will be fascinating to see what formation Brendan Rodgers goes with and how he blends his new-look side.
Yet the main worry remains the defence that was so porous last season, plus Graeme Souness’ concern over lack of leaders in the dressing room with Steven Gerrard gone.
There are a big few weeks ahead and Monday Night Football on August 24 at Arsenal looms large.
Mauricio Pochettino will get it right. Toby Alderweireld is a brilliant signing and Tottenham look strong defensively.
Up front they are short and god forbid Harry Kane getting injured. The fact remains that Spurs can have an excellent season and still finish sixth.
The Britannia should be buoyant on Super Sunday. Under the radar Stoke had an excellent season culminating in the thumping they gave Liverpool on the final day. The home fans will relish their return this weekend. It will be noisy.
Mark Hughes and his team still don’t seem to get anything like the credit they deserve. A record finish last season and the signing of Ibrahim Affelay sums up their ambition to progress. I see no reason why they can’t improve again.
With no Europa League, normal service should be resumed at Goodison Park. However, the next couple of weeks could be decisive.
John Stones moving to Chelsea could have a devastating effect on the squad and their other stars seem to have suitors too. Tom Cleverley and Gerard Deulofeu are good editions, though.
The benchmark for any promoted side, Swansea are ruthless and a reliable betting proposition at home against sides in the bottom half.
That always stands them in good stead. This summer they have been quietly effective again in the transfer market. Certainties for the top half.
Another summer of big-name departures. Another summer of clever planning and effective replacements. The ‘Black Box’ looks like it’s worked again as Cedric Soares, Juanmi and Jordy Clasie have hit the ground running in pre-season. New recruits seem to settle so quickly.
Jay Rodriguez will feel like a new signing and is one of a wealth of attacking options at Ronald Koeman’s disposal.
The club and fans have embraced the Europa League adventure and are seeing it as a positive rather than the ordeal that other clubs have viewed the competition. That may take its toll in the end but Saints set for another solid season on the south coast.
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