IT’S easy to get excited at the start of any season but the 2009/10 Premier League campaign really does promise to be the most intriguing in many years.
How will Manchester United cope with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez? Can Liverpool end 20 years of hurt and finally win the Premier League crown? Is Carlo Ancelotti the man to take the title back to Chelsea? Can Arsenal get back to the top after five barren years? Or most interestingly, can billionaires Man City break the big four dominance or even win the Premiership?
Starting with the champions, it looks as though Man United have a real job on their hands to hold onto their crown. To win it three years in a row is a fantastic achievement but no club has ever made it four in a row, and after losing one of the best players in the world it may just prove beyond them.
Instead, Liverpool will feel now is the time to snatch the crown. After going so long without winning the league, or rarely even coming close, it was crucial that they put in a serious title challenge as they did last year. Another year on and valuable lessons learnt, they are in the best position to take advantage of any vulnerability at Old Trafford. The sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid won’t be too much of a loss as long as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres stay fit for most the campaign – but strength in depth is one area where United hold the advantage.
When Sir Alex Ferguson says Chelsea are United’s biggest rivals, you feel that may just be the first of many swipes at Rafa Benitez. The same man wrote off Chelsea last year, claiming they were too old and their squad hasn't changed an awful lot since.
Ancellotti’s appointment at Chelsea is an interesting one. Like his predecessor Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Premiership is new to him, although the Italian should adapt better having been involved in club football more recently. No-one can doubt his success in Europe having won the Champions League twice with AC Milan, but the fact that Inter Milan have dominated Serie A in recent years is less impressive. Chelsea may be more of a threat in Europe than the Premier League.
Everyone has been quick to write off Arsenal, but I’ve got a feeling that might just suit Arsene Wenger. Remember two years ago when Arsenal were unexpectedly flying at the top of the league until Eduardo broke his leg and then captain William Gallas had his famous tantrum on the pitch in the 2-2 draw at Birmingham?! With around £40m to spend from the sales of Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor – both of whom who pretty average last season - to Man City, a couple of good signings, in particular a strong holding midfielder to play alongside the creative Cesc Fabregas, would make the Gunners real contenders and Andrei Arshavin could well turn out to be the star of the season.
Given the money Man City have spent a top four finish should be the least of their expectations. It is probably too soon for them to be serious title challengers and although they should score plenty of goals their defence still looks as though it could be shaky, even if Joleon Lescott joins from Everton.
As for the other contenders, if Harry Redknapp can continue his great start at White Hart Lane then Tottenham could be an outside bet to finish in the top four. Aston Villa looked like finishing there for much of last season and will be strong again, while Everton will continue to over achieve under the astute David Moyes.
At the other end of the table expect another desperate scrap for survival. Of the promoted teams Wolves look best equipped to deal with the demands of the Premiership, while Birmingham have made some good signings and should have just enough to stay up as long as there aren't too many boardroom distractions. Although Owen Coyle has done a fantastic job at Burnley, it is hard to see them being able to compete with clubs much bigger than them. Hull look relegation fodder unless they dramatically improve from the second half of last season and Portsmouth fans would surely take 17th place if it was offered to them now after losing several players and uncertainty over the club’s future. The likes of Bolton, Stoke City – desperate to avoid second season syndrome –Wigan Athletic may all flirt with the danger zone but should ultimately be fine.
Whatever happens, its all set up nicely for a rollercoaster nine months and then for the small matter of the World Cup in South Africa next summer.
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