We have all heard it every year but this year has more reasons than previous seasons for the old predictions to be dusted off and that age old favourite quote to be rehashed:
"Could this be Liverpool's year?"
Let me get this out the way quick, I am a Liverpool fan, I have been since I started watching football in 1996. But living in South Africa, I have the privilege of getting every single Premier League game of the season on TV.
So it is fair to say I get more than enough exposure to the other teams and players in the Big Four.
Let me start by looking at the other three constituents of the aforementioned Big Four.
Arsenal FC
Losing Mattheu Flamini has to be seen as the biggest blow. Not for the player he is but for the partnership he formed with Fabregas. Flamini complimented Fabregas brilliantly and allowed the Spaniard a freedom I feel he will struggle to find now that Flamini has left.
Add to that the fact that Arsenal have yet to replace him and suddenly a worrying hole has appeared right in the engine room of a team that gets all their success from a strong creative midfield.
Alexander Hleb's departure is equally bad for Wenger's men. Nasri has come in and I have heard great things about the youngster but Arsenal will need him to hit the ground running, especially seeing the medical state of Tomas Rosicky.
Otherwise Arsenal have added nothing as no matter what squad number you give him, 16 year olds can not be looked at to change the fortunes of the first team immediately. So this leaves Wenger and Arsenal with a few new headaches to add to the long standing as thus far unaddressed problem of central defence where Tuore and Gallas don't seem to be the players they used to be.
Chelsea FC
Chelsea's biggest hope of regaining the title lie with Scolari and Ballack. Unfortunately for them, Scolari, despite his brilliance, has spent the last six years at least in international management. Add the change to club management to the adjustment to the Premier League and no one will blame him for taking a season or two to settle.
With all due respect to the players bought, Bosingwa and Deco, neither are the type of player to drag a team to the top. Bosingwa because I cannot remember a full back since Roberto Carlos who has a huge, defining impact consistently on match results. Deco for the simple reason that he is an attacking midfielder in the same role as Lampard and Ballack.
Chelsea really started to gel last season when Lampard got injured and Ballack was finally able to assert himself. Had Lampard been sold to Inter Milan, I would rate Chelsea's chances much higher for the fact that they are guaranteed for the German to continue to pull the strings. As it happens he stayed and now with Deco added, Ballack's opportunities to be Uber-kaiser of Chelsea will be limited, thus limiting Chelsea's best attacking potential.
5 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ismail Ayub 10 months ago
Decent article but your being a bit negative about the other 3 teams. Nasri has hit the ground running, so hleb's sorted, and Arsene Wenger is gna buy a holding-mid 2 replace flamini...
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Brandon Hallas 10 months ago
The problem with saying Wenger will replace Flamini is with who? Also, will the new player work as well with Fabregas? I really don't rate Flamini that highly skill wise but his game perfectly complimented Fabregas.
I fully expect Flamini to have a very indifferent season in Italy, not making nearly as many appearances as he would want or nearly as much of an impact as his transfer fee demands (look at his competition for places - Gattuso, Pirlo and Seedorf) and returning to the Emirates next summer for half the money...
I wouldn't say I am being negative about the other 3 teams, I am unfortunately a fan of Liverpool so it is impossible for me to be completely impartial. I did try my best though...
But thanks for the comments :-)
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Moses Kaguthi 10 months ago
I will start by saying am an Arsenal fan. However, whilst my heart says Arsenal should win- I believe some of the younger players in the Arsenal squad have matured as they get more experience under their belts (e.g. Denilson, Diaby)- my head tells me that this one belongs to Chelsea. They have the depth of squad and the options to go all the way to May 2009.
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Luke Ness 10 months ago
I'm not so sure about Chelsea still. Brandon has made some good points. With all three world class attacking midfielders competing for places, none of them will play as much football as they would hope to. This could influence the team's chemistry. Being a Liverpool fan, i would definately hope Liverpool take it, which they actually do have a chance of, I think Man United's dominance may not be over yet. They did the double last year, I think they can be happy with their current squad and don't need to make any transfers.
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Brandon Hallas 10 months ago
I have to agree with both of you -
Arsenals team is good, getting better but this isn't their year. Having said that, if Benitez is stupid enough to sell Alonso to them then the whole picture changes and Arsenal are right back in it!!
United will be very difficult to beat this year, especially if they get Berbatov.
Thanks for the comments guys!
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