ENGLAND
So it has been a busy summer for Bleacher Reports' favourite league...
For me I have glimmerings of a disaffection with the mighty EPL, with the financially-imposed inevitability of who wins and who loses—the antithesis of competitive sport I add.
The most interesting match on day one for me was the relegation six-pointer between Hull City and Fulham; looking in from outside, that is the only game that really piqued the interest.
Teams of note...
Tottenham
Are they in free fall or are they building? Can they breach the top four or get close, I don't really care as that would have to happen and then happen again the following year for me to give it due attention. Love the players they have signed just wish they weren't at Tottenham... from Gio to Luka there is now some grace in those Spurs.
Liverpool
What a difference a year makes, 18 Million for Barry? This time last year that figure would have not seen the light of day. No matter was he really the man to solve this teams problems? (For me the problem lies on the right hand side and also in Benitez's facial hair).
18 million on the flanks would give this team much more cutting edge, the money men seem to be questioning the managers judgement over Barry and I am to. Do the money men know something about the game after all?
Arsenal
The experienced core is all but gone. The defence is my main concern, Toure was poor the season past and Gallas worse, both essentially are the first choice as I do not see Sendoros and Djourou challenging the status-quo. For me Wenger is essentially betting on them being far better this year than last.
No replacement for Flamini and I feel this must be the signing to make.
I hope they do well this year and stay clear of injuries, on their day they can beat any team and finishing only four points behind (knowing they were not going to win helped) after that savage injury period I wish them better this year, the EPL needs this team at full strength.
Also of note, early season fixtures have been ever so kind to Arsenal and I think an early lead could be on the books, all the while they get people fit and bring in a new player or two.
Chelsea
New man at the helm. The one and only Frank Lampard re-signed, his new manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari said that Frankie was “a symbol of Chelsea.” Yes, that would be about right, Phil. The odd thing is though, I think Scolari meant it in a good way.
Going further you might argue that Lampard is a symbol of the Premier League itself, its extraordinary, almost surreal, self-regard... its vanities and its hubris. Its limitless greed, its assumption that we are all in thrall to its brilliance.
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