Premiership Winners: Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, or Liverpool?

The season is slowly approaching and the big four squads have started to take shape. Each team has its strengths and weaknesses, and this year it seems as if the difference between first place and fourth place is going to be a lot smaller than in previous years.

As some upcoming clubs are trying to break into the coveted champions league spots, will the big four be able to hold on to their places? The current title contenders seem to be Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea with Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City having outside chances. 

Manchester City

Does money equal success? Every Manchester City fan will say yes but deep down in their hearts probably know that the answer is no. Foundation can not be built on money.  City may have short term success (Carling Cup maybe FA CUP) but outside of that, they don't have a core team.

With the addition of Adebayor, from Arsenal, City will be a dreaded attacking force, but will their defence be able to hold its fort? Granted Shay Given is probably in the top three goalkeepers in the country, if not the best, but he can not stop everything. City's defence is a little susceptible currently, they need to tighten it up.

I know City fans are not going to like this but, I have this feeling that the Abu Dhabi United Group are just using Manchester City as a toy to satisfy their needs.

Soon when they get bored, and City are not able to produce the results that the Abu Dhabi United Group are expecting, they might just leave leaving Manchester City in a huge mess and loads of debt. If City truly want to be winning things 10 years down the line, my advice to both owners and fans is patience is key.

I don't think city are genuine title contenders and will not be able to break into the top four this season. 

Everton

David Moyes is a manager I admire very much. He is a strong manager who commands respect. Under him everton are a good team with a solid foundation and are always very consistent. But at the moment with their current crop of players at their current level, the quality is not there.

They can not beat consistently the big four with their current crop of players, but they have some excellent propects (Rodwell, Gosling) which can take the team forward in the years to come.  I will not be surprised if in a few years, we will be talking about Everton as genuine title contenders.

Aston Villa

Ah...The team who played so well for the majority of last season yet could not keep it up and grab fourth place. Unfortunately, I think Villa will fall below Everton but above City. They have already lost Gareth Barry to Manchester City and Martin Laursen to retirement. Stewart Downing will be a god buy, but he is not who Aston Villa need right now.

Villa need a defensive mid fielder and a full back. Kyle Naughton is a good full back but he is still young and inexperienced. Villa have been linked to Veloso but it doesn't seem as if that is going to materialize.

They are another team who could be title contenders in a few seasons. It is up to Martin O'Neil to make sure he keeps the core if the team, especially Ashley Young.

Liverpool

This is where it gets interesting. Manchester United have been severely weakened but Rafa Benitez has not been able to strengthen his squad significantly. The thing that is going for Liverpool fans is the fact that no one so vital to the team is leaving.

I know Xabi Alonso might leave for Real Madrid, but Liverpool already have Mascherano, arguably a better player in the defensive midfield area. They have signed two defenders which is the position that they needed to improve.

If the core of Liverpool could stay fit, their squad is extremely strong and will be difficult to beat and have established themselves as genuine title contenders.

Manchester United

Manchester United have lost two of their best players and have brought in one good player, one forever injured player, and one untested player. I do not understand what Sir Alex Ferguson is doing, and I only hope that he knows that Manchester United lack creativity.

The two players who always showed sparks of brilliance when ever needed are now gone. Ronaldo could change the game within seconds while Tevez could easily slip by a defender and score.

I have debated this with many Manchester United fans and what they do not understand is that there is no player in the current Manchester United squad who can change the game or provide the needed spark on a bad day.

Manchester United need a Arshavin or a Messi. Michael Owen, when he is not on the injury table, can finish goals, but who will give the killer pass? The important players for United are Rooney, Carrick, Ferdinand, and Vidic.

In order for Manchester United to launch a sustainable challenge for a hat trick of titles, they not only have to keep these players fit and playing well but they also need the likes of Anderson and Nani to step up and perform week in and week out. Until now Anderson and Nani have not proven that they can do this.

I know you Manchester United fans will want to kill me for this, but I have to say that with this current crop of players,  Manchester United can't win the title but they will stay in the top four.

Chelsea

Chelsea are an interesting team to analyze only because they are the only big team to have a new manager. While many may say that Carlo Ancelloti is only keeping Guus's seat warm, that is not true. He is a strong manager, demanding respect from his players and is more than willing to make the big decisions.

With the future of John Terry, still up for grabs, it is vital for Chelsea to hold on to him if they want to have a good chance at the title.

John Terry is a leader, a fighter who holds the team together and if he leaves, not only would Chelsea lose a inspirational players, but they will also lose an excellent defender.Without Terry, Chelsea's defence looks susceptible and might leak one too many goals.

Another problem with Chelsea is they lack a little bit of creativity. They need to be a little quicker on the ball. Beating Chelsea will always be a little hard, and I can see a spell where the goals might dry up, but Chelsea are a strong team and should be able to get the points when needed.

Ancelotti should be in the market for a attacking midfielder who he can use as an impact substitute. 

Arsenal

It seems as if this season may be Arsenal's if they do not lose the core of their team either to Real Madrid or injuries.

Cesc Fabregas is vital to Arsenal and if Arsenal lose him, things could start to get difficult. Arsenal fans will point to the long unbeaten streak when Fabregas was absent, but no one can deny the huge impact Fabregas makes on the team.

With the imminent departure of Adebayor, Arsenal should be able to free up some cash. Now that Melo has signed for Juventus, Arsenal should turn their heads to Toulalan or Veloso or a quality defensive midfielder.

The return of Rosicky and Eduardo are like new signing and will be able to reinvigorate the team. Unfortunately, Arsenal do have a tendency to lose valuable points to lesser teams and it is vital that Arsenal's strikers make the most of their opportunities.

If Arsenal can not kill off the lesser teams, their title challenge will be effectively over. If Arsenal players can stay relatively injury free, then they have a decent chance at the title next year.

Conclusion

It seems as if from the big four, Manchester United are the weakest and may struggle to sustain a title challenge. Purely from the squad Liverpool look the strongest, but ultimately the desire and performances on the pitch will decide the outcome.

It is possible that in February, three or even all four teams will have a decent shot at the title.