The Title Race
The world’s most exciting league is back this weekend with all its twists and turns. With 20 teams come dreams of millions, but which of the 20 will walk away with the biggest slice of the cake this season?
Arsenal
Manager: Arsene Wenger
Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Nickname: The Gunners
Media Prediction: 3rd
Last Position: 4th
Key Players: Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Özil
Top Signings: Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck, Paco Alcacer
Above all the protests and furious discussions regarding Arsene Wenger’s future at Arsenal, there is still hope that the Frenchman can still deliver the Barclays Premier League title back to the Gunners, having finally laid his hands on a trophy last year with the triumph of the FA Cup.
Arsenal were on top of the Premier League for 128 days last season, almost four times more than the eventual champions, Manchester City, so there’ll be much hope that with the addition of Alexis Sanchez and a few more, Arsenal can again go for top spot.
Chelsea
Manager: Jose Mourinho
Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Nickname: The Blues
Media Prediction: 1st
Last Position: 3rd
Key Players: Eden Hazard, Nemanja Matic, John Terry
Top Signings: Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea are hot favourites for the Premier League title this season, having strengthened what appeared to be an already very strong side.
One of Chelsea’s weaknesses seemed to be their potency in front of goal, to which Mourinho has overhauled his frontline with the signings of Diego Costa, Loic Remy and club legend Didier Drogba.
Costa’s combination with Cesc Fabregas has got many the Blues salivating, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian adding to the depth at Mourinho’s disposal.
Liverpool
Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Stadium: Anfield
Nickname: The Reds
Media Prediction: 5th
Last Position: 2nd
Key Players: Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson
Top Signings: Mario Balotelli, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren
Liverpool came very close to their first league title in the Premier League era last season, but Brendan Rodgers has a lot of reconstructing to do, following the £75 million sale of Luis Suarez to Barcelona this season.
The Reds have invested heavily in the squad and will be relying on Daniel Sturridge and bad boy Mario Balotelli to the deliver in front of goal in Suarez’s absence, as Rodgers seeks to gel his new roster together as soon as possible.
Things don’t look to be as straight-forward as that, however, with the investment of Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale money serving as a warning for Liverpool, who will also have Champions’ League football to worry about this season.
Manchester City
Manager: Manuel Pellegrini
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Nickname: The Citizens
Media Prediction: 2nd
Last Position: 1st
Key Players: Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany
Top Signings: Eliaquim Mangala, Fernando, Bacary Sagna
On its day, Manchester City’s attack was one of the most potent in the league last season and contributed massively to their league title at the end of the season. The loan departure of Alvaro Negredo has seen City’s frontline diminished to three, with Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic being Manuel Pellegrini’s preferred options up front.
The Chilean manager has added experience to his side in the form of Frank Lampard and Bacary Sagna, as well as Porto duo Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando, but the reliance on Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany is still considered City’s Achilles heel, which is why they aren’t as likely to win the title as Chelsea.
Manchester United
Manager: Louis van Gaal
Stadium: Old Trafford
Nickname: The Red Devils
Media Prediction: 4th
Last Position: 7th
Key Players: Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, David De Gea
Top Signings: Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind
Last season was nothing short of pure disappointment and depression for the red half of Manchester, in what was their first season without the management of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Finishing 7th under David Moyes, Manchester United have turned to the Netherlands national team coach Louis van Gaal to turn around United’s sinking ship, to which the Dutchman has brought in Angel Di Maria, Ander Herrera, Radamel Falcao, Luke Shaw and the trusted Daley Blind, racking up the biggest spending spree in the Premier League.
With no European football to serve as a distraction this season, United can focus solely on getting back into the top 4 at least and maybe, just maybe, challenge for the title.