EPL Season’s Preview

Despite my best efforts to explore topics beyond football in recent weeks, the allure of the new EPL season is too much for me to resist. A leopard can’t change its spots, eh? I warn you now, not to read further unless you follow football closely because most of it won’t make sense otherwise. But I hope that even if you don’t read the entire post, you would at least have the courtesy of leaving a generic comment like good post, nicely written etc.

Predictions:

Champions

Chelsea: A controversial choice I know, but they have the players to do it. With Lampard and Drogba staying Chelsea have received a massive boost. Bosingwa’s arrival will sure up the problematic right back spot. Scolari is an excellent coach and will get the best out of his Portugese contingent. With Cech in goal and the first choice pairing of Terry and Carlvalho fit simultaneously, the Blues will be miserly at the back. Drogba upfront, followed by a host of goal scoring midfielders will provide the attacking impetus. Ronaldo’s audacious tally of 40 goals was the difference between ManU and Chelsea last season and since I can’t see him matching that Chelsea are my pick for the title.


Runners Up

Man United: Fergie hasn’t made any additions to his squad so far and with inspirational figures Scholes, Giggs and Neville getting close to the end of their careers ManU could have done with some reinforcements. A striker is a priority and while Berbatov and Henry have been mooted, neither seem forthcoming. I don’t expect Ronaldo to be as prolific as last season and in any case the inspirational winger will be sidelined for at least two months. ManU will have another good season, but I expect them to just miss out on the title to Chelsea.

Champions League Places (3rd and 4th place)

Arsenal and Liverpool: In that order. Despite a midfield exodus which has seen a creative midfielder (Hleb), a workaholic (Flamini) and an enforcer (Gilberto) leave the Emirates for pastures anew, Wenger won’t be perturbed. The all too familiar pattern of star players leaving Arsenal and youngsters filling the void is likely to repeat itself. Samir Nasri is a great buy and will fit in perfectly in Wenger’s quick passing system. Expect Fabregas to be brilliant again. Arsenal to finish third, comfortably ahead of Liverpool.

Liverpool have brought in Robbie Keane who is likely to become an Anfield favorite very quickly. If his form for Spurs is anything to go by, the Red scousers can expect 20 goals and 15 assists from the Irishman. However, despite boosting their goal scoring potential, Liverpool still haven’t done anything to strengthen their squad in terms of wingers and full backs. With Kewell and Risse gone the only feasible option on the left is Babel, who doesn’t seem ready to play week-in, week-out yet. Expect Pennant on the right to have another mediocre season and Kuyt and Gerrard being forced out of position to compensate.

Uefa Cup Places (5th to possibly 7th , depending on results of the Cups)

Between Spurs, Villa, Pompey and Everton: Spurs seem most likely to finish fifth. With Berbatov likely to stay, Bent’s explosive pre-season form and the signings of Bentley, dos Santos and Modric, Spurs look well equipped to be the closest challengers to the top 4. Robbie Keane’s astuteness and creativity will be missed but Ramos has spent the money he made off Keane’s sale wisely. Beating Roma 5-0 in the pre-season has made a very definite statement and Spurs will be keen to shrug off the disappointment of underachieving last season. However, it is still a worry that a frail defense might be their undoing if Leadley King continues to have injury problems.

Villa have been spending freely this summer and Martin O’Neil has done well to bolster his squad with proven performers. Luke Young, Nickey Shorey, Steve Sidwell, Carlos Cuellar and Brad Friedel are all value for money signings; and if reports are anything to go by, O’Neill isn’t finished yet. However, keeping their inspirational skipper Barry will be the key. It’ll also be interesting to see how Villa cope with the added pressure of European engagements. Expect young guns Agbonlahore and Ashley Young to sizzle again.

Portsmouth have pulled off something of a coup by bringing Crouch to Fratton Park. The giant striker looks a great partner for the diminutive Defoe and the pair has contributed immensely to the optimism at Pompey. With a solid squad overall Harry Redknapp’s men are likely to be in the top six.

Last year’s fifth place finishers Everton have seen their squad being ravaged by departures and injuries. Moyes so far has struck an impasse in the transfer market and will need to pool all his resources to be competitive. Highly rated academy scholars, Jose Baxter, Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling were the bright spots of a disappointing pre-season and might have important roles to play through the season for the Toffees. The only thing the transfer window has brought so far for Everton is despair and pessimism but the arrival of any of the transfer targets- Moutinho, Vagner Love, Diego Milito, Stephen M’Bia and Alan Smith- will mark a dramatic change in their fortune. However, despite my love for Everton, I can only see them finishing seventh or lower this season.

Dark Horses

Sunderland- Roy Keane has been given good money to spend and has already brought in Teemu Tanio, Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda and El-Hadji Diouf. It is unlikely that Keane’s spending spree is finished and I expect the Black Cats to finish ahead of some more fancied rivals like Blackburn, West Ham and Newcastle.

Best Buy

Giovanni dos Santos (Tottenham) - For an upfront fee of only about £4.5 million the Mexican playmaker seems an excellent bargain. Already impressive in pre-season expect the talented youngster to take the league by storm. Also, Bentley, Robbie Keane, Luka Modric and Samir Nasri are all likely to be great signings.

Biggest Flop

Johan Elmander (Bolton) – Elmander has come at a fee close to £10 million and his performances at Euro 2008 didn’t indicate anything special. He has been good in the French League the last two seasons but a 10 million price tag might be too much to live upto. Gary Megson might end up looking stupid by signing Elmander and selling Diouf for a fee in the region of £2 million.

Player of the Season

Michael Essien (Chelsea) - Since I’m picking Chelsea to win ,I expect a Chelsea player to be the player of the season. Jose Bosingwa’s arrival will ensure that Essien doesn’t have to fill in as a right back. The influential Ghanaian is likely to be a constant in his preferred midfield role, following the departure of Makelele and his drive and energy might be what leads Chelsea to glory.

I’m sure the usual suspects- Lampard, Gerrard, Fabregas and Ronaldo, will also be right up there when the honors are distributed.

Young Player of the Season

Theo Walcott (Arsenal) – Being a die-hard Evertonian I can be insanely optimistic and say that 16 year old Jose Baxter will burst on to the scene and be the next Rooney, but if I’m being objective I’ll pick Walcott. Hleb’s departure will translate into more first team opportunities for the Arsenal youngster and I expect him to weigh in with his share of performances on the wing and through the middle.

Top Scorer

Fernando Torres (Liverpool) - With Robbie Keane by his side El Nino would be the favorite to retain his Golden Boot, but expect him to be pushed by Drogba and Adebayor.