The Premiership season begins tomorrow. We haven't gone out and covered all 20 teams. Honestly, we couldn't be too bothered about some of them, and we think you probably aren't as well. So without wasting time on what you don't want, here are blurbs on seven of the most exciting teams in England this year, and how they may fare. We've resisted the temptation to predict finishing positions - not only do we hate getting it wrong, we also think it's more fun this way. (And it alienates less readers.) Enjoy the read. But enjoy the weekend more.
In: Andriy Shevchenko, Michael Ballack, Solomon Kalou, Obi Mikel
Out: Damien Duff, Hernan Crespo, Asier del Horno
Going out: William Gallas
Chelsea have strengthened in personnel but much will depend on how Mourinho sets up his team, especially in midfield. Granted that his options are plenty, if almost limitless, any insistence on squeezing Ballack and Lampard into the same midfield even if it does not work may cost Chelsea valuable points, especially in early season. Discord among the bench-warming central midfielders appears to be the other related concern, but otherwise, the Blues look mouth-watering for a third successive title. If they all still want it bad enough, the Premiership can be theirs for the taking.
In: Craig Bellamy, Jermaine Pennant, Mark Gonzalez
Out: Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes, Didi Hamann, Djimi Traore
Coming in: Dirk Kuyt
Much is hoped of Liverpool this term as they continue to perfect the art of playing tight and systematic pressure football. Their season may hinge on the goal-return of Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch. If their partnership clicks, and the goals flow, there is no reason why they shouldn't be title hopefuls. Liverpool are becoming increasingly notorious for being hard to play after they go 1-0 up, but they must also fix their form when playing the mid-table battlers. If they don't slip up there, and if Bellamy's goal-return is handsome, they may be very hard to catch.
In: Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, Tomasz Kuszczak
Out: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Tim Howard
Man Utd always survive difficulty - it has always been their hallmark. They coped brilliantly last season in spite of losing so many players and now they have added the brains and bite in midfield that was lacking last season. Rooney will have to live without van Nistelrooy, and neither Saha nor Smith are commensurate goal-poachers. But United have some extremely industrious players and this kind of workrate always translates losses into draws, and draws into slim wins. Nonetheless, replacing van Nistelrooy remains the factor that determines whether or not they seriously challenge for the title.
In: Thomas Rosicky
Out: Sol Campbell, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp
Going out: Ashley Cole, Jose Antonio Reyes
Arsenal are hard to predict, as their form last season showed, they are capable of slipping up in the league if their attention is turned elsewhere. They are very much still a team in transition, and if Cesc Fabregas has fully graduated into Vieira's boots, they may still need to groom replacements for Cole, Reyes, Campbell and Bergkamp. There is muted optimism on young Walcott's promise, and Rosicky should take to the Premiership's pace and physicality with ease. On paper, it's very hard to say that the Gunners are a better side this year, but Arsene Wenger's boys have earned everyone's respect, and still deserve to be feared.
In: Dimitar Berbatov, Didier Zokora
Out: Michael Carrick, Andy Reid
The fifth team in England at press time, Spurs did very well last year, running Arsenal and themselves ragged till the last day, and they will hope to consolidate on that this year by being consistent. But consistency is an elusive winged creature to a team with one eye on the UEFA Cup and another on catching the league's leading pack, and good money is on Spurs hoping best to (a) be ready if any of the big guns slip up, and (b) have a solid season in Europe. The more likely result is that they do well in one and plummet in the other. There are some humungously talented individuals in this squad, but they need to be extremely tight from start to end if they are to stay within touching distance of the 4th spot.
In: Damien Duff
Out: Alan Shearer, Jean-Alain Boumsong
They have money to spend, but no one wants to go there. Newcastle suffer from being hugely well supported but the lack of European football continues to blight any progress in the transfer market - and consequently, on the pitch. Their desperation to sign a big name striker has been well documented, and Glenn Roeder does not look at all capable of pulling off any of the big name heists that have made the rounds. Michael Owen could be out for the whole season. Damien Duff will become a cult hero but all the signs point to Newcastle having a horrible season. It's still fashionable to be a toffee, but life after Shearer won't be sweet.
In: Carlton Cole, Lee Bowyer, Robert Green
West Ham were remarkable last season as strikers Dean Ashton and Marlon Harewood turned on the style and became the revelations of their season. They have an extremely hardworking squad, and for reference to their passion for big scalps and big occassions, look no further than last year's FA Cup final. They do have quality, but it's all confined to the first eleven. While this should keep them struggling to catch Spurs, you can still expect more excitement from them that two or three midtable teams.
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English Premier League: 06/07 Season Preview
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Posted by Genusfrog at 6:16 PM
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