We are not too far away from the birth of season 2014/15 and what a season this is hyped up to be! The title battle is predicted to contain six teams this year, which highlights the competitiveness of the English elite division. Who will come out on top this season? We all have our own opinions, but this is mine:
1. Chelsea
Chelsea are my favourites to win this year. Jose Mourinho’s men threatened to lift the trophy last season and should have done so with their form and tactical nous shown against the other top sides in the league.
However, the blue army was left regretful of a missed opportunity as their title challenge was crushed by the so-called ‘minnows.’
I expect this season to be very different. Mourinho has had three transfer windows now to shape his new-look Chelsea team, he has spent both economically and wisely, buying not what they necessarily want, but certainly what they need.
Chelsea now appear to be equipped to handle the long season ahead. Mix that with Mourinho’s tactical mastery, I think Chelsea’s in-depth, experienced squad will finish top of the pile
2. Manchester United
After an abysmal season under David Moyes and failure to qualify for the Champions League, I fully expect the Red Devils to come out ‘all guns blazing’ for the forthcoming season under the management of hard task-master Louis van Gaal.
United have brought in fresh legs, a victory-hungry manager and will have a renewed sense of motivation to break back into the top four.
The Red Devils do have another advantage. We all saw how well Liverpool did in the Premier League last season without that pressing European commitment, I think United will benefit from this too.
However, they are now a team in transition and I think this season they will come up just short as their team gels and the backroom staff work towards the future.
3. Manchester City
I thought Manchester City were not spectacular last season and won the league owing to Chelsea and Liverpool slipping up and losing games they shouldn’t have.
This time around, I think City will have to work much harder in order to clinch the title and a third place finish is on the cards.
If they are to abide by Financial Fair Play regulations, City’s budget to invest in new players will be severely diminished.
Strengthening their defence has to be a priority this year but due to their financial restrictions, they may not be able to afford the cream of the crop for their retrospective positions.
Also the discontent with Yaya Toure’s behaviour over the summer may instil disunity within the City ranks.
I expect to see more cracks appear this season and for them to finish third.
4. Liverpool FC
This position seems to divide opinion. Many football supporters think Arsenal will grab fourth spot. However, I am going to go with Liverpool.
After falling at the final hurdle last season, Liverpool will be eager to build on their second place finish but with European qualification earned, the Reds will have a busier schedule then last season which will put them under pressure.
Their squad is still young and they have acquired more players to add some depth, although these players lack the quality you would associate with top players of rival teams such as Cesc Fabregas, Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero.
They are good enough to do a job but I don’t think Liverpool will light up this season with a host of goals – selling Suarez will hit them hard.
With Brendan Rodgers leading them, I expect them to be well-organised, play to their strengths and once again earn European Qualification.
5. Arsenal:
Arsenal have a decent squad and they have finally spent splashed out on a top player (Alexis Sanchez), however, personnel have never been Arsenal’s problem.
The problems have been tactically and mentally. Arsene Wenger’s pursuit of beautiful football has cost Arsenal dear, nine years without a trophy says it all and I believe their trophy drought ended with a lucky draw (Arsenal did not have to face a title-challenging team to get to the FA Cup final.
An experienced manager like Wenger should have learnt from his mistakes and realised that to challenge in the Premier League you need a plan B and be able to win games when you’re not playing well.
You need players that are both physically and mentally strong and Arsenal lack that these days. They no longer have players like Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry, players that dictated every game.
Unless their philosophy changes, Arsenal will always be left in the wake of the more experienced, less naive and better-organised teams and for this reason I predict they will struggle to make top four.
6. Tottenham Hotspur
Last season Spurs spent big with hopes it would strengthen their title challenge. Players such as Roberto Soldado (£26m), Erik Lamela (£26m) and Paulinho (£17m) were brought in by manager Andre Villa Boas but some terrible results pushed them on a downhill slide and by the end of November, Spurs were out of the running.
A few weeks later, Andre Villas Boas was ousted with some humiliating defeats including 6-0 (to Man City) and 5-0 (to Liverpool), under his belt.
Having had a season to reflect on their overspending and time for their expensive assets to bond, along with a quality new manager (Mauricio Pochettino) who will take them back to the attacking style Spurs are accustomed to, they will be far more consistent this season.
However, Chelsea, Man United, Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal will be too strong for them to overthrow. I do expect them to upset one or two teams above them though as Pochettino will have one or two tricks up his sleeve.
Blog by Chelsky Boy Luke