As we moved into the last stage of the transfer market and head towards pre-season, it is anybody’s guess if there is any team that can break the stranglehold of the top 4 teams in the premier league.
On paper, it seems that Manchester United has lost the most stability with the loss of whining king Ronaldo and bulldog Tevez. With their departure, they also lost the bulk of their goal scoring ability as they share 23 league goals between them.
More importantly, the
£80 million pounds earned from the sale of whiny translated into a skilful winger (Valencia) with not many goals and erratic form and a has-been (Owen) wishing for a miraculous recovery under red nose. With due respect for Sir red nose, I seriously think this team is worse off than last year’s cast.
Chelsea, on the other hand, seemed to have done a U-turn on its transfer policy. However, the change in approach has not turned out any significant signing as new coach Ancelotti tries to exert his Italian influence into the Russian bought team. All of Abramovich money could buy is a left back named Zhirkov for £18 million for a position that is adequately filled by a certain Cashly Cole; and a back up keeper from a relegated team. These signings hardly signaled an intention to conquer the premiership again.
Of course, one could argue that nobody left from this Chelsea team. Together with a new coach and unity again within the team, the team is very strong with the likes of Drogba, Anelka finishing the assists from Lampard and hopefully, a fit again Joe Cole. If they managed to keep John Terry shielded from Manchester City approach and Cavalho away from his former mentor (Mourinho), the Chelsea defence can still be formidable if Cech plays to his best form.
Now what about Liverpool? The team that came desperately close last season with their great show of form in the last third of the season has shown great resolve to keep their team together. Benitez is holding tightly to his holding midfielders of Alonso (interest from Madrid) and Mascherano (interest from Barcelona). If my crystal ball is correct, Alonso should get his wish to join the “great project” at Madrid and then Benitez has to scramble for another defensive midfielder to cover for Mascherano.
The financial muscle of Manchester City has been flecked at the stingy board of Arsenal. With £25 million, they secured the services of the money faced Adebayor. It is no question that he could be a 30 goal a season striker but he has also shown that he is capable of being offside for 30 times in one game. It’s a deal that benefited both Arsenal (remove of the consistent rumor of Ade’s departure) and the player (stop grabbing money, you greedy guy).
What has Wenger do to improve the squad from last season? He plugged the big hole in defence with the captain of Ajax. With the capture of Thomas Varmaelen and the growing maturity of Djourou and Sendereos, it can be said that the center back problems of last season should be a thing of last season. What is still missing is the capture of an imposing defensive midfielder. As evidently shown last season, we have not replaced our former defensive star of Patrick Vieria or Edu or even Ray Parlour to a certain extent. Arsenal needed bite and strength and direction in midfield to ensure that the collapse of last season is not replicated.
All said, I believe next season will be tough for the top 4 to remain there. The main contenders to break into the Champion league circle will be Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham. After the dust is settled, I still believe that Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea will remain standing (and in the order I wrote) in the top 4.
