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This season of the Barclays Premier League has been somewhat of a let-down. Everyone expected a mammoth battle for the championship – with City looking to defend its maiden title, United looking to exact revenge on its noisy neighbours, and Chelsea buying a whole host of tremendously gifted players, it was all set to be a cliffhanger probably going down to the last game week. However, the viewers were in for major disappointment as City failed to recapture their previous form, Chelsea couldn’t wriggle out of its managerial woes and United comfortably won the title, whilst not playing to their highest potential.
With a new season comes new hope, and the next Premier League season could be potentially explosive and very tight at the top. The Fab Four – United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool – along with City and Spurs have been strengthening their squads over the past season(s), and with managerial changes for at least three of those five, one could expect a radically different outcome in the coming season.
United won the title fairly comfortably this season – a fitting end to the career of the best manager in the world, Sir Alex Ferguson, who has decided to retire at the end of this season. United were largely professional in the pursuit of their 20th title – while they showed flair at times, they merely grounded out victories the entire season and the ease with which they won can be attributed more to their competitor’s poor play rather than their good play.
I expect United to have a tough season next year as David Moyes will take time to adjust to his new surroundings, and the players will take time to adjust to his methods. While United have an excellent squad with a mixture of experience and youth, a managerial change could take time to work and since I predict that their competition will get stronger next season, United will have a very tough job on their hands if they are to retain their title.
I had difficulty in understanding some of City’s play this season – they would show such flair at times that it would seem that this City side is the best in Europe, and then they would have a horrific day – such as their recent FA Cup loss to Wigan or their 3-1 loss to Southampton. Add to that a terrible Champions League showing and a poor title defence, it wasn’t a surprise to hear that Roberto Mancini had been relieved of his duties as City manager.
Manchester City, along with Chelsea, have the best squads in Europe (bar Bayern Munich). With Manuel Pellegrini (currently manager of Malaga CF) being the favourite to take the City job this summer, I expect City to be a serious contender for the title next year, provided he doesn’t commit the blunders that his predecessor used to frequently. Some of Mancini’s substitutions were, for lack of a better word, strange and his managerial skills were probably the major reason for City’s poor season. City don’t even need to buy players, they just have to get the best out of what they have. However, I am sure that City will buy (and sell) and probably strengthen their squad further.
3. Chelsea
Chelsea have had a good season – they recently won the Europa League, making them the first EPL team to simultaneously hold the Champions League and Europa League titles. They are front-runners to finish third in the Premier League this season, guaranteeing Champions League football next year, and they reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. However, with the players that they bought at the start of the season, they could have had an even better season had they had a stable manager.
With Jose Mourinho reportedly heading to Chelsea next season and with their high-profile buys (Eden Hazard and Oscar among others) finding their feet in the Premier League, Chelsea post the strongest threat to the Premier League title next year. Mourinho has an excellent track record managing Chelsea and I expect him to get the most out of these Chelsea players. Like City, Chelsea also do not need to buy players, with the possible exception of a striker.
4. Arsenal
Arsenal are close to doing what Arsenal do best – play in the Champions League. A win over Newcastle on the final day of the season would see them do just that, but Arsenal fans seem to be wanting more from Wenger than just Champions League football. An 8-year trophy drought couldn’t be overturned this year, although Arsenal did show glimpses of the ‘beautiful’ football their fans pride themselves over.
Unlike City and Chelsea, Arsenal need to buy players. With transfer rumours linked to Arsenal already gathering strength, this may finally be the season Arsene Wenger decides to spend big in the transfer market. If he does that, Arsenal could face an upturn in fortunes; if he doesn’t, they’ll, sadly, remain where they are. I cannot see this Arsenal squad winning the Premier League next season, and Wenger needs to buy good players (at least a striker better than Giroud) to have a chance. However, if he does spend big and get in world-class players, Arsenal will pose a threat to the title.
5. Liverpool
Liverpool have had an average season by their standards – granted the team was in a phase of changes with new signings and their new manager settling in, but they should have done better than finish 7th in the table. A shock loss to Oldham in the FA Cup coupled with a 4th round loss to Rodgers’ old team Swansea City in the League Cup just isn’t good enough.
The addition of Daniel Sturridge in the winter transfer window was a blessing to their cause and in the absence of Luis Suarez, Sturridge has scored goals for fun and has been the driving factor in Liverpool’s good second-half to the season. With Philippe Coutinho looking very impressive and Stewart Downing having his best season in a Liverpool shirt this season, Liverpool look set to challenge for a Champions League spot next year. Winning the title may be a bit beyond them, but certainly they can challenge for the top four next year. Their transfer market activity will be interesting to note.
Spurs had a very strong start to the season and were third for a brief period in December. However, their Champions League dream might still be left unfulfilled if Arsenal beat Newcastle on the final day of the season, which they look more than likely to do. Some of their players shined this season – with Gareth Bale being the obvious candidate. This was also a season where Jan Vertonghen and Kyle Walker performed excellently for Spurs.
If Spurs finish fifth this season and fail to obtain Champions League football again, their next season will hinge entirely on whether they are able to hold on to Gareth Bale in the summer transfer window. If Bale does want to leave, you can’t blame him – he is too talented to not have the chance to play Champions League football. If, however, they do manage to keep him, Spurs have to sign other world-class players, most notably a striker. Bale isn’t a natural striker and Defoe and Adebayor have had average seasons this year. If all of this happens, they could finally obtain a Champions League spot next season.
