The Premier League breakdown

United will hope to retain their title

And so we approach the start of yet another season of Premier League football, with the first games of the season looming this weekend. Tensions are running high, the anticipation palpable, as the transfer window nears its close.

The air is thick with transfer rumours, as well as excitement over newly recruited players, and disappointment at not having acquired desired targets, even as the players’ sole aim amidst all the hullabaloo is to get their teams off to a flying start. The breakdown in a nutshell is as follows:

The Coaches

The exit of Sir Alex Ferguson and the subsequent return of the “Chosen One”, Jose Mourinho, has been a major talking point of course, with many seeing this move as a possible shift of balance towards Stamford Bridge.

Will David Moyes’ be successful in filling the rather large shoes of his illustrious predecessor? After a rather rough pre-season, he managed to earn his first silverware at Old Trafford after an unconvincing win over Wigan, but only time will tell.

As for the inimitable Mourinho, many are waiting to see how long he takes to galvanize a side that has seen far too many managers in too short a time.

With Manuel Pellegrini replacing Roberto Mancini at the Etihad, Manchester City is looking to a fresh start, while Andres Villas-Boas and Arsene Wenger’s Tottenham and Arsenal are serious contenders as well, sticking with their old guard amidst the chaos.

The Players

Top players at Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham are under a cloud, with Wayne Rooney still being pursued by Chelsea, while Manchester United maintain a vice-like grip on him. Tottenham too has managed to hold on to Gareth Bale in the midst of a flurry of interest in the player, following last season’s phenomenal statistics.

David Moyes unsuccessfully attempted to sign several big names, such as Fabregas and Bale, but Robin van Persie’s brilliance remains undiminished after a fantastic first season at the Theatre of Dreams. New signings Adnan Januzaj and Wilfried Zaha have also been impressive in pre-season.

Chelsea too is hardly in bad shape, with new addition Andre Schurrle from Bayer Leverkusen, and the ever present Juan Mata, together with Oscar and Eden Hazard.

Manchester City’s poor showing last season cost Roberto Mancini his job, but Tevez and Balotelli’s departure has been made up for by signing on Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk, who City fans hope will add a truckload of power to the midfield, together with Jesus Navas, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo.

With Arsenal failing to entice Gonzalo Higuain to England, they still lack a forward who can bring in the goals. Much will depend on Oliver Giroud, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski, who will all be better after last years’ experience at the club, as well as old hand Jack Wilshere.

Add to this Spurs’ latest additions, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado who can be counted on to make an impact on the score sheet, and the Premier League race is blown wide open. It is anybody’s title, but one thing is for certain—the battle for the top four spots is not going to be an easy one. Here’s to an exciting new season in England!