'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
History doesn’t belong to the strongest, but to the courageous who dares to dream. In a world where the lavish are expected to live their fantasies, unless backed by virtue and conviction, it doesn’t take much to witness a fall from grace right into the depths of oblivion. What differentiates a visionary from a scavenger is not the riches, but the unflinching spirit and the fearlessness of having to toil in a bid to dig deep into the pit filled with an array of opportunities, only to pull out a new horizon where the sun shines at it’s brightest and the stars flicker in their unremitting light.
Manchester City, a club which from virtual anonymity, turned the most competitive league in the world on it’s head, bringing down the red half of Manchester, mocking their arrogance which saw an empire which exemplified fortitude disperse like a pack of cards, shook the very foundation of the English football by winning the Premier League last season and shutting their detractors in the process. In this fashion, the Eastlands club proved that along with the riches, the virtues coupled with an intense passion for the game goes a long way in transforming a fantasy into reality. While their closest rivals in the form of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea will have a lot of say, what matters is that Manchester City are the reigning champions of the English Premier League and it will take more than just tough talk to dethrone them off their perch. Here we look at the major contenders to lift the Premier League crown come 2012-13 season which promises to be one of epic proportions and surreal drama as the best in the business vie for the ultimate crown in English football.
CHELSEA
Chelsea – Champions 2009-10
When one talks about the Premier League contenders, it would be a folly to write Chelsea off. After proving their mettle in the biggest competition in Europe, the UEFA Champions League, Roman Abramovich’s side, with their voracious appetite for success will leave no stone unturned in their bid to do better in the domestic league after an abysmal season by their standards last time out, when they finished 5th in the league. After a disconcerting showing last season, Terry and the boys will fight with everything they’ve got to reaffirm their title aspirations.
After a change of guard which has borne fruitful results for the former champions, Roberto Di Matteo has made his intentions clear with the signings of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Marco Marin which will make the London outfit one to reckon with. A mixed bag filled with a wealth of experience and a profusion of talent, Chelsea will be a potent threat against which Mancini’s side will have to keep vigil and be circumspect.
Looking at the Chelsea setup and with the additions which will only strengthen their lineup, Chelsea look a formidable opposition to get past. Mata, Hazard and Torres are well capable of inflicting irrepairable damage on the opposition and even though the departure of Drogba could hurt the Blues, if Torres finds his form, the London outfit will be irrepressible. The defense looks solid with some crafty characters guarding fort and with the ever dependable Cech in goal, Chelsea defense won’t be easy to break either. Di Matteo will look to shuffle the formation based on the occasion and the opposition to involve new signings Oscar and Marin Marco in the scheme of things. What is a concern though is their limited options upfront in case Torres flops.
Transfer activity so far:
IN
Oscar(£25m from Internacional)
Eden Hazard(£32m from Lille)
Marin Marco( £7m from Werder Bremen)
OUT
Didier Drogba(free to Shanghai Shenhua)
Salomon Kalou(free to Lille)
Jose Bosingwa(released)
Jacob Mellis(free to Barnsley)
Thibaut Courtois(loan to Atletico Madrid)
2011-12 finish: 5th
2012-13 prediction: 4th
Player to watch: Eden Hazard
MANCHESTER UNITED
Manchester United – Champions 2010-11
After the agony the former champions had to endure watching their city nemesis ring a death knell on their title ambitions, the Red Devils will look to fire on all cylinders. Sir Alex Ferguson, who has been instrumental in ensuring the Manchester side’s enviable Premiership record, his prudence never being in question, is as shrewd as they come and even without the best bunch in the league, he never ceases to weave his magic on his devils which serves almost as a curse on his antagonists who take the fall with incredulous ease. United have been relatively reclusive in the transfer market thus far, except for their high-profile signing of Shinji Kagawa, but they are slowly starting to come out of their shell and are set to gun for Arsenal target Nuri Sahin, Celtic’s under-21 Victor Wanyama and Polish ace Lewandowski.
Wayne Rooney is the most important player for the Reds and his presence is always a morale booster for the rest. United’s midfield is a blend of youth and experience and even without the biggest of stars, they manage to gel quite well and that’s what really matters in the game. United’s first signing of a central midfielder since 2007, the 18 year old Nick Powell will have to prove his mettle on the elite stage and with the likes of Scholes and Giggs coupled with the young blood of Nani, Valencia and Young, it’s not as if he doesn’t have any support or resources to exude his prowess. Defense, though shaky at times, does manage to do just enough when it matters.
United have been linked with Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie and if they can pull this one off, it would do wonders to strengthen their attack and the very thought of Rooney and Van Persie operating in the same team is enough to send shockwaves down London and the rest of England. Manchester United, apart from vying for the premier league gold, would also look to avenge their Champions league debacle which saw them slip into the Europa League. What this means is that the Red Devils will be hell bent on giving this upcoming season a vociferous go in their bid to bag as many silverwares as possible to win the confidence of their fans and to stamp their authority on European football.
Transfer activity so far:
IN
Nick Powell (£4m from Crewe)
Shinji Kagawa ( £17m from Dortmund)
OUT
Tomasz Kuszczak (free to Brighton)
Michael Owen (released)
Richie De Laet (undisclosed to Leicester),
Matty James (undisclosed to Leicester)
Fabio ( loan to QPR)
Park Ji-sung ( undisclosed to QPR)
2011-12 finish: 2nd
2012-13 prediction: 3rd
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
Arsenal – Champions 2003-04
ARSENAL
If there is one club in English football which, inspite of being an unpretentious or rather, an exiguous spender as compared to other title contenders, is still doing enough to maintain dignity each year with hypnotizing, riveting football, it is Arsenal Football Club. Led by the man of principle, Arsene Wenger, the Gunners have earned the reputation of coming hard when they are least expected to. After a fiendish start to their campaign last season where the threat of the most successful club in London being sucked into an abyss of no return loomed large, Wenger’s side displayed the character of steel with the burning desire to get past the few weeks of consternation and made sure they got back to where they belonged, the enviable top 4 of the Premier League. What stands out this season however is that unlike their previous campaigns, this one smells fresh of optimism and certitude. Arsenal have been spending more than ever before and in their intent to induce their talismanic captain Robin Van Persie to stay, they’ve roped in some wondrous talents to change the face of their line up and fortunes. German luminary Lukas Podolski, French hotshot Oliver Giroud and Spanish dynamite Santi Cazorla look tailor-made to suit Arsenal’s flowing game.
Arsene Wenger’s side, with quality additions looks more furnished than ever. The midfield is loaded with potential and if triggered in the right direction, it would have an explosive impact on Arsenal’s title chances. The options Arsenal have upfront are peerless with Robin Van Persie, if he stays, linking up with Giroud and with Podolski, Arteta and even Nuri Sahin in support(if signed), the team can wreak havoc. The defense needs to be pepped up and if things are executed as planned and with the sun shining on their fortunes, Arsenal could well end their trophy drought this upcoming season.
Transfers so far:
IN
Olivier Giroud (£13m from Montpillier)
Lukas Podoloski (£11m from Cologne)
Santi Cazorla (£16.5m from Malaga)
OUT
Manuel Almunia (released)
Gavin Hoyte (released)
Jeffrey Monakana (free to Preston)
Joel Campbell (loan to Real Betis)
Denilson (loan to Sao Paulo)
Benik Afobe (loan to Bolton)
2011-12 finish: 3rd
2012-13 prediction: 2nd
Player to watch: Lukas Podolski
MANCHESTER CITY
Manchester City – Champions 2011-12
What was looked upon with disgust at the outset of a multi-million take 0ver from an oil-baron who splashed outlandish amounts of money on giving rise to a Blue Monster to maul the Red Devil who ruled Manchester, became an epitome of respect and gratitude. What looked to be a preposterous proposition, of overhauling the fortunes of the Eastlands club, with critics castigating the unreal spending spree to be detrimental for the beautiful game and that there’s no price to buy beauty from football, were forced to eat their words and vomit songs of praises after Manchester City leapfrogged their rivals to stake claim on the English Premier League. What transpired next is history. The fiery red sky was replaced with soothing blue which spread well beyond Manchester all throughout England and the change of guard at the helm evoked ecstatic emotions among the subjects.
Manchester City have the best team in the league and with a manager as calm as a mill pond who’s backed by a myriad of monetary resources, all the hackneyed principle preachers have been left with no option but to go into hiding after their theories about “money can’t buy you success” were set ablaze into ashes lost in thin air. Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart are just some of the well-equipped, ferociously ambitious warriors at Mancini’s disposal. Hailed as the English version of the Spanish powerhouse Barcelona, expectations are rife about a possible encore from the Champions this coming season. Expect more fireworks from the bluemooners who would also look to earn some respect in the Champions League this time around.
Transfer activity so far:
IN
None
OUT
Owen Hargreaves (released)
Gunnar Nielsen (released)
Stuart Taylor (released)
Wayne Bridge (loan to Brighton)
Greg Cunningham (free to Bristol City)
2011-12 finish: 1st
2012-13 prediction: 1st
Player to watch: David Silva
