Arsenal (Predict a Top Four finish)
Arsenal are a team that should be improving every year, they have probably the best, or at least one of the best youth academies in England. This gives them disposal to a formidable amount of young, talented players who are budding and improving every year. They do, also, have the unfortunate tendency to sell their stars as soon as they hit their prime. But if they can hold on to the players (they proved they could by keeping Fabergas at The Emrites) that really do become world beaters (not every promising youngster turns out), then I could see them really challenging for the title in about two years time. But not this year, at least not in my opinion. They are definitely Top Four material, but not winners just yet.
Aston Villa (Do not predict a Top Four finish)
I hate to say this but Aston Villa has taken major steps backwards. It is sad to watch being that they were meant to get even better over the summer. But a lot of things went wrong; their owner is mainly to blame for their current poor form. He sold their key players in Barry and Milner and also managed to piss off their coach, making him walk out on the club, after he had taken them so far and was actually starting to challenge the Top Four. No, I don’t believe Aston Villa will finish in the Top Four this year or any time soon in fact.
Chelsea (Predict a Top Four finish)
Chelsea, now they have had a promising start to the season. I mean they did lose to Man City and that was their first real test having only played lesser teams. But hey, let’s face it, Chelsea have a great squad who are playing extremely well together, and recently they have usually been beaten by City anyways. Now whether their slightly aged squad will be able to hold out the whole season and not lose their deadly momentum is to be seen. But one thing is for sure - if they continue to play the way they have been (excluding the Man City game) I think they will snatch the Premier League title.
Everton (Do not predict a Top Four finish)
Bottom of the table, three points in six games...quite frankly Everton, so far, have been terrible. They were the team that was meant to excel this year. Their squad is the perfect mix of young skill and experience. But here they are at the bottom of the table facing a nightmare. They definitely don’t look like a Top Four team right now and even if they do improve I think they are already too far behind to cut into the Top Four with the competition especially close this year.
Liverpool (Do not predict a Top Four finish)
Liverpool’s change of manager has barely seen them improve. They are in fact doing even worse than last year, sitting only two places above the relegation zone. Probably over the course of the season they will improve but I feel they will probably finish about the same place they did last year. I also feel that Manchester City will replace them in the Big Four, that is, unless they are bought out by some rich Sheik or Russian which will give them spending power, something they desperately need, seeing as they were stupid enough to let their key stars go and then replacing them with mediocre players. And one thing the Top Four teams will be discovering more and more is that mediocrity will not land them in a Top Four place anymore.
Manchester City (Predict a Top Four finish)
Despite some intense criticism about their spending habits from the managers (and just the football world in general) City have started the season promisingly, with an extremely strong squad which also has depth. In all honesty I think that half of the criticism from the managers and players come from the fact that they are jealous and slightly frightened. You see, before, if a Top Four team had a bad year they would finish fourth and still get Champions League football; but now if a Top Four team has a bad year they are pushed out because the competition has gotten stronger, as demonstrated by Liverpool last year. None to say, City have so far played with a flowing and exciting style and I believe they will do well this year and maybe even become title contenders in years to come.
Manchester United (Predict a Top Four finish)
United has so far played quite a fluid style going forward which has been entertaining and exciting to watch. I have been largely impressed by the sudden change of form in Dimitar Berbatov. I guess he can be thankful to old Fergie for showing an immense amount of faith in him. It is all good and well that the likes of Berbatov, Nani, Giggs (as always), and even Scholes are playing well, but United are not exactly resting easy. Rooney seems to be suffering from a World Cup hangover which robbed him of his form -- not to mention the recent scandals he’s been involved in. There is also their shaky defence, a far cry from their water tight back four of two years ago. And last, but certainly not least, their massive debt. But if their defence can hold it together and if Rooney can find his scoring touch, United will be in with a shot for the title.
Tottenham (Do not predict a Top Four finish)
I have never been a big fan of Harry Redknapp. He seems to have a three step pattern to his managing. Firstly, he takes his new club and makes some good signings, achieving a measure of success and putting and most importantly, putting a sense of coming greatness in the air. The next year his team under-performs and pressure is put on him. He then spends an obscene amount of money on players he doesn’t really need, bankrupting the club. He himself simply walks out the door to his next club. Tottenham seems to me, to be in the second phase of Harry’s reign. He did do quite well with them last year, but so far this year his team have disappointed and there is talk of growing pressure on him.
Copyright@2010 by Salem Brooks
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