Chelsea, City favourites; United, Arsenal in trouble
18 Aug 2013 4:21 AM IST
The return of the ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho to Chelsea has been the talk of the town and with Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini spending over 80 million pounds sterling on new recruitments, it would be safe to say the two clubs start the Premier League season, starting Saturday, as favourites.
After a successful first spell at Stamford Bridge, the second stint of Mourinho has sent the excitement quotient skyrocketing. The 50-year-old has a massive point to prove after a not so successful stint last La Liga season with Real Madrid. Chelsea play their first match against Steve Bruce’s Hull City on Sunday.
Manchester City, who roped in former Malaga boss Pellegrini, have already spent heavily on the likes of Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic. With or without more recruitments, the 2011-12 champions definitely have a strong squad at their disposal. With the exodus of Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge, Maicon and Roque Santa Cruz, City have shed some deadwood. The ‘Citizens’ will look to hit the ground running when they start their campaign against Newcastle United on Monday.
David Moyes-led Manchester United seem to be in a bit of a freefall. Following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson after 27 years at the helm, new boss Moyes has had a turbulent summer. The prolonged Rooney saga, combined with poor pre-season outings, saw football pundits give Moyes slim chance of retaining the title. United have a tricky first match against Swansea City on Saturday and even a point in that match won’t be too bad a result.
Arsenal’s dream of finishing in the top four is in danger, a mini-crisis seems to be brewing at Emirates with manager Arsene Wenger refusing to lighten his pockets. The Gunners have let go 17 players and have only signed an unknown 20-year-old Frenchman from Ligue 2 on free transfer.
Though many will say the clean-out was much-needed, a failure to replace them means Arsenal are still struggling to find an experienced starting line-up ahead of their 24 August opener against Aston Villa.
After a successful first spell at Stamford Bridge, the second stint of Mourinho has sent the excitement quotient skyrocketing. The 50-year-old has a massive point to prove after a not so successful stint last La Liga season with Real Madrid. Chelsea play their first match against Steve Bruce’s Hull City on Sunday.
Manchester City, who roped in former Malaga boss Pellegrini, have already spent heavily on the likes of Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic. With or without more recruitments, the 2011-12 champions definitely have a strong squad at their disposal. With the exodus of Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure, Wayne Bridge, Maicon and Roque Santa Cruz, City have shed some deadwood. The ‘Citizens’ will look to hit the ground running when they start their campaign against Newcastle United on Monday.
David Moyes-led Manchester United seem to be in a bit of a freefall. Following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson after 27 years at the helm, new boss Moyes has had a turbulent summer. The prolonged Rooney saga, combined with poor pre-season outings, saw football pundits give Moyes slim chance of retaining the title. United have a tricky first match against Swansea City on Saturday and even a point in that match won’t be too bad a result.
Arsenal’s dream of finishing in the top four is in danger, a mini-crisis seems to be brewing at Emirates with manager Arsene Wenger refusing to lighten his pockets. The Gunners have let go 17 players and have only signed an unknown 20-year-old Frenchman from Ligue 2 on free transfer.
Though many will say the clean-out was much-needed, a failure to replace them means Arsenal are still struggling to find an experienced starting line-up ahead of their 24 August opener against Aston Villa.
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