Manchester United
United have perhaps stagnated during the off-season, hampered both by the very real distraction of Ronaldo's world wishes and the afterglow of such a successful season.
The club has been passive in transfer dealings, sadly selling the potent Chris Eagles, but retaining Frazier Campbell from another year of loan duty. Campbell will need him to announce himself on the top flight as United seem short of striking force. An injury to Rooney or Tevez would slot Saha in, or worse, Giggs in as supporting striker.
Hopefully Berbatov completes his signing; he is a player pursued over the last year from club and fan/blogger alike. His ball-skill and aerial acumen means he can work all manner of through-balls onto the knifing runs of Rooney or Tevez. Although the Bulgarian is not a top-class finisher, his ball-skills are of that ilk, and he has extensive European experience while being in his physical prime (aged 27).
This is a very big year for Rooney. Mutterings throughout the seedy football back-channels that I frequent question his real quality--if his endorsements and entitled stature are justified by his performance and his true ability. Rooney played better, albeit more naively, when he was with Everton. Now he is comfortable in his routine and no longer challenges himself to improve. He has become a striker who doesn't use his left-foot, doesn't attack players head-on and can't cut left across his body, getting most his goals from niggling into the right position rather than earning the tallies through great skill and class. He finds less shots from outside as he cannot create space for himself anymore. He tries to compensate by chasing defenders up and down their back-line, but it is mostly a futile attempt to mask his at his primary duty. You have to be better if you are going to be on the Nike commercials, the cover of FIFA Soccer, and the overall poster boy of English footy. He might realize it, having stated the importance this year has on his reputation and career, although the verbiage is similar to what every other player says this time of year, in anticipation of personal and club success for the new season, naturally.
Scholes: Paul Scholes has looked good in pre-season. He has two years left at the top level before he goes probably goes Oldham, the small club he passionately supports. Look for him to score 8+ goals this year, and be sure to savior every one.
Chelsea
Chelsea are likely the greatest threat to usurp United at the top of the EPL. Whether midfield transfer Deco or new boss Scolari has a greater effect will be determined, with either able to stake an earnest claim already merely on reputation.
Similar to most Barcelona players, Deco spent last year disgruntled, but over the last 4 years has shown himself to be top class in the center of the park. I liken him to Riquelme in his prime, although Deco has his own style outright. He can niftily turn past people, shoot from distance, though his real forte is an immense passing range and great attacking intelligence.
Scolari will not be outclassed or intimidated by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea take the title with Scolari winning the psychological battle.
Lampard should have gone to Inter Milan and avoided the conflict, and possible disappointment, of battling Deco and Ballack (and Essien) for center midfield. More British players should play abroad, and the number 8 man had a chance to re-unite with his everyones favorite manager in Mourinho but decided not to challenge himself or his sterotype and to stay away at Chelsea, instead growing fat with bags of pounds.
Ballack: After a disappointing first season at Chelsea but an individually successful World Cup, Michel Ballack should have a much better year for the blues. If Lampard goes down with injury at any time expect a partnership of Ballack and Deco to really blossom.
Arsenal and Liverpool
I think both are teams still on a second teir. This teir is lower than the other teir. Rafael Benitez will never win the Barclays English Premier League, his mind is too small, his Spanish vision too parochial. Arsenal will finish third, buoyed by Nasri and the return of Rosicky, whose unfortunate injury last year delayed him from announcing his "rosickness" to the world. Tomas Rosicky will replace Hlebs effect and add much to it if he can avoid woe in 2008. Also look for Bentdner to have a good year!
The Rest
Elsewhere in the top flight, it will be interesting to see how Sunderland manage, and are managed. Also, I think Stoke and Hull are going right back down, their uniforms are shabby like a first division club. David Bentley is a good buy for Tottenham, and they have a few interesting creative midfielders, but their defense will not hold them, again, and they'll finish sixth or so, again, similar to several other years in the past decade.
For me?
After a quiet summer, I am moving into the heart of the city to study radio and television. I expect to contribute weekly to my blog, if only i dei allow.
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