Chelsea title favourites

Saturday, 14/08/2010

After a disappointing World Cup, it feels like we’ve had to wait all summer for the Premier League season to resume!

Now it’s finally within touching distance, it seems like a good time to evaluate the campaign ahead.

I think it will be one of the most intriguing and exciting seasons in recent years, with things at the top tighter than ever before. You saw the dominance of the ‘big four’ lessen last season, with Liverpool finishing seventh and that will be a major sub-plot this year.

Liverpool

I feel a lot more optimistic now than I did a month and a half ago, and that’s all down to the management switch. Replacing Rafa Benitez with Roy Hodgson is a terrific move; Hodgson has an excellent calibre, worldwide experience and the right personality for the club.

He understands Liverpool’s heritage and set-up and can translate his magnificent season with Fulham into success at Anfield.

Attracting Joe Cole to the club was the perfect start to his reign and securing the futures of the club’s key players is the next step.

Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard are already committed to staying, while I’m confident that Fernando Torres will remain, too.

The Spain striker is one of the best strikers in the world and any side that has him in their line-up is a threat.

There has been some doubt over Javier Mascherano’s future, but I really hope the club can retain him. His departure would have a similar effect to Xabi Alonso’s last summer, such is his importance in the midfield engine room.

Some people have said that Liverpool should take the money if a big offer comes in for Torres or Mascherano, but how do you replace that calibre of player? You can’t.

If that key duo stays on Merseyside, I can see them regaining fourth spot.

Man City

Every manager in the country would love the sort of spending power that Roberto Mancini has enjoyed; attracting some top class players to the club.

But the difficulty lies in moulding his expensively built squad into a team. Introducing cohesion and consistency into a squad of virtual strangers isn’t easy, and managing the individual egos will be another challenge.

Player-wise, yes, they’re equipped for the title, but it isn’t that straightforward. A lot will rely on Mancini’s ability to manage the dressing room politics, and I think they’ll fall short of their heightened expectations.

Man United

After watching United’s Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in 2009, I said that the team needs dramatic changes to continue challenging at the top, with some of United’s golden generation getting older now.

Obviously, due to the debt at the club, they can’t afford to do that, but Sir Alex Ferguson is slowly evolving his team – just look at the signings of Javier Hernandez and Chris Smalling.

Though they don’t look as strong as they have done in the past, Ferguson is the greatest coach this country has seen and you write his side off as your peril!

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger’s men are something of an enigma and I don’t know what to make of them. I love the structure at the club but, to put it simply, the squad needs strengthening.

And the Cesc Fabregas saga will probably run throughout August and the coming season, if he stays. If he leaves it will be a huge loss for the Gunners, he’s developed into one of the world’s great midfielders – just look at his impact for Spain in the World Cup final.

Chelsea

I still fancy Chelsea. They looked strong last season, when they won the double, and I think they’re the team to beat again this term. They’ve got a solid structure off the pitch and they’ve got some managerial consistency now. I think they have to be favourites.

Tottenham

Unfortunately, I think my former club will struggle to repeat last season’s heroics. They gave everything to finish fourth last season and I think playing in Europe will take it out of them.

My top six

1. Chelsea
2. Man United
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. Man City
6. Tottenham

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