Well the count-down to the August 18th return of English football has begun and, in the prem, it's all starting to get interesting on the transfer front....
Firstly I'm a Gooner but even I wish this Van Persie business was just sorted. We were fine before him, we'll be fine without him. If Podolski and Giroud can live up to their potential then that's 2 quality signings up top, although that still leaves us very light in defence which Wenger needs to address asap if we're going to have a chance of even remotely challenging for the title.
Man City seem to have been rather quiet as of late. I'm still expecting Dzeko and Tevez to be on the way out of the Etihad and, if they're really going to go for Van Persie, I wouldn't say no for a deal where one of them heads in the direction of the Emirates (preferably Dzeko, he's less of a diva). With their squad, and especially Kompany (best defender in the prem IMO) it's going to be a mission to get the title away from them.
Man United have signed Scholes for another year and done a few bits of business but, again, they need to shore up their defence. Evra hasn't been anywhere near as good as he was for the last few years and Vidic's absence hurt them greatly last season. They'll still challenge, no doubt, but I don't see their squad as being stronger. In fact I'd go so far as to say it's the weakest United squad in years.
Spurs have got an interesting situation brewing. Modric is off soon but they've got Bale tied down, Van Der Vart is staying and Adebayor looks to be on his way in. The interesting thing will be to see how the ego's of AVB, VDV and Adebayor co-exist. It was ego (and player power) that did in AVB at Chelsea, could easily see the same thing happening at Spurs. Saying that though, they do have a pretty good squad and, unless things go tits up, can't see them blowing up as badly as last season and finishing below Arsenal again. Dark Horses, if the stars align.
Chelseas seem to be going through their rebuild slowly but surely. Yeah they still have an ageing squad but, there is some massive talent there. The real question is if they can get another striker in as I still don't think Torres is going to click at the Bridge. Losing Drogba is massive as well as he's unlike anything else in the prem. Again, could do great but, could also carry on last years mediocre (by their standards) league season.
There's plenty more, with it being really interesting at Liverpool in particular but, that'd involve me going on and on and on.
I've still got City down to retain the title (as it stands) but, the rest of the top 4 seems to be up in the air to me. With any 3 from Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool (depending on Rogers) so it could be a tasty season.
What are your thoughts on the most exciting (even if it's not of the highest quality) league in the world?
Firstly I'm a Gooner but even I wish this Van Persie business was just sorted. We were fine before him, we'll be fine without him. If Podolski and Giroud can live up to their potential then that's 2 quality signings up top, although that still leaves us very light in defence which Wenger needs to address asap if we're going to have a chance of even remotely challenging for the title.
Man City seem to have been rather quiet as of late. I'm still expecting Dzeko and Tevez to be on the way out of the Etihad and, if they're really going to go for Van Persie, I wouldn't say no for a deal where one of them heads in the direction of the Emirates (preferably Dzeko, he's less of a diva). With their squad, and especially Kompany (best defender in the prem IMO) it's going to be a mission to get the title away from them.
Man United have signed Scholes for another year and done a few bits of business but, again, they need to shore up their defence. Evra hasn't been anywhere near as good as he was for the last few years and Vidic's absence hurt them greatly last season. They'll still challenge, no doubt, but I don't see their squad as being stronger. In fact I'd go so far as to say it's the weakest United squad in years.
Spurs have got an interesting situation brewing. Modric is off soon but they've got Bale tied down, Van Der Vart is staying and Adebayor looks to be on his way in. The interesting thing will be to see how the ego's of AVB, VDV and Adebayor co-exist. It was ego (and player power) that did in AVB at Chelsea, could easily see the same thing happening at Spurs. Saying that though, they do have a pretty good squad and, unless things go tits up, can't see them blowing up as badly as last season and finishing below Arsenal again. Dark Horses, if the stars align.
Chelseas seem to be going through their rebuild slowly but surely. Yeah they still have an ageing squad but, there is some massive talent there. The real question is if they can get another striker in as I still don't think Torres is going to click at the Bridge. Losing Drogba is massive as well as he's unlike anything else in the prem. Again, could do great but, could also carry on last years mediocre (by their standards) league season.
There's plenty more, with it being really interesting at Liverpool in particular but, that'd involve me going on and on and on.
I've still got City down to retain the title (as it stands) but, the rest of the top 4 seems to be up in the air to me. With any 3 from Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool (depending on Rogers) so it could be a tasty season.
What are your thoughts on the most exciting (even if it's not of the highest quality) league in the world?