Who will be top dogs next May?

With another Premier League season looming over the horizon, the typical question is yet again in hot debate amongst football fans; who will win this season’s domestic title?

The usual suspects will be among the front runners for top spot come next spring, with any one of five clubs with a legitimate chance of landing the silverware.

Many fans and punters alike will look no further than reigning champions, Manchester United, who are bidding to add to their record haul of 19 titles; last season’s triumph lifting them above rivals Liverpool in top division titles. They have yet to replace legendary midfield stalwart Paul Scholes, who retired from football at the end of last season, but have added extra pace to their artillery in Ashley Young, and have signed promising Spanish keeper David De Gea from Athletico Madrid to help fill the vacant number one jersey left by retired Edwin Van Der Sar.

 Add to that the signature of England U-21 captain Phil Jones, and the future looks very bright for Sir Alex’s Red Devils. The manager has also publicly shown interest in Dutch maestro Wesley Sneidjer. Were he to pull that signature off, then United really would be in the driving seat for the coming season. The players there know what it takes to see out challenging seasons and domestically at least, they will be hard to topple.

Two clubs hot on the heels of United will perhaps be Chelsea and Man City. Both have began throwing their financial weight around in the transfer market again this summer, bidding for a string of top players, but as of yet, both have failed to land any major signings. Chelsea have brought in Lucas Piazon, dubbed the “New Kaka”, although he is likely to set the world alight in his first full season at Stamford Bridge. The Londoners do have a wealth of experience in every area of the pitch though, and if they can get the under-firing Fernando Torres, back amongst the goals, they will be right up there on the final day.

Manchester City have also brought in one or two signings, in the shape of Gael Clichy and Montonegro defender Stefan Savic, but again, they are yet to bring any “superstars” in. With Carlos Tevez set to walk in the other direction away from Eastlands, they will surely have to splash the cash if they are to make a serious assault on the Premier League this term.

Perhaps the hardest team to assess are Arsenal. The simple dilemma Arsene Wenger faces is that he doesn’t know who will still be at the club come the opening game. Fabregas has long been linked with a move to Champions’ League winners Barcelona, and Samir Nasri’s future is very much in the balance with a host of clubs fighting for his services. If the boss can hold on to his key assets then the Gunners have a chance of competing at the top of the league, with the acquisition of winger Gervinho from Lille. However, the Emirate’s faithful have been left constantly frustrated with their team, who play such attractive football, but fall short when the going gets tougher later on in the season.

Liverpool are another team who will be hard to predict this season. If recent years are anything to go by, the Scousers will be a long way off the pace, but then again, they didn’t have King Kenny, Mr. Dalglish, in charge. Since his return to Liverpool towards the end of last season, Liverpool are beginning to play the kind of football the Kop have grown accustomed to over the years. With a new mixture of youth from the club’s academy, along with the purchases of Luis Suarez, Andy Caroll, Jordan Henderson and Charlie Adam, the team are on the up. Put that with Captain Steven Gerrard, and the ever-present Jamie Carragher, and there really could be a few surprises sprung at Anfield this season.

The chasing pack, including the likes of Spurs and Everton, aren’t likely to compete for the title anytime soon, but any team can really beat any other team in the division on their day at the moment, and that can only make for exciting viewing this coming season.

Let the games begin.

Sean Monaghan

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Comments

[ryanmccormack]

really good article....looking forward to future reports!!!

[Alex Beckett]

great report, i think it could be city's year this year with all their millions, i think you should do a report on who could be relegated too, and see the most popular answers.

[CB]

very enjoyable and interesting read, Manchester United will always remain in the top 4 but I think we will start to see new clubs pushing for the top spot spurs and Man city for example.

[jamiec]

tight article,,,shall look forward to future updates a lot of good information

[cmccool]

really good read, cant see any futher then united myself.

[brendan]

good article, at the minute i cant see anyone stopping utd tho perhaps liverpool will be pushing into the top 3 this season as i tink them an city have the best chances of 2nd and 3rd behind utd, Chelseas players our getting old and Arsenal i can see swapping places with liverpool this season as they dont have the fire power any more and i also thisk certain players will follow clichy out the door..

[packiebonner]

Interesting reading, scunthorpe have it in my opinion

[louie]

man utd to be top dogs. the reason im saying this is because without playing well they won it last season and with the best manager on earth they can do it again. if they have a fit rooney an with a new centre midfielder coming in united will be best team out there.

[Blake R]

Yes, i completely agree with the assessment. i still think chelsea are a lot more more of a danger than man city, but they are definitely improving. I think it will be another tight campaign, but would like to see the like of a quality team such as millwall thrown in the mix. enjoyable read, look forward to seein more!!

[MattFilkin]

Really good article, i have a feeling United will run away with the league this year, followed by City in second. United's signings so far have been great. If United add a midfielder or two to the squad (sneidjer hopefully one of them) i can't see anyone getting too close.

I think there will be a chance for smaller clubs to make a bigger impact this year too maybe Sunderland their signings have been good too colud see them pushing higher up the table.

If Arsenal lose Nasri and Fabregas i don't have a clue where they will finish, Could be about sixth!!

[cal o'connor]

united's new signings will be the difference. phil jones is going to be a top defender for the next decade and more.
ashley young? wait and see what fergie turns him into.

villa-boas, i hate to say it. but he will be lucky to last the season with abramovich being the way he is.

arsenal need players, lack depth. same for liverpool and spurs.

man city, it remains to be seen who they will sign. if they will cause big problems to united or not?!

[johnny sweeney]

totally agree wit utd being favourites and expect us to lift it again... although we need to sign sneidjer too to try and win the champs league... good article too.

[Liam]

Interesting Article, Very Insightful. Man Utd Again Will Be The Team To Beat Again This Year. Ashley Young Is A Great Signing & David De Gea Is Good But Isn't As Good As Edwin Van Der Sar YET But Will Grow Into A Great keeper..
Chelsea Will B United's Biggest Challengers I Think But They Will Need To Sign A Few Big Stars: Modric Especially Now As Essien Is Out For Six Months. If Torres Can Stay Injury Free And Can Get Back To The Torres Of A Few Years Ago Then Chelsea Will Run United Close For The Title Next May.
Arsenal I Think Will Struggle This Year To Qualify For Champions League Because Man City Will Boost Their Squad Significantly For Champions League Football But They Will Come Up Short Again Due To Inconsistency Away From Home.
Liverpool Will Be The Suprize Package This Year And Finally Live Up To There Promise If They Can Keep There Stars Injury Free. They Have More Depth In There Squad Especially In Midfield And May Add To That With Stewert Downing.
So A Great Season Awaits..

[Flynner]

good article! its guna be classic arsenal again this year...look promising for a month or two but when it comes down to it struggle and finish third yet again!

[Jamie Dunlop]

A brilliant read Sean... I can't see past Manchester United myself. The experience gained from previous seasons under the pressure will prove good enough once again for the Red Devils. Chelsea will be their main title contenders, but with a new manager and an ageing squad, I think they will just fall short of Manchester United this coming season. Manchester City, once again, will keep on improving and with all that money at their disposal, I expect big names to be playing at the City of Manchester stadium next season. I still think they are a bit short of title winning credentials, but I think it's only a matter of time before they do win the Premier League title. As for Arsenal, things don't look good for the North London club with rumours of their top players leaving, and Arsene Wenger, as he has done for many seasons, refusing to splash the cash on some top class players. For Arsenal to even attempt to challenge for a trophy they've so desperately been craving, they need to hold on to their best players and build on their current squad with some up and coming players.

All I know is that a great season awaits us all...

[wb]

Yes brilliant article, some very valid points there I think even clive tyldesley not least alan shearer would agree with!!!
Man U seem like favourites already to most but as they say "no news is good news" concerning Chelsea and Man City. It must be said though, the obvious fact about last years league, and it pains me to say it, was that Man U were almost untouchable at home. This without doubt proved a massive difference in the destination of the league. No-one seemed to take points away from Old Trafford, at least not the challengers anyway, and if something's got to give next season, City and Chelsea, even Arsenal and Liverpool, have got to change that fact when they visit Manchester. In terms of specifics, since your article posted it seems Schneider now isnt going anywhere but ive a feeling Ferguson has a move or two up his sleeve to back up the departures of Hargreaves and Scholes- ii think he's learned from the signings of Djemba-Djemba and Kleberson!
A lot will be made of Villa Boas' style of play next season, but i think Chelsea will come good, despite the setback with Essien. They, like City will be quietly operating behind the scenes. This is a big year for Man City, theyve got to live up to the finish of last season and better that, but im not sure if they'll have the bottle for it. The popular Tevez's departure may prove more of a hindrance than a help.
The same can be said about Arsenal, fantastic footballers but there's something missing there, something just not right, and im not sure if Gervinho is the answer. Two new centre half's to back a returning Vermaelen may be a start. I also agree with you about Liverpool, they're my dark horse this year and il be following their results closely. Stevie G says he's in the best shape of his career, I'm looking forward to seeing how his season shapes up for him after missing the final third last time out. My tabel come may would look like this: Chelsea-Man U-A bold bet on Liverpool-City-Arsenal-Tottenham and rejuvinated Sunderland in 7th. I feel Everton and Villa are going through transitional periods at the moment.....i'd fancy a wee bet on Moyes to be the first manager to go, i think he'd taken Everton as far as he can.
....All in all, brilliant article, has fuelled an essay of a reponce in this case but thats full credit to the points made in your post Sean. Would look forward to any further articles from you, id surely challenge you on opinions regarding the race for promotion or relegation, two other topics just as hotly debated as the title run-in.
10/10 looking forward to future reads.

[A.moore]

really good article, well presented and good infomation based! lookin forward to reading further reports from you.
As for the debated question i personally cant see anyone beating united to title but as you have put any one can beat any one on there day! Liverpool to push for secon/third i think with man city, chelsea fourth unless they get someone in and torres fireing,which i dont think goin to happen.

[Conor Mulligan]

As an Arsenal supporter I hate to say it but your analysis is all too accurate! Good article, will keep an eye out for the next ones. Cheers

[thebiffybah]

Ye I agree,it'll be a familiar story at the top...I reckon if utd and chelsea get their main targets (sneidjer and modric) it
Will be an interesting season as these 2 have by far the greater strength in depth than
the others. Can see Liverpool making significant improvement as outlined in the article and once
suarez and Carroll gel with players like gerrard and Adams it could be the platform they need to mount
a serious challenge. Spurs will defo struggle when modric inevitably goes so it will be interesting to see how they
and arsenal will handle the losses,if they happen,of their talismanic creators!
hopefully the nasri and fabregas sagas are finally put to bed but all in all it should be an interesting and exciting
and one that could be closer within the top 5 than in recent years.

[Richi1]

Great read!!
Think it sums up the coming season very well. I must agree I find it very difficult to look past the reigning champs, especially if they bolster their already impressive artillery in the form of Sneijder, which is looking more and more likely. I think Chelsea will once again follow closely, but with the Ghanian enforcer a long-term absentee I can't honestly envisage them mounting a serious challenge. I must admit though, I think Liverpool merit a greater chance than most pundits are giving them. This season the partnership between Suarez and Carroll, I believe, will undoubtedly be the striking force to reckon with, though they are a bit frail at the back.
In my opinion, this report is a very accurate summary of things to come, despite my wish to witness a bit of a shake up at the table summit. Be wary of Manchester City, however. Sergio Aguero, should he come, will most certainly take the premiership by storm.
Once again, great read!!!!

[Doc1989]

Hard to stop united next season but liverpool and man city will be their nearest threat. Chelsea are an ageing team and will fade after christmas. Arsenal will be arsenal, full of hype but no end product. Impressive report sean keep the hard work up bro.

[Davy1988]

Good read... I reckon you're underestimating Spurs though. Their chances are on par with Liverpool's if not better they went to Anfield at the end of last season and Liverpool had almost the same team they have now and won 2-0. In September Spurs will have aquired a big name striker of their own. And even if they lose Modric when you look at the midfielders which each team posess they don't even compare, even with "Blackpools Saviour".