We are a few weeks into this year’s league season and it is about now when we get a feel for how teams are beginning to pan out with summer signings completed and the new recruits beginning to play their parts for their new teams. While many football writers like to make their predictions just before the season starts, I will take my time now to put forth my candidates.
Premier League Top Four: Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool
I would be amazed if the two Manchester clubs do not fill in the top two positions by the end of May. The reasons why should be common knowledge by now – pace, power, strength in depth and world class players, among others. I’m tipping United to beat City to the title only because I think City have yet to grasp the true winning mentality. They folded in the Community Shield, they lost their way at Craven Cottage, and while United were similarly frail at the beginning of last season, they held it together with some memorable comebacks (remember Blackpool and West Ham!) to claim their 19th title. Whether City can emulate that fighting spirit, only they can answer, but I am yet to witness such a never-say-die attitude that has become a hallmark of Alex Ferguson’s sides over the years.
With an ageing side and shaky defence, I still think the London Blues can mount a title challenge. They have players with tons of experience in John Terry, Frank Lampard, Dider Drogba and their giant goalkeeper. Whether they can go the stretch of an entire season as league leaders, I have my doubts, but I do expect them to be throwing fists with the Manchester big boys for the major part of the season.
I’m going out on a whim here and saying Liverpool will be back with Europe’s elite next year. Yes, they are still a side in transition and are still rebuilding. Yes, their success depends on the long-term chemistry of their new signings. And yes, their record breaking centre forward is a hindrance more than an asset to their side. But Liverpool are playing like the Reds of the 80s. The centre of the Reds’ midfield is still a weak point, with Charlie Adam more interested in flying into late challenges than spraying the ball around the park and Lucas, while improving from his Benitez days, is still a mistake waiting to happen on the odd occasion. But up front, Liverpool are just as good as anyone these days. With their brilliant pace and craft up front with the likes of Suarez and Downing and the inevitable return of their captain fantastic Steven Gerrard, Liverpool could once again be the team that pushed Manchester United right to the end of the 2008-09 season and perhaps one day they will compare of the great Liverpool sides with Hansen, Rush and Dalglish. King Kenny must know better than anyone that his 35 million pound gamble has more than backfired with Carroll more likely to start a Carling Cup game these days than a league match against Swansea. However, even the most anti-Liverpool fan out there must recognize that this team from the red half of Merseryside could very well be destined for greatness.
Premier League Golden Boot: Robin van Persie
If we lived in a world where human beings had instant regeneration and injuries healed in a matter of minutes instead of weeks, Robin van Persie would be the greatest striker in the world. With the balance of a ballet dancer, the shot power of a cannon and the finishing prowess of a stone cold assassin, there are few players in world football who compare to RVP in terms of talent and technique. In his early days, his biggest critics were quick to point out his significantly weaker right foot and his incompetence in the air. But the new and improved van Persie has truly made a remarkable change. He can score with both feet and his head, and has surprisingly built his physique to be more than a handful for top defenders while retaining his pace and touch, which used to leave defenders on their backside. His stats towards the end of last season truly showed his ability as a top footballer and why he is and always has been Arsenal’s top weapon. I know it may be a long shot to suggest that a player so renowned for being made of glass will be fit for the majority of the season, but I think even with the odd niggle, Robin van Persie can manage to outscore the often hot-and-cold Wayne Rooney and Man City newboy Sergio Aguero. Wengers jon? – convince van Persie to retire from the Dutch national team!
Premier League Player of the Season: Luis Suarez
Wayne Rooney might very well be the catalyst to United’s title win. David Silva will surely be the source of creativity in Mancini’s City. And Fernando Torres and Juan Mata will change the face of Chelsea Football Club. But Luis Suarez will continue to bamboozle opposition defenders and dazzle Premier League audiences. If any one player looks like one being capable of making Anfield the fortress it used to be, it surely is Liverpool’s current number 7. The way in which he tore through the defence of Manchester United last season in front of the Kop was a joy to watch for any Scouser and while Liverpool will surely not will the league this year, Suarez will bring an air of inevitability to Anfield – that the title is within touching distance.
Premier League Young Player of the Season: Phil Jones
He’s young, he’s strong, he wears the red of Manchester, he’s English and he cost a fortune – surely the ingredients to become a Premier League superstar, eh Wayne? Rio Ferdinand will surely be sweating over his future and the young Phil Jones is the reason. He’s as tough as Vidic and as technically sound as Rio – not a bad future for this lad and he’s already proving me right.
Premier League Bottom Three: Wigan, Swansea, Blackburn
Swansea are the new Blackpool. I came to that conclusion after watching their play at the Etihad earlier this season. For a team fresh in the top division and up against one of the title contenders, Swansea were alarmingly open. But that didn’t stop them from trying. They pushed from the back. They spread the ball. They tried everything to breach the city defence but just as the Tangerines did last season, they forgot about shutting up shop at the back. Once the first one went in, City and Aguero were flying. Sorry Swansea – you’re pretty to watch but nothing more.
Wigan Athletic are a great club and run the right way by their owner. I respect them and I wish they stay in the Premier League next year. But it’s not happening. Wigan are losing players left, right and centre. They lost N’zogbia, who was their best player by a country mile last season, and Rodallega is now out with an injury. Only Victor Moses looks like a player worth playing in the top flight and Al-Habsi will surely struggle to keep Wigan into games much longer with a laughable defence in front of him.
Blackburn did well to beat Arsenal. They got lucky with some truly ridiculous defending by the Gunners but they took their chances and came out on top. But luck alone is not going to carry you above the bottom 3 when you have a manager who is out of favour, owners who are way too ambitious and a squad that reeks of incompetence. Yakubu might be a good signing but I still wonder where the goals are coming from. The Yak has the strength to bully defenders but look at his miss in the World Cup against South Korea to see how poor his finishing can be and you will see my point. Scott Dann, on the other hand, may well be a good compliment to Chris Samba whom I still think should leave in January. Blackburn will win the odd game, but ultimately they need a big change and relegation will surely be the reality check for the owners.
Premier League Ridiculous Prediction: Joey Barton to sign for Arsenal in January
Why not? Stranger things have happened. Midway in December, speculation will start with Barton claiming he’s good enough to play in the Champions League. Neil Warnock will pretend like nothing has happened and that Barton is 100% committed to QPR. And on January 30th, Barton will claim that he’s fed up because QPR cannot provide the right facilities for “the best midfielder in the Premier League”. Barton will quit and with Arsenal struggling with injuries in midfield, Wenger will sign Barton for a record low fee. The next day, Barton will be unveiled and will hold a shirt signing session with his new Arsenal teammate, Gervinho!
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