So the Premier League is well and truly underway, and although it’s still a long time until we crown the champions in May, I though I’d assess who’s likely to be challnging at the top come the end of the season, and what we’ve learnt from the season so far.
Manchester City
Well I’ve got to start with the Champions really. After the drama of QPR last year, and salvaging the title in the most dramatic of fashion, Man City have not found the start of their title defence easy. Opposition sides have pushed them hard, and the side has struggled to find the fluidity and freedom of last year. Nevertheless after scraping past West Brom at the weekend, which was a real test after being reduced to ten men early on, City sit 3rd in the table, level on points with their local rivals.
City remain unbeaten, unlike their neighbours who have tasted defeat twice, but have been held to a point on three occasions. The new signings don’t appear to have made the dramatic impact that others have done in the past, and the influence of David Silva and Samir Nasri has been limited to date. Yet a burgeoning amount of talent remains at the club, and with the experience and motivation of last year’s campaign, you’d expect the defending champions to be there come the end of the season.
Manchester United
You quite simply can’t talk about championship contenders without mentioning Manchester United. Every season United are there or thereabouts, and this season looks like being no different. Unsurprisingly they’ve been far from their best at times this season, but have been able to dig out results which leave them 2nd in the table. Their summer acquisitions have left them with a formidable looking front line, and they are already the top scorers in the division with 21 goals to date in only 8 games.
There are weaknesses in the side, none more so than at the heart of the defence, where constant inury problems have left the side looking vulnerable. With a fit stable of defenders then United will be fine, but if Ferdinand, Vidic and co continue to suffer with injury, then United’s title bid could potentially be derailed. The Red Devils have already conceded 11 times this season, and if they continue to leak goals at that rate it could be a challenge to be crowned champions come May.
Chelsea
One of the most notable aspects of the season so far has been the improvement made from Chelsea, who sit four points clear at the summit of the table, and have emerged as genuine title contenders. Many pundits and fans alike predicted that it would once more be a two horse race, but new signings such as Eden Hazard and Oscar have allowed Chelsea to seemingly bridge the gap to the top two.
The football that Di Matteo’s side have been playing has been beautiful on the eye, and Chelsea have won many admirers over the past two months. Chelsea have been transformed from a side which relied on graft and hard work, to one which plays with freedom and fluidity. The movement and link up play of the front four is a joy to behold, and has confounded opposition defences. Whether the title “Barcelona in Blue” can yet be attached to them is another matter, but their combination of attacking prowess and solid defence has allowed them to prove that they are major contenders for this year’s title.
So there you have it the three main contenders for this year’s title, and it’s hard to see anyone else featuring in the title race. You’d expect the above three to finish in the top three spots, leaving only one other champions league place up for grabs, along with the Europa League places, so who is in the battle for Europe?
Tottenham Hotspur– Spurs have made a very solid start to life under Andre Villas Boas, and have played some exciting football. You can’t help feel that the departures of Luka Modric and Rafael van der Vaart have weakened the side though, and that the replacements although being very good, are not quite of the same standard. Scott Parker’s continued absence is hurting the side, but the form of Jermaine Defoe is encouraging for both club and country. Much will rely on creative players such as Gareth Bale and Moussa Dembele to offer the sort of spark that the likes of Mata, Silva and Rooney do for their respective sides. Spurs have the capability to finish in the top four, but you feel will be hard pressed by others.
Arsenal– Arsenal will want nothing more than to finish above their local rivals in the table. Wenger’s side continue to look to end their long wait for a trophy, but the cup competitions seem to be their best bet this year. Finishing fourth would signify a successful season in my opinion, for a side which looks much more solid than in the past, but seems to be lacking a little in attacking flair, and evidently misses the goalscoring ability of Robin van Persie. New players are still bedding in, and Jack Wilshere is close to return, meaning that Arsenal could improve over the course of the season and close the gap on the top three. A batlle with spurs for 4th place though looks the most likely course for their season.
Liverpool– Brendan Rogers has had an eventful first few months as Liverpool manager that is for sure. On the pitch it has been a challenging start to the season, but Liverpool do finally seem to be moving in the right direction after a dismal opening to the campaign. The lack of firepower has to be the main worry, and is surely an issue that Rodgers will address in January, but the emergence of genuinely talented youngsters on the first team scene is refreshing to see. A push for a top 4 place could be beyond their reach, but Liverpool will be hoping to be closer to the main contenders than last year.
Everton– What a job David Moyes does at Everton. His side look as strong as I can remember for years, solid and well organised with some genuinely creative players of high quality. His squad though is small, so injuries and suspensions could affect Everton more than others, but if he can keep everyone fit then an exciting season lies in store. The opening day victory over United showed the guts and determination that epitomizes Moyes as a manager, and his shrewd transfer dealings have stood Everton in good stead going into this campaign, in which they currently sit 4th. If only the season could end now.
Newcastle– Alan Pardew’ side have made a respectable start to this season, currently sitting 11th, but not the sort of explosive start they would have liked. Of course it is early stages, and a couple of wins would quickly turn all of that around. The strike duo of Demba Ba and Pappis Cisse are yet to reach top form, and Newcastle haven’t scored as many goals as people would of expected, whilst conceding more than desired. The squad though is laced with genuine quality and match winners, and Newcastle will be hoping these players will allow them to enjoy a season like last. Replicating those dizzy achievements will be a challenging matter though.
The Rest– West Brom have started the season well, and if someone like Sunderland, Stoke or Fulham put together a terrific run of form, then who knows, but it’s unlikely that these sort of teams will be pushing for Europe come May.
So there we go, you’ve had my thoughts on who will be challenging at the top of the table, in the next instalment I’ll be taking a look at who faces a season battling the drop.