Another season of the world’s most popular football league, England’s Barclays Premier League, is under way. The question on everybody’s lips is this: can Manchester City break into the top four and secure a coveted Champions’ League spot? Can they even win it?
The world’s richest club, bought out in 2008 by a consortium of Arabic sheikhs, has certainly been stating its intent with manager Mark Hughes’ spending during the current transfer window overshadowed only by Florentino Perez’s Real Madrid. This resulted in the transfers of a number of high profile players such as Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz, James Milner, Jerome Boateng, Yaya Toure, Aleksandar Kolarov, David Silva and Mario Bolatelli.
Much has been made of City’s attempts to attract high-profile “marquee players”. Kaka turned down an astronomical offer in January 2009 and Samuel Eto’o was similarly pursued this summer before Hughes ended his interest. Also courted was Chelsea and England captain John Terry, with Hughes offering a “new challenge” to the Blues’ talisman. However these plans fell through.
So how do City line up now? In Shay Given, they have a solid and reliable goalkeeper who was often a hero for Newcastle. In front of Given are young England hopeful Micah Richards and Chelsea old boy Wayne Bridge, and newcomer Jerome Boateng. Shaun Wright-Phillips will provide pace and width on the attack and Gareth Barry and Stephen Ireland will look to form a solid central midfield partnership. Latest acquisition James Milner is looking to be the middleman as he’s shown his best form over the past 18 months in that position. On the attacking force will be Emmanuel Adebayor, Craig Bellamy, Roque Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez.
On paper, Hughes has a large selection of talent at his disposal, with a formidable attacking force capable of breaking open any defence. Surely his biggest issue will be finding a successful rotation policy which can accommodate the egos of his new superstars and at the same time, bring out the best in each individual. For example, it’s unlikely that Tevez will be satisfied with warming the bench for another season and, despite his undoubted talent, many Arsenal fans last season questioned the dedication of Adebayor.
The last time that the top four was breached by one of the “lesser” clubs was in 2005 when Everton displaced rivals Liverpool for fourth place. If Manchester City are to do the same this season, who are they most likely to replace? Current title holders Manchester United would seem a very unlikely option given the depth of their squad and the astute mind of manager Alex Ferguson, but some may question how they will cope in the absence of two of their most influential attacking players in Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Chelsea are expected to be much improved from last season, assuming they can stick with Ancelotti for the duration. However, last year’s FA Cup winners will always be a danger, particularly with a fully-fit Michael Essien.
Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger insists on putting his faith in youth. Last season they struggled without the influential Fabregas for several months and suffered from squabbles between defenders Gallas and Eboue. The lack of experience within the team was at times painfully apparent but early into this season it looks like things have turned around somewhat.
Liverpool’s owners are in financial difficulties and it’s unlikely they will be as impressive as last season in pushing United for the title. They lack too much in the creative talent department and appear to be the most likely team to make way for Manchester City in the top four. Whatever the outcome, the stage is set for one of the most exciting seasons in Premier League history.
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