Although this post might be a little premature, giving that the transfer window is still in a whirlwind and we haven't seen the first game yet, the Premier league is already gearing us up for the most incredible season yet. A bold statement, considering the 2011/2012 title race which saw the blue half of Manchester claw their hands on to the trophy in the dying minutes of the game, thanks to Sergio Aguero pouncing on the ball and lashing home to send the Etihad into delirium. Yet, here's my stab in the dark at why I think their are four teams that can challenge for the title this season, and each one of these four teams could be grinning from ear to ear this time next year.
Manchester City
Let's start with the obvious. The current holders, the blue half of Manchester with money coming out of their ears. They have got their first taste of the title and they'll be hungry for more. No summer signings as of yet but with world class players such as Kompany, Silva, Aguero and Tevez it's hard to look past the blue moon in the sky. At the helm, Mancini sits under a cascade of money and admiration, able to build his real life dream team, due to the backing of the owners. It will take a great team to beat City, and if they are to lose the title, it will only be marginally.
The distraction of the Champions League could very well cost them the title, need to not drop silly points and add one or two more quality additions to show intent.
Manchester United
After losing the title on goal difference, Sir Alex Ferguson will be sure to propel his Red Devils out at full throttle in the upcoming season. It's bitter to lose any piece of silverware on goal difference, but to lose it to your arch rivals in the last minutes of the game, will have made the loss that little bit worse. United's main problem is their aging midfield. Giggs and Scholes are incredible players, who both have incredible stature within the game, however, if they want to compete for the title, they need to start playing more of a bit part and acquire more quality players to pack the midfield. Kagawa is a start, a shining star in the Borrusia Dortmunds title winning side.
Will go all out attack, but need to replace their aging midfielders with young and hungry individuals. Sir Alex will want this title more than anything.
Chelsea
The busiest of the title contenders in terms of transfers, Abramovich has wasted little time in strengthening his beloved Blues with an armful of recruits. Through the door enters, Moses, Marko Marin, Edin Hazard, a midfield to make any premier league outfit tremble in their boots. This triplet added to the equally devastating Mata and Lampard and Chelsea already have a more than adequate midfield to try and propel to the forthcoming Premier league title. However, much lies on the shoulders of Euro 2012 Golden Booth winner Fernando Torres. He will be the first to admit to having a torrid time since joining Chelsea, but his confidence is slowly returning and with that little push he can hit that devastating form we all know he is capable of.
Will want to transform their winning mentality in the Champions League to points in the Premier League.
Tottenham
The dismissal of Harry Redknapp sent the footballing world into a numb sleep. Nobody could have forseen that the same person who was being lined up for the England job was to be sacked by a top 4 outfit, who would have claimed Champions League qualification, had it not been for Chelsea's victory in Germany. However cruel the sacking might have been, the shrewd appointment of recently sacked Chelsea boss, Andre Villas-Boas, is arguably a step up from Mr. Redknapp. Redknapp transformed Tottenham from a relegation threatened team to a candidacy of the elite in Europe. Villas-Boas can now take them a step further. A manager who is adamant in bring the youth through the ranks was a little too bittersweet for Chelsea, but it could work well with Tottenham with the right amount of patience and belief.
In need of a striker, and to keep hold of Modric and Bale. Villas-Boas likes to play football, and we could see a return to the first half of the 2011-2012 Tottenham. Could be devastating.
As for other teams in the league, with the loss of Van Persie, I can't see Arsenal coping with a title challenge. They'll most probably get a Champions League place, but it's a step too far to be winning the Premier League against such strong opposition. Liverpool are currently in a re-building process and again, are not strong enough to mount a title challenge. Newcastle, despite mounting a serious top 4 challenge last year, will falter in the league with the extra Europa League games which will only affect an already stretched squad.
Anticipation is already building for the next season. We've seen the spectacle of Euro 2012 to glaze our appetites, and this coming season will hopefully be the best yet.
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