Så slutar säsongen, Chelsea vinner igen
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As last year taught me, late transfers can mess up the season predictions, as the transfer window is open another almost three weeks. This year I believe there might be at least a couple of big transfers late in the window that will change things around a lot. Actually I am counting on some of them and it might explain some bolder choices in the predictions. This year at least two possible club take-overs can change all bets too.
Generally I feel this year will be tougher than ever. The Premier League has never been better, yes I see it as a league is better when more teams are involved in the top flight fight. Some I have learned regard a league better just because one team is good in that tournament that needs luck, Champions League. Hence Serie A should be better than the Premier League despite only having one single great team. Or La Liga that have two teams that ended up some 25 points ahead of the third placed team! The new FA rule on homegrown will play a part this season for the top teams, less for some and more for City.
Counting myself as the second time reigning champion of this (;-)) due to Merlin’s technical mistake . (I just want to say I had about the same point for last season as the season before and picked Chelsea, Villa, Bolton and Hull into their exact spots plus couple of another close by. Though not Liverpool, Tottenham or West Ham. On those teams I was way off).
Chelsea won by only one point last year so how can it be tougher, friend of order might ask? I think more teams will compete this year and I do believe that you can not afford to lose six games if you want to win the league this year. Chelsea cut down on the draws and that saved us, despite another horrible month of December. (We lost more games than when finishing 3rd the year before!). City will challenge more fullly this year and the number one thing for us is not to lose two games to that team again. We played wonderfully against the old Big Fours, we have to do the same this year though the Big Fours will be another bunch of teams, we need to play at least even with all the top 8, and no surprise losses like Wigan.
So I could play it safe and say what most others will, or I could shake it up a bit to the annoyance of some red supporters. But again, it looks like late transfers will change this more than any season before, still I have to put it in as of today! After all, I had to judge from the players that are there, not what the media speculates in will play there (though the most likely in speculation have been taken into consideration).
There has been a realy quiet silly season this far, it might as I said pick up. Aston Villa have yet to bring in one new player. Blackburn, Blackpool, Fulham (Greening played there already last season), Chelsea and Tottenham have only one new player each (I do not count youth players as Kalas and Delac in Chelsea). I think they will add to their squads (I expect Ramires to be a Chelsea player before the weekend). Man U bought their two new players already in January (Vermilj is a youth player and Bebe came today).
Champions: Chelsea. I think Chelsea still are highly competitive this year too, even if there might be a tad more focus on the Champions League from Carlo, Roman and the big boys. Especially if the league run falters a bit around Xmas as usual. Chelsea had by far the best squad last year, which saved us as we also had a lot of injuries, some really vital ones. We can not afford to have as many injuries, and especially not on such good players as last year. We can not afford having Cech, Essien, Lampard, JT, A Cole, or Drogba away for much time. Then we mightl fight for a CL-spot instead of a bucket, that is how close it will be. Last year we managed even with the African Cup, there is no such abomination this year, thankfully. Still I regard Chelsea’s squad to be quite similar though a little less experienced to last year’s. Some older, more injured players have left and of course we will miss some of their quality, but we have young players that must and need to play and then they will replace those brilliantly. Our most likely main starting line-up is actually possible better as Essien, Bosingwa will come into play. Zhirkov hopefully will shake off hisinjury troubles, Benayoun is more versatile than Joe Cole. Ramires will be interesting. I count him as a done deal!
We have to improve play and results during December, that is the key. I like the new, and young, players coming in The main worry this far in CS and pre-season is the defence that is far from encouraging, but injuries sure has been a reason. On the other hand I think it might have been good for Chelsea to have this pre-season as our personal slave whispering at the triumph chariot that we are mere mortals, just the best of them. ;-) It will not be easy to keep the buckets, but we sure can do it. We just can not lose as many games and maintain the crown. Especially as almost all of those losses came after we played an Europe or FA Cup game. Be aware. There ca be no relaxation whatsoever or lack of focus the next 9 months. But the best news is that the papers are now starting to underestimate us again. Not yet as much as last year, but many know-it-all in the press are now slating Chelsea, with the same arguments they used the last three years! I consider that great news. (Champions last season)
Runners-up: Manchester. I have been convinced a long time, already last year when I picked City 7th and United 3rd that it will be Manchester this year. But I am still not sure which Manchester? I have changed my mind on this position about every other day.
I finally picked United, after having City there most of the time. The main reason as I see them as being the better Team. Valencia will be even better this year, Rooney have incredibly much to prove after his simply pathetic (lack of) effort in the World Cup. United have not bought a lot, and talked much about the promotion of kids. They have sold more than they bought and I doubt Smalling will make an impact, (Hernandez is much more interesting, though huge minus for having ”The Little Pea” on his shirt, that simply is uncool), though both are for the future. As is new boy Bebe from Guimaraes. United’s main problem will be the goalkeeper position. Van den Sar, 40, have passed his best date now, which he showed already last year and United have not a great back-up, as most clubs. Do not expect consistency any longer though he will still be very good at times. I believe Ferdinand will not play much more than around 20 league games. But then I regard Evans as good so… Vidic did not impress last year, maybe the new contract brings the old Vidic out again. The key will be the motivation of Alex Ferguson, will he be more focused on the team than the refs? Own goals can not be their second best goalscorer again, Berbatov has to take that spot. A late good transfer might boost them. (I do hope they do not get Özil). (2)
Third: Manchester City. But I will not be surprised if it will be United. I consider City having the best squad of the Premier League this year! I am not sure though they will have a better Team than United! United is also probably the team that might stop them from reaching this august position or vice versa as the Manchester derbies will be ever-so important this season. An easy way to pick would be to say that the one of the Manc clubs that take the most points in the derbies, will be before the other in the end. City have bought a lot, and might still buy, but the big task is making all those capable players into a team. Real Madrid have proven over and over again, that great players alone do not a team make. Only teams win trophies, not single players. Mancini is a better manager than they started last season with.Though I wonder if even he can straighten up a Balotelli! Imagine the christmas party with him! Squad unrest might cause problems though with so many big-name players vying for the same positions. Silva did not even make the Europa league squad! (5)
Fourth and final CL-spot (quaifying). Here I am simply guessing, the competition for this place will be even tougher than last year. I am picking. Eany, meany mo…
4. Tottenham again…. Simply because I think they have a very good and balanced squad with good goalkeepers and the best English (!) manager (though how a 4th place can give you Manager of the Year when a Double a debut year does not….?!!!). Maybe a little weak in defence. If the CL-adventure goes well that might give them a boost, if not it might cause some negative effects on the league play. But I do expect them to navigate into the group plays. They have a fairly good draw. No improvements coming in, yet. (4)
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5. Arsenal. Still no goalkeeper of class. Wenger have bought as usual; more player he like than player he need. An inexperienced defence with too little depth, especially centrally. Vermaelen was very much in focus last season, but honestly defensively he never impressed me, only offensively. Arsenal’s season will totally be defined by and if they can keep Fabregas and whether he has any motivation to play for Arsenal when he wanted to leave! Look at their record with players the kept against their will before, Vieira, Henry etc, their last season was all less than impressive. I am still not sure he will be wearing red on Sep 1! And Shame on Barcelona for their distasteful tapping up of him all Summer! The arrogance of them! Late transfers might get them into fourth, unlike Daily Mail’s columnists I do not believe they can win the PL. As I do not see the depth in the squad. And they can never win the league without beating the top competition which they could not do last year. They will start well as always though. Maybe the only English team that impressed in pre-season. (3)
6. Everton. If they do not start the season as awfully as last year Everton will take another step up this season. I like the business they have made in the transfer market and if they only can keep on to Jagielka this is where I see them finishing, or higher up. Still they are not really up their with Arsenal, Tottenham unless their new players surprise. But they are improving their squad even if losing Gosling. Keeping Arteta was very important and Jack Rodwell is one year older and probably better. A very interesting young talent for England. Beckford was good at Dirty Leeds, and might take a starting spot in many games. The other new players do I know very little of. (8)
7. Liverpool again. To me they have lost more quality than they gained though Jovanovic is a player that will give them joy. More joy than Joe ”Messi” Cole I believe. Jonjo Shelvey is not a finished player. Even if keeping Gerrard and Torres is good (despite how they played last season!), losing Mascherano is really bad news for them. (Yes, I see that as a done deal!) As bad as when they lost Alonso or even more so. Bad Boy Poulsen is not the same class- Their defence is slow, aging and does not impress liverpool-style and that is even if Agger can stay away from the treatment room. Aurelio?! Hodgson is a better manager than Benitez I am afraid, but it is too early to ask him for success with Tubby’s overindulgent purchases. But remember Hodgson has always done better with lesser teams with less stars, his stays at Inter (Milan) was not all that successfull. Kuyt might be a key player, I see him as underestimated at Anfield, but maybe he should be tried in the midfield instead now. But then, they will be even less impressive up front, if Torres injuries continue. Gerrard was pretty poor last year and need to step up big time. Time to try Pacheco, their Kakuta? Of course, if the Huang, Indian or Syrian or some other deal comes through extremely soon and they suddenly gets some significant spending power all bets might be off, though time is against that scenario. (7)
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8. Sunderland if they can start playing nearly as well away as at home. No big names coming, but they are interesting, though I can not but wonder about Titus Bramble! Campbell, and Darren Bent is nice firepower up front. (13)
9. Aston Villa. The chock departure of Martin O’Neill will hurt them much. No new players yet. I am hoping that their quality will keep them within the top ten. They need their young players to step up now. Maybe not Delph yet, but absolutely the other ones including Delfunueso, Young (if he stays), Agbonlahor. No new players to date. That is not an ideal situation. Not improved and Milner wants away. Milner also probably is away today or tomorrow! (Which might bring in Ireland, which is not all that bad) Did late business last year. Can get worse, especially if they continue their O’Neill-record of not winning in March. Need some quality players soon, and a quality manager. Bradley sounds interesting, but untried at this level. (6)
10. Birmingham, keeps on building quietly away. Foster is not as good as Hart was, but manager confidence can improve his inconsistency as his self-confidence in being picked for the England squad. Zigic is an interesting addition I think will suit their play very well. Hardworking lot that probably thought they would get more money for new players from their new owner. Really liked their defence with Roger Johnson last year. They had a great run up to the new year last year to reach 9th. One place lower in this tip, but that is because the competition is even tougher now. Some warn for second year syndrome, I do not think so in this case. (9)
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11. West Ham had an awful season last, worse than they really should have had. I like some of their new business, like Piquionne and Hitzlberger (especially as a leader and free kick taker). The loan of Sulejmani can pay off too. But the new owners are still producing more hot air than results, we’ll see. Will they regret booting out Zola? That said I have to admit that Grant is a better manager than I ever thought when he took charge after JM at our club. I was impressed what he did under impossible circumstances at Pompey. (17)
12. Bolton, some good transfers and time for Coyle to further put his mark on the team. Petrov might have a second Summer. They got loanee Klasnic on a permanent deal and they might have gotten some back-up in the club now. Struggled last year but have a better squad now and Coyle is putting his mark on their play more. (14)
13. Fulham, no manager most of Summer, no players and still not sure if they can be able to hang on to Hangeland and Schwarzer. Looks bad for our neighbours. I also am not a member at all of any Hughes as manager-fan clubs I loved Sparky as a player in Chelsea, but I am not as impressed with his managerial efforts - yet. Vital will be which players (from City?) he can attract in a short while. Bellamy would be a huge transfer for them. (12)
14. Wigan. Incredibly inconsistent last year but interesting business done during the Summer. I am very curious about Boselli. Might be very good together with Rodallega. I also like Martinez so I hope his latin insignia will take Wigan up the table. Though DW Stadium is the least inviting venue for any tiki-taka play in England. Maybe an optimistic pick but I think they are shrewd in their new talents. Looking forward to
see Moses bloom. (16)
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15. Wolverhampton, some interesting business. Especially Fletcher and maybe they will get Mancienne on loan (doubt it though!). Stephan Hunt is a decent player I hate with all my being for what he did Petr. The Stoke of latter seasons. Works in the shadows, but do not underestimate them as they are a team. (15)
16. Newcastle. They ran away with the Championship, but this is tougher and they should have bought even better. An ageing Sol Campbell is not enough, but it looks like they have some interesting late transfers coming. Gosling can be a boost. The newcomer with most potential though and a good start could mean a lot. Ben Arfa is a good layer, but will they get him? Great fans.(new)
17. Stoke. Simply because I think their immediate competition has improved and they have not. They have survived well on enthusiasm , long throw-ins and team spirit, but now they need more. They got Kenwyne Jones late yesterday, so maybe this is tad pessimistic tip but I’ll stick with it. Had them as a relegation team but think Kenwyne Jones will be huge for them. (11)
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18. WBA with my heart as I hope for success for our Roberto Di Matteo. Will Shorey, Ibanez, Tamas, Reid and goalkeeper Myhill be enough? A very tough challenge for Roberto. But it is a too tough order to be able to stay up, me thinks. (new)
19. Blackburn. Surprising a lot I think, but they have not improved in the transfer market and I was not impressed by their play last season, despite being extremely tough to beat at Ewood. Too much disruptions around the change of ownership that almost reminds of Pompey. I fear that will have affected them negatively and Allardyce will have to work hard. No money, not enough quality coming in due to the ownership issue. (10)
20. Blackpool. Lucky to take the last spot being elevated last year. Can have a terrible year. They do not in any way look like a Premiership team. But then I thought the same of Burnley last season and they had a great start of their adventure. If Holloway can keep Blackpool away from dead last with the resources and players available he must become Manager of the Year. Have made four late signings but I have to say, are they good enough? Not even Harewood will save them I think. (new)
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Lite till:
Chelsea har skrivit kontrakt med Lucozade för sportdrycker.
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Det anses att Chelsea fick 8m euro för Ricardo Carvalho, ca 6,6m pund, vilket är mycket bra betalt. Carvalho är idag i Madrid för läkarundersökning.
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Flera källor uppger att Chelsea är mycket nära ett avtal med brasilianske supertalangen Neymar från Santos. Vi får se.
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Jack Cork som saknades i truppen lånas ut igen. 21-åringen återvänder till Burnley där han var en stor succé fyra månader förra säsongen. Lånet är årslångt.
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