Tuesday, 20 August 2013
In England as well as greater Europe, much change has taken place amongst previously established systems. For those who spent the summer in their nearest bomb shelter, Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are all starting this season with new managers. For the first time in Premier League history (Editors Note: This may or may not be a fact.), the three top contenders for the title are all coming into the season with new management. The return of the special one in London, Pellegrini’s Spanish inquisition in Manchester, and the end of Moyes’ apprenticeship make for a group of unstable situations entering the 2013/14 campaign. On that note, on to the predictions:
Team of the Year
It’s become typical this summer to point to the moves made by Chelsea and Manchester City and immediately declare them to be title favorites. For most, it’s a three horse race, yet not one person is predicting Manchester United to win the title; something which seems to occur with alarming regularity with each season. How quickly people forger the ease with which United won the championship last season, winning the championship with an 11-point cushion that only hints at how quickly the title race ended. Maybe it was United’s lackluster finish to what had been a dominating performance over much of the season, or perhaps it was the combination of Alex Ferguson retiring or David Moyes struggling in the transfer market while United’s main competitors excelled. No matter the explanation, what we can be sure of is that the same Manchester United team which took the title with ease last season will be a difficult team to dislodge. Youth and tradition will triumph over flashy spending; that and Robin van Persie’s left foot.
Player of the Year
If United do retain the title despite fierce opposition from Chelsea and Manchester City, it’s not difficult to envision Robin van Persie giving another 30-goal performance. That said, the summer transfer market gives reason to believe that this will be a sparkling year for the Premiership in general, where the English teams outperform their previous iterations, especially in Europe. While we can expect the top clubs to prosper, the best players may not be from the predicted champions, but rather, from those battling for Champions League positions. Oscar looks set to have a terrific sophomore season with Chelsea, as he is the ideal candidate to take the reins of a Mourinho-led Chelsea side. Similar to a more dynamic and youthful Frank Lampard, Oscar will have no shortage of competition for attention amongst his teammates, but his value will surely be apparent this season as he out-Mata’s Juan Mata this season for Chelsea. Other players to look out for include Philipe Coutinho on Liverpool and Roberto Soldado for Tottenham. Soldado seems ready to continue the trend of Spanish players finding success in the Premier League, and he falls into a team that had a notable lack of Soldado-ism last season. Look for goals aplenty from the Spanish folk throughout the league. Michu, you’re a gorgeous man, but I’m looking at you for goals.
Surprise of the Year
I’m going to mention of few surprises this time around, mostly throwing other popular predictions to waste. Firstly, Mourinho will not win the Premiership this go around. As much as everyone wants to give the title to Chelsea and as true as Chelsea’s upward trajectory appears from 6th to 3rd in the past two seasons, they will not win the title, but they’ll be close. Along the same line, Mourinho will not fix Fernando Torres. Torres is broke, he ain’t gonna get fixed; move on. As awesome as Swansea has been last go around, Cardiff will not repeat the Welsh wizardry of Laudrup & Co. Swansea however will. And last but not least, an American will be in the race for golden boot. The combination of Sunderland’s resurrection project under Di Canio and Jozy Altidore’s amazing goal scoring form will mean there will not be a lack of American presence in the post-Dempsey EPL, there will actually be an improved American presence. I’d say Brek Shea will also help in that cause, but what am I just going to say anything now?
Disappointment of the Year
Can you be a disappointment if nothing is expected of you in the first place? Yes. Easily. But we’re not talking a player, but a manager and an organization; specifically, Mark Hughes and Stoke City. Stoke are after a whole new style of play with Mark Hughes this season, and there’s no reason to believe that it will work out for them. Simply put, Stoke are going to be awful. Stoke will have to go the way of Bolton and Wigan before them and will need to improve because of it. There’ll be plenty of time to rethink the whole Stoke-ball thing while grinding in the Championship next year. Stoke scored 34 goals all last season, a mark beaten by every team in the Premier League except for Wigan, Reading, and QPR, all of whom were relegated.
Players to Watch
There are a slew new players to keep an eye on this year, three of whom signed for Manchester City. Alvaro Negredo, Jesus Navas, and Stevan Jovetic look set to have an interesting season as they become subject to the scrutiny of the English press. With the talent they’ve displayed abroad, they’ll be fine, most notably Navas, who could be a difference maker for City this year if they are to come away with the title. Chelsea has André Schürrle, who could become another silver bullet in Mourihno’s arsenal. Norwich has a number of interesting additions as well, with Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Leroy Fer. Arsenal’s Gideon Zalelam and Manchester Unite’d Wilfried Zaha are two youngsters who could have a significant impact on each team’s respective title chances. Extra prediction: Zalelam will be shocked by mid-January to find that Arsenal never had a shot at the title to begin with.
In Conclusion
Moreso than any other recent season, the Premier League title is truly up for grabs this year, with a variety of teams having legitimate ambitions for success. Both Manchester sides and Chelsea will battle for the top three positions, a fact that bodes well for fans. Both Liverpool and Tottenham have unclear futures, as their potential success still hinges on the transfer sagas of their centerpiece players, Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale, respectively. If they turn the ship on either of those negotiations, they could effectively turn the ship on their entire campaign. Arsenal will finally not finish within the top four; a fact that should not surprise anyone. If a war chest falls in the middle of a forest, and no one was there to see it, did it exist in the first place? The middle of the pack will be boring, the relegation battle will be enthralling, and England will continue to struggle in the Champions League. Facts.
Predicted Final Standings for 2013/2014:
1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester City
4. Tottenham
5. Liverpool
6. Arsenal
7. Swansea
8. Everton
9. Norwich
10. West Ham
11. Aston Villa
12. Newcastle
13. West Bromwich
14. Sunderland
15. Southampton
16. Fulham
17. Hull City
18. Stoke
19. Cardiff
20. Crystal Palace
#Futbolintellect
