Almost a month on from July's World Cup Final, the brand-new Premier League season is just seven days away. Traditionally, it is a time of year for experts, pundits (and not forgetting "expert pundits") to make some ill-fated premonitions about the 10 months that await us.
With Arsenal making unfamiliar strides towards regaining the Premier League title for the first time in over a decade, a flurry of incomings give The Gunners a much-needed boost in depth that was ultimately their downfall in 2013/14.
Whether the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy could be enough to propel them to the summit will have to wait until I preview the forthcoming campaign next week, but I fear that despite Arsenal's new-found riches, the power of money will still be too tough to contend with.
The build-up to this season's championship is arguably more intriguing than last year's, with yet another managerial change at Old Trafford, the departure of Liverpool's cannibalistic striker and Jose Mourinho taking April's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid a little too seriously by signing two of their players and not sending Thibaut Courtois back to them.
And with all the cash at their disposal, Manchester City are well equipped to retain their league crown. That said, it has been relatively quiet on Eastlands so far from Pellegrini - Fernando, Willy Caballero and Bacary Sagna have all joined the champions, but none are guaranteed a starting place from the off, which begs the question why they felt the moves suited them ($$$).
They were also joined by Frank Lampard this week, which seemed to make some Chelsea fans, well, a little blue. This feels like an appropriate time to ask why Chelsea fans did not seem to bat an eyelid when he was on their bench or not even in Jose's plans for the majority of last year, but are angered when he goes to sit on City's bench, for, you guessed it, some hard-earned dosh.
I mean, the guy went all the way to America to seal that move. Respect.
The time was right for Frank to leave, but despite his legendary status - he is Chelsea's leading goalscorer - he will feel the wrath of complete morons when the two sides meet this season. Imagine that, though, if one of your heroes went to a rival. Oh, wait...
Not that "Super, Super Frank" will have any effect on the title race, Manchester City still have a squad of winners. From what I can recall, not too many had great World Cups, and with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all in their first five games, getting back into their stride quickly could prove crucial.
They will always be a tough nut to crack, but they do not really seem to be stronger than last year. I reckon teams can have a go at them this season, but they will not give up their title as easily as they did the last time around. They should be as hungry as ever.
Liverpool, on the other hand, would be forgiven for still feeling down as Luis Suarez left for Barcelona after almost single-handedly taking them to the Premier League itself. They have bought no less than nine players since last year's slip-up (I couldn't resist) meant they had to settle for second, but few would be convinced that Rickie Lambert can do the work of Suarez.
Given the fact they bought Lambert from Southampton - Liverpool's answer to Beveren (not bad!) - the idea must have been for him to act as back-up for Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. So when they agreed a deal for another striker, Divock Origi from Lille, they sent him back on loan to them for a year. Makes sense.
Transfers aside, the Champions League looks set to be Liverpool's biggest hurdle in terms of the Premier League. After no European competition whatsoever last year, this could come as a culture shock, and given they have not been in the competition since 2009/10, I do not foresee any Istanbul miracles on the horizon.
Combine the European efforts with the league and you get a team of also-rans at best. For some reason, though, I do not mind to see Liverpool do well, and the return of Anfield's European nights will be special. As for any league challenge, though, Suarez's departure means that they are once again aiming for a top-four position.
At least we don't have to see or hear about "SAS" again, thank God. But who knows, after his heroics against Benfica, perhaps Arsenal's "Giroud And Yaya" partnership can catch on? Hmm, maybe not.
Now, he may not be to everyone's liking, not least my own, but Jose Mourinho is one top manager. Whether it's petty mind games or getting every last drop of effort and commitment from his players, he is a guy that knows the game inside-out and gets his players to play his way without fail.
Not wishing to highlight the fact he has had two successive years with unlimited funds without a single major title to his name (if you discount the Soccer Aid trophy), he is on something of a barren run. This is bound to make him angry. Angry and hungry - hangry if you will. Something tells me that a "hangry" Jose is not good news for anyone looking to prolong his - dare I say it - trophy drought.
In signing World Cup flop Diego Costa, they have a match made in heaven. He is a proper Mourinho player in my eyes, someone to be a nuisance and finish lethally a la Drogba is just what Chelsea needed last year. Now with Drogba in there too to guide him as he adapts to the Premier League, Chelsea have one of the scariest front lines in the league. And Fernando Torres.
That addition alone could be enough to swing the Premier League back towards West London. But the additions of Filipe Luis and MY CESC strengthen already-strong areas. Chelsea are capable of cleaning up this year, they're that good. They don't even need to play Andre Schurrle that much, either.
David Luiz's departure, along with the transfer fee, will bring Chelsea even more joy. Cahill and Terry are still digging out heroic performances game after game - although one wonders how many more "JT" has got in his locker.
The one thing that could be their undoing is that they seem like they are always susceptible to the shock away defeat. A long-standing hoodoo with Aston Villa still lingers on, while even when on form, a lively Palace or Stoke side can easily give them a run for their money.
And with *that* precious home record in the league vanishing in hilarious fashion back in April, maybe the fortress that was once Stamford Bridge could become a thing of the past.
For me, it's Jose's Blues that are most in-shape for the big kick-off next week. With winners on the pitch and in the dugout, they pose the biggest threat to Arsenal and the rest of the title chasers. But we know how it is, there will be twists and turns we haven't even dreamt of that will unfold from here on in. And who knows, maybe someone will come out of the wilderness and surprise us. After all, this the Premier League.
Come On You Reds!
With Arsenal making unfamiliar strides towards regaining the Premier League title for the first time in over a decade, a flurry of incomings give The Gunners a much-needed boost in depth that was ultimately their downfall in 2013/14.
Whether the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy could be enough to propel them to the summit will have to wait until I preview the forthcoming campaign next week, but I fear that despite Arsenal's new-found riches, the power of money will still be too tough to contend with.
The build-up to this season's championship is arguably more intriguing than last year's, with yet another managerial change at Old Trafford, the departure of Liverpool's cannibalistic striker and Jose Mourinho taking April's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid a little too seriously by signing two of their players and not sending Thibaut Courtois back to them.
And with all the cash at their disposal, Manchester City are well equipped to retain their league crown. That said, it has been relatively quiet on Eastlands so far from Pellegrini - Fernando, Willy Caballero and Bacary Sagna have all joined the champions, but none are guaranteed a starting place from the off, which begs the question why they felt the moves suited them ($$$).
They were also joined by Frank Lampard this week, which seemed to make some Chelsea fans, well, a little blue. This feels like an appropriate time to ask why Chelsea fans did not seem to bat an eyelid when he was on their bench or not even in Jose's plans for the majority of last year, but are angered when he goes to sit on City's bench, for, you guessed it, some hard-earned dosh.
I mean, the guy went all the way to America to seal that move. Respect.
The time was right for Frank to leave, but despite his legendary status - he is Chelsea's leading goalscorer - he will feel the wrath of complete morons when the two sides meet this season. Imagine that, though, if one of your heroes went to a rival. Oh, wait...
Not that "Super, Super Frank" will have any effect on the title race, Manchester City still have a squad of winners. From what I can recall, not too many had great World Cups, and with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea all in their first five games, getting back into their stride quickly could prove crucial.
They will always be a tough nut to crack, but they do not really seem to be stronger than last year. I reckon teams can have a go at them this season, but they will not give up their title as easily as they did the last time around. They should be as hungry as ever.
Liverpool, on the other hand, would be forgiven for still feeling down as Luis Suarez left for Barcelona after almost single-handedly taking them to the Premier League itself. They have bought no less than nine players since last year's slip-up (I couldn't resist) meant they had to settle for second, but few would be convinced that Rickie Lambert can do the work of Suarez.
Given the fact they bought Lambert from Southampton - Liverpool's answer to Beveren (not bad!) - the idea must have been for him to act as back-up for Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. So when they agreed a deal for another striker, Divock Origi from Lille, they sent him back on loan to them for a year. Makes sense.
Transfers aside, the Champions League looks set to be Liverpool's biggest hurdle in terms of the Premier League. After no European competition whatsoever last year, this could come as a culture shock, and given they have not been in the competition since 2009/10, I do not foresee any Istanbul miracles on the horizon.
Combine the European efforts with the league and you get a team of also-rans at best. For some reason, though, I do not mind to see Liverpool do well, and the return of Anfield's European nights will be special. As for any league challenge, though, Suarez's departure means that they are once again aiming for a top-four position.
At least we don't have to see or hear about "SAS" again, thank God. But who knows, after his heroics against Benfica, perhaps Arsenal's "Giroud And Yaya" partnership can catch on? Hmm, maybe not.
Now, he may not be to everyone's liking, not least my own, but Jose Mourinho is one top manager. Whether it's petty mind games or getting every last drop of effort and commitment from his players, he is a guy that knows the game inside-out and gets his players to play his way without fail.
Not wishing to highlight the fact he has had two successive years with unlimited funds without a single major title to his name (if you discount the Soccer Aid trophy), he is on something of a barren run. This is bound to make him angry. Angry and hungry - hangry if you will. Something tells me that a "hangry" Jose is not good news for anyone looking to prolong his - dare I say it - trophy drought.
In signing World Cup flop Diego Costa, they have a match made in heaven. He is a proper Mourinho player in my eyes, someone to be a nuisance and finish lethally a la Drogba is just what Chelsea needed last year. Now with Drogba in there too to guide him as he adapts to the Premier League, Chelsea have one of the scariest front lines in the league. And Fernando Torres.
That addition alone could be enough to swing the Premier League back towards West London. But the additions of Filipe Luis and MY CESC strengthen already-strong areas. Chelsea are capable of cleaning up this year, they're that good. They don't even need to play Andre Schurrle that much, either.
David Luiz's departure, along with the transfer fee, will bring Chelsea even more joy. Cahill and Terry are still digging out heroic performances game after game - although one wonders how many more "JT" has got in his locker.
The one thing that could be their undoing is that they seem like they are always susceptible to the shock away defeat. A long-standing hoodoo with Aston Villa still lingers on, while even when on form, a lively Palace or Stoke side can easily give them a run for their money.
And with *that* precious home record in the league vanishing in hilarious fashion back in April, maybe the fortress that was once Stamford Bridge could become a thing of the past.
For me, it's Jose's Blues that are most in-shape for the big kick-off next week. With winners on the pitch and in the dugout, they pose the biggest threat to Arsenal and the rest of the title chasers. But we know how it is, there will be twists and turns we haven't even dreamt of that will unfold from here on in. And who knows, maybe someone will come out of the wilderness and surprise us. After all, this the Premier League.
Come On You Reds!
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