I’ve been debating with a lot of Liverpool fans over the last couple of weeks, regarding their chances of winning the Premier League title.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m the first to look at the signings Jurgen Klopp has made off-season to complement and plug his existing squad and say: “Here’s a really good side with depth.”
But what worries me (for them) is the incredible expectation that could be their undoing.
As has been the case historically, I’m hearing the same old story: “watch us this year, we’re back and you wanna make a bet.”
Haha Scousers seem to think it’s all over.
Might as well just cut to May and start flying red flags out the windows.
But expectation, as I’ve learnt over the years, is a cruel notion and one that often leads to even greater disappointment when things don’t work out positively.
As mentioned, I’m not sure that Manchester City will run away with the title again.
The last time back-to-back titles were achieved was almost a decade ago.
The ability to perform at the same level following the comedown from a previous season’s success has proved to be something unachievable in the recent years of the “modern game”.
On top of this, a World Cup featuring the who’s who of the Premier League is likely (for the opening stages anyway) to have a distorted effect on the standard momentum into the new campaign.
Liverpool under Klopp have shown incredible energy in August and September over the last few seasons and this probably won’t change, with the gaffer demanding bionic performances.
It may even increase given the competition for places following half a dozen signings.
But will the momentum carry into 2019?
I’d be very wary of placing my bollox on the chopping block given the unpredictability of the league in general, plus a number of sides who, on paper, match up man-for-man.
We’re all watching Jose Mourinho appearing to meltdown, but don’t think for a minute it’ll all go down the toilet.
He has a big squad of quality players, as do City and who knows which way Chelsea and Arsenal are going to go under new management.
Did I forget Spurs?
Oh, sorry, yeah, then there’s that lot from White Hart Lane who’ll finish fourth or fifth!
Onto the one-side Community Shield I’m becoming an enemy of Chelsea fans in England who have upped their Arsenal TV-type rhetoric in the face of an easy City win.
The spoilt w***ers can’t accept that Roman Abramovich isn’t spending heavily and Sunday’s loss seems to have endorsed their pathetic cries for a change at the top.
These are the same twats who over the last few years have been moaning about Chelsea’s loan policy and the lack of youngsters breaking into the senior squad.
I mean, what do they want?
And these days it’s not only the post-Russian internet mob, it’s some of the older fans who went through the second division and years of no chance of winning anything.
How dare they suggest “Abramovich Out” banners in the stadium?
Man, it makes me sick.
Chelsea are in a period of transition, we can’t expect miracles overnight.
I like the look of Maurizio Sarri, I’m pleased he’s giving youngsters a chance and I admire his style of football.
Now we can look forward to more attack-minded football and a philosophy that encourages the best out of players that have felt stifled.
There is of course the very real possibility that Chelsea may struggle for a top end finish over the next season or two, but I believe (as he did at Napoli) that great football and success are just around the corner.