Hello good people and another week chipped off the countdown to Premier League kickoff since we last spoke!
I guess it’s a good time to start chatting about predictions… who’s gonna win it? The “top four” and who’s likely to go down.
Ok, well let’s start right at the top and for me there’s one winner and that’s Manchester City.
They’ve been very quiet so far in the transfer market which still has just under five weeks to run, but as with most clubs you can expect to see some movement in the next couple of weeks.
So far the Citizens have made two signings both from Fluminense, relatively unknown and for relatively small fees. Kayky and Metinho cost City a combined £13m.
But the Harry Kane rumour has picked up steam and despite Tottenham chief Daniel Levy insisting that he’s staying in North London, I’d say there’s a fair chance he’ll move to serve as a replacement for Sergio Aguero, spearheading a more focused attack, something they were missing last season.
Chelsea beat them three times on the trot, but I thought Pep Guardiola rejuvenated the side and they looked more like the City of a couple of years ago. As it stands they definitely have the best squad in the Premier League. So yes, back-to-back champions.
Moving down in order of finish, I’ve got Chelsea as runners-up. It’s plain to see that the Blues need a 20-plus goals No.9 and with that in place have to be considered close to a title challenge.
Of course Erling Haaland is first choice and he’d be a frightening acquisition, but it appears that Dortmund (having already parted with Jadon Sancho) are determined to hold on to him.
Robert Lewandowski seems a likelier target, but £50m for a 32 year-old? Only a super-committed multi-billionaire would consider that…oh, hold on a minute.
Otherwise, if you are to believe the tabloids, there’s two or three world-class players coming to Stamford Bridge, but I’d be very surprised if that happens, it’s a strong squad with little lacking.
And please forget Eden Hazard returning. As far as players on their way out, it’s been busy, with 14 moves so far. But that’s business as usual at Chelsea, cashing in, balancing the books and making room for marquee signings.
In third place I’m going with Liverpool, despite being crowned the ‘Worst Champions of All Time’.
Whatever went wrong (and there’s many theories), Jurgen Klopp really straightened things out towards the end of the season, closing with a great run to guarantee Champions League football.
Just one signing so far, but it appears to be another Klopp driven defensive masterpiece. At just 22, defender Ibrahima Konate looks like a steal for £35m from Leipzig.
So much promise and a great plug in an area the Reds struggled with last season. Given all the speculation, expect a couple more inbound to Anfield.
Completing the top four… Manchester United. I still don’t think Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the man for the job, but they are gradually improving. Unfortunately gradual long-term improvement isn’t what is needed at Old Trafford.
It’s a very decent set of players, but just not performing as a team to its maximum potential and I don’t see that changing.
Sancho at £73m is by far the biggest news so far this window and he’s no doubt a quality player.
But something just tells me, much like the hype behind Timo Werner, that expectations are unrealistic as he crosses from the Bundesliga to a much more intense environment.
Is he enough to spark United? Well, that’s what Bruno Fernandes was meant to do and started well, but just turned into another Fred.
Of course there are a lot more factors that will come into play and a better understanding will be had once transfers have been concluded.
On the betting front, I think City at 4/5 favourites isn’t great value, I don’t think they are that far ahead, while Chelsea at 5/1 could be the one to look at.
For all you die-hard United fans a whopping 9/1 is available… not that I’m encouraging gambling.
At the bottom end, there seems to be belief that newly-promoted Brentford will survive their opening Premier League season? I’m not convinced about that and put them and Norwich as my favourites for the drop alongside Watford or Crystal Palace.
The appointment of Patrick Vieira at Selhurst Park is a strange gamble. He has relatively little high-end managerial experience and it could spell disaster.
I always respected and admired him as a player, one of the best. I hope he keeps them up!
I’d love to hear your thoughts, drop me a mail: [email protected].
Stay safe people, vaccinate, keep your distance, mask-up and wash dem handies…chat next week.