The English top flight returns on Saturday after a two months break. It seems like the time just flew by as the last game of the domestic season in England was the FA final between Arsenal and Aston
Villa in a sun bath Wembley in May. But the season begins again in earnest after a short break. A preview of the new season from the angle of the top five clubs in the Premier League.
CHELSEA
This time last season many tipped Chelsea to win the Premier League title because of the business they conducted in the transfer market. A piece of business that involved the capture of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa. Both players eventually played key roles as Chelsea rode to the title almost unchallenged on the strength of their strong start to the campaign. Although this summer, they have done little business in the transfer market, they still stand as overwhelming favourite to retain their title. The core of the side still remains, although it remains to be seen whether John Terry can retain is imperious form from last season which saw him play in Chelsea's 38 league matches. Jose Mourinho is still expected to bring in some signings before the transfer window shuts. The Stamford Bridge outfit had a missed pre-season campaign which saw them lost their last two matches to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday and to Fiorentina on Wednesday. The departure of Petr Cech to Arsenal would reveal whether Courtois can maintain his impeccable standard without pressure with the Czech international no longer at the club.
The most important thing would be for Chelsea to keep Diego Costa fit as the 26 year old continues to struggle with recurring hamstring injuries. Its is doubtful whether Loic Remy or Radamel Falcao can offer what the Spaniard does. Yet, Jose Mourinho's side remain overwhelming favourite as they kick off their campaign against Swansea on Saturday.
MANCHESTER CITY
The citizens put up a limp title defence last season, the second time they have done so in four seasons. The future of Manuel Pellegrini was in doubt with just a year left on his current deal, but with a contract extension signed until 2017 on Friday, it quells any rumours of Pep Guardiola coming in next season at least for now. The Etihad outfit had a pre-season frost with defensive frailties, a situation that was the reason they struggled last season as Vincent Kompany was a shadow of his best form. They have cut lose certain attacking players with Stefan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko leaving for pastures new in Italy. Although, Raheem Sterling and Fabian Delph were brought in to refreshen the squad. They are still expected to reinforce their attack with Sergio Aguero the only key striker left. Manchester City finished last season strongly with five wins in a row,
whether they can translate that to this season remains to be seen. West Brom are the opponents on Monday. And the two times they started their league campaign on a Monday they won the Premier League title.
ARSENAL
Arsenal have been installed as the team with the closest chance to challenge Chelsea for the title this season. Arsene Wenger's side finished last season strongly winning a second FA Cup in a row, they defeated Chelsea last week in Community Shield in a back to the walls performance. Yet despite the addition of Petr Cech which is a huge upgrade on the goalkeeping department at the club, there is still that niggling doubt whether the current expectation of a sustained title challenge can be translated into reality. They would expecting to avoid the pitfalls of last season where won just two of their opening eight matches, and ended up being out of
reckoning for the title in October. With West Ham the visitors on Saturday, a fast start is imperative if a title challenge will materialise. Wenger has opted for squad stability over signings, it remains to be seen how far squad solidarity can go this season with a renewed expectation around the Emirates.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Louis van Gaal starts his second season as manager at Old Trafford with the expectation this time that there should be a title tilt. The Red Devils have brought in exciting players in Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Memphis Depay. The departures of Robin van Persie and Angel di Maria seem to have put a damper on the business conducted so far. Although armed with £45million from the Di Maria sale, a
dip into the transfer market is inevitable especially defensive reinforcement. The Dutchman confirmed that David de Gea will sit out the opening match against Tottenham Hotspur. The Spaniard not being in the right frame of mind to play after continuous transfer speculation linking him to Real Madrid. With a Champions League play-off to negotiate against Club Brugge latter this month, Manchester United would be keen to build on last season where they finally returned to the summit of European football after a year's absence.
LIVERPOOL
Brendan Rodgers starts his fourth season as Liverpool's manager with a new pressure. This time the pressure is to finally deliver. The club has done huge business in the transfer market by bringing in players
that are of a different quality to the players that were signed in previous seasons. Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, Nathanel Cylne and James Milner should be key players for the Merseyside outfit in the new season. It remains to be seen whether the Anfield outfit can build on the signings they have made by starting the season on a good footing. the departure of Steven Gerard changes the dynamics at Anfield as their talisman carried them for so long during his time. While Raheem Sterling's move to Manchester City should add some spice to the ties between both clubs.
A lot would depend on how Brendan Rodgers' signing fare this time around, as the signings from last season did not inspire much confidence.
They return to the Britannia Stadium to play Stoke in their opening match, the scene of their 6-1 defeat on the final day of last season.
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