Part 3: English Premier League Season Preview and Predictions
The world of football did not take a break after the World Cup. At least that is how it seems ever since Andres Iniesta netted the match winning goal that saw Spain lift the World Cup trophy for the very first time. Maybe the shocking impact of this moment of Spain’s first triumph stuck with football fans the world over, bringing about a sense of continuation. However, with the English Premier League season kicking off this past weekend all that happened with the World Cup is old news.
The opening matches of the Premier League saw teams such as the cash spending Manchester City and Tottenham (who are currently participating in their first ever Champions league) go on to draw their opening game. Teams like Arsenal and Liverpool also managed to draw with each other over the course of the same weekend.
However it is still unclear as to how teams like Blackpool, West Brom and Newcastle, along with the more popular teams of the English league will perform over the course of the next nine months. Here is a look at what experts believe might happen.
Chelsea
Chelsea is the current reigning champions of England. They are arguably one of the best teams in the world of football at the moment. In the last three home games that Chelsea has played at Stamford Bridge they have scored twenty one goals and conceded none. That shows just how powerful Chelsea have become. Most people still carry the argument that Chelsea are only as good as they are due to Roman Abramovich and his hard cash.
However looking at Manchester City, those arguments can no longer be held valid as they possess the same level of funding. The only difference being that they haven’t managed to be even half as successful as the Blues.
Chelsea have had several changes to their squad. The most notable one being the addition of Yossi Benayoun and the exclusion of Joe Cole. Most people claimed that this was the biggest mistake that Ancelotti made, however looking at how Joe Cole has been performing for Liverpool, those people haven’t had much to say off late. Cole managed to get a red card on his debut for Liverpool, while Benayoun was part of the Chelsea team that won 6-0 on the opening day of the season on August 14. However, Cole had no significant contribution to the game and barely had two touches on the ball during his time on the pitch.
The two main players for Chelsea this coming season will be their goal scoring hit man Didier Drogba. The striker has already scored a hat-trick on the opening day of the season and if he manages to carry on the same form for the rest of the season, he will definitely be the golden boot winner for the second season running. The other player who will play a vital role in Chelsea’s title defense is none other than Frank Lampard.
Super Frankie Lampard as he is called around the stands of Stamford Bridge will have to pull another one of his brilliant seasons, that have turned out to be a signature for the player. Lampard has not had one bad season since joining Chelsea and has never suffered any major injuries that would see him sit out for most of the season. Most people wonder why he isn’t the current captain of England, considering how spectacular he has been over the years. However, if he pulls another one of his signature seasons coupled with Drogba craziness in front of the goal, Chelsea would more than certainly retain their crown of being crowned as English Champions.
Chelsea haven’t made any significant squad changes other than getting rid of Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti, Miroslav Stoch, Deco, Harry Kalas, Bertrand and Sinclair. They have brought in Benayoun, Matej Delac and Ramires.
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