So here goes the prediction for Premier League 2011. No screamers here. Big caveat for the transfer market but for the moment I think very little will change except City will overtake Chelsea as the main challenger to United.
1. Manchester United. Still looking strongest. But also here a question mark on central midfield. Often outnumbered, do they have the players to cover up? And will De Gea do the job?
2. Manchester City. Looking more and more complete. This goes whether or not Tevez stays. Only question mark really is who to play next to de Jong on the central midfield. Not a great fan of Barry.
3. Chelsea. A few question marks, one being the right back where Ivanovic does not really press forward like he should. And Chelsea cannot expect Essien to do anything this year. And the biggest one: Torres. But there is quality in this team. And Villas-Boas is just destined to follow Mourinho's path. Will be interesting to follow.
4. Arsenal. Well, it's kind of relevant whether or not the two best players will stick around or not and if they will be replaced. Selling Fabregas and Nasri would of course bring a bit of money but it would take time before anyone could fill their shoes although Gervinho is an interesting alternative to Nasri. But this is not the downfall of Arsenal. But it may be a low before the team takes off again. So important to hold on to top 4. And a title, even the League Cup, would be most welcome for Wenger.
5. Tottenham. With Modric. Not without him.
6. Liverpool. I'm not excited about what King Kenny has done over summer but I like the idea of Kuyt, Suarez and Carroll. Liverpool will certainly be better than last autumn, and comparable to their spring season.
7. Everton. Moyes get to work with the same squad as last year. Question marks on the goal scoring abilities and of course Cahill is crucial but often injured. But absent injuries, Everton will be at least as strong as last year.
8. Stoke. Going strong. Count on Woodgate getting injured very soon so a very uninfluential transfer season.
9. Sunderland. Aggressive transfer season. Could go even better but may need some time to get the act together.
10. Fulham. It's soon time for Fulham to bring younger players in. I think this is the last season that the current squad can deliver. And I like Jol.
11. Bolton. If the rather old pair up front can stay fit, the positive atmosphere created by one of the best coaches in Premier League will keep them safe this year.
12. Aston Villa. Now this is a team in the midst of its downfall. Given is a good replacement for Friedel, but he is not as good as Friedel. Same thing with N'Zogbia over Young. And Reo-Coker has not been replaced at all. A thinner squad very sensitive to injuries and a very much question coached. My prediction is actually pretty optimistic.
13. West Brom. This is a job Hogson knows how to do.
14. Newcastle. Unfortunaltely not looking any stronger this year. Nolan will be greatly missed and Carrol was never replaced. Who will score the goals?
15. Norwich. Have very little knowledge here but seem to have prepared themselves well in order to stay up.
16. Wolverhampton. Logically they stayed up long enough now. But good enough to stay just out of the relegation zone.
17. Queens Park Rangers. Unexpectedly quiet on the market despite financial power. Clever or cheap?
18. Blackburn. Pretty much the same squad as last year. And that was really just about enough. Is this it?
19. Wigan. I always underestimate them but with an even weaker team this year this can't work. Or can it?
20. Swansea. After Tottenham the team I will support the most this season.. But I don't really believe in it.
For what its worth, here's my prediction of the Premier League 2011.
ReplyDelete1. Manchester City - Money do matter. City already have an outstanding attacking force in Kun, Silva, Balotelli and Dzeko. If they sign Nasri, I firmly belive that, at least on paper, they are the most potent attacking force in the world after Real Madrid and Barcelona. And that is not counting Tevez.. The defensive midfielders aren't that bad either, provided they play de Jong and Touré.
2. Manchester Utd - United won last year not because they were particulary good but because their competitors were even worse. This year will bring more of the same. De Gea will come good, but he is, as last year in La Liga, weak on shots from distance.
3. Chelsea - Chelsea has yet to rejuvenate the team. Lampard, Cole, Terry, Drogba, Anelka. All very good players but past their prime Yes, Torres looked the part against Stoke, but he has a lot of work to do if he are to triumph with Chelsea outside the F.A. Cup or that other cup.
4. Arsenal - People tend to forget that Arsenal has gone "downhill" ever since the last remains of Grahams defensive Arsenal checked out in the middle of the last decade. Wenger is a not a great coach defensively. Even without Nasri and Fabregas, the team is still good enough to challenge for the top spots, but this year, perhaps more than ever, some good results will be very important. A bad start and they may end up further down in the table.
5. Liverpool - Liverpool is a better team without Gerrard. Play him and Liverpool will be closer to mid table mediocrity. Survive without him and be a stronger contender. Suarez was a great signing, Carroll has yet to prove his worth. Difficult to predict.
6. Tottenham - Who will score the goals?
7. Sunderland
8. Everton
9. Fulham
10. Stoke
11. Bolton
12. Aston Villa
13. Newcastle
14. Norwich
15. Wolverhampton
16 Wigan
17. West Brom
18. Swansea
19. Blackburn
20. QPR