I am going to analyze the teams and I'm going to make verdicts for next season on their rankings from last season <u>1. Man Utd</u> Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo - Had a fabulous 2006/2007 season. One of the best players at the moment. He is their main talisman and could change the outcome of the game at any moment and be the match-winner with his skills and pace. He can also score and assist many goals. And also a threat in set pieces and his aerial ability. Verdict: 1st - Retain the title. They are a team who plays entertaining football and defends quite well. Although this year the title race would go down to the wire from our main challengers Chelsea but the signing of Owen Hargreaves is the positive one since he is the man since Roy Keane that is class and capable of playing in that holding role in midfield. <u>2. Chelsea</u> Key player: Michael Essien - You need this guy in your team week in week out. He is a workhorse and is just crucial for his crunching tackles and running. And can also slot into centre back and right back comfortably which was crucial for Chelseas injury crisis last season Verdict: 2nd - Could push Manu all the way and can might aswell win the title. With Jose going back to his 4-3-3 formation in his 1st 2 seasons that won him back to back titles is a plus. But he departures of Drogba, Essien, Mikel and Kalou for the African Cup of Nations could be a defining moment, but it should be very close. <u>3. Liverpool </u> Key player: Steven Gerrard- Liverpools captain. He is the ultimate midfielder who could attack, defend, pass, shoot and needs to be on top form if Liverpool want to challenge for that 17 yr long awaited Premiership Verdict: 3rd - With Rafa strengthening his squad and concentrating on winning the title for the 1st time in 17 years. But the signings of F.Torres, Babel, Voronin and Benayoun won't be an instant success and by the time they hit their stride it could be all too late. <u>4. Arsenal</u> Key player: Robin van Persie - A player labeled as the next Dennis Berkgamp. Had a wonderful 2006/2007 before injury ruined his season. With this silky skills, shooting ability and intelligence, this could be his year to shine. Verdict: 5th - With the lost of Thierry Henry and Fredrik Ljungberg, Arsenal could struggle without them. Criticized for their over-play in the opposition box and their inexperience in the team. They need to count on all the experience they've got. <u>5. Tottenham </u> Key player: Ledley King - The Spurs have conceded far too many goals last season. And King has a tough job to keep the defence tight. Known for his no-nonsense defending and leadership, hes the right man for the job. Verdict: 4th - With their nice style of football, added quality players like D. Bent, G. Bale, K. Boateng. It is just about time to break into the top four and play Champions League football. And they certainly have the squad to do that. <u>6. Everton</u> Key player: Mikel Arteta - A creative midfielder. The playmaker for Everton, has a good range of passing, is a dead ball specialist and he pulls the strings in the Evertonian midfield. Verdict: 7th - Although they are a consistent top 6 side, they have made a little move in the transfer market with the only 2 buys of Phil Jagielka and Stephen Pienaar. The loss of inspirational midfielder Tim Cahill at the start of the season is a crucial blow. <u>7. Bolton</u> Key player: Nicolas Anelka - A controversial player, but he certainly has all the skills and pace of the quality striker and Bolton would be counting on him to fire up on all cylinders for this otherwise boring Bolton side. But thats if he stays though. Verdict: 14th - They are in danger of struggling this season. With influential manager Sam Alladyce leaving the club. A poor pre-season. Sammy Lee needs to do the job of his life to keep Bolton in their European spot for the last 2 seasons and keeping his players happy. <u>8. Reading</u> Key player: Kevin Doyle - Has a impressive goal-scoring touch and had a impressive 1st season in the top flight. Is a clinical finisher and a threat in the air, he will certainly be the key for Readings attack. Verdict: 13th - Although they had a remarkable 1st season in the top flight. The 2nd season is always the hardest. With only 1 player coming to Reading, they could struggle <u>9. Portsmouth</u> Key player: David James - Was in fine form last season and if he keeps up in this form again this season. He might aswell save Portsmouth some crucial points with some valuable saves. Verdict: 6th - They have tighten up their defense with the signing of Slyvain Distin, and they have also made moves for Nugent, Utaka, Muntari and Doula. They have a very good side. And is a force to be reckoned with and its just abt time they win a European spot. <u>10. Blackburn</u> Key player: David Bentley - Had a wonderful 2006/2007 season with his pace, crosses and skills. Could be key to provide the likes of McCarthy, Derbyshire, J. Roberts and Santa Cruz some great crosses for them. Verdict: 10th - While they have made a high profile signing of Santa Cruz from Bayern Munich, thats the only significant signing they have made, but they still have the squad enough to finish 10th. <u>11. Aston Villa</u> Key Player: Nigel Reo-Coker - Had a disappointing last season but hes young and has time on his side. With bags of energy and a good eye for goal and probably partnering S. Petrov. He has the potential to be the Aston Villa's and England's best player. Verdict: 8th - With influential manager Martin O'Neill managing his 1st full season in charge. He can certainly improve their standings in the table since last season. With players like G.Barry, A. Young, J. Carew, O. Mellberg and the buys of M. Harewood and my key player N. Reo-Coker. They could be the suprise package. <u>12. Middlesbrough </u> Key player: Jonathan Woodgate - Always a class defender. Although he failed at Read Madrid but hes strong in the air and both in the tackle and he has good leadership qualities. If he can be injury-free he is the class player that Boro needs. Verdict: 11th - With the arrivals of Tuncay Sanli, Luke Young, Jeremy Aliadiere, the permanent transfer of J. Woodgate, a good youth system, Huth back from injury its good times for Middlesbrough. But with Viduka gone they need to count on the strike-force of Yakubu, L. Dong Guk, J. Aliadiere and T. Sanli to score and be provided from silky winger S. Downing. <u>13. Newcastle</u> Key Player: Obafemi Martins - While the strike force has Owen, Viduka, Smith, Luque, Ameobi and promising star Andrew Carroll, he is the one who shall lead the attack for Newcastle. Blessed with great pace, power, dribbling ability and was last yrs leading league scorer for Newcastle with 11 goals, they certainly need to look up for him. Verdict: 9th - Although Big Sam has made many moves with the likes of A. Smith T.T, M. Viduka, J. Barton, Geremi, D. Rozehnal and with Owen back, their squad is very impressive but they need time to gel as a team and Newcastle season depends on what football Big Sam plays. But expected to improve.
I would think that Liverpool's key player would be Stevie Gerrard, as captain and their best player he needs to have a stunner season for Liverpool to break the premiership drought. I also think that Chelsea's season will depend on mostly fowards. Michael Essien is brilliant and consistant but if Sheva and SWP, Lampard, and Molouda all find some old form (Lampard was never really out of form but towards the back end he struggled a bit) then Chelsea will be so hard to stop (especially if Drogba repeats last year). Tottenham's key player has got to me Berbatov of King and Arsenal you probaly should have wrote Fabregas and Van Percie. I also think Chelsea will win the title but that is my bias view.
Its pretty biased, but some truth to it..heres my opinion: Manu Key Player: Offensive: Ronaldo, Defensive: Hargreaves or Ferdinand Chelsea: Offensive: Drogba, Defensive: Terry Liverpool: Offensive: Voronin, Defensive: Carragher Arsenal: Offensive: RVP, Defensive: Gallas or Toure Spurs: Offensive: Berbatov, Defensive: King
Well I think Essiens key to Chelsea's title hopes because he sits in the midfield and is a great box-to-box midfielder. I think he has better qualities than Lampard in my personal view. I know Berbatov is great for Spurs last season, but they have conceded so many goals last season so now they're key is to be gd defensively and they have missed King soo badly last season so for me he is key. And I'm only choosing 1 key player so it was very hard for me to pick the key player but all of them are my personal views.
Arsenal will at least get 4th IMO and you say that the loss of Titi and Freddy is big? Henry yes but IMO Freddy wasn't that good towards the end and was being pushed out of the squad by other players e.g. Hleb, Rosicky, Adebayor etc
<div class="quote_poster">Max Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Arsenal will at least get 4th IMO and you say that the loss of Titi and Freddy is big? Henry yes but IMO Freddy wasn't that good towards the end and was being pushed out of the squad by other players e.g. Hleb, Rosicky, Adebayor etc</div> But then again u look at the squad that Tottenham has and it is very impressive. The Spurs certainly have the quality and depth to break into the top 4.
It could be true but who knows with football, maybe it will be the season when Liverpool click and actually win the league, it could be Arsenal again, to everyone's surprise? I'm guessing Part 2 will have the next 10 clubs?
No, actually im putting all the clubs here, i dunno y i put part I for... But u're right twotwofive, football is a strange game and anything could happen. But this verdict is what I expect next season
Cool, can't wait to see the next part. If you don't put Boro into a high spot, expect an angry letter! Only joking lol. Melbourne's leading newspaper, the Herald Sun, has put Liverpool to win the title, Chelsea second, Man Utd third and Tottenham fourth with Arsenal fifth. It just shows how many people think Arsenal will finish outside the top 4 and all the different views on who will win the title.
Well I wouldn't blame them because Liverpool, Chelsea, Manu and many others has strenghtened their squad so its gonna be tight. But Manu third? U gotta be kidding me
