PREMIER LEAGUE
After the last year shock, one of the biggest of
Football history, the big teams are now aware that they cannot be complacent at
any point of the most entertaining league of the world. At Manchester we will
revive the El Classico fights between Mourinho and Guardiola, Liverpool expect
Klopp to bring back rock’n’roll to town, while in London Conte came to awake
Chelsea, like he did with Juventus, Pochettino is looking to confirm last
season wasn’t a fluke and Wenger faces another tough season. While all this is
happening Ranieri is laughing, knowing is even harder to retain, but looking to
be threat at least. But as long as they avoid any troubles, Leicester will be
the team that can play freely, without any pressure.
MANCHESTER CITY
Pellegrini was a great addition to the Etthiad,
bringing stability and a plan, but he lacked the punch to go for the European
glory the owners so much want. But even Guardiola regards the Chilean as one of
his mentors, and surely they will be side-by-side off-camera, looking to bring
success to a different side of Manchester. Pep will be back at the Camp Nou, in
another tough draw for the Citizens
in the UCL, but winning the league is also a goal, and a challenge that started
well for Guardiola.
CHELSEA
One of the big reasons for the season that passed,
happened, was the fact that Chelsea was out of contention so early. That put an
enormous pressure on other teams that knew they were in touching distance of
getting the title back. For the Blues was
a year to forget, and they brought the ideal person to do that. Conte won’t
follow anyone but himself and he will bring life to a Chelsea squad that seemed
fainted last year. The start of the season showed the fight is still there.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Mourinho
arrived at Old Trafford, and some people would state he has done 3 years too
late, as it was predicted – if not expected that he would replace Sir Alex when
the legend decided to retire. He’s there now, and he brought Zlatan with him,
while also recruiting Pogba back to what the French man called his home. 3
years without any titles is something United fans are not used to, but now they
have the man to lead them, while Zlatan looks better than ever, reunited with
his favorite manager. And, surely, Ibra will want to hurt Guardiola, whilst
winning in true Ibracadabra style.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Oficially
Tottenham finished 3rd, but it was Pochettino’s men that actually
put the fight up to Leicester, coming crashing down when they lost all hope. On
the bright side, Tottenham were an exciting team that lacked a little composure
in key moments, as will happen when your star players are still fairly young,
in the likes of Kane, Alli or Dier. After a disappointing ending, Pochettino
wants to try again, now knowing that he won’t have a chance like he had. But
Spurs, in a good day, can be anyone, they just need to keep having good days.
ARSENAL
Wenger has
been under fire for the last years, getting key FA Cup wins in the right
moments to retain his job, at least in the Gunners eyes. Of course, Wenger’s
influence is all through Arsenal’s football, not merely the 1st
team, but is understandable that their fans might want something different, as
the French has been their only manager this century! From Arsenal we can expect
a title run that, likely, will fall short.
LEICESTER CITY
It might come
back and bite us in behind, but it’s very hard to see Leicester retaining their
title. Rainieri will know that what happened last season is not possible if
teams are paying attention to you from day one, something that did not happen
last season, until the 0-3 at the Etthiad. That was the point that turned
people’s heads and showed Leicester were title contenders. This season will be
more of an hangover, but their system and with Vardy, Mahrez and new signings
Musa and Slimani, Leicester might try to get into contention once more.
LIVERPOOL
The start of
the season was very…Liverpollian,
with three away games – which is, in itself, odd – and they gave us two great
matches and one appalling display, losing with Burnely after winning 3-4 at the
Emirates. Klopp needs to fix the consistency of his players, if he aims to put
Liverpool back in the map, because his team already showed their capability
against the big teams. They just need to do it all the time.
The League
Guardiola and Mourinho are getting ready to have an
epic war for the title, with one of the battles happening tomorrow, and with
Antonio Conte and Chelsea looking to take advantage. Hull City are a surprise
so far, but this league is still only starting to unfold, but one thing seems
certain. The Manchester teams are the strongest and the more ready at this
point, with Conte’s squad fighting through adversity to win games. The
excitement has only just begun…
