be kissing the hallowed trophy now but who's lips will be puckering up to the Premier League crown next May? Rio Ferdinand? Steven Gerrard? John Terry?... Richard Dunne?And as ESPN enters the UK's TV market, will their arrival provide Sky Sports with food for thought?
Jonny talks to ESPN's new Premier League presenter, Ray Stubbs
Across the land, hopes are raised for a title tilt, Europa League qualification or a successful fight to avoid the drop, depending on which of the twenty clubs you're behind.
It's a reality of the modern era that every club calibrates its hopes according to revenue forecasts. The Premier League is divided into three, so newly-promoted Burnley aren't about to repeat the achievements of Nottingham Forest's extraordinary Championship victory in their debut season, however adept Owen Coyle appears to be in his top-flight bow.
But Manchester United will attempt something which remains the stuff of fable in 120 years of league football - by retaining the title for a fourth successive year.
They won't!
Just as with Huddersfield, Arsenal, Liverpool and United of the early noughties - they fall beyond the hat-trick hurdle.
Sir Alex Ferguson is no lagger but summer events have subsumed even his pro-active plans. United's great side is disassembling. Cristiano Ronaldo's realised his boyhood dreams and the itinerant Carlos Tevez has packed his work ethic in a bag bound for Manc
hester City. Fergie's not been quick enough to plug those holes in the face of stiff competition.No, the trophy will be housed in a new cabinet from next summer - and look no further than the air-conditioned vaults of Stamford Bridge or Anfield for where you'll find it.
As Ray Stubbs told me in the attached interview, nothing will concentrate Anfield minds more than United drawing level with them at eighteen-all in league titles (and that's a fact!) The most successful English club in history are being caught by the Fergie Fablemaker - and it hurts.
But it's within Rafa Benitez's gift to nose ahead once more. The Reds came close to claiming last season - but were let down by a series of unlikely goalless home draws.
Xabi Alonso's defection to Madrid is a blow but the collective resolve of the remaining squad is too big for that to have a lasting effect.
For all of Alonso's contributions, his effect on the Anfield dressing room was negative. He and Rafa didn't get on. Any form of disquiet is a hindrance to a winning team.
Steven Gerrard's put fight night behind him (Southport or Southpaw?) Fernando Torres promises iconic goals if he stays fit and Jamie Carragher, Yossi Benayoun and Dirk Kuyt are essential cogs in a title-winning outfit.
But for me, it's Chelsea's season.
It's been a good summer for the Blues. FA Cup glory was followed by Carlo Ancelotti's recruitment as coach, then John Terry confirmed he was staying put after a lairy flirtation with Manchester City. His decision is significant for if he'd left, it would have been akin to the ravens leaving the Tower of London. Surely Lampard and Drogba would have followed him out the exit door in doublequick time - now emphatically off the agenda, Chelsea look tooled up.
I've not mentioned Arsenal yet. In fact, no one is in the same breath as potential champions. The truth is their an unknown commodity. A young side on the edge of maturity. The question is, can they step upto the plate and launch a realistic challenge?
Underestimate Arsene Wenger and his troops at your peril. They have a habit of getting the bit between their teeth and going on long unbeaten runs. Trouble is no one knows if Fabregas, van Persie, Arshavin, Wilshere and Walcott have a new maturity or a soft underbelly - one thing is for sure:
Reports of their demise as a top four club are overstated. The Gunners are too strong to be consumed by the marauding chasers of Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City. Pretenders to the Champions League those three will remain. Arsenal will prevail as one of the big four, and who really knows what they're capable of?
It's also a big season on the silver screen. Sky Sports now have meaningful competition as ESPN become new entrants into the UK's Premier League market.
But new kids on the block they certainly aren't: the Disney-backed titan runs over forty channels worldwide and they've invested a million pounds a game in securing 46 live and exclusive games this season. It all starts with Everton v Arsenal on August 15th and I caught up with Ray Stubbs, who after twenty years with the BBC will front their big games.
I never become tired of the Premier League!
Soccermongery's all about your feedback, so write away, right away!
I think there are some serious question marks over the Manchester Utd side this season, particularly with regards to the strength of their midfield. No matter who Sir Alex plays, the loss of Ronaldo will be massive, and Tevez’s departure only adds to the problems. That said, I still think they have the best defence in the Premier League, and I’m expecting big things from Michael Owen and Rooney up front this season.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I disagree with Jonny on is the plight of Arsenal. They will be the best in terms of entertainment value, but that’s about all I’m expecting them to achieve this season. Toure and Adebayor leaving was bad enough, but that’s just the start of their problems. The fact remains Arsenal have gone 4 years without a trophy, and I think they’re about to make it 5.
They might get lucky in one of the cup competitions, but they won’t even come close to winning the Premier League or Champions League.
Wenger needs a decent goalkeeper, and fast. He also needs to do something he’s never done before, and buy established players who will come in and start playing well straight away.
I’m aware of the financial troubles at Arsenal regarding the problems selling the luxury apartments on the Highbury site, but I also understand there are two billionaires on the board.
I’m not expecting Aston Villa or Everton to finish in the top four, but the real unknown commodity for me is Manchester City. Mark Hughes’ reputation as Wales manager was based largely on the win against Italy in the autumn of 2002, but, take it from me, there was a LOT of really poor football played during his tenure. If results don’t come right, I’m expecting him to be an early managerial casualty this season.
This could well be the season when we see a shift in power towards Liverpool and Chelsea, for the reasons Jonny describes. For Liverpool, the signing of Alberto Aquilani from Roma probably makes their midfield the strongest of the lot. Meanwhile, Chelsea have appointed a manager with a magnificent track record, particularly at European level, and the signing of Yuri Zhirkov will add depth to an already strong squad.
On the broadcasting front, there’s no doubt in my mind that ESPN is here to stay. Contacts of mine in the snooker fraternity speak highly of Ray Stubbs as a person, so I wish him every success in his new role.
The one slight sticking point from their point of view is that from the 2010/11 season, they will only have the rights to 23 live Premier League games, and the contracts for all other major football (apart from Setanta’s FA Cup rights) are tied up for the next few years. I’m sure we’ll be seeing them investing in other sports before too long. I’m glad they’ve landed in Britain, because competition is healthy and will keep other broadcasters on their toes.
Talks like a Police Officer!! Don't think so Jonny.
ReplyDeleteI think your assessment of the forthcoming Premiership campaign is spot on. Wouldn't surprise me if there's a two-horse race between Arsenal and Chelsea.
My main concern over the next few months are the managerial capabilities of Messrs Yorath and Southall. They get going at Gander Green Lane tomorrow afternoon.