Arsenal
Why The 2013-14 EPL Season Is The Most Awaited One For Years
With three of the top four under new management and a lot of transfer activity expected this summer, we look at why next season is going to be an exciting one.
Top managerial changes, big-money transfers with squads being overhauled and added competition for European football – next season promises to be a lot more competitive compared to how comfortably Manchester United were able to snatch back the Premier League crown last season. A quick look at the latest odds at Betfair’s sportsbook for who will win the league next season will tell us that the bookies are finding it tough to separate United, Chelsea and Man City in particular.
It’s a football watcher’s delight to see how the Premier League has evolved from a ‘top four’ to a ‘top six’ and from a ‘two-horse race’ to a trio of clubs fighting for the crown. We are still two months away from the start of the new season, but the frenzy around England has elevated to such a level that we could expect this season to be the most awaited one in a few years.
Left to right: David Moyes, Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini
Everyone expected a renewed rivalry between Sir Alex Ferguson and ‘The Special One’- Jose Mourinho this season, with the former already locking horns with Manchester City’s Roberto Mancini over the past two seasons. But with the Scot’s retirement, the Italian’s sacking and a fan-approved return of the Portuguese, the world is going to witness a new three-way combat for the title. Not ruling out Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, with the Frenchman only one of the top four team’s manager last year to retain his job.
David Moyes has already been appointed as Ferguson’s successor and with the imminent arrival of Manuel Pellegirini , it’s difficult to bet on who would be walking with the England crown this year. David Moyes will be compelled to deliver at least one trophy in his first season at Old Trafford while Mourinho-led Chelsea are already planning to repeat history of their highly successful 2004-05 season. As report via guardinan.co.uk , Manuel Pellegrini has been demanded to ‘win five trophies in five years’, so the message is crystal clear to these managers – ‘Win or you swim with the fishes’.
Last year the EPL did see a few high profile transfers – Eden Hazard to Chelsea, Robin Van Persie to Manchester United to name a few, but this season could be a whole new different surprise. Manchester City have already dipped into the transfer marker acquiring Jesus Navas from Seville and Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk and the age-old cries for a top-quality midfielder could see a world-class player plying his trade for Manchester United next season. Chelsea are never shy to show their ambition in making big money moves, but this year it is a ‘necessity’ rather than a ‘luxury’ for them to include a world-class striker within their ranks. Arsenal are regulars in the top four but will need more investment to turn the north Londoners into real title-challengers. Michael Laudrup’s ‘attractive’ Swansea and Brendan Rodger’s youthful Liverpool are the one’s to watch for next season having shown some potential last season.
The Premier League has never been short of entertainment and the competition could be fierce this year too. It may be regarded as one of the best leagues in the world now, but is this internal war among the clubs proving a hammer blow for the success of English clubs in the Champions League? Feel free to share your views.
