Southampton’s summer signing Gaston Ramirez has admitted that he would be open to a move back to Italy in the future and that Fiorentina would be his preferred club, as reported by Sky Sports.
The Saints paid Bologna a club record £11.8million for the Uruguayan this summer and the talented midfielder is starting to come good at St Mary’s. However, with Southampton clearly facing a relegation battle this season, Ramirez is clearly already thinking about his long term future.
“In Bologna I was fine, but now I think about Southampton,” Ramirez told Tuttomercatoweb.
“Coming back to Italy? In England I discovered a fantastic football.
“But in life never say never, in Italy, as well as in England, there are many important teams.
“Me to Fiorentina? It would be nice, they are playing very well and I like coach (Vincenzo) Montella.
“In every game the team are having fun, they have great quality. Why not? I’d come back in Italy, I like it and I was fine there.”
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Peter Crouch was quoted in the papers morning that with no front teeth and a brace in place that it was a good job he was married as he looks a bit of a mess at the minute. It was also he who famously gave the answer “a virgin” – when asked the question ‘What would you be if you weren’t a football?’
The Stoke City striker is married to arguably one of the most beautiful woman in the country, who unlike many other WAGs has a successful career in her own right and breaks the mould that they are simply money grabbers happy to bleed their partner dry. Indeed Rafa van der Vaart said that his Mrs was actually more famous than him, while it is hard to dispute that Helen Flanagan has been getting more air-time at this moment than her Manchester City boyfriend Scott Sinclair.
WAGS come in all shapes and sizes and the Premier League’s player lounges has see some absolute beauties mingle through them over the years. The following list is a collection of the best England’s top division has witnessed over the years.
Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is adamant that star striker Christian Benteke will not be sold in January.
Excellent recent form has put Europe’s major clubs on alert as the deadly striker is single handily keeping Villa above the relegation zone.
The Belgian international moved to Villa Park for £8million from Genk in the summer and took a few weeks to settle into Premier League life. However a stunning individual display at Anfield last week along with another six goals in 16 appearances have made him a fans favourite with the claret and blue faithful.
Benteke’s fellow Villa striker Darren Bent has been on the fringes of Lambert’s recent Villa squads and it is widely expected that he will move on in January, leaving Benteke to lead the line.
Lambert has reiterated that he needs to keep his key players in order to progress up the table and achieve his long term goals.
“There’s no point in us even being here if it’s a case of bringing people in and then letting them go,” Lambert told talkSPORT.
“What’s the point in that?
“We’re trying to build something here which can take a few years and you need good players with you to achieve that.
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“There’s no point in them coming for half a season or a year and then we let them go.
It’s hardly as if Benoit Assou-Ekotto is particularly easy to miss at the best of times at Tottenham Hotspur. But if there was ever any danger of the 28-year-old’s recent return to the team going unnoticed, then his typically blunt comments upon regaining full-fitness suggested that he’s certainly not lost any of his bite.
Ever the master of subtlety, the former Lens man certainly wasn’t mucking around when it was put to him whether fellow full-back Kyle Naughton offered much in the way of competition for the left-back berth.
“He’s not a real left-back,” mused Assou-Ekotto following the 1-1 draw with Manchester United last month.
“I don’t think he has the same left foot as me, so I’m not worried about that [being kept out the team].”
“I’m not worried because obviously I can do stuff with my left foot that he can’t do.”
To the neutral, such observations may well seem like the comments of a potentially volatile dressing-room ego, but for those who have followed his journey in North London, it’s simply par for the course.
Similarly to his now infamous comments about football not being his passion, Assou-Ekotto’s recent quips are more brutal honesty than callous disregard. After all, as a right-footed fullback playing on the left side out of necessity as much as anything else, of course Naughton can’t produce the sort of magic on his left as the cultured Assou-Ekotto can.
He’s certainly not pulling any punches, but following his near on four-month absence with a knee injury, it appears Assou-Ekotto means business upon his return to Andre Villas-Boas’ side. Although while statements of intent and no-nonsense attitudes are all very well, he needs to back it up with the performances, to boot.
And although supporters can’t realistically expect instant results after such a long spell of time on the sidelines, the former-Lens man is going to have to hit the ground running sooner, rather than later.
Spurs’ 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Leeds United last Sunday didn’t represent a realistic barometer for the side’s collective defensive efforts this term, but it certainly gave Villas-Boas some real food for thought.
Given Steven Caulker’s age and Jan Vertonghen’s status as a debutant in this league, it’s perhaps understandable that the pair aren’t looking like quite the defenders they were earlier on within the term. Yet while supporters can perhaps afford their central defensive unit a spot of patience, the same might not be able to be said for the club’s fullbacks.
The lack of depth at both right-back and left-back berths has been something of an Achilles heel for the club so far this season and although their lack of depth has been affected by circumstance as much as self-infliction, it’s something which must be addressed soon. Assou-Ekotto’s return could well be the remedy that helps them shuffle the pack for the better.
Alongside Younes Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto’s injury after three league games this season was the loss that sent the house of cards tumbling down. With no real, out-and-out left-back available to the club following the ex-Lens man’s injury, Villas-Boas was forced to push his central defensive rock in Jan Vertonghen out to left-back. As well as weakening the side through the middle, it also weakened the side out wide.
Yet the long-heralded solution of wheeling out Kyle Naughton at left-back has perhaps left the side with more questions than answers. Vertonghen may be no natural left-back, but it’s been difficult to see at times whether Naughton has really been anything nearing a step-up. Considering the ex-Sheffield United product is a right-back by nature, supporters have been keen to give him the benefit of the doubt.
But in returning to the side, Assou-Ekotto could potentially offer a short-term solution to the right side of defensive affairs, too. Kyle Walker’s troubles this season have been well documented, but for all his struggles to replicate his stunning form of last-season, there’s been little in the way of a ‘Plan B’ for Villas-Boas to utilize.
With Naughton now free to move back over into his natural position, now could be the time to take Walker out of the side. Whether Naughton has what it takes to pose a realistic threat to Walker in the long-term, only time will tell.
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Although if Spurs are going to continue their push for Champions League qualification, they’ve got to start shoring things up at full-back and that has to start with a return to form for Benoit Assou-Ekotto. From what we’ve seen so far since his return, the Cameroon international is understandably a little rusty and after four months out, supporters would be naïve to expect an instantaneous return to form.
Yet while craving more than simply a return to full fitness might seem like it’s asking a lot from the man known as ‘Disco Benny,’ now’s the time for Spurs’ eccentric left-back to really stand up and be counted. Before he picked up his injury, Assou-Ekotto’s performances hardly set the world on fire and despite enjoying a generally good term last season, his form gradually seemed to erode away as the weeks went on.
Supporters need to see a fully fit Assou-Ekotto, but also a focused, mature and error-free left-back return to the side. He can’t shed the flair and the ball-playing nous, but with the club crying out for stability and experience in their back four, they can’t be treated to much more of the bizarre decision making, the cheap loss of possession and the other self-indulgent elements that adorn his game.
Tottenham Hotspur need Benoit Assou-Ekotto firing on all cylinders during the second half of the season. And perhaps to a lesser extent, for the sake of his White Hart Lane career, the player requires the same thing, too.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson will make an ambitious attempt to bring Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford in the summer, according to the Daily Star.
Ronaldo scored against the Red Devils in the first leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League last 16 tie in the Spanish capital last week but did not celebrate.
The Portuguese star still has a soft spot for Ferguson and Manchester United so a return to the Premier League would certainly appeal to the forward who is reportedly unhappy in Madrid as the club are hugely underperforming this season.
Jose Mourinho looks like he may quit Real this summer, leaving Ronaldo with another reason to return to England where he become one of the best players in the world.
It is thought that United will offer £55million for Ronaldo at the end of the season and the Premier League leaders will look to offload the likes of Nani and Antonio Valencia to make way his return.
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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out the possible sale of forward Javier Hernandez in the summer.
Hernandez has struggled to break into the United first team with Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney the understandable favourites at Old Trafford but even Danny Welbeck and Shinji Kagawa have jump ahead of him in the pecking order.
The Mexican striker has already notched 16 goals this season despite not being involved in the majority of games.
Even if the 24 year old became disillusioned at Old Trafford, Ferguson has ruled out the possibility of the striker leaving the club claiming that it is extremely difficult to leave him out each week.
“I’ve said to him it’s not easy to keep leaving him out because a 16-goal tally in the number of games he’s started is a brilliant record,” Ferguson told the Telegraph.
“And he’ll always have that because he’s fantastic in the box.
“But it’s difficult when you’re up against a player of Robin van Persie’s form, then you’ve got Welbeck, Rooney, (Shinji) Kagawa – that’s the benefit of having a strong squad.
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“It’s given us an advantage. We are working with 26 first-team players – probably the biggest in the league.”
West Ham midfielder Gary O’Neil claims the side need just one more win to ensure they are playing in the Premier League next season.
The Hammers are on the road again on Saturday when they travel to Southampton, who are also looking for a win to take them past the magic 40-point barrier, but recent away form has taken an upturn and the midfielder is looking to pick up a win at St Mary’s.
The midfielder says he is expecting a hostile reception due to his association with Portsmouth, where he started his career, but he’s looking forward to the clash.
“I think we’re looking for one more win,” O’Neil told the official website.
“Hopefully it can come this week but Southampton are in great form and they have had some fantastic results at home – I think they have beaten Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool at home recently.
“It’ll be a tough game because they’ve got some good players. We’ll go there and hopefully we’ll have a couple more players fit and the gaffer will have stronger squad to pick from.
“I’m looking forward to it, even though I’ll get a bit of stick coming from Portsmouth. It’s another chance to go and get three points.
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“Our away form has picked up with a win at Stoke and draw at Anfield after five straight defeats on the road. Hopefully our improved form can continue.”
He is yet to return to England and there are already headlines involving Jose Mourinho. It wasn’t to be too much of a surprise to uncover the details of the latest story, with Arsene Wenger and the Portuguese manager’s spikey history still fairly prominent in the mind. But it was an unnecessary call for Wenger to bring up the situation well before the time was right. Even more so, you worry to a degree about Arsenal’s summer activity, with the story likely setting up a few months of excuses and disappointments.
In fairness to Wenger, he was probably asked about the possibility of Mourinho returning, rather than opting to explore the subject himself. I have no issue with him stating what many view as the obvious: that Chelsea will spend heavily once again this summer. It’s nothing new really, and anyone could have suggested it.
Yet it’s the manner, tone and use of specific words that are likely to irritate Arsenal fans. Wenger says he’s “afraid of what Chelsea can do in the summer,” almost giving up the fight well before it’s begun. With so much still to play for in the remaining games of Arsenal’s season, as well as the enormous and unmistakable importance of this summer for the club, it is vital that Wenger concentrate fully on his own house, ensuring that Arsenal are not made to look much smaller and weaker than they actually are.
It’s the words you’d expect from a club much further away in terms of size, importance and resources to that of Chelsea. Arsenal, should they choose to use their own resources to its maximum, have nothing to fear from what goes on in west London. I’ve heard Wenger talk up the Premier League on numerous occasions, going along with the well-known chorus of it being the leading football league in the world. Well this is what you’re likely to face, and this is exactly what Arsenal fans especially have seen for the best part of the last decade.
Mourinho is not the insurmountable challenge he once was. Borussia Dortmund is currently the best example of that, with Jurgen Klopp arguably beating Mourinho at his own game. Dortmund did not speak of their fear in Bayern Munich when the Bavarians spent heavily on Javi Martinez, Dante, Mario Mandzukic, and Xherdan Shaqiri last summer. Klopp understands how good and how strong his own club is, and there is every likelihood Dortmund could prevail in an all-German Champions League final. Despite the shock of the Mario Goetze story, it’s about keeping your status and focus intact.
Are Wenger’s words an admission that perhaps Arsenal will not be so free in their spending this summer? Many, many smart clubs and manager could stretch £70 million a long way, putting together a team good enough to take on the very best in Europe. Dortmund’s team of Wednesday night was put together for just over £30 million. It will be about Wenger rediscovering that element that made him such a genius in the transfer market. Very good players are scattered around Europe, all of whom can take Arsenal to the next level. But we need to see a little more action and progressive thinking from the club in the transfer market. Honestly, why should Arsenal fill themselves with worry over who Mourinho could buy? Luka Modric cost upward of £30 million and has yet to transform this Real Madrid side into something of equal or better quality to their team of last year. At the same time, Santi Cazorla was brought in for half of that fee and has gone a long way to replacing the void left by Cesc Fabregas.
There’s a level of frustration in the manner that Arsenal conduct their transfer business, and you sense small hints of what may come this summer in a few of Wenger’s words. What we’ve come to know from Arsenal is that they will not enter into bidding wars with other clubs. They will also not shake too far from their own valuation of a player. For a club of Arsenal’s stature, that is the defeatist mentality that keeps the team cruising along at a predictable and unimaginative pace.
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The winning mentality comes from the top, and despite what Wenger said, I don’t believe he has anything to fear in terms of what Chelsea can do in the summer market. Arsenal are a club with plenty in the way of attracting top players, and with the right attitude this summer, it really shouldn’t matter what goes on at other clubs.
When Joe Hart arrived back to Manchester City after a successful loan spell with Birmingham City in 2010, one question faced boss Roberto Mancini.
To play the exciting young prospect, talked up by many as the England Number One for decades to come, or to field the experienced and well-respected Shay Given. An ever-present and ever-impressing Premier League goalkeeper, it would’ve been hard to say no to Given.
But that’s exactly what Mancini did. Since then, three years later, Hart finds himself a weekly fixture in the Man City eleven, and an established England international, with tournament experience to his name. The risk of opting for youth worked for Mancini, and it led to wide praise.
A similar headache faces Billy Davies at Nottingham Forest following the signing of the experienced Dorus De Vries to rival academy product Karl Darlow. A position that many felt didn’t need strengthening, but a move the manager has now made.
As he lined up at Pride Park against bitter rivals Derby County, it didn’t take long for Darlow to become a fans favourite. Furthermore, it didn’t take Jamie Ward long to court the opportunity and attempt to intimidate the youth keeper, shoving him into the post with Darlow in mid-air. Darlow calmly approached Ward, like a teacher to a pupil, placing his glove on his cheek as a form of belittlement and gave the Derby wind-up merchant a firm talking to, establishing control.
This incident was a clincher for a lot of Forest fans. Not only did he look sure of his ability, but he looked certain of himself. In his second league start for The Reds, in a local derby full of jitters and anxiety, Darlow was a breath of fresh air. Confidence and belief, with a walk that almost mirrored that of former Forest keeper Lee Camp, in his better days.
After the Derby game, Darlow continued to play brilliantly. Key saves at key times against the likes of Burnley, Leicester and a tense end at Sheffield Wednesday. All he had to do was breathe, and chants of ‘Darlow, Darlow’ could be heard circling around the City Ground.
A Forest youth product with much promise, a rare sight for supporters at the City Ground over recent years and something that is relished. The threat in De Vries then, isn’t welcomed by many.
Promotion with Swansea looks great on the C.V of De Vries. A double-relegation with Wolves though, doesn’t look so encouraging. Wanted by Brendan Rodgers a year ago at Liverpool, De Vries can be labelled a bargain after signing him on a free. But with the impact Darlow made, it would be harsh for De Vries to be made automatic Number One.
The mentality of Darlow will be put to the test in the coming months, as he observes the seething Billy Davies look in training. The confidence that can often cross the boundary to a slight arrogance needs to be converted to true desire and grit as he battles for his spot. Having been quoted as saying he one day hopes to play for Man Utd, he’s shown his biggest expectant is himself.
The approach of Billy Davies to young players has been questioned through the years, and his decision for the goalkeeping jersey will be one in the spotlight this summer. For Darlow’s critics, they point to his lack of experience in the league. But how do you get experience, if whenever the opportunity arises, you’re being dropped for someone in their thirties?
How is Darlow supposed to develop if he’s constantly chucked out to the League One scrap yard to play in front of 5,000 fans, when he’s already proven himself on the big stage, in front of the biggest crowd in a Championship game last season. With two relegations in two seasons to his name, De Vries has got some proving to do himself.
Opting for De Vries may be a ‘safe’ option. But Darlow’s emergence and popularity didn’t arise from a safe option, did it? A decision from McLeish to abolish Lee Camp from the scene was popular, but not something that was an inevitability. The decision not to find a replacement for Camp in January was a risk, and one that paid off.
Darlow is no longer a risk. He’s got a lot to learn, granted. The presence of a recent academy product shouldn’t be underestimated as a major motivator for supporters too, turning up for games in the knowledge they’re watching one of their own can be a huge incentive, especially coupled with his fantastic ability.
A formidable back five will be integral to Forest’s season, in a similar fashion to the core created by Man City and more recently Man Utd, as they took the option of a young keeper and took the positives with the negatives, which led to one big positive; a major trophy.
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A big decision for Billy Davies, and one that will be a major contributor towards hopeful success. Darlow or De Vries? Youth or Experience?
Over the past few seasons, the Premier League title race has been a two team affair, with both Manchester United and Manchester City dominating the summit of the English top flight. But the summer’s managerial turnaround, with City, United and Chelsea all changing their head coaches, has seriously altered the landscape at the top of the table, and next term looks set to be a four horse – well, three and a half (sorry Arsenal fans) – race for the domestic title.
With that in mind, we take a look at the Premier League’s top four, and consider their chances of usurping Manchester United’s position as reigning Champions, in what could be the most exciting, unpredictable and groundbreaking campaign for a long while in England.
Arsenal – the half horse
The Gunners camp has been making a lot of noise about how they plan on taking the Premier League by storm next season, with Theo Walcott eyeing the title, and Arsene Wenger insisting his side are capable of competing domestically with or without new recruits.
But quite frankly, the North London outfit will be dead in the water if they can’t source a new front man ahead of next season; Olivier Giroud’s 11 goal haul last season was a healthy contribution, and the Frenchman could improve after settling well at the Emirates, but overall, Arsenal are too reliant upon goals from midfield, with Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski making the Gunners the only top flight club to have four players reach double figures in the scoring charts last term.
Either way, Arsenal need much greater depth in the strikeforce, with Giroud currently the senior squad’s only established and natural centre-forward, excluding Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner. Arsene Wenger and Ivan Gazidis are doing their best to prize away Luis Suarez from Liverpool, in what would be a ground-breaking transfer for the Emirates outfit, but the Reds are unlikely to move on their £55million valuation for the striker, who netted 23 goals and provided five assists last season in incredibly individual and talismanic displays. Furthermore, the Uruguayan’s determined attitude could change the mild-mannered mentality at the Emirates.
The natural concern however, is that the Arsenal boss will baulk at the price-tag at the last minute, and with few alternatives on the horizon, the Gunners could end up with yet another stop-gap solution rather than the real deal.
But even if Wenger breaks the habit of a life time and finally spends big this summer, as he had previously promised, there are still too many issues at the Emirates for Arsenal to claim their first domestic title since 2004. Ideally, the Frenchman will source a new goalkeeper, a new right-sided central defender and a new defensive midfielder as well this summer, but at the moment three more additions remains unlikely.
When everyone is fit, the Gunners have a strong starting XI that can compete with any other in the top flight, but the lack of depth and flexibility will be Arsenal’s undoing next term. The first team look a different and worse side without the often-absent Jack Wilshere, whilst the outgoing Bacary Sagna, Andrei Arshavin, Francis Coquellin, Gervinho and Chamakh need replacing.
None the less, Wenger is now the longest-serving manager in the top flight, as well as just one of two – along with Jose Mourinho – currently in employment in England that have previously won the Premier League title. The Gunners should reap the benefits of the French gaffer’s experience on David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini, but Wenger’s inability to take three points off the Chelsea boss domestically in the past is a worrying statistic.
Chelsea
Chelsea have emerged as the bookies’ favourite, for two main reasons.
Firstly, Jose Mourinho’s return has seriously altered the landscape at the top of the table, and many expect the Special One to take the Premier League by storm, just as he did in 2004. The Portuguese and the Blues are an ideal fit, and he has an already gifted roster to work with, whilst he is still one of the psychological masters of the beautiful game in the press as well as individually, often getting the maximum out of his players.
He’s well-acquanted with what it takes to claim a Premier League title, with two under his belt already, and in comparison to recent seasons, there will be a huge impetus on the English title in West London after two consecutive years of success on the continent, coming at the expense of domestic form.
Secondly, despite Chelsea finishing up in third place in rather stale fashion last term, the West London outfit do possess a stellar cast. Juan Mata, Oscar, Eden Hazard and David Luiz emerged as real forces in the Premier League over the previous year, and many anticipate they’re finally ready to push for the title, after undergoing a rite of passage last season with an incredibly taxing campaign, on and off the pitch.
Furthermore, despite only making three official signings so far this summer – Marco Van Ginkel, Andre Schurrle and Mark Schwarzer – there is a wealth of depth at Stamford Bridge and a strong contingent of young talent. Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne return after incredibly successful loan spells at West Brom and Bayer Leverkusen respectively, whilst Michael Essien, returning from Real Madrid, in addition to John Terry, will be reinvigorated by Mourinho’s return, and could have a big impact next season. Overall, there’s great contrast and flexibility in the squad, as well as a strong starting line-up.
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But in my opinion, there is one piece of the jigsaw missing at the Stamford Bridge, and rather bizarrely, Manchester United hold the key. Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku have the potential to be a formidable strike-force, but all are unknown quantities for respective reasons. Mourinho has described Chelsea’s transfer policy as ‘Rooney or bust’ this summer, and the England man would finish off a team that is one star short of being title-worthy.
The 27-year-old is about as tried and tested as you get in the Premier League, with 197 goals in 400 career games, never totalling less than 11 league goals per season, and the Blues boss is keen to work with him. A £40million bid is reportedly in the pipeline, which despite the large price-tag could be a real coup for the West Londoners, adding world-class quality, goals and flexibility in the final third, whilst also considerably weakening the top flight’s reigning champions.
Manchester City
Manchester City appear to have a marmite effect on Premier League pundits and fans alike, due to the wholesale changes at Eastlands. But Citizens supporters will be hoping the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini will re-energise Yaya Toure, Vincent Kompany, Sergio Aguero and David Silva after lukewarm campaigns compared to their usual standards, whilst the Premier League runners-up have been by far the most proactive top four club in the transfer market so far this summer, purchasing Fernandinho for £30million, Alvaro Negredo for £20million, Jesus Navas for £15million and Stevan Jovetic for £22million, and according to Pellegrini, there could be further additions before deadline day. All are expected to have a big impact next term, as they add to an already star-studded cast at City, packed with top-draw talent and depth throughout.
But much of Pellegrini’s hopes will depend on Negredo and Navas, both Spain internationals sourced from Sevilla, who contributed 32 goals and ten assists between them last season. Navas will provide City with some much needed width that they’ve lacked in the past, whilst his team-mate will bring a new, more direct dimension in attack. However, it remains to be seen whether or not they can successfully slot into the system at Eastlands, with Pellegrini seemingly just cutting and pasting them onto the right-hand side.
There’s been a lot of change for City and as a result, a lot of unknown quantities, including Pellegrini who came up short during his only other spell at a major club – Real Madrid. Their success next season will depend on how well the manager and his new signings settle and how quickly, but they have the advantage of doing their business early this summer and including their new recruits on the pre-season tour of Asia.
However, the Skyblues could get distracted by the Champions League, after two years of failure in Europe and a greater emphasis on the competition in comparison to United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Similarly, the City owners have spent over £1billion on transfers to get the club to where it is today, and Sheik Mansour could become impatient with Pellegrini if his appointment doesn’t have an immediately positive effect.
A title defence from Manchester United?
Many have written off Manchester United already this year, which, as history would suggest, is often a bad idea. The roster by no means outweighs that of City or Chelsea in terms of talent or star quality, but the Red Devils have a constant winning mentality spawned from the Ferguson ethos, and were ruthlessly efficient against the lesser clubs last term. They’re reining champions for a reason, and they rarely let bread-and-butter three points pass them by.
But the coming campaign will certainly put the Manchester United theory to the test- the idea that the correct structure of the club, from top to bottom, the institutionalisation of accomplishment and slow pace of change providing continuity will assure prolonged success, regardless of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
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David Moyes is receiving a wealth of criticism for his lack of experience, as well as his handling of the Wayne Rooney affair, but there’s little doubt the Scot is Ferguson’s natural and rightful successor, who still possesses a cast of Premier League title winners, and is surrounded by some of the oldest, wisest and established heads in the game today, including his predecessor, who is staying on at Old Trafford in an advisory role.
The club don’t seem to fear losing Wayne Rooney, and many anticipate that Shinji Kagawa will be able to fill the void in the final third. The Red Devils showed a lot of faith to invest £24million in the attacking midfielder last summer, and his inaugural campaign in England showed promise, considering he struggled with the language barrier and niggling injuries last year.
But the Japan international is yet to prove his worth in the Premier League, and on paper at least, United will be short of star quality should Rooney depart for Stamford Bridge. The Premier League champions could find themselves left behind in the transfer market if they don’t find an adequate replacement, with their pursuits of Kevin Strootman, Thiago Alcantara, Mario Gotze, Cesc Fabgregas and Luka Modric all ending in failure this summer.
That being said, United have always favoured the sum of all parts pulling together rather than individual stars, and back-up targets Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines remain patiently in the wings. Both would add stability and improvement to the roster at Old Trafford, and would fit into the system without too many problems, with the added benefit of already working closely with David Moyes. Furthermore, there’s still a month to go before deadline day, and the Scot is bound to make a big-money offer at some point this summer, with the United transfer kitty still untouched.
So who’s going to win the title?
As I mentioned in my opening paragraph, it’s very much a three-and-a-half horse race, with Arsenal likely to improve but still short on quality and depth in comparison to City, United and Chelsea. Between the remaining three however, it’s almost impossible to call. My personal feeling is that City will struggle with too many teething pains, and will want to battle it out on all fronts, whilst the Blues and the Premier League champions are more focused on the domestic title. Similarly, there are too many unknown quantities at Eastlands at this moment in time to faithfully back them, but that could change by Christmas.
Between the two it’s practically a coin toss, although Wayne Rooney’s speculated move to West London will push the odds massively in Chelsea’s favour. That being said, never write-off Manchester United, and although they may be weaker in the top of the table clashes next season upon Rooney’s departure, they are still by far the Premier League’s best in meeting expectations against clubs outside of the big four.
Either way, it will be an enormously refreshing and memorable campaign, that by all accounts, should go down to the wire.