EPL DISSECTED

WHO STANDS A CHANCE?

The league is still young but a trend is fast forming. We can start to identify the contenders, pretenders and participants.

Manchester City look like they are not going to surrender the title easily. They conceded many goals for a champion last season. They knew the problem and responded to it appropriately. They have signed Fernando and Mangala to make them solid at the back and in the midfield. They never responded to a mosquito’s bite with a hammer. They look like the team to beat.

Chelsea comes in second. They are good from the post right through the attacking midfield. Their only problem is that they lack depth in the striking department. With Diego Costa they have got a gem but apart from him there isn’t any striker of worth.

Drogba is past his best days and is just a substitute who can contribute ten goals at most. He is there to prevent Costa from suffering burn out. Torres seems lost and may leave before the window closes. He should be moved quickly and either Mattia Destro or Loic Remy brought in. I would have preferred Cavani but Financial Fair Play seems an obstacle. With two good strikers and a backup in Drogba,Chelsea would be up there with City.

Arsenal can finally challenge for top three. They have the squad to do it. Their problem is a lack of a proven striker. Let them spend on a 20 plus goals striker and they will take the battle to the wire. Wenger needs to stop being hype man of transfer windows. Let him not promote players for other teams and be decisive.

Liverpool will feel the departure of Suarez hard to replace. He made sure Liverpool were fighting right to the end. Fighting on four fronts will also take a toll on Liverpool as their squad is not that big. They also lack bench power and have no experienced players made for such fights. The squad is very young with experience only coming from Gerard. I do not see them repeating the previous season performance.

Manchester United have a great squad. They have the bench power and experience galore. To make matters easier, they will only be concentrating on the league and FA Cup after being knocked out of Capital One Cup already. They will pose a serious challenge once they hit the ground running.

Manchester City and Chelsea with another striker to support Costa will decide between themselves who takes the title. Arsenal and Manchester United will be pretenders to the throne. Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton will be awarded with certificates of participation.

Let the rumble continue as we look to separate men from boys.