My Premier League preview continues, this time including the two Manchester 'giants' and a team looking to bounce back after a couple of poor seasons, forever in the shadow of their former self. As the big day gets closer the transfer speculations get bigger, especially for the club coming up first in this edition of my preview...
Liverpool have had a rather good summers preparation so far. They have offloaded Andy Carroll and managed to get £6million for Jonjo Shelvey. Brendan Rodgers has signed four new players and spent an estimated £23m which includes new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from Sunderland. This allowed Pepe Reina to move to Napoli on a season long long deal, despite reports Barcelona could have been his new home.
Rodgers has put his trust in Kolo Toure; awarding him with a two year deal. The 32 year old will be looking to push into the starting eleven at Anfield after a rather unsuccessful end to his contract with Manchester City. Neither Agger nor Skrtel were really challenged for their place last year so it will be good for them to have that competition within the squad that will keep them on their toes and hopefully push the team to the next level compared to the substantial disappointment as of late.
This club looks to have a huge task on their hands keeping Suarez as he looks likely to leave soon with the rumours getting more convincing as the days go on. They have rejected a couple of bids from Arsenal already which includes that impundent £40,000,001 bid last week. Wenger has said he is prepared to wait, and with Liverpool being stubborn, it may come down to Suarez himself requesting to leave.
I believe Liverpool will lose their main man Suarez and that will give arch rivals Everton the chance to leap frog them.
There will be a lot of expectation from the City fans once again this year as they look to take back the league tittle from the red side of Manchester. City have already spent around £87m and don't look finished there, not surprising considering their £37m spend last season. Fans would still like another centre back and a holding midfielder to offer a bit more stability to allow Yaya Toure to push on.
The best deal yet has to be Jesus Navas for a mere £15m who will provide a very strong attacking midfield along with the likes of Nasri and Silva. Most seem to forget they've already bought in Fernandinho back in early June who just adds further depth to their seemingly busy midfield.
Losing Tevez to Juventus will be a big blow for City, but they've since bolstered striking options with Negredo and Jovetic; and with Dzeko on top form in pre season, it looks like Manchester City are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season. If they can bring in world class defender to partner club captain Vincent Kompany then I can't see many teams beating them.
Prediction: 1st
Both the board and United fans will have to be patient with David Moyes and cannot expect him to deliver in his first season at the club. He was chosen to takeover by Sir Alex himself which he should be very proud of, but he can't take it for granted because the fans can and will easily get on his back, having said that though, some fans have prematurely accepted failure.
Moyes, who has been rumoured to consider raiding his previous club is yet to make his first signing. However, Wilfried Zaha; a Ferguson signing back in January will seem like one having been loaned back to Crystal Palace when the deal was done. He has impressed in their five pre season games in their 2013 Tour of Asia and will be looking to prove himself at the top level when the Red Devils start their campaign with the Community Shield game against Wigan Athletic this Saturday.
Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines are the two rumoured to be wanted by Moyes and he has already had two bids rejected for the latter. If Baines does join up with his former boss, that may leave Patrice Evra out in the cold and seeking a move abroad with Monaco looking the most likely to pounce.
I think it will be a tough first season for United under the new boss and it will take sometime for them to all gel together. The strength of rivals City and the already togetherness of Mourinho's Chelsea will see them slip down the table to unfamiliar ground.
Prediction: 3rd
Newcastle have signed QPR's Loic Remy on loan which is a great deal and they will be hoping to secure him on a permanent basis at the end of the one year loan deal. Bafetimbi Gomis of Lyon as well as Darren Bent were also mentioned over the past few weeks; however Fulham now seem to be front runners to land the former England striker. Manager Alan Pardew insisted they wouldn't rush into things when it comes to bringing in a new forward, saying they will only do a deal if it's right for the club and this one seems perfect.
Rodgers has put his trust in Kolo Toure; awarding him with a two year deal. The 32 year old will be looking to push into the starting eleven at Anfield after a rather unsuccessful end to his contract with Manchester City. Neither Agger nor Skrtel were really challenged for their place last year so it will be good for them to have that competition within the squad that will keep them on their toes and hopefully push the team to the next level compared to the substantial disappointment as of late.
This club looks to have a huge task on their hands keeping Suarez as he looks likely to leave soon with the rumours getting more convincing as the days go on. They have rejected a couple of bids from Arsenal already which includes that impundent £40,000,001 bid last week. Wenger has said he is prepared to wait, and with Liverpool being stubborn, it may come down to Suarez himself requesting to leave.
I believe Liverpool will lose their main man Suarez and that will give arch rivals Everton the chance to leap frog them.
Prediction: 7th
The best deal yet has to be Jesus Navas for a mere £15m who will provide a very strong attacking midfield along with the likes of Nasri and Silva. Most seem to forget they've already bought in Fernandinho back in early June who just adds further depth to their seemingly busy midfield.
Losing Tevez to Juventus will be a big blow for City, but they've since bolstered striking options with Negredo and Jovetic; and with Dzeko on top form in pre season, it looks like Manchester City are going to be a force to be reckoned with this season. If they can bring in world class defender to partner club captain Vincent Kompany then I can't see many teams beating them.
Prediction: 1st
Moyes, who has been rumoured to consider raiding his previous club is yet to make his first signing. However, Wilfried Zaha; a Ferguson signing back in January will seem like one having been loaned back to Crystal Palace when the deal was done. He has impressed in their five pre season games in their 2013 Tour of Asia and will be looking to prove himself at the top level when the Red Devils start their campaign with the Community Shield game against Wigan Athletic this Saturday.
Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines are the two rumoured to be wanted by Moyes and he has already had two bids rejected for the latter. If Baines does join up with his former boss, that may leave Patrice Evra out in the cold and seeking a move abroad with Monaco looking the most likely to pounce.
I think it will be a tough first season for United under the new boss and it will take sometime for them to all gel together. The strength of rivals City and the already togetherness of Mourinho's Chelsea will see them slip down the table to unfamiliar ground.
Prediction: 3rd
This year Newcastle won't have the Europa League to think about which is an automatic boost to their Premier League chances. Last years final league position was hugely affected by the amount of games the club had to play throughout the whole season. After having to play 54 competitive games in total the Toon only just managed to survive in what was a tough but telling season for them.
Newcastle have signed QPR's Loic Remy on loan which is a great deal and they will be hoping to secure him on a permanent basis at the end of the one year loan deal. Bafetimbi Gomis of Lyon as well as Darren Bent were also mentioned over the past few weeks; however Fulham now seem to be front runners to land the former England striker. Manager Alan Pardew insisted they wouldn't rush into things when it comes to bringing in a new forward, saying they will only do a deal if it's right for the club and this one seems perfect.
Without the extra Thursday night games and the squad they have available, they'll be able to vastly improve on their 15th placed finish from last year and will be aiming to make the top ten, having come 5th in the 11/12 season without the extra baggage the Europa League brought.
Prediction: 12th
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