This is gearing up to be the most exciting and defining season of the English Premier League in a long time.
That players are in constant movement in and out of the Premier League
clubs is nothing new but rarely has there been so much movement in the
management of the clubs like there was this summer.
All three top teams in England (Manchester United, Manchester City and
Chelsea) have presented new managerial faces to the world.
Here are my ten reasons why you should expect a rollercoaster of
excitement in the nine months the 2013/2014 season has in store.
EXIT OF SIR ALEX FERGUSON
It is going to be an unusual sight not to have the legendary gum
chewing, soccer boot throwing, charismatic, motivational and
all-conquering manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, on the bench for record
league title winners Manchester United.
Manchester United, for over two decades, have been blessed with
stability in management and great results. Will they have that this
season? How will they cope with any negative early results?
DAVID MOYES AT MAN UTD AND ROONEY POSSIBLY LEAVING
What will David Moyes' playing philosophy be? What will Manchester
United look like under the "New Scot" on the block? Will he easily and
surely adapt from coaching a mid-table team (Everton) to one of the
richest clubs in the world? The answers are to be looked forward to.
Wayne Rooney is reported to have put in a transfer request at the end of
last season and rumours have it that he is on the brink of leaving
Manchester United. Should he leave, how will the club deal with his
replacement? Can they bring in Shinji Kagawa replace him for good?
Personally, I feel they can.
THE RETURN OF THE “SPECIAL AND NOW HAPPY ONE” JOSE MOURINHO
On his second presentation as Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho called
himself a Special One and gave us a new look at his personality; one
seeking calm and longevity… mmmmmmm. Do not be deceived.
He is a ferocious, result-oriented manager and he knows that victory can
only guarantee longevity, so we should expect his team to be well-built
and fine-tuned for the EPL title conquest. Will he achieve a dream
return sealed with the title?
ARSENAL’S SEARCH FOR A STAR SIGNING…RAMIFICATIONS
By making an audacious £30 million offer for Liverpool's troubled but
goal-scoring Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, Arsene Wenger is hoping to
send out a message that he is ambitious and wants to change something
drastically. Will this be enough in getting them back to title winning
ways immediately?
ENGLAND TO BE REPRESENTED IN EUROPE BY WIGAN ATHLETIC
By virtue of their FA cup victory over Manchester City, Wigan get the
right to play in the prestigious, lucrative Uefa League. The added
attention this will bring to the championship and motivation it will
give to lower teams in the EPL will stir up a more ambitious fight from
these teams.
MANCHESTER CITY OUT TO PROVE A POINT
Out goes Roberto Mancini (though successful) and in comes Manuel
Pellegrini (Ex Real Madrid and Malaga coach). Having seen what fate
awaits a Man City Manager who comes league second and finalist of the
Challenge Cup, he must be motivated to be in a title winning mode. This
alone and his dislike of title favourite Jose Mourinho could be worth
your money.
THE GARETH BALE SAGA CONTINUES
UK'S most sought after player of the moment, Gareth Bale of Tottenham,
could be staying put after all. Though I am sceptical of the end result.
How do you motivate a player to stay and keep performing at a
fifth-positioned team when he knows that he had offers and should be
playing at Real Madrid, United, Chelsea and Man City if you believe
reports? Will this be a motivation for the player and club to do better
or could this be a clog in the wheel of progress?
The player says he is motivated more than ever and is looking to improve
on what he did last year. Should he improve on his already deadly form,
I do not envy his opponents.
A MAKE OR BREAK YEAR FOR LIVERPOOL
With Luis Suarez forcing an exit, Liverpool yet to announce a possible
successor and the honeymoon year over for manager Brendan Rodgers, this
is a year Liverpool has to break back into the top four of the Premier
League. This should be added motivation to this team which just beefed
up its defence line with the arrival of Kolo Toure straight from
Manchester City.
With their ever inspirational fans, motivation will not be missing and they should come out blazing.
THE SUNDERLAND FACTOR
"I am no racist, just a fascist," Sunderland’s new manager Di Canio once
stated while playing for Lazio Rome. This fiery figure is set to
polarise the Premier League and it might be in a good way.
He successfully saved them from relegation and this season? Clearly his
aspiration to be high on the league table is worth keeping an eye on.
THE CHAMPIONS WILL HAVE TO BE WORTHY
One thing is for sure, whoever is to be crowned champion this coming
season will have to earn it and should not expect an easy ride. The team
will have to work extra hard to deserve it.
With the Qatari's pumping more money into the league, Abrahamovic of
Chelsea clearly announcing hunger for more silverware, with the other
title contenders needing to appease their fan base, the future champion
will have to be ready from day one of the competition.
Who knows, we might all get a welcome, unexpected, surprise champion. I cannot wait for kick-off.
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