None of these names are a huge surprise, but the order to me makes sense, but might seem off to others.
6. Liverpool are as far as I will reach for an upset team winning the title. I know that's not saying much considering this side has never lifted the EPL title. I respect the commitment to turn the club around the right way. Building some young talent and then adding some stars around them and choosing a coach with an approach that is closer to the style of soccer that is more passing geared. Luis Saurez is the biggest question mark for this club. Do they keep him or not? They probably need to because they will be troubled to find a suitable replacement and they can't sell him for what he is really worth. I say gamble on him for one more season. The rumor was he wanted to leave, but I think his agent will know that he needs to rebuild his image by not forcing a transfer this year.
Sturridge paid off as a transfer and is finally living up to his potential. I wonder if he can keep it up, but for now they have to be happy with him. Coutinho is the attacking mid they were in need of. I believe they need one more striker, but they don't need a major superstar like Falcao. They need a savy vet who can give them some games in the cup matches allowing others to rest and come off the bench and be a threat when needed in the league. The league will be the priority next season, so I think this would be a great add. Also, I think the midfield could always be better. There's not a single team that couldn't afford to add a good midfielder, but again I think they would do well to grab a veteran that can fill minutes and trust in there current side.
There biggest need is at the back. They need a WC defender. Don't sleep on the fact that they had 14 clean sheets this year in league, which is really good, but you have to be even tighter when competing for an EPL title. Losing Carraghers leadership will be felt, so to me this is their biggest need. They also need to keep their keeper. They must supress Barca's advances should they come.
I feel that Europe is calling for Liverpool next season, which would be huge for them, but the title is a season off or so.
5. The Spurs are ahead of Liverpool in my mind because I think the Bale situation will have a positive impact on them either way. The cash in flow from selling Bale would be about as big as could be expected and AVB will have a lot of money to spend. I think they will let Addeboyor go who clearly has seen better days and look to bring in two solid strikers. I would think adding a Berbatov and a young striker around Defoe and Dempsey would be a good thing.
Where I think they really need to be deeper is on the back line. As with Liverpool you need the D to win in the EPL, so they will have to address that.
Should Bale stay then I think you just add to the back line find a young striker to put on your bench and assume you will be better because you should be. I just think he's gone. I fear Spurs are in for another 5th place finish though if that is the case. They will not be this season's New Castle.
4. Man City by all reports are going to be restricted on how much they can spend. I can't say that I really believe that, but I have noticed that they aren't linked to all that many big players this season. The problem I see for them is that Father Time is starting to catch up with them. Yaya and Tevez aren't the players they were last year, so how will they be next year? It sounds like Dzeko is leaving town and that would be really bad for them. They need the striker depth to compete in Europe and the EPL. The selling of Super Mario was a good and bad thing. It made it easier to play Dzeko and Tevez, but it exposed them should anyone leave. Tevez is never leaving, but the Dzeko rumors aren't good. I think City need to be smart about their purchases this year. Isco from Malaga would be a great a signing.
If Man City is truly not able to spend like in years past they would be wise to maintain their team and add young players. I think the Barca staff behind the scenes are thinking just that with bringing in a solid coach like Pellegrini. I think City are going to be very Arsenal like this coming season. They will be in Europe, but not have a chance at any point to win the title in league. This is a season of transition for them.
3. Arsenal has to spend money this year. I think they know it. They finished on fire winning 8 of 10 and drawing the other two. It shouldn't take much to improve this side, but just imagine if they buy a WC striker. What if they signed Wayne Rooney? With the Manchester's in transition next year shouldn't this be the year Arsenal sell out and go for the title?
I don't know who they need to add, but I know they need to maintain and add. Now is the time for Arsenal before everyone else recharges. If they can put a title up there and have a strong showing in the UCL players will be more willing to come there rather than run from them. I just can't stress enough you will never find this many challengers in tranistion. Arsenal need to act!!!
2. Man U have lost their icon. They acted quickly and swiftly to sign the very solid David Moyes to replace Ferguson. I liked the move. Sure it will be an adjustment for Moyes, but he's so logical it's not even funny and Ferguson will surely be behind the scenes.
Man U is a bit long in the tooth though. Vidic and Rio are a bit frail. They should do some duct tape commercials this summer. Giggs is way old, but I'm amazed by him still. RVP is up there and faded badly down the stretch this season. Still this team is not without young players. They probably could repeat without adding anyone special if they avoid key injuries, but I don't think they will stand pat. They have money to spend and they want to use it.
CR7 would be a great add for them, but that doesn't seem possible. Madrid would probably be asking too much and why buy an older player with only a few good years left when you can go young and buy Bale. RVP and Bale with Chicarito mixed in is dangerous to think about. From there I would just like to see Man U buy a solid holding midfielder. Luka Modric is not the solution to this, but there surely is someone they can get.
Man U is in a tricky position when selling players as evidenced with the Rooney situation. On one hand Rooney has been their best attacking player the past few seasons, but on the other hand he has struggled with fitness and an attitude. It's strange that he's asking out with Moyes coming in, or maybe it makes sense as he already forced his way out of Everton. Poor Man U can't find value for Wayne and that's the down side to being the bully on the block. They are also limited in their options of places to send him. It's always hard to sell problems. You always have to know that Sir Alex can get him turned around behind the scenes, but the drama will be a distraction they don't need in Moyes's first season.
1. Chelsea have set the table and they could be great. Think about it. Mata confident and in his prime. Cech is your keeper and your back up is a star at Altetico Madrid. Oscar has a solid year under his belt. Lampard gives you minutes and leadership. Terry will likley be more of a back up, but he gives you minutes. David Luiz didn't make as many blunders down the stretch. Cahill stayed heathly for you most of this year. You don't have to worry about the Club cup. You are the most likely place for Falcoa to go. Hazard hasn't reached his potential yet. You are super deep, and experienced. Real Madrid and Barca have more questions to answer than in recent seasons. PSG is losing there coach. Juventus will not sign a striker better than Lorente.
Bayern are the only side that you really have to be concerned with in Europe. If Bayern wins the UCL then it would setup a massive UEFA super cup, which could be a preview of bigger things down the road. With all those factors going Chelsea's way I think they are the favoirites for the EPL next year. They spent this season in transition and they will really benefit from it.
The X Factor is Jose Mo. Love him or hate him he imploded in his final season at real. He wasn't worth the 1 copa and 1 league title he earned for them. He might have done some major damage in the locker room that won't easily be repaired. He took major issue with the Captian of Spain and the team when he battled Iker Cassilas behind the scenes and it seems like a war that no one won. I think that Jose Mo could be a good boy for the first year or so, but with the potential that Chelsea has they may be better served looking elsewhere, but we will see.
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