JT’s FOOTBALL WORLD
Epl 2010-11 Preview
BY Junaid Tariq (JT)..Being a hard core football fan there are things that you would want to do like fantasizing scoring at least 90% of a big tournament goals with hot girls watching the game or winning all seasons in fifa 10 as a manager or writing a blog about your own perceptive about the football world. I have done the first two things so I thought, why not completing the ultimate madness of any football fan. I am an arsenal fan so people have the right to judge some of my statements regarding my beloved club and “some” of its rivals. Epl season is drawing near and I dearly wanted to give an insight of what I think clubs will achieve this season. Well, I may not be egoistic as jose mourinho or intelligent as wenger or successful as sir alex ferguson or even fussy as harry redknapp but I will try to give my all modest predictions and preview of the clubs preparation and chances for new season. Before jumping onto main theme I want to congratulate Manchester united for trouncing Chelsea, which was a bit of surprise to me as I predicted a Chelsea win but then again I thought what was I thinking?! Chelsea, without Petr Cech should even envy Arsenal’s goal keeping options. So, I could be wrong with my predictions.
Without any doubt Epl is the most competitive league which sometimes is funnier than expected. Last season was the most exciting with top four losing almost everything away from home, with beach ball teaching Darren bent how to score a goal against ever impressive Pepe Reina. One thing is for sure that Arsenal’s 03-04 “unbeaten” run will remain intact and with Manchester City Jumping in “big boys” ship it will be most competitive than ever. So, here is my preview of the forthcoming epl 10-11 season numbered from highest to lowest (upto 6th) league position last summer.
1. Chelsea
I have a feeling that Carlo Ancelotti “loves” to work with old horses even if they slept with the black beauty of their team mates. Ac Milan was the most handsome club until 2002 but now thanks to Carlos it has turned into old people home because they didn’t care for young blood. Same thing is happening in Chelsea, with an average age of almost 30, the old legs might begin to show this season. With the sales of impact player such as Joe Cole and experience powerhouse as Ballack and Belletti, it might be difficult for Chelsea this season. Yes, Chelsea might have £20m less losses this summer because of dropped wages overall but there performance on the field might drop as well. Mr. Chelsea i.e John Terry (hate that he has got my initials) has already exposed his dropped pace in preseason so the defense looks fragile. Its
a big loss for Chelsea that they sold Ricardo carvalho, who I think is their best defender and But Chelsea didn’t sell Ashley cole, who being a wimp off the field is still one of their most effective player . Remieres might come in from benfica but I don’t think he will be able to cover the holes in defense this season. Essien will make up for his last season absence and star for “old” Chelsea but they still might fall short.
Ins: Jossi Benayoun, Thomas Kallas
Outs: Joe Cole, Deco, Michael Ballack, Scott Sinclair, Ricardo Carvalho, Juliano Balletti, Ben Gordon, Miroslav Stoch
Should’ve Bought: Sergio Aguero, Mesut Ozil, Begovich, David Luiz
Might Buy: Remieres
Season Star: Michal Essien
Season Flop: John Terry
Transfer Season: Below Average
Transfer Strokes: Keeping Cole (Madrid), Carvalho (Madrid)
Last Season: Champions
Season’s Prediction: 3rd
2. Manchester United
It’s amazing what Sir Alex Ferguson has achieved all these years with the red devils. Winning silverware, Swearing on the pitch, Making friends including referees, playing mind games n even giving high blood pressure to rival gaffers (ask benitez). Manchester United is certainly the most successful team in ages without even a SINGLE central midfield playmaker. They have got none, so they rely heavily on their wingers to show flair and set up goals for their impressive strikers. After the horror of WorldCup the modern Paul Gascoigne i.e Wayne rooney will try to stamp his authority as one of europe’s elite. But, this time he has much work to do than ever. Signings like Chris Smalling and talent power house “Chicharito” (yup, that’s what written behind his club shirt), manutd fans has something to cheer about but I was predicting a central attacking player signing from Alex in Mesut ozil. They might still buy but as of now there is not much change then last season Manchester united. With the likes of Ferdinand struggling (like all English players post world cup) it was very important for manutd to hang on to vidic. The Mexican “chicharito” is very good talent but I think this Manchester united season depends on the form of Wayne Rooney again, who will show his last season’s club form yet again. I predict a strong 2nd finish again by united missing out on their record 19th title.
Ins: Chris Smalling, Javier Harnendez (chicharito)
Out: Ben Foster, Zoran Tosic, Tom Heaton, Mame Biram Diouf (loan)
Should’ve Bought: Mesut Ozil
Season Star: Wayne Rooney again
Season Flop: Michael Owen
Might Buy: None
Transfer Season: Ok
Transfer Strokes: Keeping Vidic (Madrid), Signing Chicharito
Last Season: 2nd
Season’s Prediction: 2nd
3. Arsenal
As a huge Arsenal fan I can literally write pages for my beloved club but I won’t bore my rival supporters. I won’t lie with the fact that we are going trophyless for the last 5 years. When Patrick Veira scored that winning penalty against Roy caroll in FA cup final in 2005, I didn’t expect us to struggle to win our next silverware but you know crazy things happen in football and one should be ready for it. So, this season I prepare myself for missing out on EPL title again. I would love to be wrong but I think the squad has weaknesses and won’t just make it. I am so happy with the fact Wenger won Cesc Fabregas battle in a convincing fashion despite Barcelona woeful tactics. Arsenal was fantastic in handling Cesc situation and why should we sell him? He still has massive 5 years in his contract and Barcelona already had spent €40m on David Villa. From putting a ridiculous offer to trying to tap up Cesc, when he was in spain for Worldcup, Barcelona tried everything but knowing Wenger I was not expecting the professor to sell his best player when the ball was in Arsenal’s court. It was a masterstroke to keep cesc more than buying any player in the world. Arsenal has certainly improved offensively this season with the likes of impressive Chamakh added to enjoy his dream i.e to play in exciting EPL. The problem for Arsenal this season is the defensive reinforcement. With the likes of Gallas, Silvestre (manutd agent) and Campbell, all shown the door we have only bought Koscielny from Loreint. We need atleast one more centre half to show our ambition for next season. The major problem with Arsenal is their keeping option, even Stoke City has better keepers then us. We are being linked with Schwarzer, Lloris, Hart n 100 other keepers but nothing signed yet. I don’t like to believe that Wenger is going for Almunia, Flapianski or Mannone experiment all season. Anyhow I predict that wenger will not buy a keeper and stick with Almunia as no.1, which could make us pay dearly. Arsenal will challenge again and might get closer but won’t win this season.
Ins: Chamakh, Koscielny
Out: Campbell, Eduardo, Gallas, Silvestre, Merida, Senderos
Should’ve Bought: Sorenson, Brede Hangeland
Season Star: Samir Nasri
Season Flop: Theo Walcott
Might Buy: Spahic, Mark Schwarzer
Transfer Season: Ok
Transfer Strokes: Keeping Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Signing Chamakh (free from Bordeaux)
Last Season: 3rd
Season’s Prediction: 4th
4. Tottenham Hotspurs
Despite being an adamant hatred for spurs, I think they did not overachieve last summer. Spurs have a great squad and it’s about time that they showed any sort of metal last season. I don’t say it was a one off but 4th spot could b difficult to achieve again. Although spurs have not beefed up their squad so far, I think spurs have a decent bunch of players to push for 4th spot once again. The main problem for spurs this time is injuries to king and woodgates. If spurs don’t buy decent centre halves, they could be leaking goals for fun again. There has been no transfer activity for spurs so far having only bought sandro from internacional. i don’t care about redknap discussing about his transfer targets to media time and again, the thing is spurs has been failure this transfer market. They need defensive reinforcements more than anything. Redknap is hoping to complete at least 1 or 2 signing before 31st august because now they have to compete in more competitive champions’ league (if they get past the qualifying round). Spurs were horrible in away games. Luca Modric and jermain Defoe will be key for spurs. Robbie keane has shown some impressive preseason form but I don’t see him start above defoe and both won’t start together. Crouch might be sold to Liverpool paving way for Pavlyechenko to start with Defoe. Redknap might see his Spurs struggle this season due to rapid competition in EPL and competing big boys in ever so competitive champions league. Last season 4th spot achievement will still be remembered because they will miss it next season.
INS: Sandro
Out: Adel Taraabt
Should’ve bought: Brede Hangeland, Diego Forlan
Season Star: Luca Modric
Season Flop: David Bentley
Might Buy: Ashley Young, Craig Bellamy
Transfer Season: Failure
Transfer Strokes: keeping Modric (Manutd)
Last Season: 4th
Season’s Prediction: 6th
5. Manchester City
Yaya toure and David Silva are two of my favorite players. And they join the riches of Manchester city. I don’t care if a club finished 8th or 10th last season but you need to see how good they are now. And Manchester city has got the best squad right now. They got great coups in two of the world’s finest players. I don’t think they will find it hard to gel in this epl season because they are too good to struggle. One weakness that city have right now is there struggling centre halves. The likes of kolo toure and lescott are not good enough to compliment this world class misdfield. Yes, a lot of people envy city’s riches but you have to admit that mancity has got it all on the paper. City is the only club in the world who can field in 2 teams with all international players so how frightening that will be for all epl teams. Yahya toure is an unbelieveably good midfielder and Barcelona will know how stupid they were to let go of him. David Silva is a workhorse who is an ideal team player. He will provide chances for the forwards to score. If macini is able to control the dressing room and motivate his stars for new season then this might be the season when city overcome their fierce rivals united and win EPL or If not, then this could be the season when mancini get sacked after 3 months in his first full season. One thing for sure, Arab won’t quit investing in this “lucky” club. With the likes of Balotelli and James Milner to come in, I expect fortunes for city fans and enjoy their first silverware this season. Yup, I think Manchester City will be champions. “Crazy” Money do buy trophies!
INS: Yaya toure, David Silva, Boateng, Kolarov, Alex Henshall
Out: Bojinov, Gorrido, Petrov, Sylvinho, Robert Mark, Mcgiven
Should’ve bought: Dzeko, Ricardo Carvalho
Season Star: Yaya Toure
Season Flop: Gareth Barry
Might Buy: Balotelli, James Milner
Transfer Season: Impressive
Transfer Strokes: Buying Yaya Toure and David Silva
Last Season: 5th
Season’s Prediction: Champions
6. Liverpool
Buying Joe Cole is the talk of the transfer season for Liverpool. The England playmaker was the liveliest player for Chelsea in last 4 games after coming from long term injury. Being the most skillful English player, joe cole has suddenly find hunger and it was a perfect timing for Liverpool to buy him when the club was experiencing their all time low. But is Liverpool strong enough after benitez, benayoun and possible mascherano departure? I think they are better. Obviously, it will be a huge task for the Merseyside club to challenge for the title but they have found some positives in last 8 weeks. Still, Liverpool need at least 1 more striker to support Fernando torres. If the Spaniard remains injury free and gerrard find his feet along with joe cole, I expect an improved if not the best season for Liverpool.
Ins: Joe Cole, Jovanovich, Shelvey, Wilson
Outs: Benayoun, Deegan, Riera
Should’ve bought: Bellamy, Bruno Alves
Season Star: Joe Cole
Season Flop: Lucas Leiva
Might Buy: Brede Hangeland
Transfer Season: ok
Transfer Strokes: Buying Joe Cole, Keeping Gerrard (Madrid) and Torres (Barcelona, Chelsea)
Last Season: 6th
Season’s Prediction: 5th
RELEGATION Favorites: WolverHampton, Blackpool, WestBromAlbion
Hope u enjoyed it.. keep it real : )
