Yes guys this story is back and returning for FM12 since i had so much fun writing this story last year and was very grateful for the following and support i gathered. Unfortunately it could not be sustained as the blog system came out but now the story section is here to stay and properly up and running. Here's a link to last year's story http://www.fm-base.co.uk/forum/fm-stories-archived/57836-fresh-chapter-premier-league.html it's a decent read and hope this story can achieve even more and have the same sort of levels of support.
For anyone new - in this story i control all 20 premier league clubs and play against myself for the season, it's fun to do and hope you enjoy it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For anyone new - in this story i control all 20 premier league clubs and play against myself for the season, it's fun to do and hope you enjoy it.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"As the new Premier League season draws closer, everyone is just starting to get a little bit excited"
It seems a lifetime ago that we bid farewell to the 2010/11 season. although just as quickly it ended, a new season draws near. Coupled with the new season come new expectations from clubs as well as a fresh injection of players from around the globe all looking to make the cut in the English top flight.
Where else to start but with but with the Champions. Having being crowned Champions last season and picking up a record 19th English League Title, Manchester United will be looking to go back to back and cement their place at the top of English football. United have had to deal with the retirement of 3 experienced players, with Edwin Van Der Sar, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville each calling time on their illustrious playing careers, however not to be outdown by their "noisy neighbours", immediately dipped into the transfer market.
United have signed Phil Jones from Blackburn for a fee of £16 million, as well as obtaining the services of Aston Villa's Ashley Young and Athletico Madrid's David De Gea, each believed to have cost the Red Devil's around £20 million a piece. While Jones may have to bide his time in becoming a first team regular at Old Trafford, Young and De Gea will be looking to cement their places in the starting line-up and make their mark as soon as possible.
Despite being a tender 20 years old, De Gea brings a wealth of first team experience from Athletico, making 57 first team appearences in La Liga and winning a UEFA Europa League title in the process. While the young Spaniard is not the finished article, he has a promising future ahead of him and will be hoping to emulate Van Der Sar's success between the sticks.
Man City have strengthened significantly
Again we don't really have a choice where to move on next, it is of course is United's city rivals Manchester City. Roberto Mancini and his men will be hoping to improve on their 3rd place finish last season, Manchester City have again signaled their intent by being linked and potentially targeting just about every world class player throughout the entire summer with their seemingly bottomless pit of money.
Despite missing out number 1 summer transfer target Alexis Sanchez, who opted instead to play his trade with Barcelona in sunny Spain, the Citizens immediately shifted their focus to Athletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero, snapping up the 23 year old for a fee believed to be in the region of £35 million.
Aguero found the net 74 times in 175 league appearences for Athletico and will link up with the likes of Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko at City, forming a striker force that will give defending sides plenty to think about.
It seems as though Roberto Mancini may have finally spent enough money to buy the Premier League title, although what remains to be seen will be whether City's star studded squad can blend together to form a title winning side.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham compete for the Champions League places
It must seem like deja vu for Arsene Wenger and his Gunners who again promised so much last season, yet fell short yet again at the final hurdle and have once again had to endure a summer of Catalan fueled transfer speculation over the future of talismanic captain Cesc Fabregas, who of course finally got his wish to move back to his boyhood club.
Despite bolstering their attack with the £11 million signing of Lille striker Gervinho, Arsenal may find that they have their work cut out of them in the new season. On top of which, an unsettled Samir Nasri refused to sign a contract extension with the London outfit and ended up packing his bags to Man City. Arsene Wenger may have to re-open his chequebook if Arsenal are to be considered genuine title contenders.
Chelsea have been relatively quiet on the transfer front however their most notable acquisition during the off-season has been the appointment of former Porto coach Andre Villas-Boas. The 33 year old was appointed Chelsea manager after going undefeated all last season, drawing just 3 games and taking the league by an incredible 21 points from nearest rivals Benfica, as well as winning the Portugese Cup and completing an incredible treble by lifting the Europa League.
Villas-Boas will have his work cut out for him in England and it remains to be seen whether the talented young coach can bring success to a club so desperate for trophies. The tactician will also be fully aware that Roman Abramovic is not afraid to wield the axe should results not come immediately.
Liverpool will be looking to return to their glory days however may find it difficult to challenge for the title this season. Despite spending close to a combined £50 million bringing in Sunderland's Jordan Henderson, Aston Villa's Stewart Downing and Blackpool's Charlie Adam, the trio are not the caliber of players required to win a Premier League title, but they will provide great service for £35 million man Andy Carroll who is yet to really get his Anfield career underway to date.
Meanwhile Harry Redknapp will be hoping of more of the same from his Spurs side and will be looking for a little more consistency if they are to improve on last season. Luka Modric looks resigned to remaining at the club despite having his heart set on a move to title contenders Chelsea and the club will be desperate to prove to him that it shares the same ambition as their London rivals.
Big relegation at the bottom of the Premier League
The relegation battle once again will be as tightly fought as ever. Wolves have bought well and have done well to bring in Roger Johnson but again will struggle, as will Wigan and Blackburn, who are yet to see the establishment of a big transfer budget from their new owners.
QPR were the best Championship team by some distance last year and will be buoyed by the prospective retention of star man Adel Taraabt. Swansea's survival would be a surprise and Norwich need strengthening to avoid an instant return to the second tier.
Predicted Premier League Table 2011/12
1.Man Utd
2.Man City
3.Chelsea
4.Liverpool
5.Tottenham
6.Arsenal
7.Everton
8.Fulham
9.Aston Villa
10.West Brom
11.Sunderland
12.Stoke
13.Bolton
14.Wolves
15.QPR
16.Newcastle
17.Norwich
18.Blackburn
19.Swansea
20.Wigan
1.Man Utd
2.Man City
3.Chelsea
4.Liverpool
5.Tottenham
6.Arsenal
7.Everton
8.Fulham
9.Aston Villa
10.West Brom
11.Sunderland
12.Stoke
13.Bolton
14.Wolves
15.QPR
16.Newcastle
17.Norwich
18.Blackburn
19.Swansea
20.Wigan
Last edited: