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Blasphemy! Seven clubs lock horns for the title after sir Alex Ferguson's retirement!
Blasphemy! Seven clubs lock horns for the title after sir Alex Ferguson's retirement!
It was always going to be a long summer for a football fan with no big international tournament to watch... I hated it! Especially after such an emotional season we had last time around - Manchester United won the crown for a sensational 20th time and sir Alex Ferguson retired. Love him or hate him, he never left any football fans indifferent during his massively successful career. He spent 26 years at the helm of Manchester United and won 38 trophies - including 13 Premier League and 2 Champions League titles.
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A living legend steps down in the past
A living legend steps down in the past
But like all things great it had to come to an end at some point. His retirement leaves a massive void to be filled. And now that the dull summer is nearly over we are back for more Premier League football - and it is as thrilling as ever! With the looming introduction of the Financial Fair Play rules no less than seven clubs aim to take advantage of the record TV deal money and secure Champions league football. Who will claim the title? Who will make it to the most prestigious and rewarding European tournament next season? Stay with us as we search for the answer during what promises to be the most competitive season the Premier League has seen for decades!
In a season that promises to be the turning point for a number of clubs we will make sure you, the fans - the lifeblood of this great game - have it covered from every angle possible! It's still early days but let's have a quick walk through all the contenders and hear our team of pundits who will be covering them for you. What are their expert expectations? Will it be a path to glory or perdition?
Inevitably we shall begin with the North West. Gary, Roy, do you hear me?
The Title Contenders
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Manchester United
History: 20 times champion, 15 times runner-up
Title odds: 7-4
Pundits:
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Gary Nevilleddd Roy Keane
Gary Neville: Yes, Mark! We're here... And good evening to all watching us right now. It will be Roy Keane and I, Gary Neville, covering Manchester United for you this season. I'll keep you posted via my column at the Sunday Times. Roy?View attachment 457998
Manchester United
History: 20 times champion, 15 times runner-up
Title odds: 7-4
Pundits:
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Gary Nevilleddd Roy Keane
Roy Keane: And you'll find my thoughts on the pages of the Sun. I never quite believed this would happen, Gary. But now it's a fact and it will be interesting how the club will move on.
Gary Neville: There's no denial though the key word for Manchester United this summer is stability. I think David Moyes was always going to be our new manager and Ferguson has done everything within his power to ensure the transition is smooth.
Roy Keane: But will it be so smooth? I doubt it. The levels of expectation here are massive and I'm not convinced David is really ready for that. You can never be ready for that. A slow start to the season and he'll feel the pressure!
Gary Neville: We can draw some conclusions from how Moyes approaches the transfer market. It is still pretty much Ferguson's team and David will surely want to bring in a couple more players to begin shaping his own visions...
Roy Keane: As well as appease the fans who are demanding big name signings...
Gary Neville: But he has to be careful not to disrupt the balance as he still needs to get to know his full roster of players. It's a tough job he's got at his hands!
Roy Keane: You won't find any tougher than that!
Mike Lawrenson: Okay, thank you, Gary, Roy, you'll keep watching Manchester United for us throughout the season so stay put for any future updates. And we are taking a short trip to the sky-blue half of Manchester for a quick preview of the second major title contender...
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Manchester City
History: 3 times champion, 4 times runner-up
Title odds: 5-2
Pundits:
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Lee Dixon
Lee Dixon: Good evening from me, I'm Lee Dixon and I'll be covering Manchester City for you with my column at the Independent. As some of you would already know, I was a boyhood fan of Manchester City so don't be surprised seeing me in this role. It turned out there were no free slots in the Arsenal pundit team anyway so Gunner fans please don't be disappointed! And to be fair I'm only filling in for Shaun Goater who is busy with his local club at Bermuda...Manchester City
History: 3 times champion, 4 times runner-up
Title odds: 5-2
Pundits:
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Lee Dixon
Mike Lawrenson: That's all good, Lee, but will you tell us something about Manchester City?
Lee Dixon: Ah, yes, of course. As you are aware, City are also off the back of a managerial change, switching to Manuel Pellegrini. They wasted little time on the market, too and now possess arguably the best squad in the league. It will be interesting to see if they gel in time for the season opener as some of them, including the manager, have no experience in the Premiership. The burden of expectation is on them though as they will need to produce both domestically and on the international scene.
Mike Lawrenson: Thank you, Lee. And while we are on the subject of spending sprees, let's shift our attention to London and see who else meant business in the summer... Ray?
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Chelsea
History: 4 times champion, 4 times runner-up
Title odds: 2-1
Pundits:
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iiiiRay Wilkinsd Tony Cascarino
Tony Cascarino: And also look out for my articles at the Times. What do you make out of Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea, Ray?
Ray Wilkins: I don't think the heavy rumors linking him with the Manchester United hot seat before he embraced Abramovic again will affect him at all, to be honest. He is loved here and he knows it. In fact I think he's the most likely managerial contender to fill the void Ferguson left - you know, as a presence.
Tony Cascarino: Mourinho also moved quick in the summer market and locked horns with some of the other contenders by blocking their transfer moves. He has really wasted little time in setting the scene as he likes it. The potential problems I see though are how exactly he will handle this large group of players with rumors already circling Juan Mata and David Luiz are now down the pecking order.
Ray Wilkins: Many suggest Jose wants to be the central figure at whatever club he is at, but that's not a fair judgment. He's only demanding nobody acts bigger than the club - and he has the balls to remind that to every single player, disregarding their star status or price.
Tony Cascarino: One thing is certain - Chelsea will improve in the Premier League. Whether that will warrant a title I don't know considering the competition will be much more fierce this season, but they will be better as a team!
Mark Lawrenson: Thank you, Ray, Tony, we'll hear more from you soon, and let's walk across London to a club for which "playing better as a team" will not be good enough! Alan?
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Arsenal
History: 13 times champion, 8 times runner-up
Title odds: 10-1
Pundits:
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i Alan Smith iiiii Sol Campbell
Alan Smith: Good evening, I'm Alan Smith and I'll be covering Arsenal for you with my column for the Telegraph.Arsenal
History: 13 times champion, 8 times runner-up
Title odds: 10-1
Pundits:
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i Alan Smith iiiii Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell: And you can find my analysis on the Guardian.
Alan Smith: It's an important season for us now that the building time is over and there are funds to spend. I'm glad Arsene Wenger saw this period of transition through as he deserves a chance to show what he can do with his hands untied on the market - as the recent signature of Mesut Ozil proved already.
Sol Campbell: The more important factor will be how Arsene addresses defense though as there were always goals in this team. This was more of a psychological signing - the record has been broken, see, we can now compete again. But if it was only goals that win you titles, Arsenal wouldn't be in such an extensive dry period.
Alan Smith: We must also point out a lot of unnecessary players were moved on though, Sol, so we can expect further activity on the market.
Sol Campbell: Yeah, and let's pay tribute to the fact Arsene Wenger is now the longest serving manager in the Premier League. I always appreciate stability so something big could be on the cards for Arsenal this season!
Alan Smith: What matters most right now is we make a strong start this time while the others are still finding their feet. If we can do that I expect us to be seriously involved in the title hunt!
Mike Lawrenson: I hear that, Alan. There have been mixed emotions in North London as while you signed a global superstar your bitter rivals lost theirs. Let's hear what's happening over at White Hart Lane... Terry?
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Tottenham
History: 2 times champion, 4 times runner-up
Title odds: 14-1
Pundits:
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- Terry Venables - David Pleat ---
Terry Venables: Thank you, Mark. It's been a hectic summer so far at the Lane, you can say that again! I'm Terry Venables and you can follow my Tottenham column at the Sun.Tottenham
History: 2 times champion, 4 times runner-up
Title odds: 14-1
Pundits:
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- Terry Venables - David Pleat ---
David Pleat: And I will contribute on Spurs media watch with my column at the Guardian.
Terry Venables: The focal point about Spurs this summer is the sale of Gareth Bale, David, but do you agree with the general sentiment we will find life without him tough?
David Pleat: I don't think that's what the fans should worry about, Terry. The board have spent the money well and I can see quality in all the signings.
Terry Venables: I second that. But it will take time for all of them to settle and I have no idea if Villas-Boas knows his best team right now.
David Pleat: I bet both of us would have loved to have this problem during our reigns as managers though!
Terry Venables: Haha, you make a good point. What concerns me is something else. Andre has expressed his intention to change the style of play and I'm not sure that will bode well with the fans.
David Pleat: So much is true. Spurs fans are a little spoiled for flair and quick tempo and will expect beautiful, attacking football. If they can be patient enough to wait for the team to blend Tottenham can live up to the buzz surrounding the incoming transfers and Bale will not be missed.
Mark Lawrenson: Patience is a virtue nowadays, Dave. And I know a bunch that have been waiting too long to see the glory days return... Myself included! That's right, it's time to move to Merseyside... Alan?
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Liverpool
History: 18 times champion, 12 times runner-up
Title odds: 16-1
Pundits:
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---Alan Hansen iJamie Carragher i
Alan Hansen: I'm here, Mark. I honestly can't believe you left us waiting so long.Liverpool
History: 18 times champion, 12 times runner-up
Title odds: 16-1
Pundits:
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---Alan Hansen iJamie Carragher i
Mark Lawrenson: That's up to the owners and managers, Alan. I don't win us titles anymore.
Alan Hansen: I mean getting to us here from the studio... We're behind Spurs in the pecking order, seriously?!
Mark Lawrenson: ... (coughs) ... We've just been having some technical problems, Alan, that's all...
Alan Hansen: Sadly the club's been having technical problems for over the last 23 years.
Mark Lawrenson: That's about as long as since you said that thing about the kids, Alan.
Alan Hansen: Anyway. I'm Alan Hansen and I'll be covering Liverpool for you via the Telegraph. Jamie?
Jamie Carragher: I was already thinking you two have completely forgotten what we're here for. You can find my analysis as usual in the pages of the Daily Mail. So what do you think about chances this season?
Alan Hansen: Brendan Rodgers is living up to the challenge of being a Liverpool manager and it may turn into something big. The spending has been adequate and the club remained firm by refusing all bids from Arsenal for Luis Suarez. If we can keep him happy he will give us goals and that's all we need right now with the defense looking good.
Jamie Carragher: There's no doubt his partnership with Daniel Sturridge will be key for our chances this season. There is still room for improvement though and I see that on the wing. I'm not sure the Moses loan deal is ideal for us unless it provides healthy competition for Sterling and he ups his game. But honestly, Alan, where do you see us this season?
Alan Hansen: It's too early to say. Maybe it's too much to ask for a title challenge at this point, but I do think we have a good chance and should pursue a top four position.
Mark Lawrenson: We'll see how that turns out. That should be all... Oh, wait. With all this merry-go-round transfers, managerial changes and Pele predicting one of these six should win the title, we have prepared one additional club to watch as the potential surprise package to take advantage and wrestle with the big boys. Rob, are you there?
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Newcastle
History: 4 times champion, 2 times runner-up
Title odds: 40-1
Pundits:
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----- Rob Lee --- Kevin Keegan --
Mark Lawrenson: Come again?!
Rob Lee: I was having a joke... Or maybe not.
Kevin Keegan: It's hard to be on the good side of the joke with our club recently, Rob. I thought Alan Pardew was doing a good job given the circumstances and was really looking forward to this season but ever since Ashley appointed Kinnear over him it was going to be a matter of time.
Mark Lawrenson: Wait a second, what are you saying here, did Pardew...
Rob Lee: Yeah, that's the news from the North East, Alan Pardew has just resigned from his position as Newcastle United manager.
Mark Lawrenson: Wow, I didn't see that one coming! Tell us more, what's exactly happening?
Rob Lee: It just broke out, Mark. Pardew resigned after Joe Kinnear reportedly addressed him as "Alan Parsnip". Joe is holding a press conference right now, sounds like Ashley is ready to call in a replacement straight away.
Kevin Keegan: Seems like they had this in the making for quite some time.
Rob Lee: It's Berbatov...
Mark Lawrenson: What?
Rob Lee: He just said it, Dimitar Berbatov is the new Newcastle manager.
Kevin Keegan: That's weird.
Mark Lawrenson: But he's under contract at Fulham, ain't he?! He doesn't even have the coaching badges to qualify for the job!
Kevin Keegan: Wait a second, Mark... It's not Berbatov.
Rob Lee: Oh, dear, you've got to be kidding me!
Kevin Keegan: This is a real circus now.
Mark Lawrenson: What's happening out there, folks?!
Rob Lee: He just got the new manager's name wrong. It's Dimiter Hristov.
Mark Lawrenson: Who?!
Kevin Keegan: Yup, that's right.
Mark Lawrenson: Are you sure? Never heard of that name...
Rob Lee: Me neither, Mark.
Kevin Keegan: He seems like a pretty young lad from what I can see... No previous experience in the game, as well.
Rob Lee: Never seen him even do so much as painting job around Saint James'. He's not even Ashley's son's family friend...
Mark Lawrenson: Who is this guy?
Kevin Keegan: In all honesty, Mark, I have no idea. We'll keep you posted.
Rob Lee: That's right. Watch my space at the Evening Chronicle for an update.
Kevin Keegan: And don't forget to keep checking my section at the ESPN site. I'll be on the phone to find out what's going on here as soon as we get off air.
Mark Lawrenson: Okay, thank you, Rob, Kevin! Shocking development at Saint James' Park - Alan Pardew resigns and seems like Newcastle have a new mysterious manager out of the blue! What an explosive conclusion to our quick walk through the contenders this season... Please, remember - this was just the appetizer! We will be back for more detailed preview of each of the challengers soon. We also have a number of surprises prepared for you, but don't expect me to spoil it for you! You will see them as we get closer to the opening day of the new 2013/14 Premier League season. I, Mark Lawrenson, wish you a very good evening - just don't forget to turn in for our next update!
The way it's going I fear they may not let me get to my debut game!