Tis the season for the Blues

EPL

Signings of Fabregas and Costa will see Chelsea win first title since 2009/10, says our columnist

npsports@sph.com.sg

One month after the final whistle at the iconic Maracana in Brazil to signal Germany's World Cup triumph, we're back to the small matter of the domestic football season.

Once again, millions of pounds have been spent by Premier League clubs striving for the title, but who will come out on top next May?

1ST: CHELSEA

After a mediocre campaign by his own exalted standards, Jose Mourinho has a point to prove. And that spells danger for the rest of the EPL.

The signings of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa look particularly astute, and The Special One is no doubt still chuckling at the exorbitant fee he received for David Luiz. The Blues are the team to beat.

2ND: ARSENAL

The FA Cup triumph in May and the signing of Alexis Sanchez have led to the Arsenal swagger of old returning.

Calum Chambers' outstanding defensive display in the Community Shield win over Manchester City at Wembley also bodes well.

3RD: MAN CITY

City's usual summer spending spree hasn't materialised after the Citizens fell foul of Uefa's Financial Fair Play laws.

The Citizens can ill-afford to start slow with matches against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea in the opening month.

4TH: MAN UNITED

If Louis van Gaal can snare a top-class centre back before the end of the transfer window, then United look well-equipped to climb back into England's elite.

5TH: LIVERPOOL

The welcome return of Champions League football means that Brendan Rodgers will have to rotate his players for the first time; something that could unsettle his squad and lead to the Reds missing out on the top four.

6TH: TOTTENHAM

Spurs needed to strengthen at the back after conceding so many goals against the big clubs last season, and the signings of Ben Davies and Eric Dier look like decent investments.

7TH: EVERTON

Roberto Martinez will believe that a top-four finish is within reach, but the Toffees failed to win a game in pre-season, and matches against Arsenal and Chelsea this month could see them start on the back foot.

8TH: NEWCASTLE

Despite a disappointing campaign last season, pre-season wins over Schalke and Real Sociedad, and the signings of Remy Cabella and Siem de Jong have demonstrated that the Magpies can secure a top-10 finish.

9TH: STOKE CITY

The capture of ex-Barcelona wunderkind Bojan Krkic has created a buzz in Stoke, and if he hits the ground running, then the Potters may even improve on their record 50-point haul and maintain last season's ninth-place finish.

10TH: WEST HAM

Andy Carroll's latest injury setback could be a blessing; new striker Enner Valencia bagged all three of Ecuador's World Cup goals, and he could be pivotal in a more expansive Hammers side.

11TH: SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton may have had the heart of their squad ripped out in the summer, but the Saints academy has regularly delivered top-class young talent and, by all accounts, there are plenty of players ready to step into the boots left by Adam Lallana et al.

12TH: QPR

After losing top scorer Charlie Austin to a shoulder injury after Christmas, QPR looked bereft of attacking options and could consider themselves incredibly fortunate to be promoted via the play-offs.

However, add Rio Ferdinand, Steven Caulker and Loic Remy to that squad, and the Hoops should be comfortable.

13TH: LEICESTER CITY

The Foxes romped to the Championship title last season under Nigel Pearson, and are capable of emulating what Hull achieved last season by securing safety.

14TH: CRYSTAL PALACE

Tony Pulis got the best out of an average bunch last season and, without significant additions, the top-10 looks a bridge too far.

15TH: SWANSEA

The departures of Ben Davies and Michel Vorm to Tottenham could cause unrest in the dressing room. Garry Monk may not last the season, but Swansea should just about be safe.

16TH: SUNDERLAND

The loss of Jack Colback and Phil Bardsley could be significant. However, Jack Rodwell looked like a star in the making at Everton before becoming a fringe player at Manchester City, and his arrival could be the difference between survival and relegation.

17TH: HULL CITY

Their Europa League commitments will test the Tigers to the limit, but it's impossible to predict relegation for any team that have the classy Tom Huddlestone as their midfield fulcrum, and Nikica Jelavic in attack.

18TH: ASTON VILLA

Villa have been hovering above the drop zone for several seasons, and the arrival of error-prone defender Philippe Senderos and midfielders Joe Cole and Kieron Richardson, whose careers have stalled in the past few seasons, will hardly set pulses racing.

19TH: WEST BROM

Rookie boss Alan Irvine has made his name as a youth team coach of some distinction, but becoming a first-team boss so late in his career could prove too big a step.

20TH: BURNLEY

Sean Dyche worked wonders last season to lift Burnley back into the EPL. However, with the lowest budget in the top flight, the Clarets are seriously up against it.

This article was first published on Aug 15, 2014.
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