Here is a list of ins/outs of the Big 4 in the premeirship ( yes i am excluding spurs) who will be challenging fot the title and domestic silver ware this season and my evaluation of each of their dealings:
Arsenal: IN- Rosicky
OUT- Bergkamp, Pires, Campbell, probably ashley Cole
Grade- B-
Arsenal will entertain this season with a host of young and skillfull players throught Arsene Wengers team but the question is will this young team do more than play attractive football and actually fill the Highbury trophy cabinet. Last seasons european adventure masked a very indifferent domestic campaign by arsenal who narrowly pipped spurs to the last champions league spot. With old heads bergkamp, pires and campbell leaving and with injuries galore to their defense the opening games of the season could be very important to arsenal. Rosicky gives them more attacking flair in midfield to compliment fabregas and llunberg but their young backline will have to prove the doubters wrong again.
Hard to see this arsenal team coming out on top after 38 league games but have the foundations of a good side for years to come.
Chelsea: IN- Hilario, Sheva, Ballack, Mikel, Kalou and most probably Ashley Cole
Out: Duff, Del Horno, Carlton Cole, Gudjonssen, Glen Johnson
Grade: A+
The best squad in world football just got scarier this year. Chelsea have made a joke of the transfer market by making talented players like duff, del horno and Gudjonssen surplus to requirements. And they have added the german captain, the ukrainian captain, the most talented young african player and the best english left back there is. The question is with crespo and drogba unhappy according to the papers is this the year chelsea's inflated bubble burst or is that just wishful thinking by opposition fans.They will still be favorites in every game they play this year.
Liverpool: IN- Paletta, Aurelio, Pennant, Bellamy, Gonzalez
OUT: Cisse, Morientes, Hamann, Cheyrou, Kirkland
Grade: B+
The RAFAlution continues at anfield with Benitez signing two defenders, 2 wingers and a forward to replace Cisse and Morientes who both failed to adapt sufficiently to the English Game. Their defense which was solid will be boosted by left back Aurelio who is the traditionalleft back Beniteaz played with at Valencia as opposed to the roberto carlos like Risse. Paletta is a young prospect with potential and the aqquisition of pennant and gonzalez gives them added width on the wings to go along with Garcia, Kewell and Zenden. The only question mark like last season is over the quality of their strikers. Bellamy has been a regular premeirship goal scorer over the years but can him and crouch forge a partnership or will it be anfield legend fowler who leads the line this season. Question marks also remain over his and pennants tempermant with Benitea himself admitting he move was risky. May struggle to put away teams below them in close games but look good for another solid run in the cups.
Manchester United: IN: Michael Carrick
Out: Van Nistelrooy, Obi Mikel, Fortune, Howard
Grade: B
Before last year nobody doubted uniteds ability to score goals, it was their ability to keep a clean sheet that let them down in Europe and domestically. However, after finally finding a replacement for The Great Dane united's midifeld fell apart. Injuries to scholes and giggs hindered their participation while legend roy keane left for celtic. Internally there were rumors of discontent amongst players and internal squabbling. One such fight was rumored to have been between Ruud and Ronaldo and was thought to be the trigger behind the Dutchman being left out of the teams later on in the season and finally moving on to newer pastures. The bright spots were the form of Saha and wes brown who both finally realised their potential for the red devils. Uniteds backline has a solidity about them that should make them difficult to break down especially with the return of Former Sir Matt Busby player of the year Gabriel Heinze from injury. The addition of Carrick to the midfield adds some solidity while the return of scholes whill provide an attacking impetus lacking in central midfield last season. Still a defensive midfielder could help break up opposition attacks quicker and use united's favored counter attacks down the wings led by the controversial Ronaldo. It is ironic but united's best piece of business could well bethe fact that they managed to keep hold of the talented portugese winger. After the world cup there were rumors that the player wanted a move out of england and was unhappy at united but all those talks have been squashed by club, manager and the player himself. He may not be as committed to the cause as Gary Neville but there is no doubt on his day ronaldo can find a way past any defender. The favoured strike pairing this season will be Rooney and Saha who formed a very good partnership towards the end of last year an with old head Solsjaer and Smith returning form injuries united aren't short of options up front. Young guiseppe Rossi has also been earmarked by Sir Alex as one of the young players who may make a breakthrough into the first team this season.
With this aquad united will struggle to compete with chelsea over the course of the season especially if they get unlucky with injuries to key players like ferdinand or rooney. A cup run and a good season in europe will probably satisfy most united fans, but with a couple more signings this team could pose a real threat to chelseas dominace of the english game
Arsenal: IN- Rosicky
OUT- Bergkamp, Pires, Campbell, probably ashley Cole
Grade- B-
Arsenal will entertain this season with a host of young and skillfull players throught Arsene Wengers team but the question is will this young team do more than play attractive football and actually fill the Highbury trophy cabinet. Last seasons european adventure masked a very indifferent domestic campaign by arsenal who narrowly pipped spurs to the last champions league spot. With old heads bergkamp, pires and campbell leaving and with injuries galore to their defense the opening games of the season could be very important to arsenal. Rosicky gives them more attacking flair in midfield to compliment fabregas and llunberg but their young backline will have to prove the doubters wrong again.
Hard to see this arsenal team coming out on top after 38 league games but have the foundations of a good side for years to come.
Chelsea: IN- Hilario, Sheva, Ballack, Mikel, Kalou and most probably Ashley Cole
Out: Duff, Del Horno, Carlton Cole, Gudjonssen, Glen Johnson
Grade: A+
The best squad in world football just got scarier this year. Chelsea have made a joke of the transfer market by making talented players like duff, del horno and Gudjonssen surplus to requirements. And they have added the german captain, the ukrainian captain, the most talented young african player and the best english left back there is. The question is with crespo and drogba unhappy according to the papers is this the year chelsea's inflated bubble burst or is that just wishful thinking by opposition fans.They will still be favorites in every game they play this year.
Liverpool: IN- Paletta, Aurelio, Pennant, Bellamy, Gonzalez
OUT: Cisse, Morientes, Hamann, Cheyrou, Kirkland
Grade: B+
The RAFAlution continues at anfield with Benitez signing two defenders, 2 wingers and a forward to replace Cisse and Morientes who both failed to adapt sufficiently to the English Game. Their defense which was solid will be boosted by left back Aurelio who is the traditionalleft back Beniteaz played with at Valencia as opposed to the roberto carlos like Risse. Paletta is a young prospect with potential and the aqquisition of pennant and gonzalez gives them added width on the wings to go along with Garcia, Kewell and Zenden. The only question mark like last season is over the quality of their strikers. Bellamy has been a regular premeirship goal scorer over the years but can him and crouch forge a partnership or will it be anfield legend fowler who leads the line this season. Question marks also remain over his and pennants tempermant with Benitea himself admitting he move was risky. May struggle to put away teams below them in close games but look good for another solid run in the cups.
Manchester United: IN: Michael Carrick
Out: Van Nistelrooy, Obi Mikel, Fortune, Howard
Grade: B
Before last year nobody doubted uniteds ability to score goals, it was their ability to keep a clean sheet that let them down in Europe and domestically. However, after finally finding a replacement for The Great Dane united's midifeld fell apart. Injuries to scholes and giggs hindered their participation while legend roy keane left for celtic. Internally there were rumors of discontent amongst players and internal squabbling. One such fight was rumored to have been between Ruud and Ronaldo and was thought to be the trigger behind the Dutchman being left out of the teams later on in the season and finally moving on to newer pastures. The bright spots were the form of Saha and wes brown who both finally realised their potential for the red devils. Uniteds backline has a solidity about them that should make them difficult to break down especially with the return of Former Sir Matt Busby player of the year Gabriel Heinze from injury. The addition of Carrick to the midfield adds some solidity while the return of scholes whill provide an attacking impetus lacking in central midfield last season. Still a defensive midfielder could help break up opposition attacks quicker and use united's favored counter attacks down the wings led by the controversial Ronaldo. It is ironic but united's best piece of business could well bethe fact that they managed to keep hold of the talented portugese winger. After the world cup there were rumors that the player wanted a move out of england and was unhappy at united but all those talks have been squashed by club, manager and the player himself. He may not be as committed to the cause as Gary Neville but there is no doubt on his day ronaldo can find a way past any defender. The favoured strike pairing this season will be Rooney and Saha who formed a very good partnership towards the end of last year an with old head Solsjaer and Smith returning form injuries united aren't short of options up front. Young guiseppe Rossi has also been earmarked by Sir Alex as one of the young players who may make a breakthrough into the first team this season.
With this aquad united will struggle to compete with chelsea over the course of the season especially if they get unlucky with injuries to key players like ferdinand or rooney. A cup run and a good season in europe will probably satisfy most united fans, but with a couple more signings this team could pose a real threat to chelseas dominace of the english game
