Premiership Title Contenders

It seems only a few weeks since the news was splashed with Blackpool’s promotion to the Premiership and tangerine became the colour of the moment.

It seems only minutes after yet another group of Spaniards have pulled themselves out of a fountain, but once again the top level of the football season kicks off this weekend.

After Tottenham broke in to the supposed ‘top four’ last year, the door to not just there, but the title itself seems to have been eased off its hinges.

Before this weekend’s first round of fixtures, here’s Femalefirsts round up of the clubs that could be headed for title glory this year.

Arsenal

The forgotten member of the old ‘big four’, Arsenal came closer than anyone imagined last year, despite having a squad so thin it came on Andrex and more injuries than a war hospital.

There have been minor improvements though, especially up front, where the injured but likeable Eduardo has been replaced with Moroccan Marouane Chamahk, a highly capable if slightly goal shy forward.

Questions still stand over Arsenal’s squad though. They desperately need a goalkeeper, another defender and a strong midfield presence to truly make them a stand out contender.

Getting all these though is highly unlikely, as Wenger seems to have in recent years developed an allergy to big money transfers.

With Wenger’s delightful way of playing means though that no matter if their man between the sticks flaps like a pigeon, the fans at the Emirates stadium are in for a blast.

Chelsea

Last year’s champions have to start this year as the favourites to retain the title, although that’s not to say they won’t find it hard.

Despite promising a ‘new era’ after winning last year, Chelsea haven’t really brought any huge talent in. The biggest new face is that of the returning Michael Essien, who will be a sight for sore Chelsea eyes.

They do look light in defence though, with lothario John Terry looking more error prone by the match, perhaps the champions may be more vulnerable than last year.

Despite these problems, the lack of any real improvement from either of their major rivals still leaves Chelsea at the head of the pack.

Manchester United

Yet again trying to break Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles, Manchester United start the season with bright, if not glittering, hopes.

Despite having barely a penny to scratch themselves with, they may have pulled of the transfer coup so far in Javier Hernandez.

The man they call Chicarito has looked impressive in pre season and seems to have a natural goal scorers instinct.

Chicarito may not be enough though of Sir Alex’s men. Without Rooney last year they looked bereft of creativity and nothing looks to have changed.

The over reliance on both Rooney and the old guard may just leave England’s biggest name to have to go another year without their record.

Manchester City

The newest of new kids on the block, the Premier League’s money men may have flashed their golden cheque book enough times to compete with the big boys in the league.

The Sky Blues have spent over a quarter of leagues combined transfer pennies (without the Milner and Balotelli deals going through) and certainly look on paper at least like a strong force.

The issues lie in what they do with their sticker book collection of players. Bringing in quality like Silva, Toure and probably Balotelli on top of their already packed team means that alot of egos will be put out come selection time.

Doubts also remain over manager Roberto Mancini, who in his brief spell as manager so far hasn’t looked the most dynamic of characters tactically.

Despite being able to pull off a light blue scarf very well indeed, his defensive mind set could just be the thing to scupper City’s master plan. 

Femalefirst Cameron Smith