Only four teams can realistically win the Premier League in England and they are all based in London and Manchester. There is a direct correlation between a club’s wage bill and results on the field and Chelsea, City, Arsenal and United are the best payers and one of those club’s will be top dogs in England this season. The quartet will almost certainly qualify for the Champions League and one of them could win it this season.
Preview of the Community Shield.
Champions League Revenues
The most prestigious club competition in the world brings vast revenues which can be spent on the best players and the wheel continues to turn. The financial rewards from competing in the Champions League creates a league within a league in English domestic football and the four superpowers have emerged. Two are based on new money while two have a more traditional approach to trying to win trophies.
Chelsea are financed by a Russian oligarch with some powerful friends in position of power while Manchester City are bankrolled by one of the richest men in the world. Both clubs have had some dips in fortunes in recent years but are now firmly established in the top echelon of clubs in Europe and are eating from the top table. Arsenal and United are structured more around history and having an iconic name. Their success is more based on old values but none of them are British owned.
Premier League Owners
All four clubs are in foreign ownership and employ some of the best overseas players in the world. All earn their living in England but don’t really care how the national team perform in major championships. England disappoint every two years in the World Cup and Euros but the club owners are more concerned with television revenues and beating the opposition in the Premier League. The cubs have just signed the latest lucrative deal which allows their matches to be broadcast all over the world.
Chelsea Favourites
In terms of this year’s league champions Chelsea are the favourites on the back of winning the title with something to spare last season. The club are managed by Jose Mourinho who won’t rest on his laurels and is always looking for his sides to improve. He has bought Radamel Falcao who had a torrid time at Manchester United last season. His four league goals last season was a blip and Mourinho can get his career back on track.
Arsenal’s Prospects
Arsenal were impressive in beating Aston Villa in last season’s Cup Final and they now have a few quid to spend. They have bought Petr Cech from Chelsea who at his peak was just about the best goalkeeper in the world. They have yet to make a marquee signing and one might not come. However, the side that won the Cup are genuine title contenders this season especially as Alexis Sanchez has now bedded in and Mesut Ozil is not coming back from the World Cup.
City Invest Big
Manchester City looked a tired outfit last season and for the second time in three years could not build on winning the title in the previous year. They have again been spending big in recruiting Raheem Sterling from Liverpool for £49 million. They have overpaid for a player more about potential than achievement but he has made a great start to his new career in pre-season friendlies. Even so City need a good season from some of their stalwarts if they are to give the London clubs a run for their money.
United Can Do it Again
Their Manchester neighbours at United are the biggest spenders with some significant buys especially in midfield. However, they look like losing David De Gea, their best player from last season and one the best keepers in the game. United have recruited a potential replacement and may still buy a striker proven at the highest level. If they can be more solid in defence and De Gea is not too greatly missed they can score the goals and keep enough out to be the champions of England for the first time in the Louis Van Gaal era. Winning the Champions league may be beyond them but Mourinho’s Chelsea can be the champions of Europe again.
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