The prize they'll all be after.....



With the start of the Barclays Premiership just days away, which teams will be challenging for league glory? Hoff Sports takes a look at those in contention.

Manchester United:

Last season’s champions must start as favourites once again. Love him or hate, you can't help but admire the manager, Alex Ferguson, who wrings every last ounce of talent out of his players. Winning the league last season and also reaching the final of Europe's premier event, the Champions League, only beaten by Barcelona. Barca were probably unbeatable on that night and were rightly lauded as one of the best ever sides. United have strengthened well, but like others seemingly overpaid for British talent, (with Ashley Young and Phil Jones joining Spanish 'Keeper David De Gea). The retirement of Edwin Van Der Sar has left a huge hole, and De Gea will need to hit the ground running. Paul Scholes has also hung up his boots, with Wesley Sneijder his possible replacement. With Sneijder in the ranks they would look a formidable outfit but this transfer is far from a done deal. Top scorer from last season, Dimitar Berbatov seems to be on his way out but with a strong influx of youth team players coming through it will take a concerted effort to stop them winning the 20th title.

Can Chelsea depose Man Utd?

Chelsea:

Second place cost Carlo Anchelotti his job. The message is therefore clear to the new man at the helm, Andreas Villas-Boas, win or get the sack. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made it his priority to win the Champions league, ever since he bought the club, and despite some very near misses this still eludes him. Whilst Chelsea have so far been relatively quiet in this transfer window, the big money moves of Fernando Torres and David Luiz in January for a figure of around £70 million showed that he still meant business. With a summers training under their belts these two should have a much stronger season but it remains to be seen whether the ageing legs of some of the senior pros can muster a full season at the very highest level. Losing star performer Michael Essien is a massive blow to the club and one wonders if Abramovich will delve deep for replacements so soon after Torres' and Luiz' arrivals.

Manchester City:

Dubbed by Ferguson as the 'noisy neighbours', the blue half of Manchester has undergone a transformation unseen anywhere before, thanks to the seemingly bottomless pit of money thrown at the club by Sheikh Mansour. It seems almost inevitable that if this continues it will be a case of when, not if City win the league. Manager Roberto Mancini's biggest problem it seems is how to keep his squad happy. With some players reported to be earning over £200,000 a week you might wonder what is there to be unhappy about! However the enigma that is Mario Balotelli seems to be a destructive influence wherever he goes, and Captain and arguably best player Carlos Tevez wants out. Tevez stated live on TV. that he will never return to Manchester, and a transfer back to Brazil for £40 million was virtually done, but fell through. City have brought in Sergio Aguero as a direct replacement and if Tevez is to stay it is not inconceivable that one of these players will be a sub! The spending, so we are told, is not finished yet, and if this side can gel and gel quickly it may well be their year.

Arsenal:

From challenging on all fronts, to capitulating in the cups, and finishing fourth in the league last time out. This could well be the pivotal year for Arsenal. The club which looks in the most danger of losing its top four status has a massive few weeks ahead, off the field. Captain Cesc Fabregas' projected transfer to Barcelona is still up in the air, but such is the mood at Arsenal that they have had two team photo's taken, one with him, one without. Losing a player of his calibre could just be the beginning, as last season’s best player Samir Nasri also is contemplating his future, (with both sides of Manchester interested). Arsene Wenger knows that the fans have lost patience. The boos rang out long and loud after a pre season game where they failed to win the trophy they sponsor. Without a trophy since 2005, they more than any other side need to hit the ground sprinting, keep their best players, and possibly even bring in some marquee signings if they are to have any serious intentions of silverware.

Tottenham Hotspur: 

Much like North London neighbours, a lot depends on whether or not they can hang onto their best players. Chelsea have made their intentions to sign Luca Modric perfectly clear, and Gareth Bale is very much sought after. Spurs have repeatedly said no on all counts, but Modric disappointingly for the supporters has asked for the opportunity to speak to Chelsea (although no transfer request has been submitted). A fantastic couple of seasons for Spurs saw them qualify for the Champions League for the first time, performing admirably. Ultimately the fight on two fronts saw them slip out of the top places, and now a season of Europa League action awaits. This may well become an unwelcome distraction for a squad that lacks depth (sound familiar?). Spurs have brought in seasoned veteran, Keeper Brad Freidel and he will push hard for a starting place, despite his advancing years, the ex Red stopper was a mainstay in the Villa net for a number of seasons. This transfer aside they have yet to excite the supporters with any notable signings and like Arsenal they need to start well if they are to regain their place at Europe's top table.

 
 Liverpool:
 
What a difference a year makes, the doom and gloom hanging round the club has given way to optimism and hope. The ill fated reign of previous owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, coupled with manager Roy Hodgson, has been replaced by the Fenway Sports Group and John Henry, with fan favourite Kenny Dalglish taking the role he left twenty years ago. Dalglish was the last Liverpool manager to win the league and he has a huge task if he is to repeat this feat, at least this season. More realistically a top four place has become a priority for the owners who have splashed the cash to bring in much needed strength in Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson. Like Man Utd their policy seems to be buy young and British. With the players already having Premiership experience they should settle quicker than most. Coupled with the big January signings of Andy Carroll and Copa America winner (and player of the tournament), Luis Suarez, much will be expected of the side that finished last season so strongly.
 

Can Steven Gerrard bring back glory to Liverpool?



Best of the rest:
 
A lot still depends on the transfers. With just over three weeks remaining teams will undoubtedly wheel and deal as shortcomings appear once the season begins. The six teams above I think most people will agree are the only ones who can realistically challenge for the title. There are always exceptions to the rule, Everton made it into the Champions League not so long ago, but as the seasons pass, this is becoming more and more unlikely without a Man City type investment. So who are the teams who may feel that they have a chance of breaking into the elite.
 
Everton: Leading the chasing pack, the ‘division two’ of the Premiership. Manager David Moyes has worked miracles with a shoestring budget. Losing his best players with alarming regularity will continually handicap a side that once ruled English football and with no significant influx of money, all the fan power in the world will not drag this club back to the top. Aston Villa has the money from the sales of Young and Downing and will need to invest well. Losing manager Gerard Houllier was not seen as a backward step by many Villa fans, who are still bitter at the exit of Martin O'Neill. A Europa league place is surely the best they can hope for this season. Sunderland have been the busiest in the transfer market, signing nine new players. Steve Bruce has been quietly progressing his side each season, and they should finish higher than last season’s tenth place. Fulham have another new man at the helm in Martin Jol. Already four games into their season, (due to the qualifying rounds for the Europa League), it looks to be a season of attrition for the cottagers. The experienced John Arne Riise will be a good signing for them as they look the last of the sides that will be more concerned with what's happening above them, rather than be involved in a relegation scrap.