Next week is crunch time for many countries hoping to be at next year’s World Cup finals.
With nine months to go before the tournament kicks off in South Africa, who are the real contenders for the crown?
Will it be the same old names? Or will a dark horse sneak through the pack and surprise everyone?
Some major names are unlikely to be in Africa. Portugal are struggling to qualify, while Sweden also face early elimination.
It is therefore, a distinct possibility that we may not get to see either Ronaldo or Zlatan Ibrahimovic at next year’s showpiece event.
Spain appear to be most people’s favourites at this point, and rightly so.
The Liberians have the best pool of players and have won every one of their qualifying matches. This sequence included a victory in Turkey, a notoriously tough place to go and win.
They have a dazzling array of talent including Iker Casillas, the goalkeeper and a defence including two Champions league winners and Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid.
The midfielders are small but wonderful at keeping possession. Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso, Fabregas, Silva and Senna are all world class players.
Coach Vincent Del Bosque can afford to leave two of those players out. He really has an embarrassment of riches in that area.
The Spaniards also have decent options out wide. Liverpool’s Albert Riera has a terrific left foot and a fine turn of pace. He has really improved over the last year. His presence offers them another dimension.
David Villa and Fernando Torres are a duo of strikers unrivalled in world football. But, what would happen if one of them got injured?
Are the substitute strikers even approaching the same level? I would say no.
I believe here are question marks over the defence as well. Carles Puyol is not the player he was three years ago and does get caught for pace on many occasions. Gerard Pique, meanwhile, still lacks experience on the international stage.
The midfield is supreme when in possession, but what about when the team faces a physical outfit, like for example, the USA? They can be rattled, as we saw in the summer.
The Spaniards are the bookies favourites, but are beatable in my view.. They haven’t got that invincible feel that say, France had, at the turn of the century.
England have been superb in qualifying and have an excellent coach in Fabio Capello. He seems to be getting the best out of Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney and has moulded them into a tough outfit.
The 1966 winners concede more goals than they did under Sven Goran Eriksson, but they also score more.
Question marks still remain over the goalkeeper and the right back position. Although Glen Johnson offers so much going forward, it does enable Capello to play Lampard, Gerrard and Barry in a narrow formation if needs be.
Much has been said about Jermaine Defoe’s form. But he will not be a starter.
Emile Heskey or Carlton Cole will partner Rooney.
These players provide the Manchester United forward with the space he requires because they are prepared to do his dirty work. Defoe is not selfless enough for that role and he can only really be an impact substitute.
England should certainly get to the last four. It will be winter in South Africa, so the heat cannot be an excuse like it has been in previous World Cups.
I just worry what Capello’s frame of mind will be like if England meet Italy. That would be a fascinating scenario if it happened.
Italy and Germany can never be written off when it comes to major championships, and will qualify.
Both teams lack the superstars of years gone by, but both have experienced coaches and terrific team work.
Danielle De Rossi of AS Roma is a quality player for Italy, and has the ability to be a real star of the tournament. However the Italians are an ageing side and I believe this will be their downfall.
Michael Ballack remains Germany’s key man. It may well be his swan song, so he will want to go out on a real high.
One of those two giants will probably get to the semi finals, but I would be very surprised if both teams made it that far.
Of the South Americans, Brazil will always be a threat. But do they have the players this time around?
The five times winners currently lack any truly world class strikers.
In recent World Cups they have had Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Adriano to call on. But now they have no one even close to that standard.
Robinho and Kaka are the players on whom their hopes rest. But they are both inconsistent. Can they perform at their best for seven games in 30 days?
Gilberto Silva, Ze Roberto and Lucio are all veterans now, but Danny Alves is a fantastic option at wing back if Dunga decides to use him. I believe the Barcelona star could also be a star of the tournament.
Brazil will always be dangerous, mainly due to the fact that are ‘Brazil’.
I personally don’t think Argentina are contenders for the crown.
I don’t believe Diego Maradona is an astute enough manager, and like England, Argentina always go into the World Cup as one of the favourites and so often fail to deliver.
Since the two time winners lost the 1990 final, they have not gone beyond the quarter finals. In fact they even went out in the group stages in 2002.
Lionel Messi is obviously their main star, but I don’t think he can win the tournament on his own.
The Argentines have hardly set the world alight in the qualifiers, and their record playing at high altitude, as they may do in South Africa, is appalling.
I do not see the Netherlands as contenders either. They are terrific going forward, but have a particularly weak defence, which will get exposed at the highest level.
Dirk Kuyt is a decent player, but if he is Holland’s first choice central striker, I think this demonstrates their lack of strength in depth.
Russia have been a sleeping giant way too long, but they have continued where they left off in Euro 2008, when I thought they were the next best team after Spain.
Guus Hiddink’s side have a terrific balance of technique and pace, and seem to have a good team spirit. They are also frightening quick on the counter attack.
Hiddink has to take a lot of credit for this, and with players such as Andrei Arshavin, Yuri Zhirkov and Roman Pavlyuchenko (chronically under-used at Tottenham last season), they are a good bet to get to the last eight at least.
However, a word of advice for the gambler’s among you. Please note Hiddink’s losing record in semi finals. I predict the Russians will not go beyond that stage.
My dark horses for 2010 are Serbia.
They have an excellent defence marshaled by Nemanja Vidic, and have quality in midfield, led by the outstanding Inter playmaker Dejan Stankovic.
As with all former Yugoslav teams, they are supremely gifted technically. Many of the team have also grown up together and the spirit is excellent.
If the Serbs can win at home to France next week, and I think they will, they have all but assured qualification. Watch out for them next year!
Of the African teams, the Ivory Coast have the experience of the last World Cup to draw on. I think if the draw favours them, they are a good bet for the last eight.
The West Africans are a strong and technically gifted team and they also possess world class players in Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba.
Whether the Ivory Coast, like all the African teams, have the discipline to go all the way is still debatable. But no one will look forward to playing such a powerful outfit.
As things stand, I would make Spain slight favourites, closely followed by Brazil, England and Russia.
Injuries to key players can make all the difference so it’s difficult to make solid predictions at this stage.
But it should be an exciting end to the qualifying stages and I predict a few twists and turns to come..
The countdown continues. 285 days to go.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
JUMPING ON THE PROVERBIAL....
It comes as no surprise that the bandwagon jumping has already begun.
I like many other fans, just wish that journalists and analysts alike would not over-react to early season results.
This first week has been no different in the Premiership.
First Chelsea were under close scrutiny for an un-inspiring and ultimately lucky victory over Hull. Then it was Liverpool’s turn following a poor performance at Spurs.
Now suddenly after two games, Spurs are title contenders with some analysts and Manchester United will be struggling to get into the top four.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are now definite contenders with many critics to claim the title. And this after only one league game and one Champions League victory.
Let me ask one question? Instead of just looking at the results, why do analysts not observe what actually happened and assess the bigger picture?
The most important assessment I can make at this stage is that there are 36 games to go.
Chelsea are now the clear Premiership favourites with the bookies. But at half time on Saturday they were getting heavily criticised in many quarters. How football can change so quickly.
It is obvious that Carlo Ancelotti is still not sure of the right system to use, and is still getting accustomed to a new league.
His west London side have been terrific in the second half of both of their games, but very poor in the first half.
Ancelotti will be well aware that better teams than Hull and Sunderland could have killed them off before half time.
Liverpool are suddenly a good team again after thrashing Stoke, but are heavily missing Xavi Alonso according to many people in the press.
But let’s just assess this in more detail.
Xavi Alonso played away to Tottenham and at home to Stoke last season. Liverpool took one point from those two games, scoring one goal in the process.
This season they have scored five goals and taken three points.
Liverpool may well miss the Spaniard in the games to come, but analysts really should check their information before making such rash, pre-conceived judgments.
Another thing that has been scrutinized is Liverpool’s performance at White Hart Lane.
In an attacking sense they were poor, but defensively they also had a day to forget.
Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher were involved in a nasty collision in the first half and the Slovakian central defender could not actually move his head to one side for the rest of the game.
Carragher also seemed to be feeling the affects of the injury for the rest of the game, and this clearly restricted his performance.
This is not making excuses, it’s a fact and Tottenham took advantage of that.
Harry Redknapp’s side deserved the win over Liverpool, and the 5-1 thrashing away to Hull City was impressive too.
However, the North London club are not title contenders.
They have four very good strikers, but the defence and goalkeeper are not strong enough to win the league.
Ledley King can only play one game a week, and the full backs are not top class, let alone the replacements.
Wilson Palacios is a terrific player. But if he got injured, Tottenham have no replacement anywhere near as effective.
I do think Tottenham can challenge for a top four place, but ultimately I believe even that is beyond them. However, I expect a top six finish.
Manchester United were poor at Burnley and not particularly impressive at home to Birmingham.
But the Champions are notoriously slow starters and to write them off now would be foolish.
However, the loss of Christiano Ronaldo cannot be underestimated, and with him they may well have got a result at Burnley.
But like Alonso, the Portuguese star wanted to leave, so there is no use in the Red Devils dwelling on his departure.
United’s lack of creativity elsewhere in midfield has to be a worry though. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sir Alex Ferguson spent before the transfer window is closed.
Last, but not least there is Arsenal.
The Gunners had a terrific opening day win, but Everton were in tatters.
How many times do Arsenal score from two set pieces in one match? Very rarely I would say.
Joleon Lescott obviously had his mind on other things, and Everton will surely not play as badly as that again this season.
The fifth goal especially, where Cesc Fabregas ran the half the field without a challenge was scandalous defending, and Arsenal will not get that amount of room in most games.
Arsenal’s true worth can be judged on that game, although their confidence will be sky high, and that’s the really positive factor to take from that game.
I still believe that Arsene Wenger’s side are capable of losing when you least expect it and that will be their downfall.
Football wouldn’t be the great game we all love, if people didn’t over-react or make outrageous statements.
But former players especially do have a habit of making statements without really looking at the facts.
Let’s just see what the table looks like at the beginning of October, then we really can begin to make outrageous predictions.
I like many other fans, just wish that journalists and analysts alike would not over-react to early season results.
This first week has been no different in the Premiership.
First Chelsea were under close scrutiny for an un-inspiring and ultimately lucky victory over Hull. Then it was Liverpool’s turn following a poor performance at Spurs.
Now suddenly after two games, Spurs are title contenders with some analysts and Manchester United will be struggling to get into the top four.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are now definite contenders with many critics to claim the title. And this after only one league game and one Champions League victory.
Let me ask one question? Instead of just looking at the results, why do analysts not observe what actually happened and assess the bigger picture?
The most important assessment I can make at this stage is that there are 36 games to go.
Chelsea are now the clear Premiership favourites with the bookies. But at half time on Saturday they were getting heavily criticised in many quarters. How football can change so quickly.
It is obvious that Carlo Ancelotti is still not sure of the right system to use, and is still getting accustomed to a new league.
His west London side have been terrific in the second half of both of their games, but very poor in the first half.
Ancelotti will be well aware that better teams than Hull and Sunderland could have killed them off before half time.
Liverpool are suddenly a good team again after thrashing Stoke, but are heavily missing Xavi Alonso according to many people in the press.
But let’s just assess this in more detail.
Xavi Alonso played away to Tottenham and at home to Stoke last season. Liverpool took one point from those two games, scoring one goal in the process.
This season they have scored five goals and taken three points.
Liverpool may well miss the Spaniard in the games to come, but analysts really should check their information before making such rash, pre-conceived judgments.
Another thing that has been scrutinized is Liverpool’s performance at White Hart Lane.
In an attacking sense they were poor, but defensively they also had a day to forget.
Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher were involved in a nasty collision in the first half and the Slovakian central defender could not actually move his head to one side for the rest of the game.
Carragher also seemed to be feeling the affects of the injury for the rest of the game, and this clearly restricted his performance.
This is not making excuses, it’s a fact and Tottenham took advantage of that.
Harry Redknapp’s side deserved the win over Liverpool, and the 5-1 thrashing away to Hull City was impressive too.
However, the North London club are not title contenders.
They have four very good strikers, but the defence and goalkeeper are not strong enough to win the league.
Ledley King can only play one game a week, and the full backs are not top class, let alone the replacements.
Wilson Palacios is a terrific player. But if he got injured, Tottenham have no replacement anywhere near as effective.
I do think Tottenham can challenge for a top four place, but ultimately I believe even that is beyond them. However, I expect a top six finish.
Manchester United were poor at Burnley and not particularly impressive at home to Birmingham.
But the Champions are notoriously slow starters and to write them off now would be foolish.
However, the loss of Christiano Ronaldo cannot be underestimated, and with him they may well have got a result at Burnley.
But like Alonso, the Portuguese star wanted to leave, so there is no use in the Red Devils dwelling on his departure.
United’s lack of creativity elsewhere in midfield has to be a worry though. I wouldn’t be surprised if Sir Alex Ferguson spent before the transfer window is closed.
Last, but not least there is Arsenal.
The Gunners had a terrific opening day win, but Everton were in tatters.
How many times do Arsenal score from two set pieces in one match? Very rarely I would say.
Joleon Lescott obviously had his mind on other things, and Everton will surely not play as badly as that again this season.
The fifth goal especially, where Cesc Fabregas ran the half the field without a challenge was scandalous defending, and Arsenal will not get that amount of room in most games.
Arsenal’s true worth can be judged on that game, although their confidence will be sky high, and that’s the really positive factor to take from that game.
I still believe that Arsene Wenger’s side are capable of losing when you least expect it and that will be their downfall.
Football wouldn’t be the great game we all love, if people didn’t over-react or make outrageous statements.
But former players especially do have a habit of making statements without really looking at the facts.
Let’s just see what the table looks like at the beginning of October, then we really can begin to make outrageous predictions.
Friday, August 14, 2009
A THREE HORSE RACE
I don’t think I am alone in believing that it’s going to be an exciting title race this year.
Heard this all before?
In my view there is nothing to choose between Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Only seven points separated the three teams last year, but United showed the consistency when it really mattered.
They fundamentally claimed the title with a fantastic run of results in the winter months.
So let’s dissect the three teams.
Manchester United:
The Champions are certainly weaker.
Nobody can tell me that losing Ronaldo is a positive thing.
Granted, he is outspoken, has a horrible attitude at times and even seems to annoy his team mates on the field of play.
But, he has scored 66 league goals in three seasons and has been the match-winner on so many occasions.
Last season, when the Madiera born winger was not in good form for long patches, he still chipped in with 18 league goals, including some crucial goals in the run in.
Now of course, a lot depends on whether Wayne Rooney can step up to the plate in a far more expressive, central role. And he will now be their main threat.
It will also be interesting to see how Dimitar Berbatov performs. The Bulgarian is inconsistent, but can also be truly majestic.
Without Carlos Tevez breathing down his neck for a starting role, maybe Berbatov will become the player will he all know he can be.
The other intriguing prospect at Old Trafford is how Michael Owen fares. Can Sir Alex Ferguson get the best out of him? Or is he a spent force.
I personally think Owen will chip in with 15 goals plus, but as it always seems to be with Owen, he seems incapable of staying fit for more than several weeks.
Elsewhere, United’s midfield is certainly the weakest of the top three.
Darren Fletcher has improved so much but is still not in the very top bracket of world midfielders.
Scholes and Giggs can surely not to be more than bit part players this season.
And, while Anderson is a great talent, his development seems to have gone backwards in the last year.
Jung Si Park is an aimable workhorse, but for me was out of his depth in the Champions League final.
However, the Korean does often come in handy in the Premership due to his persistence and battling qualities, and will be valuable in tricky away games against lesser teams.
The defence is very strong, but there remains a question mark over the goalkeeping position.
Edwin Van der Sar is ageing and a little injury prone these days. While, Ben Foster still has a lot to prove. His kicking certainly needs vast improvement.
You can never write off Ferguson’s team, but this might well be a season of transition for the 11 times Premiership winners.
Liverpool:
Rafael Benitez certainly has a love-hate relationship with the media and probably his players too. But sometimes I believe the Spaniard gets unjust criticism.
The team he has built is unrecognisable to the one he inherited. It is a huge force in Europe and the team finished 26 points better off in 2009, than the team he took over from in 2004. That is progress in any one’s book.
Pundits have often referred to Liverpool as a ‘two man team’ but that is ludicrous. And the facts need to be stated clearly.
The Merseysiders finished with 86 points last season. But Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres only started 14 of the 38 league games in tandom.
When they did play together, predominantly in the last three months of the season, the team were unstoppable, but to say there are not other top class players at the club is insulting to players such as Javier Mascherano, Albert Riera, Pep Reina and Jamie Carrager.
Liverpool really clicked towards the end of last season. The Anfield club took 31 points out of the last 33 avaliable, and scored an incredible 34 goals.
If last year's runners up can start in the same vein this campaign, they have to be serious contenders.
Much has been made of Xavi Alonso’s departure. But I think Liverpool got a good deal.
He is 28 in November and the Reds have made a 200 % profit on a player they bought five years ago, and during a recession.
As good as his passing is, and when it’s good it’s really good. I have also seen the Spaniard give it away on numerous occasions as well.
Alonso is also very slow for a top class midfielder and doesn’t score enough goals for a player who strikes the ball as well as he does.
It should also be remembered that Liverpool’s best performance of last season did not include the Basque born player. He missed the 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Alonso will be missed at Anfield, but Alberto Aquilani is an Italian international, a crisp passer of the ball and scores more goals than Alonso. He is also two years younger.
However, the former Roma trainee appears to be quite prone to knocks, so there are question marks over his fitness.
Javier Mascherano is a vital cog in the Anfield machine. The club have managed to stave off interest from other clubs and he offers so much protection in front of the back four.
Liverpool miss the Argentine so much when he is not there. The 3-1 reverse at home to Chelsea in the Champions League last season being one such example.
One player that excites many Liverpool supporters is Yossi Benayoun.
The former West Ham man was one of the best players in the country during the last two months of last season. He chips in with vital goals and is also a very lively substitute.
The Israeli will be hoping for more starts, and with Aquilani not expected to be fit until October he may get plenty of them in the early months of the campaign.
Glen Johnson still has a lot to prove. He is very talented going forward has so much ability.
But the England right back’s defensive discipline is still a cause for concern, and 17 million pounds is an awful lot of money. Arbeloa was an excellent player and Johnson has a lot of pressure on him to fill thos boots.
Benitez can hopefully improve the former Chelsea man as a defender without nullifying his talent going forward. This can also be a major plus for England.
It’s a big if, but if Gerrard and Torres play in 80% of Liverpool’s games together, they are my tip for the title.
Chelsea:
I do sense a touch of de ja vu in the build up to this season.
Many people are building up Carlo Ancelotti as a master. But this also happened with Phil Scolari and look what happened there.
Once again, the Italian lacks Premiership experience. But, on the fip side he has vast experience in a European League and speaks better English.
I do feel there is a possibility it could all backfire for Abramovich, and the fact that Chelsea keep having to start from scratch season after season much be wearing for the players.
Ancelotti was at Milan for over seven years but only won one Scudetto in that time. But Roman Abramovich’s dream is to win the Champions League, and the 49 year old Italian certainly has an record to marvel at in that competition. Two victories and another final (in which they led 3-0) is a superb record.
So maybe the team could be a better bet in Europe.
However, with the players at their disposal Chelsea should certainly be in the mix in the league come the end of the season.
For all Scholari’s problems, the team did miss Michael Essien for five months of last season. He is their most important player and has so much power and ability.
I just hope Ancelotti plays him further forward because I think he is wasted in a defensive role. Hiddink used him more effectively, allowing him freedom to break forward when gaps appeared.
Zhirkov was one of the stars on Euro 2008 and is an excellent signing who will offer both defensive security and attacking zest.
While, like Benayoun, Florent Malouda was a star towards the end of last season, and if he continues that form, he will be a real handful.
As I have stated before, the Chelsea side is an ageing one, and have been for a couple of years now.
Nine of their starting eleven will be 29 or over come 2010 and I think this could play an important role later in the season.
Ancelotti, however, is not there to build a team. He is there to continue an on going project and it will be fascinating to see how he does.
His AC Milan team won the Champions League with a team of ageing players, but failed to challenge for the title.
Whether that will be good enough for Abramovich remains to be seen.
I do think that Chelsea’s priority is the Champions League, and a lot depends on whether Didier Drogba can stay focused and injury free.
It also appears like Nicola Anelka is finally the player we all believed he could be. While Frank Lampard will always be a threat, especially in the big games.
But I think a question mark remains over Petr Cech.
Again the Czech international should have saved Nani’s shot in the Community shield, but let the shot slip past him.
Towards the end of last season, the keeper had an horrendous time, and just seems to have lost his confidence.
If he can return to being the player he was four years ago, he will make a huge difference, and that might just be the difference that win’s Chelsea the title.
It's going to be a thrilling season and I believe the winning points total will be lower than in previous campaigns. I also think the race will go to the wire.
For what it’s worth. Here is my predicted final league table:
1 Liverpool (if Torres and Gerrard play 80% of the games)
2 Chelsea
3 Manchester United
4 Everton
5 Arsenal (but Arshavin to win player of the year)
6 Tottenham
7 Aston Villa
8 Manchester City
9 Sunderland
10 West Ham
11 Fulham
12 Blackburn
13 Bolton
14 Burnley
15 Stoke
16 Birmingham
17 Wigan
18 Wolves
19 Hull
20 Portsmouth
Heard this all before?
In my view there is nothing to choose between Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. Only seven points separated the three teams last year, but United showed the consistency when it really mattered.
They fundamentally claimed the title with a fantastic run of results in the winter months.
So let’s dissect the three teams.
Manchester United:
The Champions are certainly weaker.
Nobody can tell me that losing Ronaldo is a positive thing.
Granted, he is outspoken, has a horrible attitude at times and even seems to annoy his team mates on the field of play.
But, he has scored 66 league goals in three seasons and has been the match-winner on so many occasions.
Last season, when the Madiera born winger was not in good form for long patches, he still chipped in with 18 league goals, including some crucial goals in the run in.
Now of course, a lot depends on whether Wayne Rooney can step up to the plate in a far more expressive, central role. And he will now be their main threat.
It will also be interesting to see how Dimitar Berbatov performs. The Bulgarian is inconsistent, but can also be truly majestic.
Without Carlos Tevez breathing down his neck for a starting role, maybe Berbatov will become the player will he all know he can be.
The other intriguing prospect at Old Trafford is how Michael Owen fares. Can Sir Alex Ferguson get the best out of him? Or is he a spent force.
I personally think Owen will chip in with 15 goals plus, but as it always seems to be with Owen, he seems incapable of staying fit for more than several weeks.
Elsewhere, United’s midfield is certainly the weakest of the top three.
Darren Fletcher has improved so much but is still not in the very top bracket of world midfielders.
Scholes and Giggs can surely not to be more than bit part players this season.
And, while Anderson is a great talent, his development seems to have gone backwards in the last year.
Jung Si Park is an aimable workhorse, but for me was out of his depth in the Champions League final.
However, the Korean does often come in handy in the Premership due to his persistence and battling qualities, and will be valuable in tricky away games against lesser teams.
The defence is very strong, but there remains a question mark over the goalkeeping position.
Edwin Van der Sar is ageing and a little injury prone these days. While, Ben Foster still has a lot to prove. His kicking certainly needs vast improvement.
You can never write off Ferguson’s team, but this might well be a season of transition for the 11 times Premiership winners.
Liverpool:
Rafael Benitez certainly has a love-hate relationship with the media and probably his players too. But sometimes I believe the Spaniard gets unjust criticism.
The team he has built is unrecognisable to the one he inherited. It is a huge force in Europe and the team finished 26 points better off in 2009, than the team he took over from in 2004. That is progress in any one’s book.
Pundits have often referred to Liverpool as a ‘two man team’ but that is ludicrous. And the facts need to be stated clearly.
The Merseysiders finished with 86 points last season. But Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres only started 14 of the 38 league games in tandom.
When they did play together, predominantly in the last three months of the season, the team were unstoppable, but to say there are not other top class players at the club is insulting to players such as Javier Mascherano, Albert Riera, Pep Reina and Jamie Carrager.
Liverpool really clicked towards the end of last season. The Anfield club took 31 points out of the last 33 avaliable, and scored an incredible 34 goals.
If last year's runners up can start in the same vein this campaign, they have to be serious contenders.
Much has been made of Xavi Alonso’s departure. But I think Liverpool got a good deal.
He is 28 in November and the Reds have made a 200 % profit on a player they bought five years ago, and during a recession.
As good as his passing is, and when it’s good it’s really good. I have also seen the Spaniard give it away on numerous occasions as well.
Alonso is also very slow for a top class midfielder and doesn’t score enough goals for a player who strikes the ball as well as he does.
It should also be remembered that Liverpool’s best performance of last season did not include the Basque born player. He missed the 4-1 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Alonso will be missed at Anfield, but Alberto Aquilani is an Italian international, a crisp passer of the ball and scores more goals than Alonso. He is also two years younger.
However, the former Roma trainee appears to be quite prone to knocks, so there are question marks over his fitness.
Javier Mascherano is a vital cog in the Anfield machine. The club have managed to stave off interest from other clubs and he offers so much protection in front of the back four.
Liverpool miss the Argentine so much when he is not there. The 3-1 reverse at home to Chelsea in the Champions League last season being one such example.
One player that excites many Liverpool supporters is Yossi Benayoun.
The former West Ham man was one of the best players in the country during the last two months of last season. He chips in with vital goals and is also a very lively substitute.
The Israeli will be hoping for more starts, and with Aquilani not expected to be fit until October he may get plenty of them in the early months of the campaign.
Glen Johnson still has a lot to prove. He is very talented going forward has so much ability.
But the England right back’s defensive discipline is still a cause for concern, and 17 million pounds is an awful lot of money. Arbeloa was an excellent player and Johnson has a lot of pressure on him to fill thos boots.
Benitez can hopefully improve the former Chelsea man as a defender without nullifying his talent going forward. This can also be a major plus for England.
It’s a big if, but if Gerrard and Torres play in 80% of Liverpool’s games together, they are my tip for the title.
Chelsea:
I do sense a touch of de ja vu in the build up to this season.
Many people are building up Carlo Ancelotti as a master. But this also happened with Phil Scolari and look what happened there.
Once again, the Italian lacks Premiership experience. But, on the fip side he has vast experience in a European League and speaks better English.
I do feel there is a possibility it could all backfire for Abramovich, and the fact that Chelsea keep having to start from scratch season after season much be wearing for the players.
Ancelotti was at Milan for over seven years but only won one Scudetto in that time. But Roman Abramovich’s dream is to win the Champions League, and the 49 year old Italian certainly has an record to marvel at in that competition. Two victories and another final (in which they led 3-0) is a superb record.
So maybe the team could be a better bet in Europe.
However, with the players at their disposal Chelsea should certainly be in the mix in the league come the end of the season.
For all Scholari’s problems, the team did miss Michael Essien for five months of last season. He is their most important player and has so much power and ability.
I just hope Ancelotti plays him further forward because I think he is wasted in a defensive role. Hiddink used him more effectively, allowing him freedom to break forward when gaps appeared.
Zhirkov was one of the stars on Euro 2008 and is an excellent signing who will offer both defensive security and attacking zest.
While, like Benayoun, Florent Malouda was a star towards the end of last season, and if he continues that form, he will be a real handful.
As I have stated before, the Chelsea side is an ageing one, and have been for a couple of years now.
Nine of their starting eleven will be 29 or over come 2010 and I think this could play an important role later in the season.
Ancelotti, however, is not there to build a team. He is there to continue an on going project and it will be fascinating to see how he does.
His AC Milan team won the Champions League with a team of ageing players, but failed to challenge for the title.
Whether that will be good enough for Abramovich remains to be seen.
I do think that Chelsea’s priority is the Champions League, and a lot depends on whether Didier Drogba can stay focused and injury free.
It also appears like Nicola Anelka is finally the player we all believed he could be. While Frank Lampard will always be a threat, especially in the big games.
But I think a question mark remains over Petr Cech.
Again the Czech international should have saved Nani’s shot in the Community shield, but let the shot slip past him.
Towards the end of last season, the keeper had an horrendous time, and just seems to have lost his confidence.
If he can return to being the player he was four years ago, he will make a huge difference, and that might just be the difference that win’s Chelsea the title.
It's going to be a thrilling season and I believe the winning points total will be lower than in previous campaigns. I also think the race will go to the wire.
For what it’s worth. Here is my predicted final league table:
1 Liverpool (if Torres and Gerrard play 80% of the games)
2 Chelsea
3 Manchester United
4 Everton
5 Arsenal (but Arshavin to win player of the year)
6 Tottenham
7 Aston Villa
8 Manchester City
9 Sunderland
10 West Ham
11 Fulham
12 Blackburn
13 Bolton
14 Burnley
15 Stoke
16 Birmingham
17 Wigan
18 Wolves
19 Hull
20 Portsmouth
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