EPL 2009-10 Pursuit Of Top Flight Glory
EPL 2009-10 Title Contenders
Following a hectic summer of departures and arrivals among English football's elitists, not to mention the activity in the Eastlands waiting room, there is a tense anticipation in the air ahead of the opening weekend of fixtures.
Here is a guide to potential challengers, and those teams who will be scrapping for survival at the business end of the season.
Manchester United:
While last season's Champions have lost both Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez, their most prized asset should be quietly confident of retaining silverware this season. Sir Alex Ferguson has recruited wisely ahead of the new campaign, and Michael Owen could well be the signing of the season.
Dimitar Berbatov is set to play a pivotal role, as Manchester United return to a 4-4-2 formation, a system that is more favoured by the Bulgarian, and also more crucially perhaps Wayne Rooney, as the duo seek to thrive on the creative flair from the wide areas. Throw Michael Owen into the equation, and surely this is a recipe for success.
If the Champions can hit the ground running, and find the winning formula quickly, they will be very hard to stop.
Chelsea:
The team that will perhaps run Manchester United the closest, Chelsea's biggest signing of the summer was Manager Carlo Ancelotti from Ac Milan. Retaining the services of several key players and holding onto skipper John Terry, was the Italian's main task in the summer. New recruit Yuri Zhirkov will be a useful addition, while Daniel Sturridge and Ross Turnbull will also provide healthy competition.
The majority of the Chelsea squad have been together at least a couple of seasons and providing their main players stay fit, this could prove to be hugely beneficial as they seek to regain the Premiership title.
Carlo Ancelotti is renowned for getting the best out of players, and if Didier Drogba can return to his unstoppable form, and the team keep their discipline then they will be a very potent outfit this term.
Liverpool:
Their biggest chance to win the Premier League came last season, and after losing Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid their hopes of success this season may be futile. New signing; Alberto Aquilani has superb attacking ability and an eye for goal, but will not give Liverpool the stability which Alonso provided so competently. If Liverpool are to win the league, Steven Gerrard needs to replicate his performances from last season, and Fernando Torres needs to score more goals.
The squad seems to be at least two or three signings short of a title winning team this season, and having paid inflated prices for the two they have made, this may easily prove to be an expensive mistake in their quest for that ever-elusive Premier League trophy.
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