Chelsea and Manchester United may have formed part of the traditional Premier League's guard of honour as they battled for the Community Shield once more but last season hinted at an increasing vulnerability among English football's established powers.Carlo Ancelotti's march to a Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season at Stamford Bridge was not without stumbles, while Sir Alex Ferguson's Old Trafford empire had to be fortified by the relatively meagre rations afforded by a Carling Cup victory.
Manchester City's latest splurge of summer spending will only increase demands for at least a trophy at Eastlands, while Liverpool - my flawed title tip last term - responded to a dismal campaign by replacing Rafael Benitez with Roy Hodgson.
Martin O'Neill's sudden departure from Aston Villa only adds to the drama ahead of the new season, while the return of Newcastle United and Blackpool to the top flight provides both stature and romance.
So, with cracks in the crystal ball repaired, it is time to predict how the Premier League might play out in 2010/11.
No comments:
Post a Comment