Reflections on the Premier League 2009-10
The season is still in its nascent stages but if you love the premier league then you know what I mean.
Reflections on the Barclays Premier League 2009-10 season:
The sons of misfortune
Well we're 4 rounds into the premier league season and already the controversy surrounding us knows no limits. Chelsea's transfer window ban obviously stands out as the prime contender for "what the heck?" reactions, but being a fan of a rival title contender I met that news with nothing but a gleeful smile on my face. Considering Chelsea's average age of players and with the knowledge that they won't be active for the next two transfer windows (if their appeal turns unsuccessful), the future does not look very bright for the Pensioners. They've made a blistering start to the season winning 4 out of 4, but you get the feeling that much tougher tests await them.
Ancelotti does not have a great record in domestic leagues and once injuries and suspensions start mounting up things could take a turn for the worse at Stamford Bridge. Add to that a growing sense of resentment against Mr. Chelsea himself (John Terry) owing to his "sleepless nights" when Manchester City came calling, and you have the ingredients for a potential Scolari-esque capitulation.
Drogba's form thus far has been nothing short of sensational but he does have an uncanny ability to self-explode at key moments. Keeping his temperament in check and keeping Frank Lampard fit should be Chelsea's priorities. Also, I would like to see Gael Kakuta play and see what all the fuss is really about. So far he has only featured for the reserves and will not be seeing any action for the next 4 months either.
'The joke down the road' ain't funny anymore
Keeping in mind Chelsea's fate, it seems fitting that the team that has usurped them as the Premier League's money spenders have also incorporated their style of play and grinding out results. Though Manchester City had all the money in the world at their disposal, cynically speaking they could only snap up players that were disgruntled with their present clubs and saw the shimmer of City lights and drifted towards it.
They haven't looked spectacular so far but somehow have won 3 out of 3. The reason they have played one match less is because they were busy beating the incredible Barcelona at the Nou Camp, albeit a second string Barca team. Symbolically, Manchester United lost at Burnley the previous night. Maybe the balance is shifting in the city of Manchester but for it to be a lasting power shift seems unlikely. Only time will tell how these collection of 'mercenaries' will perform as a unit throughout the season. Mark Hughes' indifferent nature is nothing but a stumbling block. And if they do wish to challenge in the league and Europe as well then they definitely need a manager with better credentials.
Adebayor seems possessed and the next game against Arsenal will be a feisty encounter for him. Stephen Ireland is the man at Eastlands and their progression for the remainder of the season is just simply unpredictable.
Gunning for glory
No matter how much you speak of Arsenal, it will never be enough. The effect they have on people ranges from a Barcelona-ish ooooooooohhhh to a lowly sunday league's side-ish arrrrggghhhh. Arsene Wenger's stubbornness is relentless but well placed. He has a quality team on his hands but as ever a few experienced signings will be a major difference maker between champs and chumps. The game at Old Trafford was as clear an indication of this as you'll ever find. Despite being the better team they returned home with nothing. Something's gotta give.
Fabregas will not stay forever, unless his unconditional love is returned with trophies. Catalunya is beckoning him to be the heir to the impeccable Xavi, but he has a soft corner for London. The only way to keep that flame burning is winning titles. You get the feeling this is the season it'll be known if Fabregas stays or leaves.
Arsenal will always be an inconsistent team on the verge of greatness, due to their soft belly. They do have great players and could prove to be the dark horses in this seasons Champions League. Thomas Vermaelen has come in and done a superb job thus far but worryingly the Arsenal players seem to enjoy diving immensely. The criticism they're facing for that may prove to be very disruptive in the long run.
Not good enough, and that's a fact
When Steven Gerrard drilled in Liverpool's winner against the ten men of Bolton you saw it coming. Only because it was Steven Gerrard. What other Liverpool player would have been able to do that. Apart from Fernando Torres Liverpool do not really have another attacker worth mentioning. This sums them up. The reason for Liverpool's failings is not the lack of transfer funds, but more Rafa's inability to buy good players.
Alonso's departure at such a late stage of pre-season left Liverpool with no time to react. Alberto Aquilani is good, but as good as Xabi Alonso? Not even as good as Xabi's one shoe. Only if he plays that is. I don't see that happening anytime soon. Lack of depth in the squad will be the Merseysider's undoing eventually. Rafa has to change formation so as to make Alonso's absence irrelevant. When he manages to do that, it may be too late.
Their start to the season has been woeful. Last season they had their best season for almost a decade and still finished 4 points adrift. Realistically speaking they cannot match that output this time around. They rely far too heavily on Gerrard and Torres. Glen Johnson has looked absolutely magnificent thus far though.
Wayne's world
Cristiano Ronaldo was and is a world-class player in spite of all his on-field antics and huge ego. He made United tick. But quietly and patiently biding his time, Wayne Rooney was waiting in his wings. Now is the time to shine for Rooney. And boy will he shine. This boy is class and its hard to believe he's only 23. This year he will blossom into the superstar he was predicted to be when he slammed home against Arsenal at Goodison Park as a 16 year old. 4 goals in 4 games already, he's looking in good touch. Playing in his preferred central position will reap immense rewards for Alex Ferguson's team.
They still seem to be suffering due to the defeat in Rome, but they have the ability to bounce back. Ferguson's refusal to purchase a creative midfielder may come back to haunt him though. The team has looked to lack a bit of bite in midfield and the imminent return of Owen Hargreaves will be a much-needed shot in the arm. The momentum will carry United through to win the title for the 4th year running and become the most successful English club of all time with 19 titles.
An injury to Rooney would be absolutely devastating for the team though. And somebody please tell me how Darren Fletcher transformed from just a below average player to a world-class player. My money for the premier league title for 2009-10 is on Manchester United.
The sons of misfortune
Well we're 4 rounds into the premier league season and already the controversy surrounding us knows no limits. Chelsea's transfer window ban obviously stands out as the prime contender for "what the heck?" reactions, but being a fan of a rival title contender I met that news with nothing but a gleeful smile on my face. Considering Chelsea's average age of players and with the knowledge that they won't be active for the next two transfer windows (if their appeal turns unsuccessful), the future does not look very bright for the Pensioners. They've made a blistering start to the season winning 4 out of 4, but you get the feeling that much tougher tests await them.
Ancelotti does not have a great record in domestic leagues and once injuries and suspensions start mounting up things could take a turn for the worse at Stamford Bridge. Add to that a growing sense of resentment against Mr. Chelsea himself (John Terry) owing to his "sleepless nights" when Manchester City came calling, and you have the ingredients for a potential Scolari-esque capitulation.
Drogba's form thus far has been nothing short of sensational but he does have an uncanny ability to self-explode at key moments. Keeping his temperament in check and keeping Frank Lampard fit should be Chelsea's priorities. Also, I would like to see Gael Kakuta play and see what all the fuss is really about. So far he has only featured for the reserves and will not be seeing any action for the next 4 months either.
'The joke down the road' ain't funny anymore
Keeping in mind Chelsea's fate, it seems fitting that the team that has usurped them as the Premier League's money spenders have also incorporated their style of play and grinding out results. Though Manchester City had all the money in the world at their disposal, cynically speaking they could only snap up players that were disgruntled with their present clubs and saw the shimmer of City lights and drifted towards it.
They haven't looked spectacular so far but somehow have won 3 out of 3. The reason they have played one match less is because they were busy beating the incredible Barcelona at the Nou Camp, albeit a second string Barca team. Symbolically, Manchester United lost at Burnley the previous night. Maybe the balance is shifting in the city of Manchester but for it to be a lasting power shift seems unlikely. Only time will tell how these collection of 'mercenaries' will perform as a unit throughout the season. Mark Hughes' indifferent nature is nothing but a stumbling block. And if they do wish to challenge in the league and Europe as well then they definitely need a manager with better credentials.
Adebayor seems possessed and the next game against Arsenal will be a feisty encounter for him. Stephen Ireland is the man at Eastlands and their progression for the remainder of the season is just simply unpredictable.
Gunning for glory
No matter how much you speak of Arsenal, it will never be enough. The effect they have on people ranges from a Barcelona-ish ooooooooohhhh to a lowly sunday league's side-ish arrrrggghhhh. Arsene Wenger's stubbornness is relentless but well placed. He has a quality team on his hands but as ever a few experienced signings will be a major difference maker between champs and chumps. The game at Old Trafford was as clear an indication of this as you'll ever find. Despite being the better team they returned home with nothing. Something's gotta give.
Fabregas will not stay forever, unless his unconditional love is returned with trophies. Catalunya is beckoning him to be the heir to the impeccable Xavi, but he has a soft corner for London. The only way to keep that flame burning is winning titles. You get the feeling this is the season it'll be known if Fabregas stays or leaves.
Arsenal will always be an inconsistent team on the verge of greatness, due to their soft belly. They do have great players and could prove to be the dark horses in this seasons Champions League. Thomas Vermaelen has come in and done a superb job thus far but worryingly the Arsenal players seem to enjoy diving immensely. The criticism they're facing for that may prove to be very disruptive in the long run.
Not good enough, and that's a fact
When Steven Gerrard drilled in Liverpool's winner against the ten men of Bolton you saw it coming. Only because it was Steven Gerrard. What other Liverpool player would have been able to do that. Apart from Fernando Torres Liverpool do not really have another attacker worth mentioning. This sums them up. The reason for Liverpool's failings is not the lack of transfer funds, but more Rafa's inability to buy good players.
Alonso's departure at such a late stage of pre-season left Liverpool with no time to react. Alberto Aquilani is good, but as good as Xabi Alonso? Not even as good as Xabi's one shoe. Only if he plays that is. I don't see that happening anytime soon. Lack of depth in the squad will be the Merseysider's undoing eventually. Rafa has to change formation so as to make Alonso's absence irrelevant. When he manages to do that, it may be too late.
Their start to the season has been woeful. Last season they had their best season for almost a decade and still finished 4 points adrift. Realistically speaking they cannot match that output this time around. They rely far too heavily on Gerrard and Torres. Glen Johnson has looked absolutely magnificent thus far though.
Wayne's world
Cristiano Ronaldo was and is a world-class player in spite of all his on-field antics and huge ego. He made United tick. But quietly and patiently biding his time, Wayne Rooney was waiting in his wings. Now is the time to shine for Rooney. And boy will he shine. This boy is class and its hard to believe he's only 23. This year he will blossom into the superstar he was predicted to be when he slammed home against Arsenal at Goodison Park as a 16 year old. 4 goals in 4 games already, he's looking in good touch. Playing in his preferred central position will reap immense rewards for Alex Ferguson's team.
They still seem to be suffering due to the defeat in Rome, but they have the ability to bounce back. Ferguson's refusal to purchase a creative midfielder may come back to haunt him though. The team has looked to lack a bit of bite in midfield and the imminent return of Owen Hargreaves will be a much-needed shot in the arm. The momentum will carry United through to win the title for the 4th year running and become the most successful English club of all time with 19 titles.
An injury to Rooney would be absolutely devastating for the team though. And somebody please tell me how Darren Fletcher transformed from just a below average player to a world-class player. My money for the premier league title for 2009-10 is on Manchester United.
Like This Article?
Follow:
Post Comment
