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Craig Bellamy: Most excited I've been for a Premier League season

Thursday 10 August 2017 08:15, UK

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Craig Bellamy and Phil Neville say they cannot wait for the new season and both agreed that this could potentially be one of the greatest Premier League campaigns ever

Craig Bellamy insists he has never been so excited for the start of a Premier League season.

Manchester City are favourites to take Chelsea's crown, but with several clubs spending big to strengthen, plus the return of European football for both Liverpool and the champions, the title race is seemingly wide open.

Arsenal kick off at home to Leicester, live on Sky Sports Premier League on Friday night, and Bellamy said on The Debate that he couldn't wait for the season to begin.

The Debate

Bellamy said: "I can't wait. You always get excited about a Premier League season, you always do. But this one more so.

"Obviously with the money being spent, with all the managers, with Manchester City being stronger again, I'm really looking forward to this season, probably more than any Premier League season."

Manchester City's German midfielder Leroy Sane (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 match
Image: Manchester City are favourites for the title

Phil Neville said the managerial match-ups will be the most entertaining subplot of the 2017/18 season, and wants teams gunning for the title right up to the final weekend.

"I want a title challenge this season. I want it to be won three or four games from the end. I want two or three teams going for it.

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"For me, the managers meeting is the highlight. We have the best managers in world football in our Premier League. We're getting stronger and stronger, it's more entertaining, and I think this could be one of the best seasons we've had."

Paul Pogba of Manchester United in action with Stanley Amuzie of Sampdoria during the International Champions Cup pre-season friendly match between
Image: Nemanja Matic's move to Man Utd was a horrendous deal for Chelsea, says Phil Neville

Though Bellamy feels that Nemanja Matic's sale to Manchester United will strengthen Jose Mourinho's side, he still sees Manchester City as favourites, but won't be making any wild predictions until the window shuts on August 31.

He said: "That Matic move will strengthen United, but I still feel they are short in a lot of areas, and Man City at the moment are in pole position to win the league.

"But there's still weeks to go, I would feel more comfortable predicting who will win that league when the transfer window finishes. There is still a lot of business to be done."

Watch The Debate every weeknight at 10pm on Sky Sports Premier League. Thursday's show features Paul Merson and Chris Kamara.

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