The curtain will rise on England's new football season in its traditional way on Sunday, with the Community Shield, live on Sky Sports.
The winners of England's top flight take on the winners of the FA Cup, as they have done since 1908, although on Sunday Manchester United's opponents, nearly one hundred years after the first Charity Shield are Chelsea rather than their west London rivals QPR.
It is our first chance to cast an eye over the two teams priced by the bookmakers to be frontrunners in the new Premier League campaign.
Manchester United have been very busy in the transfer market since winning the league back in May and potentially every single one of their new players will turn out to be a great signing. Sir Alex Ferguson aims to secure United's future.
Manchester United have been very busy in the transfer market since winning the league back in May and potentially every single one of their new players will turn out to be a great signing.
When you think of the age of Owen Hargreaves (26), Nani (20) and Anderson (19), Sir Alex has signed players that he will hope to have at the club for at least another five or six years.
It appears that he has asked his board to give him the money for the long-term future and from here on it will be a case of tinkering, bringing in the odd player or squad player to keep them ticking over, but this will be the nucleus of the squad that he hopes will be another great United side.
Fire power
While the strength in depth is increased by these signings the one worry that I have about United is their fire power - with potentially long-term injuries to Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, and Alan Smith seemingly on his way out of the club behind Guiseppe Rossi.
Wayne Rooney's quality is beyond doubt and we will have to wait and see if Carlos Tevez joins him at Old Trafford, although I am not so sure that they make an ideal partnership. They are very similar types of players.
If Saha can't sustain 20 plus games in the Premiership then there would be a worry that United would rely, not so much on Rooney, but on players like Ronaldo. Rooney didn't get all of the goals last year, it was Ronaldo and to ask the kid to have the same sort of season that he had last year is a massive demand on him.
To score another 15 plus goals is asking a great deal of Ronaldo and if I were a United fan, looking at my team for the season, I would feel that the manager has done a great job by getting three very good players in, and maybe a fourth in Tevez, but what about up front? Where is the variation? Where is the crutch for Rooney?
It could be that Sir Alex and Carlos Queiroz have devised a formula of playing with Rooney alone up front, supported from deep by Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Nani, Anderson, Michael Carrick, Hargreaves and Ryan Giggs. Sunday will be our first chance to see how they shape up and I look forward to seeing that.
African absentees
The debate in the Chelsea camp is less about options up front and more about strength at the back and what effect a couple of injuries to the back four would have on their hopes again.
I am less worried about that eventuality than last season with Tal Ben Haim now at Stamford Bridge. I like him; he is a fantastic player who did a brilliant job at Bolton, playing right across the back four.
Chelsea would be very unlucky to pick up the same sort of injury problems as last year. They were very unlucky to lose the goalkeepers and the centre backs. It would be too much of a coincidence for that to happen again. They might have the odd injury to John Terry or Ricardo Carvalho and they might pick up the odd suspension at some time in the season, but unless something goes drastically wrong and they are unlucky, they will have those two for most of the season.
What worries me more about Chelsea is the African Cup of Nations. It pops up again this season and will deny them of two of their best players in Didier Drogba and Michael Essien, and maybe Salomon Kalou as well.
If I were Jose Mourinho I would be more concerned about definitely losing those players than maybe sustaining injuries.
Claudio Pizarro will take on the Drogba role but will he be good enough and have the influence that Drogba has enjoyed? I would doubt that he will be as good as Drogba was last year.
They will be looking for a hugely improved contribution from Andrei Shevchenko and Michael Ballack. Their two big hitters had really poor first seasons, but I think Drogba had a poor first season too, and Mourinho will telling them both that they have had their chance to stick their toes in the water.
They have had a season in England, they are both hugely experienced players - two of the best in Europe - now it is time to show the Premiership why they were bought.
Steve Sidwell will do well to play a lot of games as he has been brought in to bolster the squad. It is a big move for him and whether he will get enough football to satisfy his drive, I don't know. If they have a fit squad, I don't see him being in the side.
I like Florent Malouda; he is fabulous footballer and has had a good upbringing at Lyon and should Arjen Robben leave, they have a wide player who can just step in. I would try to keep Robben because over the last two years the best Chelsea team has been the one with two, genuine wide men playing... Robben and Damian Duff.
We will see how the new signings work out and we will see on Sunday, for the first time, whether Jose Mourinho will be true to his word and be more mellow. I don't know about mellow, although it would be nice if he were more humble.
I like him though, I always have done, the good and the bad. Sometimes he has let himself down but I think he knows that and he has learned from it. I hope he doesn't stop all the mind games though because we love it!
Let Fergie and him and Benitez and Wenger keep going. Mourinho has started it already by telling Benitez he has to win the league or he will get sacked. It is part and parcel of the game here and you don't get it anywhere else in the world.
Beating the big four
I am looking forward to the new season more than I have for a long time. The big boys are going to be tough to break in to but I like what teams such as Tottenham, Newcastle, Blackburn, Everton and Pompey with Harry are trying to do to break into the quartet.
They have made big investments, looking for improvement, and I am impressed with how they are trying to close the gap on the big four. My hope, for the neutral's sake, is that the big boys don't get it all their own way this season because it would be brilliant to see them scrapping for the title and the Champions League places nine months after this weekend's curtain raiser.
Comments (22)
Eric Anim (Manchester United fan) says...
I strongly beleive MAN UTD still have the edge over the other teams in the race fot title honours this season. However, the number of points to be accumulated will be less than last season`s, since the other teams would offer stiffer opposition to MAN UTD. I wish Sir Fergie would find equally competent central defenders as cover for Rio and Vigic.
Posted 10:20 10th August 2007
Gnanesh Radhakrishnan (Manchester United fan) says...
I think with Scholes out, Hargreaves stands a good chance to prove his worth in the heart of the United midfield. With news on Lampard's exclusion, that has further weakened the Chelsea. Andy Gray was right to mention that with the African Cup in January, Drogba and Essien 's absence will be a major blow. Even though Sidwell has been brought in, Essien's absence will be a huge blow for Chelsea. With the new Red Devils really gelling as a team, they are gonna see off any other team in the Premiership. Sunday's match is gonna be a real thrill.
Posted 14:39 3rd August 2007
Dmon Karamba (Manchester United fan) says...
I think Man Utd have made some good signings for the long term, with the likes of Nani and Anderson but it will take at least 2 seasons for them to blend in the side and the Premiership. The signing of Tevez? I don't think it will improve goals as such, I mean he and Rooney are the same, as Andy Gray said. I'd rather they got somebody like David Villa. Chelsea have to contend with the African Nations and a Chelsea team without Essien is going to prove detrimental to them. Liverpool have made some good signings and that Czech youngster looks good. My worry is how soon will Torres adapt? Arsenal are down and under, I predict they will finish 4th or 5th. Who's to finish the league on top? I don't know but it's going to be close, personally i would love Man utd to take it.
Posted 14:36 3rd August 2007
Chris Booth (Manchester United fan) says...
Chelsea have let themselves down in the transfer market in the closed season and the advanage of a "big squad" has been removed with three if not four superb buys by the real special one Sir Alex. I can't see anyone else but United taking the league and FA cup. After last seasons FA cup final where we should have buired chelsea there is a big score to settle!
Posted 16:38 2nd August 2007
Alex Coleman (Arsenal fan) says...
both teams are equal to each other, therefore they will cancel each other out and the game will end up a draw!
Posted 17:25 1st August 2007
Football analyst Mhambi (Manchester United fan) says...
I am of the view that the season will be decided by the influence of the Africa Cup of Nations. I cite this with respect to the number of key African players playing for the less recognised sides. This will in essence weaken those side and favour the more big four, more so Manchester United. Objectively speaking the league will come down to the Chelsea and United. However I think United will just about edge Chelsea on the basis of loosing Drogba, Essein, Mikeal and Kolou. to the Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the season. I think Liverpool on the other hand will more or less finish in a similar position to where they did in the season just gone. I cite this because they have let a lot of experience leave in the way of Bellamy, Garcia and other key players. I also think that the expectations on Torres are too great for a player so young and with no premiership experience. Even the greatest struggle in there first season. The key to winning the league is to stop the goals from going in and as such Benitez needs to create more competition for defensive places. I am also puzzled at why they don¿t centre more of the play on Peter Crouch. Arsenal appears at least on the basis of the Emirates cup to be a team worth watching. Some of there play was tantalising especially with Van Persie coming into his own. However defensive errors will prove a plague to them, as we will observe. It is also worth noting that even though the rest of the premiership and I say this with no disrespect have spent significant amount bolstering thier squads they will struggle to keep pace with the big four because of the managerial "know how" the top four enjoy. However what I think we will observe is that the quality of the games played by the lesser know sides will be more entertaining. Champions League: AC Milan (too much experience) Premiership: Man United FA Cup: Arsenal League Cup: Chelsea
Posted 17:16 1st August 2007
Ilir Sina (Manchester United fan) says...
In my opinion Man United will prove the bookmakers right and go on to lift the title come May, just look at the new signings which are far better than any other team signings even Real or Barcelona
Posted 16:07 1st August 2007
Areeb Bhaila (Chelsea fan) says...
i think what andy said about rooney not having a partner upfront and saha not able to achieve the 20 goal mark could be a problem for them ,ronaldo might pop up with the odd goal once in a while he wouldnt have the same predator instinct that van nisterooy had
Posted 14:46 1st August 2007
Jack Devenport (Derby County fan) says...
I Beleive it will go right down to the wire for the title between Chelsea and Manchester United. I don't think that Arsenal will be the one looking over their shoulder for fourth place i see another inconsistant season for Liverpool. Tottenham and Everton will be putting their fourh champions league place at threat. The big question for me lies at the bottom of the table theres so much investmant of quality i really don't know who's going down but as a loyal Rams fan I'm sure Derby can survive the drop.
Posted 13:00 1st August 2007
Ben Oghene (Manchester United fan) says...
Chelsea's team have had more time to blend and will be stronger this season but United look to have done better business in the transfer market. United were already more creative (attacking wise) and an outright goalscorer is the only missing piece in the puzzle. I still think Berbatov will be temted in January or next summer. Chelsea look further away from their ideal team. If Robben leaves, Chelsea will have lost the litte creativity & flair they have. Also, there is no guarantee Ballack & Sheva will adjust to the premiership because of their age. Drigba was younger when he arrived so had plenty time to adjust. I hate to say it but Liverpool will be much stronger than ever - especially in the C league. Benitez seems to know how to play teams from all the europen leagues and they have made huge improvements over the summer. Arsenal can never be ruled out as long as they have Venger. I expect him to turn someone else into a world-class player right in front of our eyes. He does it every season. I cant wait for it all to kick off. May the best team win.
Posted 12:55 1st August 2007
Jonathan Tomlinson (Manchester United fan) says...
Im really confident that Man Utd will win the league this season. Especially with the players we have brought in, i just hope Nani and Anderson in particular settle in faster than Ronaldo did. Hargreaves will have no problem. My only worry is the striker situation but hopefully if we get Tevez that will settle it. I can't see Liverpool winning the league at all, im expecting a typical season for them. Chelsea will be good, but i think United will just edge it. All depends on how they deal without Drogba in January. But i can't wait for the season to start especially with so many teams looking for new starts, like Newcastle, Fulham and West Ham. Not been this exited about a Premierleague season for a while!!!!
Posted 12:07 1st August 2007
Mark Harland (Newcastle United fan) says...
Although it pains me to say this, I think Man Utd have invested well and will retain the title. The striker situation is looking abit bare but there is still plenty of goals - Ronaldo, Rooney, Nani, Anderson, Scholes, Giggs! I hate admitting that they are potentially even better than last season!
Posted 12:02 1st August 2007
Claire Hotspur (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
I think Spurs are going to suprise a few people this year. I think we might finish fourth and hopefully take that spot away from Arsenal.
Posted 12:01 1st August 2007
Valentine Mbawa (Arsenal fan) says...
I was at the Emirates on sunday to watch Arsenal play Inter Milan. If there were any doubts lingering in my mind that we would be competing for the premiership then those doubts were completely wiped out on sunday. Without new signing Eduardo, Adebayor and Gilberto, those young guns were nothing short of briliant. Eboue was very impressive in his midfield role, feeding the two goals. And rookie Kieran Gibbs was a revelation... We are definitely in the mix for the title..... Bring it on.
Posted 11:55 1st August 2007
Kolawole abdellateef Lawal-olumegbon (Chelsea fan) says...
Am a chelsea fan,and i believe we are going to win the premier league this season and champions league.People should not be decieved with Man utd signings this season.Am expecting Sheva and Ballack to be a big hit this season.
Posted 11:11 1st August 2007
Sri Sathy (Manchester United fan) says...
I think Man Utd will retain the League title because they played so well last season and Chelsea only got a sniff because of the injuries to our key plyers towards the end! That issue has been rectified thrice over, so I have confidence that Man Utd will win atleast the League and probably more.
Posted 11:05 1st August 2007
Musman K (Arsenal fan) says...
The Gooners will be the surprise package for this season.2nd or 3rd i suspect. There will be a victim between Man U and Liverpool, mark my words. United were a bit lucky last season, Chelsea had the chance to pip them last season, but they blew it. They won't be so careless this time round i suspect.
Posted 11:04 1st August 2007
Viren Patel (Chelsea fan) says...
That's good reasoning from Andy.. I too am worried about the Africa Cup on Nations for Chelsea... to be without Essien and Drogba, 2 of their most important players, will be a real tough Task for Jose. That is when Sheva, Pizarro, Ballack and even Sidwell will have to show what they are there for. If Chelsea survive that period without losing too many points, then they'd have done a very good job.
Posted 10:57 1st August 2007
Matt Birch (Manchester United fan) says...
This could be the best season ever in the Premiership in terms of strength of the top teams involved - both United and Chelsea both look solid and Liverpool performed a coup in securing Torres. Added to that the efforts of Spurs, Portsmouth, even West Ham to get in on the act, and I'm sure we'll see a strong Premiership this season with most teams capable of beating everyone else.
Posted 10:53 1st August 2007
Tim Galer (Manchester United fan) says...
Man U will win at least a double as they are the best attacking force in europe and with Hargreaves added will be much harder to break down. Looking foward to it!
Posted 10:33 1st August 2007
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