It’s always quite fun to predict results of games, leagues, tournaments….but with so many twists in the script so far, it is becoming more and more difficult to get a read on the Premier League.
While I have tried to maintain a neutral stance towards all the teams, like any other neutral, I love upsets. Don’t get me wrong, it’s the bread and butter of any media. How many go on to read about a routine 2-0 disposition of a top-flight club over a relegation-zone club? Except the fans and supporters of the winning team, that is.
I think Manchester City have ticked off a lot of people the wrong way, just like Chelsea did five years ago. But Roman Abramovich seems to be getting smarter of late with his money, and has taken quite a hard stance on buying marquee players. Whereas Sheikh Mansour, of Manchester City, has simply given the blue Manchester a glorious dream within a year of two. Get this – Mansour’s wealth of around 20 million pounds somewhat dwarfs Roman’s wealth.
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Which brings me to the question of whether the Blues can win it all again this season.
Last season was indeed magical, including the title race that went right down to the wire – but it was satisfying to see that Stamford Bridge rose to the occasion. Goals were flying left, right, center – quite exhilarating stuff.
As of yesterday’s results, Chelsea are top right now, eight games into the season, by 2 points. And it is not Manchester United behind them, but their siblings, ManCity.
Let us take a look at Chelsea’s performances. While they have certainly been ruthless with the ‘smaller’ teams, they have had mixed results so far against the bigger ones. Wins against Marseille and Arsenal – but points dropped against Villa and ManCity – seem to place a few doubts over their title credentials. What will be interesting to see is how they’ll handle the other tough games – Spurs, Fulham, ManU…even Liverpool is a dormant threat.
A lot has been said about Chelsea’s ageing personnel – and now we are seeing the work of a team without Lampard, Drogba (injured), Ballack, Joe Cole (released), and so on. Are the Blues’ substitutes good enough to step up to the the stage? John Obi Mikel has definitely proved that he’s a talented youngster: strong and agile. Kakuta is still finding his legs, Ramires is very nimble but is no Lampard (yet), van Aanholt seems quite gifted on his own, and enough has been heard about McEachran to suggest that he’s an able player in his own right.
As a Blues fan, I definitely like the look of the future team, but the biggest concern remains – when Terry, Lampard, Drogba and Anelka eventually leave/retire, whom will Chelsea look up to? As a leader, as a figurehead? Ancelotti’s recent interest in succeeding Fabio Capello at England’s help also casts a flicker of a doubt in the die-hard Chelsea fan’s mind. Roman may yet have to sign a big name so that his troops can rally around him.
Anyone hear that Rooney is disgruntled at ManU? :)
