English Premier League - The Season Starts Here PART II

In the second of a three part series The Ranter looks at the season ahead, assesses each teamës chances and makes some bold predictions

Chelsea

The Premiership champions will again be the team to beat in 2005-6. Manager Jose Mourinho may have been frustrated in his search for a top class striker but the return of Hernan Crespo and a couple of key acquisitions will further strengthen his hand. Arsenal and Manchester United may be able to match the West Londoners man-for-man in their preferred first elevens but Chelsea's squad is the strongest in Europe – by quite some distance. Mourinho can field two all-internationals and still have Geremi in reserve!

The effervescent Shaun Wright-Phillips will add strength to Chelsea's three man forward-line; whether he gets many games or not is another question. And at the back the outstanding Spanish left-back del Horno has been added into the mix. Frank Lampard remains key – his goals should fire the Londoners to a second successive Premiership title although Europe will remain the ultimate goal this time round.

Under Mourinho Chelsea will principally remain hard to beat and despite being hampered by a conservative tactical system they have enough firepower to score plenty of goals too. Owner Roman Abramovich will surely seek greater success on the biggest stage of all – the Champions League. It's the toughest competition to win, not least because format changes over the years have turned it into more of a cup competition than ever.

Key Man: Frank Lampard
Premiership Prediction: Champions
Europe Prediction: Final
Players In: Shaun Wright-Phillips, Manchester City (£21m)
Asker Del Horno, Atletico de Madrid (£8m)
Hernan Crespo (Loan return)
Lassana Diarra, Le Havre (undisclosed)
Players Out: Scott Parker, Newcastle United (£6.5m)
Mikael Forssell, Birmingham (£3m)
Mateja Kezman, Atletico Madrid (£5.3m)
Juan Sebastian Veron, Inter Milan (loan)
Alexei Smertin, Charlton (loan)
Joe Keenan, Brentford (loan)

Everton

What a season the blue side of Merseyside had in 2004-5! The departure of Wayne Rooney on transfer deadline day last August had most pundits assuming the worst for Moyes men – possible relegation and the demise of the Toffees. Not only did Everton avoid the drop but they deservedly qualified for the Champions League this season. A fantastic effort.

It's been a busy summer for Scotsman Moyes – he's re-recruited playmaker Mikael Arteta on a permanent deal and signed up Alessandro Pistone and Tony Hibbert to new contracts. The question is: can the Toffees score enough goals to take them further in Europe and retain their Premiership position? Jame's Beatties form is key – can he rediscover the goalscoring touch that took him into the England set-up?

Like Bolton, Everton will find it hard to match last season's achievements as they will no longer be underestimated. More importantly immediate rivals have strengthened in key areas too. Aside from Arteta, Phil Neville the Manchester United utility midfielder, Simon Davies, the Tottenham wide man and Per Kroldup, the Udinese stopper, have been recruited. England international Neville will add big game experience and energy to the midfield, while Davies should add creativity and width.

Key Man: Beattie
Premiership Prediction: 6th
Europe Prediction: Champions League qualifiers, UEFA Cup Quarter Finals
Players In: Mikel Arteta, Real Sociedad (£2m)
Phillip Neville, Manchester United (£3.5m)
Simon Davies, Tottenham (£3.5m)
John Ruddy, Cambridge Utd (£250,000)
Per Kroldup, Udinese (£5m)
Players Out: Steve Watson, West Brom (free)
Alan Stubbs (Sunderland)
Daniel Fox (Walsall, free)
Anthony Gerrard, Walsall (free)
Guillame Plessis, Eddie Bosnar (both released)

Fulham

Chris Coleman's side struggled last term and with Andrew Cole and Edwin van der Sar departing nothing looks set to change. More bad news could be on the horizon for Cottagers' fans as Newcastle continues to stalk their principal attacking presence, Luis Boa Morte. Brian McBride and Chris Radzinski should provide enough firepower to keep Fulham in the Premiership – just.

A return to Craven Cottage will lift the fans' spirits if not the club's books. It seems a long time since owner Mohammed al-Fayed was willing to shell out millions of pounds in transfer fees. In such a climate simply remaining in the Premiership is Coleman's only goal.

To that end he has brought in Czech 'keeper Jaroslav Drobny, Danish defender/midfielder Niclas Jensen from Borrussia Dortmund and Icelandic striker Heidar Helguson from Watford. Steed Malbranque will remain a key creative force from midfield however – so much so it's a wonder that he has remained at the club for so long now.

On the face of it, there doesn't appear to be any reason for Fulham fans to be optimistic about the coming season.

Key Man: Steed Malbranque
Premiership Prediction: 16th
Europe Prediction: n/a
Players In: Heidar Helguson, Watford (£1.3m)
Jaroslav Drobny, Panionios (undisclosed)
Ahmad Elrich, Busan Icons (undisclosed)
Niclas Jensen, Borussia Dortmund (undisclosed)
Players Out: Edwin van der Sar, Manchester United (undisclosed)
Andy Cole, Manchester City (free)
Sean Doherty, ADO Den Haag (free)
Lee Clark, Newcastle (free)
Ross Flitney, Barnet (free)
Jerome Bonnissel, Malik Buari, Stuart Noble, Abdeslam Ouaddu, Martin Herrera (all released)

Liverpool

More than thirty points separated Liverpool and champions Chelsea last season, something that was a far truer assessment of the Merseysider's 2004-5 season than the win in the Champions League final. Celebrated as that victory was in the Red half of Liverpool, it was surely a reflection of the cup competition that UEFA's premier competition has become. Not even the most optimistic Scouser would argue that they're the best side on the continent and they will do well to make it out of the group stages this time round.

However, Rafa's revolution has now entered full flow with a key acquisition in Jose Reina, the brilliant young Spanish goalkeeper, and Mohamed Sissoko the creative African midfielder brought in from Spain. The biggest surprise of all was the £7m purchase of beanpole striker Peter Crouch. Already overloaded with big strikers – Cisse, Morientes – the capture of the England forward will at least add another dimension to Benitiez attacking options. Boudewin Zenden has been brought in to supply the crosses – something that Liverpool have lacked on the left flank for a number of seasons.

Consistency is the key to Liverpool's season. If they can prosper at Anfield in a way that they did not do last season then they have a real shot at making a Champions League place by right. Fourth would seem their most likely position and the cup competitions once again their best route to silverware. Once again all eyes will be on captain Steven Gerrard. Having decided to remain at Anfield he must deliver value on his massive new contract.

Key Man: Steven Gerrard
Premiership Prediction: 4th
Europe Prediction: Champions League group stage
Players In: Boudewijn Zenden, Middlesbrough (free)
Jose Reina, Villarreal, (undisclosed)
Antonio Barrgan, Sevilla (free)
Mohamed Sissoko, Valencia (£5.6m)
Peter Crouch, Southampton (£7m)
Players Out: Alou Diarra, Lens (£1.98m)
El Hadji Diouf, Bolton (undisclosed)
Vladimir Smicer, Bordeaux (free)
Bruno Cheyrou, Bordeaux (loan)
Chris Kirkland, West Brom, (loan)
Gregory Vignal, Portsmouth (free)
Mauricio Pellegrino, Alaves (free)
Jon Otsemobor, Rotherham (free)
Antonio Nunez, Celta Vigo (undisclosed)
Anthony Le Tallec, Sunderland (loan)
Patrice Luzi, Paul Harrison, Richie Partridge, Mark Smyth (all released)

Manchester City

It's been a difficult summer break for City manager Stuart Pearce. The departure of Shaun Wright-Phillips was perhaps inevitable even if the massive fee most welcome at Eastlands. Yet, more than £60m worth of debts still remain on City's books and spending will be limited for some time to come.

Last season's 8th place was an excellent return on Pearce's personality driven team. It was a fine reward for a decent second half of the 2004-5 season. However, it will be a real struggle for Manchester's second team to match last year's performance and it will remain a worry Light Blues fans that key defender Syvain Distin remains wanted by a number of clubs. Combative midfielder Joey Barton continues to rule himself out of the team through indiscipline – a key loss to Pearce's hopes with Paul Bosvelt now departed.

Richard Dunne will again be pivotal in the heart on central defence. Despite his critics the big Irishman had a massive season last year and at least as much will be expected this term.

Can former United man, and new recruit, Andrew Cole and veteran Robbie Fowler fire City into the top half of the table again? Kiki Mussampa has been retained to supply the chances but without Wright-Phillips expect City to struggle. But never write off any Stuart Pearce side completely - they will play with passion, commitment and no little skill.

Key Man: David Dunn
Premiership Prediction: 11th
Europe Prediction: n/a
Players In: Kiki Musampa, Atletico Madrid (loan)
Andrew Cole, Fulham (free)
Darius Vassell (Aston Villa (£2m)
Players Out: Shaun Wright-Phillips, Chelsea (£21m)
Jon Macken, Crystal Palace (undisclosed)
Paul Bosvelt, Heerenveen (free)
Steve McManaman (released)
Kevin Stuhr-Ellegaard (released)
Christian Negouai, Standard Liege (undisclosed)
Carlos Logan, Darlington (free)

Manchester United

After a season of disappointment, a hostile takeover and no little unrest on the terraces it will be a relief to Sir Alex that the 2005-6 is finally about to begin. Third in the last two seasons isn't good enough by modern Manchester United standards and for many fans it is the manager alone that cannot see the faults in the team; bizarre team selections and poor purchases. Fergie has at least shipped out some dead-wood in the ineffective Kleberson and rarely used Phil Neville. But for yet another knee injury Louis Saha would surely have followed them out of the door.

Ferguson has made a couple of astute – and cost effective – purchases in the outstanding 'keeper Edwin van der Sar and the lively Park Ji-Sung. The South Korean midfielder who was a massive hit in the Champions League last season may take some time to adjust to English football but should prove to be far more than a marketing man's dream.

Can United fight Chelsea for the title? It seems unlikely. The first team, led by two world class talents in Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, together with the rejuvenated Ruud van Nistelrooy, ought to put up a stiffer challenge than last season. However, the squad has some obvious weaknesses – the ageing legs of midfielder inspiration Roy Keane being one of them.

Roy Keane may still be the driving force but it is Wayne Rooney's mesmeric brilliance that will be key to United's ultimate success, or failure, in 2006.

Key Man: Wayne Rooney
Premiership Prediction: 2nd
Europe Prediction: Champions League, semi-finals
Players In: Edwin van der Sar, Fulham (£2.5m)
Park Ji-Sung, PSV Eindhoven (£4m)
Ben Foster, Stoke (£1m)
Players Out: Roy Carroll, West Ham (free)
Ricardo, Osasuna (free)
Jonathan Spector, Charlton (loan)
Daniel Nardiello, Barnsley (free)
Ben Collett, NZ Knights (free)
David Poole, Yeovil (free)
Lee Lawrence, Livingston (free)
Ben Foster, Watford (loan)
David Jones, Preston (loan)
Phil Neville, Everton (£3.5m)
Paul McShane, Brighton (loan)
Kleberson, Besiktas (£2.5m)
Ramon Calliste, Paul Tierney (both released)

To Come

Middlesbrough, 8
Newcastle, 10
Portsmouth, 16
Sunderland, 18
Tottenham, 5
West Brom, 19
West Ham, 20
Wigan, 16

1 | 2 | 3

The Ranter

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