Premier League 2012/13 Preview

Flashy: This Glitter is more than just Gold!

Apparently, this is the year when the world should have ended, we survived! For me, FIFA 13, The Dark Knight Rises and the new football season is all I wanted to take care in summer of 2012. I’ve seen the “magical” Dark Knight Rises, it’s amazing. FIFA 13 is going to release on 28^th September, so excited for that one as well but as a football fan, nothing beats the arrival of new football season. 18^th August is the date that must have been uttered over and over again by the football fans nowadays because they knows what excitement and drama brings the best league in the world. Yes, for me, like many, PL is the best league in the world. Spanish premier League is certainly more technical and skillful but nothing beats the last seconds title clinching drama that happened last year. I really feel for Manchester United fans who had the title in their grasp, went all the way to their respective freezers for celebration beverages but when they returned, everything turned into misery in a matter of 2 minutes.

Congratulations to Manchester City for winning the title after many decades, five of them i think? For any neutral, it was a joy, it really was! What Aguero did against QPR will be highlighted for many years to come, this was one of the greatest moment in PL history (in which Fergie failed). Look! I m not against the success of Ferguson for Manchester United but it is great to see other participating in the victory parade of the PL title. I don’t want to see Spanish League-isque competition where top two teams are 30 points adrift of the closest competitor. However, I do agree with Jose Mourinho that top two of Spanish League are the top two in Europe by a long way. Elite Premier League teams lost their quality with departure of top players such as Cesc Fabregas or Cristiano Ronaldo. This season, the quality seems to be coming back with arrival of top talents as Santiago Cazorla, Shinji Kagawa, Eden Hazard or Lucas Podolski.  Surprisingly, Manchester City, the money baggers didn’t contribute to any of those signings. Will this come to haunt them this season? Well, time will tell but I will give you my insights of the potentially top 4 teams of how they might perform in this exciting season. Everyone has a right to disagree with me but please one at a time. :)

1. Manchester City.

Along with Chelseafc, another killer of the modern club football, cash cow for even their bench players, Manchester City is the flavor of the month for many new football fans. Still, as an Arsenalfc fan, it’s hard to hate them that much. They have toppled Manchester United for 'deserving' title. They made a mockery of Ferguson in such a majestic way; I won’t forget his expression post Sunderland game, priceless!  Above all, the quality of PL jumped to new levels after those brilliant moments. Although, I must and do hate them for making a joke out of the transfer market. They have inflated the market to new heights and there has been some ridiculous price tag for most of the professional players nowadays.

'Strong' duo leads again: Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany

I am actually shocked that City has invested zero for the first team. Injury-prone Jack Rodwell, a  £15m summer signing who is only good enough to fill in City's bench role, for now. Perhaps, with Kolo Toure nearing the end of his career, City could have done much more with more strong players at the back. Jolean Lescott and the brilliant Vincent Kompany will not play every game and the other options for Manchester City are pretty average at times. Steven Savic will be as good as Sebastian Squillaci when he gets old, he is not good enough to make it for Manchester City and their pursuit for Daniel Agger suggests that.

Manchester City will again rely on the commitment of Carlos Tevez, who has stamped his loyalty for another ONE month at least. You never know what you will get from the Argentine off the pitch but on it? he is still one of the best in the business and if he is up for it, Manchester City will surely have a flyer. Yes, i do bank on him this season and i think he will show 'real' commitment this season. I do agree with Roberto Mancini about his disagreement with some board official over the lack of transfer activity. Look! even for a world class squad you need to fill in with more quality signings and Manchester City is not in an ideal position for having a 'clean' squad. Players like Emmanuell Adebayor are still glued with the club on  £150,000 a week salary that forces the club not to move freely in the market, so City should have forced these deadwood out and made way for few more quality signings. As i write this thing, City are in for Daniel Di Rossi, who i think is an ideal signing for the club, much better choice than Daniel Agger. Di Rossi is a leader like Kompany, who can play as a DMF or center back that City needs right now. City has still the most potent attacking option in Premier League with the likes of Mario Balotelli, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko in their wonderful attacking lineup. So, i am going to make a very tight call here. I think Manchester City are still 'strong' enough to do it. Now, they know how to actually win the title but this season they will know how to defend this prestigious trophy but it will be another massively tight fight with Manchester United.
Ins: Jack Rodwell (£15m)

Outs:  Wayne Bridge (loan), Owen Hargreaves (released), Vladimir Weiss (undisclosed)

Star Player: Yaya Toure

Flop of the Season: Adam Johnson

Should'v Signed: Daniel Di Rossi (AS Roma), Thiago Silva (PSG), Edinson Cavani (Napoli) or Robin Van Persie (Manutd)

PL 2012/13 Prediction: Champions!  

2. Manchester United

Many clubs will envy Manchester United’s history. Alex Ferguson has done wonders for the Manchester club but time has come for the old man to show his qualities for the ultimate battle. It is funny how things have changed over the past 3 years. After surviving top challenges like Invincibles of Arsenal, Russian money laundering for Chelsea, Ferguson faces another uphill battle to topple their bitter rivals in City. Off the pitch, the club is in desperate mode, trying to sell of their ‘overpriced’ shares to generate more income. In Glazers era, Manchester United has won it all and it has everything to do with such an focused, dominating and top manager in Alex Ferguson. He has done a marvelous job for such a traditional club and made it reach new heights in the past few years.

I was really happy to see their domination cut off by Manchester City for a change and that has not gone too well for the Scottish born manager. With the signings, Ferguson has shown his intention of not letting it slip, especially from the hands of bitter rivals. After rejections from big transfer targets such as Lucas Moura (PSG) and Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Manutd has made the coup of the season in Robin Van Persie from Arsenalfc. As a Gooner, it kills me to see the Dutchman in Red color of Manchester but this is such a breakthrough signing, it can define the outcome of the title come May. However, £24m for a 29 year old injury prone, who is in the last year of his contract shows a sign of desperation as well as intent. Anyhow, I think this will work well for United. Rooney and Persie, two players with immense technique and Premier League experience can rip off the opposition defense any given weekend. I don’t like to dwell too much on Persie’s case in United post but all i can say is if he remains fit, he will be United's top scorer.

Laughing it away: Rooney and Persie could work wonders!

United has also done well with the addition of ‘exceptional’ Shinji Kagawa from Dortmund and talented Nick Powell from Crewe. A left back or a center back could have helped United as Ferdinand can’t fully support Vidic for the whole season but if they remain calm in their defense with some help of Ferguson’s hairdryer along with chin up from young players like Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, United might even see off City this time. But for  me, City is strong enough to manage their defense for another year even when they have bought lesser than expected. It will be mighty tight again, a real battle!

Ins: Robin Van Persie (£24m), Shinji Kagawa (£17m), Nick Powell (undisclosed)

Outs: Fabio (loan), Park Ji Sung (undisclosed), Paul Pogba (free), Tomas Kuszczak (free)

Star Player: Wayne Rooney.

Flop of the Season:  Johnny Evans.

Should have signed: Leighton Baines (Everton), Matt Hummels (Dortmund)

PL 2012/2013 Prediction: Runners-up.

3. Arsenal.

The second greatest thing that has happened to me in my life; first one is my soul mate. Arsenal is my love and I always try to give unbiased remarks regarding the situation of the club. People might fail to understand but who cares. Arsenal is the most organized club in European club football and their football on the pitch is mesmerizing most of the time. Last season, Arsenal’s squad was disorganized and unprepared; the entire blame should be on Arsene Wenger and most importantly the shrewd board. I can write 1000 of pages regarding the infrastructure of this club and how it should be managed out of trophy-less trouble. However, in this article, I will briefly judge Arsenal squad and situation this season.

When I say Arsene is at fault, it has much to do with trust of his players. Whether it is Nasri, Van Persie, Adebayor or the beloved Cesc Fabregas. I won’t use the word “betrayal” in each of these cases but when you leave a club as a captain, the least you could do is ‘not to join a rival team’. Arsenal has a very long and prestigious history and it is difficult to top the arrogance and disloyalty of the likes of Samir Nasri, Adebayor or Ashley Cole but Van Persie has beaten them all without shadow of a doubt.

The way Robin Van Persie has reacted in this most coveted and highly unimaginable saga is absolutely shambolic. It’s not only about leaving the club’s squad in dismay and instability; it is more about cheating his fans and Arsene, his so called father figure. Sadly, the ex-Arsenal captain has chosen the option of being remembered as a Satan in the heart of true Gooners. I do agree with Persie’s decision of not renewing the Arsenal contract because of ‘lacking ambition’ and it was his last chance to sign for a club who will actually win after all at the age of 29 but was it necessary to join a club who won exactly the same amount of trophy as Arsenal last year? Arsenal was never going to match his £200,000/week pay cheque that has been offered by Manutd, PSG or Juventus. Arsene signed the likes of world class Santi Cazorla, Lucas Podolski and an impressive Olivier Giroud to convince Van Persie but he was already out in his head.

As an Arsenal fan, I thank Persie for ONE great season in his eight year long haul and he should thank Arsene for giving him free wages while he was being treated week in week out in the medical room.  All I can say is a prick is a small word of Robin Van Persie, I just hope he suffers.

One for the watch: Little magician Santiago Cazorla!

As for Arsenal squad, the team is better prepared this season despite Robin Van Persie’s departure. One thing is for sure; Arsenal will rise in the leadership of a ‘true’ fighter in Vermaelen and players like Wilshere and Arteta will take charge. It’s great to see Arsene Wenger handing no.10 jersey to Jack Wilshere, it shows the confidence in him that he truly deserves. Of the new arrivals, Santi Cazorla will be Arsenal’s main man this season; it will be a treat to watch him play along with Jack Wilshere, who is expected to return in October this year. However, Arsenal still could sign some more names with the likes of Sahin being linked to replace Wilshere until he comes back; that will be a massive coup but they need to beat Liverpool who wants him as well. Santiago Cazorla is a natural two footed player who is in the same league as Spain’s top brass. People talk about Mata’s quality but this guy is on another level and has a fantastic attitude off the pitch. Just pick him for your fantasy football league and you can thank me later. Song might fly off to Barcelona as I write this article but it won’t be a major blow IF Arsene signs a really good defensive midfielder in form of Toulouse midfielder Etienne Capoue or Rennes’s Yohan M’Vila.  Arsenal will be strong this season but recent coup of cash cow Chelsea could see Arsene fighting for Champions League this season. This year Arsenal will be closer to title rivals and could even surprise many. The departure of a 'traitor' in Robin Van Persie will surely effect Arsenal season this year but they will get very strong in a year or two.

Ins: Santiago Cazorla (undisclosed), Lucas Podolski (undisclosed), Olivier Giroud (undisclosed) 

Outs: Robin Van Persie (Manutd), Benik Afobe (loan), Manuel Almunia (released), Denilson (loan), Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad), Ryo Miyaichi (loan)

Star Player: Santiago Cazorla.

Flop of the Season:  Marouane Chamakh

Should have signed:  Yohan M’Vila (Rennes), Steven Jovetic (Fiorentina), Nuri Sahin (Real Madrid)

PL 2012/2013 Prediction: 4^th. (dark horses)

4. Chelsea.

It’s amazing how Chelsea survived last season. They didn't only survive but starting a new beginning after the Champions League heroics. It was unimaginable for them to win that cup after they fired yet another manager, this time a record £13m manager signing in history of this beautiful game. It was not just against Barcelona and Bayern Munich; people forget that Napoli and especially Benfica were unlucky against the blues in the end. Didier Drogba carried the whole team through that difficult phase as he has always done with Chelsea. He has been a colossal for Chelseafc and even a certain £50m has failed to replace the Ivory Coast legend. It was fairy tale ending for a disastrous Chelsea who finished 6^th last season but still qualified for Champions League as the cup champions.

This season Chelsea has done extra-ordinary with some terrific ‘quick’ signings. Also, these signings are young and hungrier. The club has shown their intent by throwing £25m on Brazilian sensation Santos, £32m on Belgium whiz Eden Hazard and a cheeky £7m on impressive and flashy Marko Marin. Chelsea might have a very strong young talent in midfield and wings but they still lack a player to finish off chances. In my opinion, Fernando Torres has been poor and it has nothing to do with his footballing technique. The Spaniard is technically sound and quick enough to see off those half chances but he is not mentally strong to even match the ability of Didier Drogba in front of goal. Chelsea needs a finisher and if they don’t do it, they will suffer and find it difficult. As an Arsenal fan, Didier Drogba has been their most potent talent, best player in ChelseaFC ‘brief’ history. They will find it hard to replace him; Chelsea knows that now after they signed Lukaku and loaned him out after one year. The Belgian has great talent but he is far from being ready, so I’ll give him time as Drogba also showed his charisma for Chelsea when he turned 27.

Pressure will mount: Eden Hazard.

Apparently, Eden Hazard has been the star signing for Chelsea but he is struggling to live up to his billing judging by preseason games. I am sure he will get better but Chelsea needs to give him more time then they actually think. I watched all the Brazil games in Olympics for scouting Neymar but I hate to admit it is Oscar who impressed me the most. The guy is technical sound, quick and has fantastic decision making ability. A world class box to box player in the making who will eventually replace Frank Lampard this season. Even for £25m, Oscar is a terrific signing for Chelseafc. The squad looks better equipped with some flashy young players to work on quick counter play but it also depends on how they develop THAT understanding to work it out in the end. Chelsea might still experience instability because Roberto Di Matteo is not big enough to manage the egos of John Terry and ‘almost finish’ Frank Lampard. RDM had an unbelievable success in such a short span but it was Drogba who made it all possible for Chelsea.

Ins:  Oscar £25m, Marko Marin (undisclosed), Eden Hazard (£32m), Thorgan Hazard (undisclosed)

Outs: Bosingwa (QPR), Salomon Kalou (loan), Romelu Lukaku (loan), Bruma (loan)

Star Player: Oscar.

Flop of the Season:  Michael Essien.

Should have signed:  Edinson Cavani (Napoli), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina), Dani Alves (Barcelona)

PL 2012/2013 Prediction: 3^rd.

5^th Liverpool.
6^th Tottenham Hotspurs.

Hope you liked it all. Opinions are always welcome here. Cheers!