Another English Premier League season
will unfold this weekend. It's hard to believe it's been just over three
months since the end of the 2011-2012 Barclays Premier League season. Who can forget
that unbelievable final day when Manchester City scored two late goals against
QPR to wrest the title from Manchester United’s grasp? This
weekend marks the start of the Premier League 2012-2013 season, with the league
welcoming new boys Southampton, Reading and West Ham United to the show.
If
the Olympian heights represent Shangri-La, a wonderful land to aspire to, then
the extraordinary mix of vibrancy and venality that is English professional
football simply reflects life in the real world where money talks. Last season
alone, the elite clubs paid £900 million tax on (admittedly crazy) wages, £100
million on VAT on (admittedly expensive) tickets and £50 million on stadium
business rates.
But
now is also the time for footballers to tone down the swearing and consider
occasionally smiling, remembering the game is supposed to be about spreading
joy as well as reaping in the glittering silverware and salaries. It promises
to be another classic season, brimming with incident.
A
House of Horrors to its critics, a House of Fun for the rest of us, the Premier
League is a luxury abode divided into five levels.
Fighting
it out in the penthouse again are the two Manchester teams, Manchester City and Manchester
United, whose duel last season gave us one of the most
compelling title races.
The
television audience probably still has Martin Tyler’s memorable commentary still
ringing in its ears. As Sergio Aguero scored, Tyler declared: “I swear you will
never see anything like this ever again — stupendous.’’
So
that’s football for you, providing the season’s definitive moment 40 seconds
from the end. And how did Sir Alex Ferguson react to City’s title triumph?
As
only the great man knows how: picking up the gauntlet. So in comes Robin van
Persie to partner Wayne Rooney in an attacking axis sure to disturb the sleep
of all centre-halves.
A
glance at the all-time Premier League scoring charts shows Rooney in ninth
place and rising fast, having amassed 144 goals from his 10 seasons and he
could overtake Teddy Sheringham (146), Michael Owen and Les Ferdinand (both
149) within the month. Van Persie needs only four more for his century. Like
that well-known United fan Usain Bolt, Van Persie won’t take long.
The
next level down in the Premier League tower block is occupied by Chelsea,
Arsenal and Spurs, contesting the two remaining Champions League places.
Now
free of Didier Drogba’s long, imposing shadow at Chelsea, Fernando Torres
should flourish.
Eden
Hazard appears to possess the strength of mind and technique to prosper but
Oscar may take a while to bed in. Arsenal will need Olivier Giroud to settle
fast in the post-RVP world, although Lukas Podolski should adapt immediately.
When
last seen in London, Andre Villas-Boas resembled a tourist who had lost his map
and Oyster card. After a chastening experience at the Bridge, the Lane offers
AVB the chance of rehabilitating his reputation.
Let
me close this short preview by quoting the expectations of managers of the
front row teams:
Alex
Ferguson
Manchester United
“Last year was a different type of year, it’s the first time anyone has beaten us on goal difference. That is what cost us the league and It won’t happen again, trust me on that.”
Roberto Mancini
Manchester City
“United are favourites – they have played for the title always, every year for 20 years. Although we won the last championship, we can’t change this in one year.”
Roberto Di Matteo
Chelsea
“We have to try, for sure. It’s not that we’re not going to try. We have to try to challenge ourselves with the other teams, so I wouldn’t say there is no expectation [from Roman Abramovich].”
Arsene Wenger
Arsenal
“At the moment I believe we have what is needed to be ambitious and to play our game. We have to be even more of a team and work even more together to compensate for the loss of Van Persie.”
Andre Villas-Boas
Tottenham
“It’s different for us this year. It’s a new start under a new management team, but we want to build on last year. The spirit is good and the motivation is high.”
Brendan Rodgers
Liverpool
“The top four is certainly not something we’ll shy away from. It’s where a club of this status wants to be, but it’s always easier said than done. The reality over the past three seasons or so hasn’t been that.”
Manchester United
“Last year was a different type of year, it’s the first time anyone has beaten us on goal difference. That is what cost us the league and It won’t happen again, trust me on that.”
Roberto Mancini
Manchester City
“United are favourites – they have played for the title always, every year for 20 years. Although we won the last championship, we can’t change this in one year.”
Roberto Di Matteo
Chelsea
“We have to try, for sure. It’s not that we’re not going to try. We have to try to challenge ourselves with the other teams, so I wouldn’t say there is no expectation [from Roman Abramovich].”
Arsene Wenger
Arsenal
“At the moment I believe we have what is needed to be ambitious and to play our game. We have to be even more of a team and work even more together to compensate for the loss of Van Persie.”
Andre Villas-Boas
Tottenham
“It’s different for us this year. It’s a new start under a new management team, but we want to build on last year. The spirit is good and the motivation is high.”
Brendan Rodgers
Liverpool
“The top four is certainly not something we’ll shy away from. It’s where a club of this status wants to be, but it’s always easier said than done. The reality over the past three seasons or so hasn’t been that.”
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