With only a month between now and the last day of the transfer window, we have a better idea on how the teams will shape up for the 2014/15 season. While passing time waiting in suspense for the new season to start, many are playing Royal Vegas Canada games to get their betting skills refreshed for the new season. As it stands, I’d have my money going on a London side winning next seasons Premier League title.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been impressive so far in the transfer market: buying big, spending quickly and getting players to fill in the positions they needed cover in.

Arsene Wenger’s purchase of Alexis Sanchez, is an inspired signing. The Chilean adds a different dynamic to the Arsenal frontline and he should bring out the best in Mesut Ozil. The signings of Mathieu Debuchy and Colombian keeper David Ospina were needed to bolster the squad and add competition. They may still need a midfield general, unless Abou Diaby finally comes good and stays fit.

Chelsea look a lot stronger. Jose Mourinho will now feel he has his own squad at last. With Didier Drogba re-signing this week, this Chelsea squad have plenty of depth in all positions. If new signings Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa settle in well and Eden Hazard can reach world class level, then for me the ‘Blues’ will be massive favourites for the title. This summer hasn’t all been about buying with Jose also shifting a few, making his squad tight and balanced.

In Manchester both clubs look to have given up momentum to their London rivals.

At Man United they have new boss Louis van Gaal. I’m sure they will see an improvement on last terms seventh placed finish. They should have enough about them for a Champions League place at the end of the next campaign. But I doubt they’ll have enough about them to secure top spot. The summer has been a bit slow for the Old Trafford side in terms of signings. Yes they have brought in two good players for a combined fee of £58.4m but Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera were both David Moyes targets. More experience is needed in the central defence and midfield positions plus more deadwood needs to be shipped out. A season of transition is forecast but still a better one than last.

Over at Man City, they have also been a bit slow in the transfer market. Yes they had the best overall squad last year but they cannot afford to rest on their laurels. They didn’t win the title by much and still need a better partner for Vincent Kompany plus maybe another striker to take the load off of Sergio Aguero and Co. More should be expected of Stevan Jovetic. A lot could depend on leader Yaya Toure and how he comes back after slating the club back in May.

Liverpool can’t be overlooked as they had a very impressive campaign last season. But they have lost the talismanic figure of Luis Suarez and have brought in quite a few new faces that will need to settle in quickly. I seriously think that their best chance to win the EPL was last term and that they may struggle for another top four finish this time around. Missing out on the Sanchez signing was a significant blow in my opinion.

So for me, it looks like it will be between Arsenal and Chelsea for the title next season. If I had to put money on it, then I’d plump for Jose’s men as they have a bit more experience in that side. But watch this space, one or more of their rivals could pull out a surprise or two in the next month and totally shake things up again!

Posted on July 28th, 2014 by scott
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