By Udo Toby Prince
The excitement of the Premier League kicks off Saturday with 20 teams vying for the honour of being crowned Kings of English elite division come May 2016.
Premier League legends, Jammie Carragher (Liverpool), Michael Owen (Liverpool), Gary Lineker (Tottenham) and Martin Keown Arsenal, snubbed their respective clubs earmarking Chelsea as favourites to retain the title they won without breaking stride last season.
Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, however, believes his side can consolidate on last season’s showing by winning the title for the first time in 12 years.
When asked about his side’s title chances, he said “I believe yes, all going well, and us maintaining our game.
“That’s important as well – that we develop what we do well and do not stand still.
“That means we develop our cohesion, our passing game. If we are capable to keep the cohesion and the solidarity we have at the moment through the 38 games, we have a good chance.”
So who will win the 2015/2016 English Premier League title?
Contenders
Chelsea
The reigning champions begin their bid to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 2006 at home against Swansea City.
With Manager, Jose Mourinho, signing a new four-year deal on the eve of the season kickoff, the Blues will be brewing with confidence.
“If the club is happy, I am happy,” he told the Chelsea website.
“I think this is a normal thing for me to sign a new contract.
No team has retained the Premier League since Manchester United achieved the feat in 2008-09. The London side will be hoping to end this streak.
Over the past 10 years, teams that started the league as champions pay the price for not addressing their squad, even if it was a squad of champions. Will the lack of squad depth dent Chelsea title hopes?
With only Asmir Begovic from Stoke City the only notable signing and a couple of loan returns and loan deals, Chelsea still have enough quality to be crowned champions.
All eyes will be on PFA Player of the Year, Eden Hazard, to inspire the Blues to yet another title.
Weakness: Limited striking option
Arsenal
Arsene Wenger finally gave a sucker punch to archenemy, Jose Mourinho in the Community Shield clash, but could this signal the end of the Portuguese dominance over the Frenchman?
Arsenal probably made the biggest transfer coup of the summer after acquiring the services of Petr Cech from Chelsea. Mourinho is still scratching his head over the move.
With Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Francis Coquelin and Alex-Oxlade Chamberlin all coming of age, coupled with the class of Santi Carzola, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, the Gunners will definitely challenge for the title.
Weakness: No recognised prolific goal scorer.
Manchester City
It’s worth remembering that City still have the same nucleus of the squad which has finished in the top two for the past four seasons and should the 1-2-1-2 pattern continue, they will be celebrating once more at season’s end.
Inspirational midfielder, Yaya Toure, committed his future to the club and City also made the most exciting and anticipated transfer of the summer with Raheem Sterling joining from Liverpool for £49million.
Despite signing an extension to his current contract, Manuel Pellegrini will be under pressure from the blast of the whistle with Bayern Munich coach, Pep Guardiola touted to replace him in the summer.
Weakness: Shaky defence
Pretenders
Liverpool
Liverpool had a not-too impressive show last term with many tipping them to do better after impressing the season before. Inspirational skipper, Stephen Gerrard, finally ended his 16-year romance with the club, Raheem Sterling also parted company with the Anfield side.
The Reds expectedly have been busy in the transfer market, with the capture of the likes of Christian Benteke, James Milner and Danny Ings amongst others.
Manager, Brendan Rodgers, has a big task on his hands on how to make champions out of his ‘average squad’. With his frontline buzzing with stars, same cannot be said of the defence which looks unstable.
Manchester United
Louis van Gaal’s job last season was to put the pieces back together after David Moyes’s dreadful reign and get Manchester United back in the Champions League. Mission accomplished.
However, United will not be happy with the same result this time around.
After the expensive signing of Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin – and every chance of another huge signing to come – Van Gaal needs and wants to be challenging for the title.
But how will they cope if world-class keeper David De Gea leaves? His future is still up in the air and United’s defence will be much weaker without him.
Tottenham
Perennial under-achievers, Spurs will be banking on English youngster, Harry Kane , who had a brilliant 2014/15 season.
The North London side had a fairy tale run to the Capital One Cup final which ended in defeat to Chelsea.
Mauricio Pochettino seems to be building a team for the future with the likes of Kane and Nabil Bentaleb breaking into the first team as well as discarding some ‘dead wood’ in the process.
With Toby Anderweireld the only summer signing thus far, Spurs need more if they are to compete with the big guns.
