Manchester United
Where is the new Paul
Scholes?
Michael Carrick is the obvious direct replacement of Paul
Scholes, but only the Paul Scholes in the twilight of his career. Sitting deep
as an all-rounded defensive anchorman, Carrick needs his midfield partner to surge
forward for goals – the younger Paul Scholes. The disappointment in the
development of Anderson and Cleverley prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to use Ryan
Giggs as Carrick's partner, but were often overpowered.
They could not tempt Thiago Alcantara to Manchester and are
looking less likely to snap Cesc Fabregas from Camp Nou. Renewed interest in
Luka Modric and the pursuit of Yohan Cabaye are still in the early discussion
stage. Rather than looking externally, Wayne Rooney can actually be the
immediate solution. Having sufficient resources up front, a healthy and
motivated Rooney will fit in nicely as a midfield in Old Trafford. The only
question will be his willingness to play second fiddle to Robin Van Persie.
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| Pellegrini is expected to bring European success to Etihad Stadium |
Manchester City
Is it the time to shine
in Europe?
Finally the grumpy Roberto Mancini is gone, so are Mario
Balotelli and Carlos Tevez. The arrival of attacking talents, so as a
charismatic manager, would hopefully restore order at Etihad Stadium. More
importantly, owner Sheikh Mansour is hunger for some European success,
something that Mancini just could not deliver in his managerial history.
Regaining the Premier League title remains the top priority, but
equally they are desperate to at least get past the Champions League group
stage. Successive disappointing campaigns send their European coefficient
sinking and their European journey could become tougher. Their investment in
recent years does not target for the Europa League. There are high hopes in
Pellegrini with his track record in the Champions League – especially his time
at Villarreal. With the right manager in place, and hopefully the right
acquisitions, it is time for Manchester City to shine in the bigger stage.
Chelsea
Can Jose Mourinho
lead Chelsea through generation transition?
In his second stint at Stamford Bridge, the push for trophies is
still there, but the challenge is not quite the same. Still building a
title-winning team, Jose Mourinho is inheriting a squad consisting of veterans
who excelled during his first stint with Chelsea, and young players who Roman
Abramovich hopes to brighten the playing style of the Blues.
John Terry, Frank Lampard, Peter Cech and Ashley Cole still have
something left in their tanks, but it is hard to disagree the future is with
Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku. Being a strong believer of his own
philosophy of football, Mourinho must not get too indulged in his previous
Chelsea era. Having already brought back Michael Essien, there could be better
moves than shipping Didier Drogba back in England.
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| Mourinho should move on with his new squad |
Arsenal
Without a notable defensive
addition, can they challenge for the long-awaiting title?
By purely looking at the statistics last season, they were
second best in total goals scored and goals conceded, but also failed to win
and earned merely two points in six matchups against the top three. Looking to
re-establish themselves as a title contender, they have avoided losing the
captain this summer (thanks to Vermaelen's notorious injury problems) and have
successfully acquired promising striker Yaya Sanogo. Arsene Wenger is also
targeting the controversial Luis Suarez.
However, with Bacary Sagna obviously over the peak of his
career, Szchesny's inconsistency, together with Vermaelen's fitness concern,
how confident is Wenger with the existing lineup to sustain last season's
defensive form? With the vast influx of attacking talents in England this
summer, and not lacking much themselves, Arsenal should focus their war chest
on their defensive end. Rewind to the Invincibles, it was not only about scoring
goals, but also a solid back line with two world-class defensive midfielders.
Tottenham
What is the ideal
combination on the left for Tottenham?
With Gareth Bale no longer just a left winger, Andre
Villas-Boas will need to find a better partnership than Benoit Assou-Ekotto and
Gylfi Sigurdsson, the combination that was frequently used late in the 2012
season.
Nacer Chadli would be a natural option as left winger. His
presence with Aaron Lennon will give incredible width to Tottenham. Should
Andros Townsend retain his form with QPR, he will be AVB's favourite choice off
the bench.
Selling Stephen Caulker to Cardiff could imply AVB prefers
Jan Vertonghen as a centreback. This opens up the opportunity for another
recalled loanee Danny Rose. Young Danny Rose enjoyed a breakout season with
Sunderland and will add some competition to Assou-Ekotto's starting spot at
left back, who sometimes, if not often, looks passionless on the field.
Everton
Will Martinez make a
revolutionary change to Everton's tactics?
The exceptional high work-rate they have been playing at, as
well as having quality wing backs Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, could be
the perfect fit to Roberto Martinez's 3-4-3 formation. Relying on Marouane
Fellaini and Victor Anichebe heavily last year, a more dynamic and fluid
tactics can add versatility in their attack to up their 55 goals scored last
season and boast their chance for European football.
However, revolutionary change in tactics can be a risky move
for a new manager. Martinez may not completely overturn David Moyes' ideology,
but with his tactical flexibility and the utilitymen available in Everton, one
would not be surprised to see some in-match tactical change in Goodison Park in
2013, and expectations would be a positive surprise.
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| Can they advance to European stage together? |
Liverpool
Are they over-reliant
on one goalscorer?
Luis Suarez's potential departure will bring away his 23
league goals. Who will be the leading striker in Brendan Rodger's Liverpool?
Daniel Sturridge is a competent centre forward, but not those who could
single-handedly rule the game. Fabio Borini and new arrival Iago Aspas never
showed up as consistent goalscorers in their careers.
Looking at the Swansea under Brendan Rodgers, Danny Graham
was the top scorer in 2011-12 season, but Rodgers also got double of Graham's
contribution from four other midfielders combined. He advertises a rapid
passing game which prompts his midfielders to involve in attack as much as they
could. After a season adapting to Rodgers' style, one may not see another
outstanding goalscorer like Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Luis Suarez at
Anfield, but a string of advanced goal-scoring midfielders, most notably Coutinho
and new arrival 20-year-old Luis Alberto – who had 11 goals and 18 assists last
season in Spain’s second division.
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