It's going to be a Special One

So the start of 2013/14 Barclays Premier League season is nearly upon us, after a whole month and a week of transfer speculation there have been some high profile saga's, managerial merry-go-rounds and done deals which have kept us busy, so with the real action nearly here, it's time to get predicting! This blog focuses on my top 8 for next season

The Big 3 are a different 3!

It's the first time in Premier League history, well that Manchester United have had a new manager, but mainly that the top 3 finishing teams from last season have all chopped and changed the men at the hot seat. For the defending champions, an end of an era, the greatest club manager of all time Sir Alex Ferguson retired from duty, resulting in tears of joy from all in London and down the road in Manchester! However, no matter who's at the helm, United is United and they will always be up there, but how can you follow Sir Alex? David Moyes is very inexperienced at a 'big club', no offence Everton, but big names are associated with United and it seems no one wants to know anymore, Lewandowski, Thiago, Fabregas have all rejected Moyes rather than United in my opinion. However, the recent emergence of a 'Ronaldo Return' could put that to bed....! 

There typically noisy neighbors have been busy again, appointing veteran Manuel Pellegrini as replacement for title winner Mancini, but like Roberto, is spending the pounds at the Etihad. £88m is the magic number with the chosen men Jesus Navas and his buddy Negredo from Sevilla, Fernandinho from Spartack Moscow for the highest fee, £33m and Stefan Jovetic (apparently was signing for Arsenal hmmm) from Fiorentina for £24m. With the additions added to the spine of Hart, Kompany, Toure and Aguero is there really anyone who could stop the boys in blue? Enter the 'Special One', Mr Mourinho is back in the English Premier League and he's back for good. Despite signing a 4 year deal, he's happily up for an extension and to finish his career with Chelsea. There have been no real big signings at Stamford Bridge though yet, they've brought in Andre Schurrle from Leverkusen and young Dutch midfielder Marco Van Ginkel, but the main noise has been about Wayne Rooney. It's been known he wants to leave, however two bids have been rejected by United, this saga will continue to the end, watch out I sense Mourinho will get his way!

The Chasing Pack

As a gooner, let's start with the Arsenal. Arsene Wenger is into his last year on his contract and hopefully he bows out with a trophy, well I think he'll leave by the time we reach May. It's been well known we have the money to buy and afford most players on the planet so when the date is August 7th, we've sold at least half of the first team squad, including Gervinho and Mannone, and our only signing is Yaya Sanogo, it's fairly worrying. However, developments have ensued in the possible transfer of Luis Suarez. A famous £40,000,001 was rejected, but Suarez wants and was apparently promised out, so it looks like he'll be out of Anfield for sure and hopefully to Arsenal. We by no way have a title winning team let alone sqaud, but with 3/4 good additions we'll contest for another trophy this season I'm sure, watch this space. Spurs have been punished for another poor run-in with the shock request from Gareth Bale to leave for Real Madrid, no real shock actually then. A world record £95m is rumored (OVER-PRICED) surely that'll will make tough Levy budge. They've been busy acquiring Chadli, Soldado and now in talks for Ethienne Capoue, so with the added Bale money, they'll be tussling with Arsenal again for 4th.

The outsiders for the top 4 are Liverpool, Swansea and Everton. Liverpool, possibly minus Suarez, will have no chance of competing, but with a replacement they can trouble, with the Rodgers influence they will look good with Countinho, Sturridge, Gerrard and co. Swansea, in the Europa League are real dark horses, I said after there stunning campaign last year, they'll be moving up and up and with Bony, Michu and even Shelvey, they look a very good outfit, a hard start for Moyes' men. Then Martinez's Everton, he's got pressure to carry on Moyes' high results. His attractive football got Wigan Wembley glory last year and taking 3 Wigan men with him, added to the hopeful retention of Fellaini and Baines, they will once again tussle with the big boys.


Top 8 finish
1) Manchester City
2) Chelsea
3) Manchester United
4) Arsenal
5) Spurs
6) Swansea
7) Liverpool
8) Everton