LEICESTER CITY. Shock Premiership Champions two seasons back, last season was a return to normality. For some reason last season Claudio Ranieri “lost” the dressing room. After some twenty-five games he was replaced by Craig Shakespeare. Under him they lost only four games to keep their place in the Premiership. They have brought-in Ineanacho from Man City to add a bit more fire power but look to be going to balance that out as a number of clubs would love to get hold of Demarai Gray. They have strengthened their defence, buying Harry Maguire from Hull. If they don’t gel they could be left with a fight against relegation.
MANCHESTER CITY. If ever an owner has tried to buy the PREMIERSHIP it’s the owners of CITY. The odd thing is, they may well do just that. Last season they scored pretty much at will but their back four were often run ragged. And of course gave away too many goals. However Pep Guardiola has made some shrewd buys even as his spending could well increase over it’s present mark of just over £200 million. I do think he will regret letting Joe Hart go out on loan. What a mistake this could turn out to be.
I can still see CITY being the top team in England, let alone in Manchester. Their new attacking full-backs will be something to behold.
MANCHESTER UNITED. The Manchester Derbies should be something marvellous this season. With two of the best half dozen attacks in the Premiership. Like City, United have also been splashing the cash. If anything they have bought the more experienced players. I can see Lukaku heading the Golden Boot qualifiers at the end of the season. He has the right sort of players doing the providing here.
They have lost Rooney but he most certainly won’t be missed. If Ibrahimovic does return their fire power will be formidable. However they must improve on last seasons HOME form. Only eight win out of nineteen games. Rubbish. All things considered, with Mourinho to cajole and urge them they should at least make the TOP FOUR .
NEWCASTLE UNITED. They have bounced back at the first time of asking. Well done. However if owner Mike Ashley doesn’t loosen the purse strings he could find himself, not only looking for players (on the cheap) but also a new manager. Rafa Benitez doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Ashley made promises to the manager and if he fails to deliver he could end up managerless. Benitez has proved himself with much superior teams to Newcastle. Ashley be warned. With very little action in the transfer market, Benitez must hope his three main purchases pay their way.
STOKE CITY. Last season saw Stoke struggled at times and they could easily have slipped lower down the table than they did. Manager Mark Hughes was a tough player and he’ll not stand for players who don’t put in a good shift. Shawcross was one of the players who were especially watched by referees who stamped down on shirt tugging and wrestling at set-pieces last season. Very little action during the transfer window and very little money spent. However two newcomers, albeit on free transfers, look ideal types for the job to come. Kurt Zouma will strengthen the defence and Darren Fletcher will be there to marshal the midfield. Having sold Arnautovic, Shaqiri will be expected to lead the strikers by example. They will however have Peter Crouch to call upon when occasions arise. Stoke are a natural Top Half side but if they don’t get it together they could well find themselves in a relegation fight.
Part Three on the way.
