Liverpool did quite well in the transfer market this summer. Many fans lament the inability to sign a "big name" player but, until LFC finishes is in the top four, it will never attract those players. In the meantime, they've signed some good young talent and they'll be given time on the field to show they belong (like Coutinho) or to show they don't (like Shelvey). I'd rather this approach than to bring in "has been's" (Joe Cole) or "never were's" (Charlie Adam).
Arsenal got a big name but their bench is quite thin for a team that has so many games ahead of them. What they do have going for them is cohesivness as a unit, having played many games together at a young age. Will Ozil be the difference between 6th and 4th?
This year's competition in the EPL is shaping up to be really interesting for the following reasons:
- Manchester United - there is sure to be a big transition there. What kind of time does David Moyes have to sort the team out?
- Manchester City - on paper, the strongest team in the league, maybe in all of football. But they struggle to play well together.
- Chelsea - on paper, the second strongest team in the league. However, I think they play well together and will win the league.
- Tottenham - so much change there and they lost their best player. I think it will take time to get them to play well together.
- Arsenal - well coached, few changes, but the least talented of the lot. Everything hinges on Ozil.
- Liverpool - on the outside looking in. Major transition last year but they have young players at every position learning to win and getting better at it every week. Unbeaten in their last 11, they can win beautifully and are starting to win ugly.
I think the only given will be Chelsea and Man C finishing one two. The rest, who knows.