As the summer of sport continues with the new Premier League season kicking off tomorrow, the IB Times looks at who is set to shine this year on the field.
The two Manchester clubs were separated only by goal difference last time, and the battle between the two for the title could be an even more nervous affair.
City will be the favourites to retain their crown, but losing out on Robin Van Persie to United could be a deciding factor, as a partnership between the Dutchman and Wayne Rooney sound very promising.
That’s not to discount the other rivals. Champions League Winners Chelsea have splashed out over £60m on new singings Marko Marin, Oscar and Eden Hazard. But how Roberto Di Matteo will cope with the pressure of being Chelsea’s permanent manager will be their biggest test.
Arsenal might have lost Van Persie, but Arsene Wenger was prepared this time for the blow, capturing Lukas Podlski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla to bolster the squad. They will be hoping to hit the ground running and avoid the shocking start they had last season.
Spurs and Liverpool have both gone for youth in appointing 30 something’s Andre-Villas Boas and Brendan Rodgers respectively. Villas-Boas is looking to prove himself after a disastrous tenure as Chelsea manager, as well as rally a Spurs side that is facing the departure of star player Luka Modric.
Rodgers on the other hand is attempting to implement his successful possession based football from Swansea at Anfield, but as former boss Kenny Dalglish knows all too well, the most important thing to owners Fenway Sports Group is results.
The battle at the bottom should be just as exciting as the one at the top, with the newly promoted sides Southampton, Reading and West Ham all hoping that their stay in the top flight isn’t short lived.
Expect twists and turns along the way, and if this season can come anywhere close to the drama of last year, we should be in for a treat.
Written and presented by Alfred Joyner