A League is a marathon, not a sprint, and when I look at strengths and depth of each of the contenders, City kept cropping up on my mind.
Manchester City captain, Vincent Kompany, lifting the trophy at the Etihad on last season’s final day feels like yesterday. Excitement has kicked in already as the new season starts tomorrow.
This season is projected to surpass the last in terms of unpredictability and sheer entertainment for supporters and neutrals alike, considering the usual suspects are all looking bolstered for the challenge.
In as much as Louis Van Gaal’s arrival at Manchester United show signs of heralding a new era of success for the Red Devils, Chelsea's signing of a proven goal scorer and Atletico Madrid talisman, Diego Costa, and Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas might help right the wrongs of last season, my bet for the 2014/2015 Premier League title remains the blue half of Manchester.
A League is a marathon, not a sprint, and when I look at strengths and depth of each of the contenders, City kept cropping up on my mind.
The recent signing of Mangala by from Porto for a British transfer record for a defender reinforces my pick. Despite Liverpool’s immense summer additions and Arsenal engaging in arguably the biggest transfer of the window (the capture of Alexis Sanchez), nothing beats the presence of Joe Hart in goal, Vincent Kompany at the back, and Yaya Toure, who in my opinion is the best box to box midfielder in the league. With Sergio Aguero upfront, all those players have been there and done it, something massively advantageous for the club, who uncharacteristically have the lowest additions this term, which means they won’t be waiting for players to get used to the physicality and pace of the English game.
Top coaches will tell you that stability and continuity are key in a title challenge and this is where City comes out on top again. This is considering Vaan Gaal is trying to build a new team at Old Trafford, Chelsea has fairly a new crop trying to gel under Mourinho, and Arsenal despite defeating a second string City side 3-0 in Sunday’s Charity Shield match still appeared to show signs of weakness after their top players were substituted. Liverpool’s seven new players, all brought in to improve on last year’s impressive charge, will need time to settle at Anfield, and the absence of Luis Suarez will be greatly felt at the club this season.