EPL 2013/2014 - New Beginning

The perennial battle has begun even before a ball was kicked. Red versus Green. Everyone has been confused and end up paying more. If only our industries have two competitors, we say how much you just pay up. Now Starhub will have a nett $29.90 with Singtel at $34.90 (if you are on contract). Is it necessary for it to be so complicated. Time they put their act together.

With a week to go before a new season begins, what has happened to the EPL clubs? Champions Manchester United wanted Fabregas  but could end up with Fellaini with Leighton Baines added. If this happens, David Moyes would have done exactly what he hated others doing to him while he was at Goodison Park. Baines was the best defender last season and Fellaini is a good addition to dominate midfield since United have missed out on Thiago Alcantara. (Watch the interview).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_2265209835&feature=iv&src_vid=1TV_XXfqTOo&v=fGvCw_5nmwE

But before a ball was kicked, Jose Mourinho has already started the art of war. Chelsea has added Andre Schurrle, Marco van Ginkel and Kevin De Bryne with prized catch Rooney still not settled. Mourinho has already lobbed a granite into Old Trafford by seducing a want away Rooney to seek a transfer. Even if Rooney stays, there is already bad blood within the United camp. 

Was Arsene Wenger trying to do a Mourinho when he tried getting Suarez? But it was because Higuain preferred Napoli. Arsenal is not a bad choice for Suarez and Wenger is desperate for a hit man that would put in 20 or more goals a season. The Gunners needed "more bite" up front and Suarez is a proven biter! (Pun intended). If there were no other target for them they will once again fall flat but their only weapon is that they have been together longer as a team. In Santi Cazorla they do have a very important player. Watch Cazorla and Arteta in discussion.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4JhCO3nc6w

Liverpool should have sold Luis Suarez much earlier so that they have enough time to get a good replacement. There is no point in having someone who does not wish to play for you. Even if Wenger do not get him, the atmosphere at Anfield would have turned sour. Watch Suarez being  interviewed at home. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCoUST7QaIU 

Manchester City has a new boss in Manuel Pellegrini who promises attacking soccer. They have added the promising Jovetic with more excitement coming from Fernaninho and Jesus Navas. 

While Tottenham have bought Paulinho, they may eventually lose their top star Gareth Bale for a 100 million pounds to Real Madrid. Watch Paulinho's press conference.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_867223&feature=iv&src_vid=fGvCw_5nmwE&v=gDaubsq3mGs

Spurs have an over reliance on Bale and where will their goals come from? Maybe they would become a better team with the money from Bale. Real is only to pay a fifth of that with the rest coming later. They already have Ronaldo and many other stars so why do they need Bale? Every band only has one lead guitarist right? The country is in serious trouble and yet the soccer clubs are throwing money. 

The soccer agents are laughing all the way to the bank. In the past, the manager just ground prima donna players if their heads get too big. I wish we have agents in our industry so that we can also do some transfer dealing and get a cut of the transfer fee. Maybe I'll bite a few people in the office to get some attention. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TV_XXfqTOo

I find it ridiculous that some of last season's most superb players were not bought by the big boys. They are at least tested and tried and were stupendous. Stoke City's goalie Begovic was one of the top goalkeepers in the EPL last year. Arsenal should have signed him on as they lack a consistent goalie. At least Liverpool did the right thing to sign Mignolet. While Tottenham will continue to enjoy the service of Jan Vertonghen at the back, Leighton Baines was the best defender by a mile. He is still at Everton. 

In midfield, of course Bale was the run away star but Juan Mata played an important role for Chelsea and Santi Cazorla was a key player for Arsenal. Their position are status quo. Theo Walcott has improved and had a good season last year and he can yet be better for the Gunners. Michu was easily one of the best buys of the season last time as he cost little but brought so much to Swansea. Eden hazard was good at Chelsea too but Maruane Fellaini was outstanding at Everton. 

Upfront, RVP was number one top scorer and there is no reason to believe he can't do it again for United. Suarez is number two top scorer but unsettled. Will he remain at Liverpool, go to Arsenal or Tottenham? Christian Benteke, the Belgium international was brilliant throughout the season for Aston Villa. Why didn't anyone sign him? Romelu Lukaku was very good for WBA while on loan and back to Chelsea thus strengthening their squad.  Rooney had a relatively poor season last time. Will he be Red or Blue? 

Finally, the traditional curtain raiser for the new season is the Charity Shield. This time it is Manchester United v Wigan. Wigan won the F.A. Cup but got relegated and parted ways with manager Roberto Martinez who is now with Everton. Friends who met me said it will be a big score. I was just thinking it can look that way since their manager was gone and some players departed and you are facing Manchester United but then why would the Red Devils risk anything like injuries before the season starts? And Wigan have nothing to lose. 2-0 to the Red Devils. All in the name of charity.