Premier League

Friday, 23rd October 2009 at 12:10pm

The current Premier League season is now well underway and it is already showing signs that it could be the most exciting season that we have seen for a long time. With the exception of Arsenal, the big four have spent a large sum of money to improve their squads. Despite not splashing the cash and losing the iconic and mercurial Thierry Henry, this new look Arsenal has begun the season in great style and the current form of Cesc Fabregas is helping Gooners forget the loss of their great Frenchman. It seems that Arsene Wenger has done it again. In the past he has sold established stars for large sums of money that has left Arsenal fans shaking their heads in dismay and fans of other clubs rubbing their hands in glee, only for the Gunners to rise up once again, even more formidable than before. Manchester United have added to their title winning squad of last season with the expensive signings of Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson. They won the season with style last year and will only improve as the season continues, despite their slow start this term. Liverpool have been off the pace for sometime now and despite the success in the Champion's League and FA Cup, it is the league title that the Anfield faithful want. With the investment in place, Rafa Benitez has been able to strengthen his side with some flair in Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun and Andriey Voronin to add to the pre-existing talent in Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Agger, Reina and Carragher. They now look like they have the squad to challenge and dramatically improve their poor away form from the previous seasons.

Chelsea have made only one big money signing in Malouda but have improved their hugely talented squad with some good freebies in Pizarro, Sidwell and Tal Ben Haim to provide cover where they had none previously. The spine of the team is so strong with established stars like Cech, Terry, Carvalho, Essien, Lampard and Drogba. This coupled with other quality players and the ego himself, Mourinho, in charge they will always challenge.

It is outside the top 4 where things have become interesting. Newcastle will definitely improve under the leadership of Sam Allardyce. Their defensive frailties will be ironed out and in Michael Owen and Obafemi Martins, they have players who can score goals for fun. Everton have spent well in adding to their squad. In Yakubu, they have a striker who has scored more goals in the premiership in the last 5 years than anyone but Henry. Spurs have continued to add to their pool of young British talent in Darren Bent and Gareth Bale as well as a couple of other players. They have however started the season poorly and already find themselves trailing the top teams. Aston Villa, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth have also spent money improving their sides and will continue to improve. Although this second tier of sides will not challenge this season for the title, they will provide stiffer opposition to the "top four" in individual games and directly influence the destination of the title.

The amount of money being spent is as a result of a large amount of investment from foreign nationals. Roman Abramovich began the trend at Chelsea and now Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Portsmouth, West Ham, Aston Villa have been bought by money men from outside of the UK. There have also been rumours of takeovers of Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United and Arsenal too in recent times. The problem with this is that it is going to increase the gaps between the premier league and the lower leagues and the smaller teams are going to find it harder and harder to break into the premier league's hierarchy. It should also make English teams more competitive in European competition and increase the amount of European trophies that we have won.

So all in all, buckle your seatbelts, because it looks like its going to be one hell of a ride.

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