By Isaac Akugizibwe,
PARROTS UG |SPORTS ANALYSIS: Despite the effects of COVID-19, English Premier league heavy weights seem to have flamboyantly over swam the financial terror affecting other traditional European big spenders. With champions Manchester City still looking strong, Manchester United determined than ever, Chelsea attempting a redemption and Liverpool furiously aiming for revenge,the 2021-2022 season could become the most Competitive ever.
It is evident that COVID-19 has changed the balance of power in favour of English Premier league giants like Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool among others that no other European team can afford to stage a burgain for the very best against them,may be French Titans PSG. Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid have for the first time ignored the hot boys in the market due to what they have refered to as financial obstacles. So is Bayern Munich ,Borrusia Dortmund and Juventus.
The signing of Jordan Sancho and Rafael Varane is enough to make Ole’s Man United stabilise their defence and may be improve from next season’s position. The Red devil’s feel their squad can reminisce the Sir Alex Ferguson team that last won the league in 2013 to get it away from their city rivals Manchester City who have reinforced their attack with an English record signing of Jack Grielish. Pep Guardiola’s men still look unbeatable even with out their all time top scorer Sergio Aguero who left for Barcelona. They will be increasingly unstoppable if they sign Harry Kane from Tottenham.
All eyes are most likely to be on European champions Chelsea who too have reinforced their attack by discovering their prodigal son,Romelu Lukaku to save them from the disastrous finishing of Timo Werner. The Belgian goal poacher is expected to address a goal drought which has kept the blues below expectations in the last three seasons. With a plethora of fast and highly skilled attackers like Hakim Ziyech,Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic,Kai Harverts,Mason Mount and an experienced midfield wherein roams evergreen Ngolo Kante , Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic, Thomas Tuchel’s men are seen as favourites to topple Manchester City.
With Jurgen Klopp still at Anifield,it is rather unwise to write off the 2020 champions ,Liverpool though they are starting the season on quite a bad note. The injury of defender Andrew Robertson is a blow to Jurgen Klopp’s side but he has chance to find a replacement to cover up. The return of Virgil Van Dyke should be a big boost for the Reds. Muhammad Salah,Sadio Mane,Roberto Forming and Diego Jorta are still a formidable threat to face. How about a midfield wherein there is Thiago Alcantara,so capable of making his second season a critics beater. They can’t be taken for granted.
The other group contains Leicester, Tottenham and the fans favourite Arsenal who must strive to revive their elite status that has gone fading in the last few years. The Gunners will need their captain Pierre Aubameyang to turn up in good moods and may add to their creative midfield as they pray for Ben White to change the status quo of their defence if they are to reclaim their fading glory. Mikel Arteta must prove his bosses,fans and book makers that he’s made use of the time allotted to him to build a competitive club.
2015 champions Leicester City go into the new season with maximum energy and enthusiasm having beaten the Champions Manchester City to the Season’s curtain raiser,the FA community Shield on Saturday. They need to keep playmaker James Madison to give the top contenders a better run for their money.
Tottenham hotspur needs to keep their talisman Harry Kane to remain in contention. Without him,life may not be that smooth for Nuno Espirito Santo though his exploits at former club Wolves and his current squad at Spurs is still capable of anything. Alot is expected of Espirito Santo this season but his first success could be keeping Harry Kane at the club.
Other clubs like Westham United, Southampton,Aston Villa, Crystal Palace,Leeds United, among others have also had changes in their squads. Some might have weakened after loosing their stars like Villa let Grielish go but because it is football, anything can happen. It’s game on!
