English Premier League 2010-11 discussion thread

[Slava]

Last Season's top 4 standings:

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Arsenal
4. Tottenham Hotspur

Notable slip ups:

7. Liverpool.

Notable arrivals:

David Silva (to Man City from Valencia)
Yaya Toure (to Man City from Valencia)
Marouane CHamakh (to Arsenal from Bourdeaux)

Notable Departures:

Rafa Benitez to Inter Milan from Liverpool
Michael Ballack leaves Chelsea on a free transfer

Major Shuffle Ups:

Roy Hodgson from Fulham to Liverpool as manager
Yossi Benayoun to Chelsea from Liverpool

Notable story lines:

1. Fernando Torres & Steven Gerrard's future at Liverpool
2. Ashley Cole's future at Chelsea
3. Robinho's career at Man City
4. Wayne Rooney's form at the WC
5. Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona link
6. Man City's spending power
7. Where will Joe Cole end up?

[Slava]

Just watched the replay of United vs Celtic at Toronto and Berbatov was fking class. This could finally be his season in a United jersey.

[5DOM]

Would not be surprised if Benayoun is our only first team signing this summer.
Hopefully Essien can stay healthy this year.

[Slava]

Hargreaves in all likelihood is going to retire. He's back in the US visiting doctors after his knee flared up again.

I don't see any arrivals at OT either. This is going to be another gritty season with no real star power to make a true difference.

[fudgie]

I'm still hoping Tottenham picks up some sort of upgrade at striker. It's the only part of the team I think that's lacking. Someone like Dzeko would be ideal but he's too expensive now.

[kromoszoma]

Fabregas isn't going anywhere, even Barcelona are starting to understand that.
However, if Wenger doesn't start strengthening the defence, we are going to be in trouble. Our central defenders are currently Vermaelen, who is good but not that great, Djourou, who is unproven and made of glass, and Koscielny, who no one knows anything about. Maybe Campbell as well, but he really shouldn't be anything more than an emergency backup at this point.
And we have only one defensive midfielder. Plus two clowns instead of a single decent keeper.

I said last season after one of our innumerable goalkeeping cockups, that if we don't buy a keeper for the new season I'll become a Bolton supporter. I'm getting more worried every day.

[Slava]

You won't miss a beat with the free flowing football at Bolton.

[Slava]

Young or emerging players to watch out for:

1. Samir Nasri:

With our without Fabregas he has amazing potential to come good. If Fabregas stays, he might still play on the flanks but if Fabregas leaves he might be pushed into the middle and that could be a great move for both Arsenal and France.

The key is health.

2. Thomas Vermaelen:

Came in as a solid goal scoring center half. With Gallas out he seems to be the biggest block of Arsenal's defense and the added responsibility coupled with one more season in the premier league could help him get better.

3. Jonny Evans:

Rio is aging and has fitness issues meaning that the spot in central defense alongside Nemanja Vidic is up for grabs for Evans. He played there for much of last season and looked brilliant. If he carries that form into the new season we could be seeing a change of guard in United's defense.

4.Da Silva twins:

While Fabio might find it tough for games to come by behind Evra, Rafael is pretty much nailed on to get games unless Wes Brown stays healthy for a large part of the season. While both are immensely talented, they could play on the wings for some games and will surely get a chance to make a case for the starting fullback spots in near future.

5. Obertan:

Quick feet, dazzling skill. If Giggs slows down he could be the 3rd choice winger after Nani and Valencia. If he can bulk up a little he can be a player to watch out for.

6. Chicharito:

Had a great world cup and could make a strong case for 3rd striker behind Berbatov and Rooney if Owen cannot stay fit. Great in the air, very athletic and looks like a solid player.

7. Luka Modric:

Played on the flanks for most of last season but he has Scholes-like potential for distributing skills if he can consistently get games in the central midfield. Will be vital to whatever happens at Spurs.

8. Ashley Young:

I thought was highly rated early last season but faded out a bit. If he can stay consistent he will be the man to watch out for Villa. Quickness is still there but he should add more to his finishing skills.

9. Gabriel Agbanlahor:

One of the quickest forwards in the league and if he can add some consistency to his game, especially in finishing and counter attacks, he could easily get an England call up with all the re-tooling Capello is going to be doing.

10. Adam Johnson:

Came awfully close to an England call up after being consistently good for City at the end of last season and if he can get some more games in a rather stacked City side he could be a player to watch out for.

11. Gareth Bale:

One of Spurs' best players last season alongside Modric and he shook off the terrible record of not playing on a winning side in his first 27 appearances for Tottenham. Very pacy and skilled and could be one of the best left backs in the league pretty soon.

12. Aaron Ramsey:

Another player who could get a lot of games if Cesc leaves and playing under Wenger, he is sure to get a lot of games to prove himself. Should be great to see how he develops at Arsenal and if the young players can bring Wales into international contention.

13. Jack Wilshere:

Has made rapid strides in Arsneal's academy and made his EPL debut at the age of 16. Very versatile to play across the midfield and very talented. Could he go back on loan to Bolton?

14. Gary Cahill:

highly rated central defender who should have made the move this summer and could still be a valuable option for someone like Arsenal. He was very consistent while flying under the radar for Bolton but now that he has more eyes on him, it should be interesting to see how he copes with expectation.

Also a target to make an England debut if Capello looks for a major re-shuffle.

15. Jack Rodwell:

Can play either in defense or in midfield and in my opinion should play in midfield. Opted to stay at Everton despite strong interest from United and Chelsea. Will get a lot of games in an Everton side that looked quality at the end of last season and should be an interesting player to watch out for.

Honorable mentions:

Federico Macheda, Darren Gibson, Michael Mancienne, Fabian Delph, Danny Welbeck, Emilio Insua

I might forgotten some others. Didn't include Milner because he's already an England international and more established than this pack.

[kromoszoma]

You won't miss a beat with the free flowing football at Bolton.

They are actually much better than they used to be with Fat Sam, but still.

[kromoszoma]

As for our young guns, I hope Wilshere stays, because we can use him. And Ramsey... he was having a breakthrough year, with some almost Cesc-esque games, but then came the guy who is not that kind of guy... I doubt this season will be a great one for him, it's all about the recovery. Let's hope he'll be luckier than Eduardo.

[edfmx86]

this going to be my first time trying to pay attention to this league, I really want to keep my eye on Chicharito. I loved this kid in Chivas and was very excited when he got transferred to ManU. I hope he gets his playing time

[Munchlaxatives]

You won't miss a beat with the free flowing football at Bolton.

I liked the way Burnley played under Coyle, just wait until he gets his own guys at the Reebok. One less team playing the Big Sam way, I hope.

[Rendezvous]

Just watched the replay of United vs Celtic at Toronto and Berbatov was fking class. This could finally be his season in a United jersey.

Yeah i hope so.

[and1GS]

Agbonlahor really suffered because O'Neill's strategy eventually morphed into "defend for our lives and pray Gabby wins the game for us on his own." We need to build up and control the ball more...we have the personnel to do that but with Young's off year I guess we just couldn't get it done. Having Downing healthy at the start will help but we really need some transfers ASAP.

I'm hoping Delfouenso breaks into the first team, but I'm not holding my breath. He keeps winning the Villa young player of the year (don't know about this last season)...pretty much by default. It seems his top traits are speed and youth.

I also don't get the hype with Delph. He's a young guy that we paid a **** for. We overpaid for him because we were so concerned that we were gonna miss out on "the next big thing" but I don't see anything in his game other than his long range shooting that signals he's gonna be a first team regular on a top 4 team.

[treiz]

Add Koscielny to the list of young players to look out for.

With Silvestre and Gallas presumably out according to Wenger, look for him to get some playing time early. Especially for the amount they payed for him.

j-far, to be honest. Modric shouldn't be in that list.

Another bunch of guys who I think may emerge is Zhirkov (time to pay up, it's been a year) and Kakuta.

[5DOM]

Honorable mentions:

Federico Macheda, Darren Gibson, Michael Mancienne, Fabian Delph, Danny Welbeck, Emilio Insua

Mancienne isn't really a highly regarded prospect for us.
Sturridge, Kakuta, McEachran and Bruma are IMO, and last I heard, Bruma's rumoured for Wolfsburg in a loan transfer. Hopefully we can add Lukaku or Neymar sooner than later.

Another bunch of guys who I think may emerge is Zhirkov (time to pay up, it's been a year) and Kakuta

Zhirkov is still going to play behind Malouda and Cole. Won't see many minutes

[Munchlaxatives]

I like Zhirkov, but Chelsea spent a ton of money on a player they don't expect to get minutes, unless Cole really does leave.

[and1GS]

I like Zhirkov as well, he gives a less pace-oriented but more in control alternative to Malouda at the other wing.

[treiz]

Honorable mentions:

Federico Macheda, Darren Gibson, Michael Mancienne, Fabian Delph, Danny Welbeck, Emilio Insua

Mancienne isn't really a highly regarded prospect for us.
Sturridge, Kakuta, McEachran and Bruma are IMO, and last I heard, Bruma's rumoured for Wolfsburg in a loan transfer. Hopefully we can add Lukaku or Neymar sooner than later.

Another bunch of guys who I think may emerge is Zhirkov (time to pay up, it's been a year) and Kakuta

Zhirkov is still going to play behind Malouda and Cole. Won't see many minutes

The only one of those guys that would see the field this year is Sturridge and Kakuta. The rest IMO won't contribute until 2 years from now.

As for Zhirkov, I see Malouda going more central (which is what he played in the majority of last season) as Ballack has been released and with Cole gone, Zhirkov could see a lot more playing time and he should finally show why we payed so much money for him.

[and1GS]

I like Sturridge, you think he's still gonna play a good amount in cup games now that Drogba/Kalou won't be out for national friendlies?