There was a suspicion that Real Madrid’s seduction of Cristiano’s Ronaldo one year ago would prove the gateway for an exodus of headliners from England to Spain. The fact that, between them, Barcelona and Real Madrid lusted after but were ultimately spurned by Ashley Cole, Nemanja Vidic, Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas this summer extinguished that notion.
Another theory that could well be laid to rest is that the Premier League title race, which has been won by either Chelsea or Manchester United six seasons running, has become a monotonous two-team affair. Indeed, Arsenal and Liverpool have cultivated their squads wisely, while Manchester City have spent more than the aforementioned quartet put together during the close season. FIFA.com previews what Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti and his United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson believe is likely to be the most wide-open fight for glory in years.
