Premier League cranks into action
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The World Cup finished at least five minutes ago so that can only mean one thing: The English Premier League season is about to crank into action once more.
OK, so it has actually been a month since festivities in South Africa came to a close, but either way there hasn't been a whole lot of respite for exhausted players, nerve-shredded fans and yes, a weary soccer writer who can scarcely believe that it's mid-August already.
Yet soccer waits for no man (or club), and although the offseason has seemed briefer than ever, enough time has passed to suggest a few key shifts in the EPL power struggle have taken place.
Here we take a look at the burning questions that could determine the fate of the title race this time around.
1. Is Chelsea too old?
Manager Carlo Ancelotti took Chelsea to the title in his first season, breaking Manchester United's three-year stranglehold on the EPL crown. However, Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Ricardo Carvalho headed a string of summer departures, without much coming in the opposite direction.
The biggest acquisition has been Brazil's Ramires, who will have precious little time to settle in and will be expected to make an immediate impact. The major concern for Chelsea fans, and certainly for Ancelotti, is that the core of his team, Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba, are not getting any younger or fresher.
Answer: Yes. Chelsea is still going to be one of the dominant teams, and owner Roman Abramovich will look to invest in January if there is a pressing need. However, whether the side has the legs to sustain their momentum for the next nine months is a major doubt, and Manchester United may prove too strong.
2. Is Manchester United over-reliant?
You can guess who we are talking about here, can't you? Wayne Rooney's form last season was spectacular as he stepped into the breach left by Cristiano Ronaldo, and he established himself as one of the world's best players.
But Rooney paid the price for his exertions with a dismal and deflated World Cup, and despite his efforts, could not take United over the line in the EPL. However, Sir Alex Ferguson figures to have learned from last season's mistakes and appears to have a well-balanced side capable of maintaining a strong challenge in Europe and at home.
Answer: Not any more. Rooney remains the "go-to guy" for United, but the arrival of Mexican youngster Javier "Chacharito" Hernandez adds some spark to the attack. Chacharito has already been identified as a future United legend by club icon Sir Bobby Charlton and has looked mightily impressive in preseason.
3. Is Man City too rich?
The remarkable spending spree funded by the club's Arabian owners continues unabated and, by the time the transfer window closes, boss Roberto Mancini might have splashed out more than $200 million this summer.
All the signings bring real quality, with Yaya Toure the pick of a bunch that also includes David Silva, Jerome Boateng and Mario Balotelli – with James Milner soon to follow. The target is to build a side capable of qualifying for the Champions League and competing for the title, and the spending won't stop until the goal is reached.
Answer: Yes. Too rich for everyone apart from United and Chelsea, anyway. Money talks in soccer and while it cannot guarantee success, Mancini has enough nous and ability to steer his freshly stacked squad into a strong position of contention.
4. Is Liverpool too unsettled?
Manager Roy Hodgson is faced with quite a task after taking over from Rafa Benitez, with a disjointed squad and continuing uncertainty over the club's ownership situation. The initial task – holding on to Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres – does appear to have been won, however.
Liverpool still has some talent, and its loyal fans will still hope for a top-four finish or even something better. But the Liverpool aura is not what it once was, and the arrival of Joe Cole has not been enough to send optimism soaring.
Answer: Yes. American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been unable to offload their stake in Liverpool, leaving the club in an ongoing stasis. A fresh investor and a new approach is required, and quickly. Meanwhile, Hodgson must try to go about business the best he can, but the odds are stacked against him.
5. Is Blackpool too weak?
The bottom of the table looks likely to provide plenty of intrigue this season, with even Blackpool, universally tipped to finish last, certain to keep us entertained thanks to the wonderful lunacy of their manager, Ian Holloway.
Life doesn't get any easier for those teams promoted from the Championship each season, and the gulf seems to be getting incrementally wider. More struggles for the new boys can be expected.
Answer: Yes. So too is West Brom, a team capable of looking great at a lower level but one which will likely be thoroughly outgunned in the EPL. The third relegation spot figures to be a fight between Wigan and Wolves. Sadly, the imaginative and attacking style favored by Wigan's Roberto Martinez may come back to haunt him, with Wolves' dour approach under Mick McCarthy more likely to get the points needed for survival.
Yahoo! Sports' predicted finishing order
1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester City
4. Arsenal
5. Tottenham Hotspur
6. Liverpool
7. Everton
8. Aston Villa
9. Sunderland
10. Stoke City
11. Fulham
12. Birmingham City
13. West Ham
14. Bolton Wanderers
15. Blackburn Rovers
16. Newcastle United
17. Wolverhampton Wanderers
18. Wigan Athletic
19. West Bromwich Albion
20. Blackpool
