So it looks like Chelsea...

[TheBunnyman]

... are the only Top 4 side in England who won't have to cope with replacing a major player.

United lost Ronaldo and Tevez, and have signed Valencia and Owen.

Arsenal lost Adebayor and Touré, and have so far signed only Vermaelen.

We're losing Xabi and Arbeloa, and have so far signed only Johnson.

Chelsea, despite all the talk, have yet to lose anyone - Drogba and Terry have signed new deals, and even Carvalho is still there. Then again, they do have a new manager.

Which team will cope best with the changes that have been forced on them this summer?

 

[Squiggles]

It's impossible to call who will be favourites for the league, but Chelsea have the most settled squad and it all depends on how their manager adjusts to the league. I think it'll be between us and them, but United will be there right till the end, and Arsenal will be constantly looking over their shoulder at City.

It's going to be hugely competitive. 

 

[Oncy]

Chelsea are also still trying to tie up deals for Pato and Pirlo (60m plus Deco) Dzeko (8m and Kalou).

At least 2 of these 3 are all but certain.

 

[rebel23]

all those titles we won with Alonso, what will we ever do

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=34988.msg915061#msg915061 date=1248960711]
It's impossible to call who will be favourites for the league, but Chelsea have the most settled squad and it all depends on how their manager adjusts to the league. I think it'll be between us and them, but United will be there right till the end, and Arsenal will be constantly looking over their shoulder at City.

It's going to be hugely competitive.
[/quote]

Ferguson still has £60m burning a hole in his pocket, of course. If United go out and sign David Villa, I'd make them favourites, but at the moment I'd tend to agree with your analysis. Although, if they get off to a good start, City could well do more than merely make up the numbers in the top 4 or 5.

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=rebel23 link=topic=34988.msg915106#msg915106 date=1248964062]
all those titles we won with Alonso, what will we ever do


[/quote]

What a stupid post. Did you actually watch us play last season?

 

[Oncy]

Arsenal.
almunia
clichy
gallas
vermaelen
sagna
fabregas
denilson
rosicky
arshavin
walcott
Van persie

Chelsea.
cech
cole
terry
alex
bosingwa
lampard
essien
ballack
zhirkov
drogba
malouda

Man Utd.
van der sar
evra
rio
vidic
brown
carrick
fletcher
valencia
berbatov
rooney
owen

Liverpool.
Reina
insua
agger
carragher
johnson
mascherano
gerrard
riera
kuyt
yossi
torres.

Slip of paper between those 4 teams really. Chelsea do look the strongest to me.

 

[TheBunnyman]

Anelka will surely be in their first XI more often than not.

Also, Arsenal would never play that team - it's too lightweight and attacking even for Wenger. And Rosicky's got injured again.

But, as you say, not much between them.

What will City's team look like?


Given

Richards - Touré - Lescott - Bridge

De Jong - Barry

Tevez - Ireland - Robinho

Adebayor


Not too bad either...

 

[nornirongooner]

Theres goals to be had against a back line of Richards Toure Lescott and Bridge imo.

 

[ankreds]

Also it will take that team a long time to gel and get used to eachothers styles and what not.

Anyone that thinks city will break into top 4 this season is on crack.

 

[Squiggles]

The same was said about Chelsea, Ankreds.

Clearly they had a superior manager but Chelsea showed you could buy success a lot quicker than everyone imagined.

It won't be long

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=34988.msg915168#msg915168 date=1248966817]
Anelka will surely be in their first XI more often than not.

Also, Arsenal would never play that team - it's too lightweight and attacking even for Wenger. And Rosicky's got injured again.

But, as you say, not much between them.

What will City's team look like?


Given

Richards - Touré - Lescott - Bridge

De Jong - Barry

Tevez - Ireland - Robinho

Adebayor


Not too bad either...

[/quote]

Not a bad bench either.

 

[Oncy]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=34988.msg915342#msg915342 date=1248978706]
The same was said about Chelsea, Ankreds.

Clearly they had a superior manager but Chelsea showed you could buy success a lot quicker than everyone imagined.

It won't be long
[/quote]Chelsea already had a top 3 side though. When Sven left citeh barely had a top 10 side.
They'll get there. But not yet.

 

[Paddy]

[quote author=Squiggles link=topic=34988.msg915342#msg915342 date=1248978706]
The same was said about Chelsea, Ankreds.

Clearly they had a superior manager but Chelsea showed you could buy success a lot quicker than everyone imagined.

It won't be long
[/quote]

They have a tougher task than Chelsea. Chelsea were already in the top 4 and didn't practically go into the process of buying a completely new first team like City.
They wont break the top 4. Arsenal will buy good in the next week or two.

 

[Stulikesdrums]

[quote author=ankreds link=topic=34988.msg915250#msg915250 date=1248971241]
Also it will take that team a long time to gel and get used to eachothers styles and what not.

Anyone that thinks city will break into top 4 this season is on crack.
[/quote]

I think they will finish in the top four and I haven't had any crack in at least a month.