Its quite strange having Manchester City in the equation for the season's curtain raiser and it may take some getting use to as this will be their second visit in a row to the appetiser of the English football calendar. We will take a look at both teams and their chances of lifting the first silverware of the season (a proper preview of the 2012/2013 Premier League season would be done subsequently).
Chelsea (Out with the Old in with the new,fresh and young)
Fresh from been crowned European Champions; Chelsea have gone about a process of freshening up their squad, a number of the old guard may still be present, but they have substantially strengthened especially in midfield (with the signings of the Hazards, Marin and Oscar), where if you ask me the changes they required was somewhat minimal. However, i must admit that the purchases have been interesting as well as top quality; Roberto Di Matteo can confidently say this is his side as every single piece of transfer business done indicates his hand work and not that of the owner. Chelsea have got a very interesting and intriguing problem especially in midfield; as at the last count Chelsea has in its squad 12 players with realistic chances of staking claim to a starting berth that can only have a maximum of 5midfielders from the start. Some have said that Di Matteo plans to copy the Spaniards by playing a False 9 system; all in all Chelsea have bought very well and can be considered as genuine title contenders.
Manchester City (Stability, contentment, consolidation or a sign of the times)
Champions for the first time in 44years, Manchester City will definitely be enjoying been called Champions and would look to repeat that this year. Interestingly, Manchester City are yet to make any signing during the current transfer window; as is customary for such Oil rich clubs, they are consistently linked with one player or the other, but are yet to conclude any purchase.
I then tend to wonder, if we would not see the spending spree that has characterized City since their new found status or are the management of the club desirous of merely consolidating on the current squad strength they have and may only sign one or two players to add to what may already be considered a bloated squad or is it safe to say City are showing their desire to adjust to the times and prepare themselves for financial fair play compliance. Whatever, may be the case, the men from the blue side of Manchester still have a very good looking squad that can still and will still challenge of honours this season.
Match Preview
Chelsea and Manchester City have met a 143times with Chelsea having the upper hand with 61wins to 46 to going to City. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses going into the curtain raiser; we highlight them thus;
Chelsea Strengths
Chelsea's current strengths lie in their midfield, you have to be somewhat scared going up against them; currently; Chelsea have a good mix in their midfield. Some years past, the Chelsea midfield was all about brawn, brute force and sheer physicality; now there's a proper mix of diminutive, imaginative, skillful and highly talented youngsters. If Di Matteo can get the selection and mix of this players right from the start, Chelsea will be crowned champions.
Chelsea's weakness
Chelsea's weakness definitely has to lie with the number of players they have signed and how well they are able to gel them together in the shortest time. As earlier stated 12 players vying for maximum of 5 starting places, this will be a big problem for Di Matteo. Also, of concern is the lack of depth upfront; Anelka, Drogba, Kallou have all left for other clubs and Lukaku just left for a year long loan move to West Brom. A fellow pundit once told me that Chelsea do not need to add any bodies upfront as they may be in danger of spooking (scaring him to a ridiculous height) Fernando Torres, hence distracting him from his primary responsibility. Chelsea need to sign on at least one more striker, to render some support to the Chelsea course.
Manchester City Strengths
City are virtually strong in all departments, primarily their major strength has to be in defense where Vincent Kompany has led sway, even though there are some concerns with him currently. His partnership with Lescott was one of the reasons they were crowned champions last term, but there are rumours that Mancini intends to still bolster the rearguard with the addition of Daniel Agger by Liverpool. If this deal does go through, City will be stronger in this department with the signing of such a top notch defender.
Manchester City Weakness
Manchester City's inability to add to their squad and the persistent unsettled nature of their top players is a major worry and weakness and this may affect their concentration and that of the team as a whole. Kolo Toure is linked with a move to Turkey, Dzeko and Tevez are persistently linked with Milan etc. When speculation continues to mount in any team it has a way of forcing down the morale of members of the squad as those involved may exhibit some negative body language.
Likely Line up
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Luiz, A.Cole, Meirelles, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Torres, Hazard
Manchester City (4-3-3)
Hart, Zabaleta, Clichy, Lescott, Kompany, De Jong, Yaya Toure, Nasri, Aguero, Tevez, Silva
Prediction
Manchster City to edge it 2-1
With barely 14days to the next installment of the biggest Summer Football Party/carnival; watch out for our preview(s) to the event as we highlight the teams to watch out for and the players expected to excite at the event.
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Adeyemi Adesanya
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