Ahhh, the beginning of the season. Always my favourite time of the year. After being away for quite some time, I've rejuvenated my senses and raring to go with some bold predictions which (I hope) will hold some water come May 2013.
So without further ado, here we go:
Breakout Performer of the Season: Oscar
To most people, it appears to be a toss-up between either Santi Carzola of Arsenal, Kagawa of United or Hazard of Chelsea. I'm going to put my money on Oscar of Chelsea. Many are saying the Brazilian wonderkid may wilt in the pressure of the EPL but I think he has enough skills and pedigree to set the Premier League alight.
Other contenders in this category would be Ben Arfa of Newcastle, Sigurdsson of Spurs and Junior Hoillet of QPR.
Big Name Flop of the Season a.k.a. the Torres of 2010/2011 Award : Robin Van Persie
Yes, it's a controversial choice but I'm going with my gut feeling to say that RVP will find it extremely normal and unsettling being a regular fish in a big pond as opposed to his former role of big fish in the small pond at the Emirates. Factor in his injury proneness (which is bound to happen big time this season considering he was fit all of last season) and the fact that Rooney is younger, more dynamic and has something to prove after a lukewarm last season, I think RVP may be in danger of becoming another Berbatov. He will (as he always does) find the net once in a while, and maybe pop in the occasional important goal, but his effectiveness will be nowhere near his heady Arsenal days of yore.
Highest Position Out of the Newly Promoted Teams: West Ham
Never write off Big Sam's teams. They may be harder to watch than Stoke City away, but they are always solid, hard to break down and difficult to play against on a cold rainy day (i.e. every other day in England). Couple that to the fact that among the 3 promoted teams, the Hammers have been the one who most recently was mixing it up with the big boys (as recent as 10 years ago), I would put my money on West Ham achieving mid-table safety.
Most Exciting Team to Watch: Newcastle
Last season they were the breakout team of the league. This season, Pardew has not only (at the time of writing) retained the core of his swashbucklers, but strengthened them with exciting, dynamic acquisitions (including, as of today, Anita and possibly Debuchy). Combining the solid backline marshalled by Coloccini, with a steady Krul between the sticks, with midfield solidity of Tiote, classy playmaking of Cabaye and unpredictable wizardry of Ben Arfa and with the firepower of Ba and Cisse, I tip Newcastle to play good football and maybe even push for Champions League spot this season.
Top Assist: David Silva
Despite the contingent of stars at the Etihad, it's hard to see past this diminutive Spaniard as the fulcrum of City's attack. With a deft touch and brilliant vision, I tip Silva to edge out Mata, Hazard and Kagawa in terms of racking up assists.
Golden Boot: Sergio Aguero
With Rooney and RVP both in the same team, it is unlikely either of them will land the coveted top scorer's prize (unless, very highly unlikely, United outperforms everyone with each bagging 30 a season).
This leaves Aguero as the only genuine week-in, week-out favourite to land this prize. Though close in second place, I would place Fernando Torres (yes, the one they called flop up to few months ago) because of reasons set out in the category below.
The Jesus Christ Back From The Dead Award: Fernando Torres
This could possibly be the season that makes or breaks El Nino. With Drogba gone, and by spending more than 1 season already at the Bridge, there is no reason for Torres not to perform. Score anything less than 15 goals and he would be deemed an expensive flop. Judging by the way he seems to be slowly regaining his touch and magic that once made him a Kop legend, I think this may be the season we see the resurrection of Torres in the colour blue. With him, one gets the feeling that he always needs to feel loved and needed in order to perform. He was the Golden Boy of Atletico and thereafter somewhat the Golden Boy of Liverpool. So to come to Chelsea amidst a hefty price tag to find that he is just a normal Boy must have sapped his confidence and ability to find the net. But he seems to have put his troubles behind him (hopefully) and this may be his season. I won't be surprised if Torres becomes a front runner for Golden Boot if he can put together a run of good games and get his form on fire.
EPL Winner: Chelsea
Wow, big surprise, someone on a Chelsea blog predicting Chelsea to win the title, I hear you say. Going by conventional logic, it's either United or City as everyone's picks. City are undoubtedly rock-solid, going into the season with pretty much every single one who played a part in their title-winning season of last. United seems to have beefed up their attacking potential by landing gifted playmaker Shinji Kagawa and landing the red-hot top scorer of last season Van Persie.
However, I predict City's focus will be geared more towards Europe this season. This may prove a distraction to their squad who, despite having several solid big names, appears somewhat lightweight in terms of their 2nd team. As for United, they may have all the firepower in the world, but a non-consistent back four, with an unpredictable keeper, injury-prone and ageing centrebacks and no real midfield enforcer makes me think that there could be the odd upsets when faced against teams who put them on the back pedal.
Amidst all that, it may come to no surprise if a dark horse like Chelsea mount a strong challenge against the Mancunian superpowers. The pertinent task facing Di Matteo now would be getting his alchemy right in blending the attacking threat of Hazard, Oscar, Mata and Marin to dovetail with Torres into an effective, fluid, goal-getting machine. He then needs to stabilize and build a back four consisting of Cole-Luiz-Cahill-Ivanovic. Yes, you read that right. No place for JT there. He's been a great servant to the club, a man mountain and a real inspirational leader, no doubt. But it's equally undoubtable that he has neither the pace nor the legs to carry him that extra yard when it becomes necessary to do so. Terry should be slowly phased into coaching or more managerial role whilst being used sparingly as a cover, when Luiz sits out an inevitable suspension period or as a 3rd defender when protecting an important lead. If RDM can convince his Captain to willingly accept this role, then the backline should be able to cope with the rigours of a title-bid.
The squad looks to have some strength in depth, with players such as Essien, Sturridge, Mikel, Bertrand, Hutchinson, Lucas Piazon and Oriol Romeu looking all set to play supporting roles. However, if RDM really wants to push for honours, he needs maybe 2-3 more utility-type players to freshen up the squad when the fixtures start getting congested.
