English Premier League: The Battle in the Capital

Football enthusiasts around the world would have to concur that this is often the toughest time as a fan. This is merely due to the fact there is no any football action and they have to scavenge for transfer stories and rumors linked to their respective clubs. However, as the clock runs down to the return of the Premier League, a battle is brewing inside London. This is no ordinary feud but a supremacy battle that has existed for a couple of decades now. Who will emerge as the best club in the capital; Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal.

Season 2013-2014 has been deemed perhaps one of the most anticipated of them all. These three adversaries have been known to adore going head to head with each other in a bid to prove who amongst them is indeed the real king of the capital. Chelsea made a bold move by dispatching the services of Rafa Benitezz to bring on Jose Mourinho on a second spell at the bridge. The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ is who the fans loved and cherished.

Upon his return, he said he wanted to be ‘The Godfather’ since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. The 50-year-old coached Inter for two years after leaving Chelsea in 2007, winning an unprecedented treble in Italy including the Champions League and back-to-back Serie A titles. His return would as always make a massive impact upon the other teams as well as the title challenge. Mourinho is known too well how he plays his infamous jedi mind tricks during the season campaign; using cunny verbal wars to steer intimidation upon his competitors.

Having support from owner Roman Abramovich, he has not been as busy in the transfer market as people might have anticipated since he has only made one significant signing; Andre Schurrle. The 22-year-old German international finally made his €21M move from Bayer Leverkusen after it had failed last season. However, Jose will definitely be looking into more players during the window. The Europa League champions will be aiming to fight off the Mancunians for the title come next season as they continue in their pre-season matches in Asia.

Over to the north side of London, two opponents well known for the blood-thirsty derbies are also gearing to go up against each other. Having been piped out of the top 4 by their greatest nemesis after a long successful season, Tottenham have proved not to be a walk over team. Villas-Boas men may be out of the Champions League contention – again, but still very into the core of the title race.

Their main man, Gareth Bale, was linked to a number of heavy weights in Europe among them Real Madrid, and was believed to make his big summer move there but the Spanish giants were all talk and no bite. It seems more likely that the Welsh international will still be highly involved come next season.

Just in case you forgot, he was the one who single-handedly orchestrated Spurs’ form. It is quite clear that Andre Villa Boas wants him part of the cast and their main aim is to challenge the title and at least finish above Arsenal who have repeatedly been the thorn to their success and most importantly break into that elusive top 4 and qualify for Champions League glory.

Tottenham recently acquired highly rated Paulinho. The Brazilian made his €20 million move from Corinthians and also made Nacer Chadli, FC Twente winger, their second signing. The Belgian youngster had enjoyed three years winning the Eredivisie title.

With such acquisitions, it is clear that Andre wanted to bolster his squad and get ready for the upcoming campaign as they tour Hong Kong for their pre-season matches. Spurs have an unquenchable thirst for victory and perhaps this coming season they would want to forge words into action.

Never have The Gunners been as excited about the transfer market window as they did with this one. With a stunning €116 million kitty offered to the club, the biggest in the club’s history, you’d think they would have gone on a spending spree. Nevertheless, Arsene Wenger is still coy about splashing the cash as the fans would have wanted.

Never ending transfer moves of players such as Higuain have left the fans a bit disappointed after talks broke down between the two clubs over the transfer fee. This coming season is would be the proving point for Arsenal as they try to break the trophy drought which by far has been the elephant in the room.

A positive note is that they yet will battle with Europe’s elite in the Champions League. Wenger has acquired Yaya Sanogo, a French youngster from Ligue 1 outfit Auxerre. He did term him as ‘the next Thierry Henry.’

Arsenal have been linked with quite a number of players namely; Gonzalo Higuain, Marouane Fellaini and even Wayne Rooney. Tabloids have reported that The Gunners will launch an improved bid for the mercurial Luis Suarez after the first one was brushed off. Wenger knows that this will be one tough title race since he is there have been numerous managerial changes in other teams and with old boys such as Mourinho back in the game, they sure will prove to be a challenge.

But then again, he could as well as use that to his advantage being the most experienced manager currently in the league right now. Having coached Arsenal for more than a decade and a half, he knows too well all the tricks in the league. Wenger will want to shun away the ‘Top 4 trophy’ and prove to the world that Arsenal is a force to be reckoned with and return back to their former glory. Fans will be hoping that this is the season he pulls out a card up from his sleeve to win them a trophy – any trophy. Most preferably the English title.

The clock is ticking towards the return of the world’s most sensational sport. London is gearing up to a hotly contested battle and not even football pundits can predict where this victory shall be upon.

Who among these three clubs will be bold and brave enough to outwit all of his adversaries to gain all bragging rights and become the ultimate team in the capital?

 

Written by David Mwandawiro

Follow David on Twitter @ThatguyDavy

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