NEW SEASON, NEW EXPECTATIONS, PLENTY OF TWISTS!! BRING ON THE EPL 2015/2016!!

It seems just the other day that John Terry lifted the EPL Trophy after Chelsea completed a rather straight forward title march but after three long months that seemed to last an eternity, the new 2015/2016 EPL season is here with us.

Players have come and gone, managers replaced, new contracts signed, new teams promoted and most of all plenty of expectations by fans, players and managers.

The new EPL season kicks off today with Manchester United and Tottenham getting things underway at Old Trafford. A lot of the clubs have been busy in the transfer market and let's look at how the big teams will have lined up.

Chelsea haven't done much in the transfer market, but that is understandable with the old adage, don't fix it if it ain't broken.
Asmir Begovic has come in to replace the departing Petr Cech while Mourinho has gambled on Falcao to replace club legend Didier Drogba. The only other notable exit is left-back Luis Felipe who endured a frustrating season having to watch Azpilicueta play all season.
Mourinho has suggested he might still buy a player most likely a left back before the trasfer window ends but that remains to be seen.
I think if there is one area Chelsea need strengthening it's the striking position. Diego Costa is world class but i tend to think he has a bit too many fitness issues to be relied upon. In deed ever since he joined the Blues his fitness situation has remained a mystery. And without him Chelsea only have Loic Remy and now Falcao. Falcao is a big gamble judging from his horrible time at Manchester United last season. He went on to have an ineffective Copa America tournament as well proving that his problems are far from over. Remy is talented but he lacks top level experience and cannot be relied upon to lead the line. Other than that i don't see any other positions where Chelsea are short and it is easy to see why they are most people's favourites to retain the trophy given their strength in almost every position.

Arsenal haven't been busy either but they have made a key signing in luring Petr Cech from Chelsea to The Emirates. The only notable exit is Szczesny who's gone out on loan to Roma. The Gunners had a promising season last year but they still only managed third place and didn't really put enough pressure on eventual Champions Chelsea. Petr Cech will bring with him a wealth of experience plus a championship mentality having won numerous trophies with Chelsea. But Arsenal need more. It still remains to be seen if Ospina will agree to play the back up role to Cech considering he is his country's number one. The good thing about Arsenal is that they have plenty of competition for places all over the pitch. Kosicelny and Mertesacker have been consistent in central defence and they do have Gabriel and Chambers waiting on the wings. They need for Koscielny to overcome his fitness struggles that he had at some points last season. Bellerin had a brilliant season at right back while Gibbs also provides good cover down the other side. Arsenal need Ozil to have a good season. He wasn't at his best last season and you feel he has the key to deciding whether Arsenal have an okay season or an excellent season. Arsenal's injury problems are legendary and already Wilshere looks set to be out for a long time. Welbeck has spent most of his time on the injury table as well. The Gunners need luck to be on their side in keeping away the injuries and fitness concerns. You can understand why Arsene Wenger doesn't want to sign players, he feels he has enough with his current squad. I dont see them making a major signing before the transfer window closes.

Manchester United alongside Liverpool have probably been the busiest of the big boys. Robin v Persie, Falcao, Di Maria and Rafael have left to be replaced by Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Darmian and Depay.
United have also brought in Romero as cover with De Gea looking more likely to depart for Real Madrid.
Most if not all of the exits are understandable. Van Persie has only had one good season at Manchester United,his first. The subsequent two seasons were blighted by injuries and there were no indications that he was going to overcome this. From Van Persie's point of view, he was no longer guaranteed first team football at United and with Euro 2016 looming, he needed to play regularly to protect his place in the Dutch squad.
Falcao just wasn't going to be signed permanently by United after the awful season he had. Di Maria's transfer was interesting, i actually think it makes Van Gaals work easier. There is the feeling that Di Maria is too big a name to be spending time on the bench. Had he stayed at United it would have complicated Van Gaals already tough dilemna in selecting his midfield and forward players. United did make a 15m loss on the sale but i think that is not a big deal for United especially since the savings in terms of wages for Van Persie, Falcao, Di Maria and Nani are massive.
United have a lot of midfield options and it's going to be interesting to see how Van Gaal makes his selections. Upfront there is need to buy a striker to provide cover for Rooney although Chicharito has come back from his loan spell. A lot of the fans still feel United need a world class central defender. I am one of the few who don't agree. United's central defensive options are Rojo, Evans, Jones, Smalling, McNair and Blind. Surely Van Gaal can get 2 out of the six and make them the mainstay of United's defence. I don't know any other club that has that many options. Sometimes buying quick fix players is not the solution-as evidenced by Di Maria. What Van Gaal needs to do is settle on his preferred two and play them frequently so they get used to each other. I would select Rojo and Smalling.
The main issue for Van Gaal is going to be transforming this huge array of big names into a team that can play and understand each other. It was the same challenge at the beginning of last season and i dont think he did particularly well.

Manchester City had a disappointing season last year but they have gone with continuity and stability rather than making wholesome changes to sort their problems. Pellegrini has been given a new contract, no big names have left and there has been only one notable addition in Raheem Sterling. City have resisted the temptation to make a lot of changes and have kept faith with their manager. If the big names can regain their best forms that seemed to depart them last season then City are going to be a major force this season. Kompany, Toure, Silva, Nasri didn't have good seasons and City need for them to perform this season. Dzeko and Jovetic are leaving but City already have Bony and Aguero with Sterling also providing a lot of threat going forward. There's is no need for major changes.

Liverpool have been understably busy this summer with Sterling, G.Johnson, Gerard, and Lambert leaving to be replaced by Milner, Ings, Benteke, Firminho, and Clyne. On the face of it it looks like Brendan Rodgers has made some really good signings but it remains to be seen how the group will gel and play as a unit. If Rodgers can make them play together as a team and if he can get his starting 11 right then Liverpool will certainly challenge for top four.

Top Five Predictions
1.Chelsea
2.Manchester United
3.Manchester City
4.Arsenal
5.Liverpool

Have a sporty weekend!!