Next year's Premier League race

[IthacaMatt]

Chelsea's dramatic moves so far in the transfer market - acquiring Eden Hazard and about to acquire Hulk - have really transformed their attack, and puts it on par with anyone in the league. Chelsea isn't done yet, either. Roman Abramovich is looking to pick up another right back - likely Gregory van der Weile from Belgium - and a "destroyer" for midfield, like Cheik Tiote, as a replacement for Michael Essien.

With United's problems in midfield, they are going to slip next season. Giggs and Scholes are about 100 years old, and the new guys just haven't stepped up in terms of creative play.

Arsenal will likely lose Van Persie, which will just kill them, and send them down to mid-table status. Tottenham looks very solid, but the failure to get Champions League play has some of their players (Bale, in particular) looking to move on.

Finally, you look at Man City, and they are very deep, but their attack options are a little flawed - Balotelli likely will get sold back to someone in Italy. Can Tevez and Aguero work together for a full season like they did down the stretch ? Is Dzeko out of the rotation ? Will he be moved ? City has lots of very good players in midfield, but their central defense is not deep and could use more help.

I think Chelsea will be among the contenders when all the moves are finalized. Lots of new blood for the Blues.

 

[mountaincuse]

This is why Tottenham's collapse sucked - not making the CL hurts the pocket. Rumors of Hazard to Spurs were out there mid-season, who knows what Moderic is going to do, etc.

At least Euro starts Friday - go Polska!