I need an EPL team to follow. I know you guys had a great review of what the teams were like in the World Cup thread. I'd like to find a team that I can feel good about associating with but don't want to look like "that guy" who picks the front runner or most popular team. So what I'm saying is...not Man U.
Since my professional teams Stateside are rather adverse to winning, I want a team that has a chance, is fun to watch, and plays hard. No floppers would be preferable. Are their any teams that fit that criteria? Cheers!
Here is my breakdown for you.
If you don't want to root for the favorites, then you don't want to root for Man City, Chelsea, or Man United because they spend WAY more money than everybody else. Think of them as more successful versions of the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers.
Two teams that are going to contend year in, year out, but never quite be the frontrunners because they can never spend quite as much money as the other three are Arsenal and Liverpool. From what you wrote it sounds like you want one of these two teams.
A little about each, Arsenal plays probably the prettiest football of any team in the EPL. Quick, offensive, free flowing, great passing, and technically sound. They had arguably the best team in the history of the premier league when they had Henry, Viera, and company, but since then they have been a little short on firepower. They have always been good enough to reach the Champions League (which is a HUGE deal and brings tons of extra money, fame and prestige to your team) but have not been good enough to win anything.
Their manager Arsene Wenger is probably the Greg Popovich of the EPL. He's a French tactition with few peers. If he has a weak spot its in targeting and signing new talent, but, again he is at a disadvantage to the top three in the EPL and the likes of Bayern, Barcelona, and Real Madrid overseas.
There is reason for extra optimism this year because Arsenal made THE signing of the summer in Sanchez, a star you might remember playing for Chili in the World Cup. They are also making noise about signing Mats Hummels who is arguably the best defender in the world, although singing him may be an uphill climb.
Arsenal are located in London, and their chief rival is Chelsea. If you choose to root for Arsenal read the book Fever Pitch which is an Arsenal fan's autobiographical tale about rooting for his favorite team during a stretch when they were good but not quite good enough to win anything. Keep in mind its nothing like the movie version which was pretty much a love story staring Adam Sandler as a Red Sox fan.
Liverpool are kind of like the Celtics of English soccer. They have a rich history (and have only recently been bypassed by Man U in titles) but are not now what they used to be. Liverpool had been going through hard times for a good stretch until Brenden Rodgers came a long. He is a young Irish manager with a clear vision of signing and developing young talent, and he is making quite a splash.
Liverpool finished 7th in the league two years ago and were expected to finish right around there again last year, when Rodgers worked his magic. He lead Liverpool to a 2nd place finish last year, and back to the Champions league. All while playing an extremely exciting brand of football that scored the second most goals in Premiere League history, and let in a ton of goals too!
Rogers strength seems to be in identifying and developing young talent and Liverpool has two of the brightest young stars in soccer in 19 year old Brit Raheem Sterling, and 21 year old Brazilian Philipe Coutinho.
Liverpool has a bigger fan base and cooler traditions than Arsenal. You will quickly learn to spot the Kop (the area where they craziest supporters sit) at Liverpool Home games and check out this youtube clip of Liverpool's famous fight song You'll Never Walk Alone. They sing it every game and it will give you chills every time!
Liverpool's talismanic figure is Steven Gerrard, who is from Liverpool and has had a propensity over the years to lead his team to victory single handedly. He is getting on in age now but was still good enough to be named to the EPL team of the season last year. If you root for Liverpool you will get to see Gerrard go through the "Jeter stages of retirement" which should be fun.
If you become a Liverpool fan make sure to catch the ESPN 30 for 30 on the Hillsborough disaster. It will fill you in on a lot of Liverpool history.
Their biggest rival is Man United, and Liverpool and Man U have the most supporters of any team in England. This rivalry is a lot of fun and has been described by their owner John Henry, who also owns the Red Sox, as so big that it makes the Red Sox/Yankee rivalry look insignificant.
There are two other teams you might want to choose to root for. Everton and Tottenham.
Everton are the "other" Liverpool team. They have a great manager, and are plucky and hard working. Tottenham have an interesting history because a long time ago they were the team from the Jewish section of London and were often times put down for that. Now Tottenham is no longer a Jewish area but their fans still wear that stigma as a badge of honor.
Both Everton and Tottenham will have something to say about what happens in the EPL this year, but the worry if you are going to root for them forevermore is that they will become irrelevant over time.
Hope this helps.
