Extreme Football Forum  |  Football Forums  |  FA Barclaycard Premiership  |  Topic: The champions, this season.

At this stage you have to fancy Chelsea.

In all fairness, given the strength of their squad and the quality that they have in depth, they should have had it wrapped up ages ago. They are the strongest team in the league without doubt.

Next season will be interesting. Chelsea's ageing squad will be one year older. Man Utd have decisions to make about Giggs, Scholes, Neville and Berbatov. Arsenal need more experienced players including a keeper, a centre half (or two), and maybe a striker. Man Citeh will speand another £ 250 million. Tottenham will probably spend more, as they are so close to that elusive fourth place. Aston Villa and Everton look like they have gone as far as they can go, as investment is not available. Their key to staying up there will be retaining their current squads. Liverpool look really doomed. The ownership issue looks like there will be no money to spend. Benitez may not even be there, and if he goes you can easily see Gerrard or Torres on their bikes as well.

I can't see anyone else breaking into the top 8. Birmingham may have money to spend, but have an ageing midfield (Ferguson, Bowyer, Carsley). They may also lose Joe Hart. Sunderland always seem to have money to spend, but have wasted it in the past (Ferdinand). I expect Bolton to improve under Coyle. West Ham may push for a top 10 place depending on investment and whether Ian Dowie goes there.

 

Chelski have won the league.

Well deserved, finishing in style.

1 Chelsea 38 17 1 1 68 14 10 4 5 35 18 71 86
2 Man Utd 38 16 1 2 52 12 11 3 5 34 16 58 85
3 Arsenal 38 15 2 2 48 15 8 4 7 35 26 42 75
4 Tottenham 38 14 2 3 40 12 7 5 7 27 29 26 70
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5 Man City 38 12 4 3 41 20 6 9 4 32 25 28 67
6 Aston Villa 38 8 8 3 29 16 9 5 5 23 23 13 64
7 Liverpool 38 13 3 3 43 15 5 6 8 18 20 26 63
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8 Everton 38 11 6 2 35 21 5 7 7 25 28 11 61