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Arsenal, Liverpool + Man United take subtly different approaches
Written by JR Walker | 25th July 2006 | 6 Comment(s)
As Chelsea embark on a season which could very likely end with the club joining the likes of Arsenal, Huddersfield, Liverpool and Manchester United as clubs that have won the League in three successive seasons, it is quite interesting that the three managers who could conceivably stop them appear to be going about their task in separate manners.
Arsene Wenger has long since looked to deal with Chelsea's millions by attempting to secure many of the World's top young talent amidst Jose Mourinho being able to sign many of football's top stars.
Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Eboue, Philippe Senderos and Robin van Persie were amongst those who showed some useful talents at the recent World Cup, and we still wait with baited breath for Theo Walcott to be given his chance.
Like Walcott, Abou Diaby turned his back on Chelsea in favour of Arsenal, but the cruel injury he suffered at Sunderland last season has halted his progression.
Nevertheless, both were probably influenced by Shaun Wright-Phillips situation and initial observations would suggest that Diaby has tremendous potential although we still have to take Arsenal's players word for it that the same applies to Walcott: albeit the players he trains with should be good judges.
Wenger has always been celebrated as being a step or two ahead of the game, but even his crystal ball couldn't have seen the situation that would engulf Ashley Cole: or could it? He has a ready-made replacement in Gael Clichy, which seems too good to be true.
However, Wenger's hands are still tied by the new stadium to a certain extent and with only Tomas Rosicky having joined this summer, and persistent injuries defensively (Clichy and Senderos), a lot of pressure will be placed on a young team still overly reliant on Thierry Henry.
Rafa Benitez at Liverpool has been a busy man on the other hand, and has enhanced his squad in each section of the outfield.
Defence would appear to have been his main priority and it is never a bad tactic to build from a solid base, but with only the addition of Craig Bellamy and the possible baggage he may bring in the long run Liverpool still look like a team that will play some nice football, but could struggle to score enough goals to maintain a challenge for the title.
Mark Gonzalez will be an interesting player to watch, and Fabio Aurelio and Gabriel Paletta may well prove to be masterstrokes, but it still remains up-front where Liverpool provides concern.
If Bellamy can finish the season in and around the 20-mark in the Premiership then Benitez would have wheeled-and-dealed brilliantly and Steven Gerrard could be realising his dream of lifting the ultimate domestic silverware.
Much will also depend on Peter Crouch; and here is where Benitez's style is probably given away. Remember Valencia with big John Carew and Roberto Ayala marshalling the defenders? Now think of Mourinho with Didier Drogba allied with the tight defence of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho. Both managers learnt their trade together and both have similar styles, but unfortunately for Benitez he doesn't have the funds available to Mourinho.
However, with Benitez being more akin to Mourinho's philosophy this probably explains why Liverpool has managed to overcome Chelsea in one-off situations in the past two seasons, and if Bellamy or another striker could finish off much of Liverpool's good approach play consistently then they could once again become a force.
The most interesting of the three managers this summer has been Sir Alex Ferguson: normally so brash in the transfer market, and the one who usually has a little money of his own to burn. However, this time round he appears to be playing ‘the waiting game'.
Allegedly he has around £25 million to spend which he is hoping to add in the region of £15 million from the sale of Ruud van Nistelrooy.
It is not exactly a secret that he would like to capture Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid, but Sir Alex knows full well that his target's price will go through the roof if van Nistelrooy is sold too early.
Even Man United has to operate within a certain budget nowadays and Ferguson may have read the situation in Italy perfectly.
He knows that other strikers will come onto the market when all is finalized and that it will be a buyers market thereby pushing prices down.
At this point the ball will be firmly in Atletico's court, as the longer they hold onto Torres there is every likelihood that David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic for example may have already been signed, and if Torres makes it clear he wants to leave then Atletico could be left in the lurch.
Between agents, representatives of Atletico and Torres himself a different story emanates from Spain on a weekly basis, but the player adores his present club and may easily rule out the possibility of a transfer.
If Ferguson feels that the situation with Torres can not be resolved in his favour then he will always have the option of one of the others. However, the way he pursued Wayne Rooney would suggest that Sir Alex usually gets his man even though he seems to be embroiled in football's equivalent of a game of poker at present.
What he couldn't have envisaged was the uncertainty surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo, and of course there are other areas of the team that require surgery.
However Ferguson normally comes up with the goods, but some United fans may start to be concerned that time may run out and players similar to the likes of Kleberson and Eric Djemba-Djemba could turn up.
All three managers appear to have different ways to attempt to solve the problem that Chelsea is causing and undoubtedly Mourinho is enjoying the fact he has already secured the likes of Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack amongst others.
Obviously most will hope that Wenger, Benitez and Ferguson will have their houses in order to prevent a Chelsea cake-walk as the game in this country would be all the better for a tight Premiership race, but presently all three have flaws to address which may take time: but address them they must.
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Comments
Comment by BH on Wednesday 26 July 2006 @ 10:27am
Comment by Amit on Wednesday 26 July 2006 @ 9:14am
Rafa benitez has made some great deals this summer and the likely addition of pennant on the right wing could even leave some more money enough to buy one more striker...chelsea have bought an amazing striker in shevchenko and he will score goals like nobody else. He is very clinical in front of goal and just what chelsea need. ..arsenal still to adapt to their "slightly" bigger new pitch/stadium and united not really signing anyone and torres claiming he's staying at athletico madrid..i'm not sure you their going to add to their team..my tip is masquarano..the argentinian..holding midfielder..outstanding for them in the world cup..Liverpool and chelsea to fight for the title..Hopefully Rafa can bring the title back to anfield...although my tip for the champions league is chelsea
Comment by JAG on Wednesday 26 July 2006 @ 9:13am
Chelsea have strengthened their team with Schevchenkoand Ballack, but unfortunately for them to include them in your team you have to remove two other great players. Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd have all added to their team and are much more capable of putting a better team on the field than last year in comparison to Chelsea's. This year will see a much tighter race for the Premiership.
Comment by Solidguy79 on Wednesday 26 July 2006 @ 8:38am
Chelsea s run in last season was amazing, but with that much money to spend their run in premiership has to be, but this season will be a complete diffrent ball game, Arsenal has showed in champions league that they can't be underestimated, more over their youngsters now has a season experience in premiership which is vital, liverpool has gone up a level compared to last season, although they only managed to win FA cup thier form now seems to be consistent
Comment by Allen on Wednesday 26 July 2006 @ 7:08am
Chelsea has not raised the bar.... the have pretty much bought the premiership... if any team had that kind of money and a 2nd line of substitues like chelsea, who wouldn't be able to win... liverpool will certainly mount a challenge this year
Comment by Roland G on Tuesday 25 July 2006 @ 7:03pm
Chelsea have raised the bar. Its up to the rest to throw down a challenge. Nevertheless, I believe that this season's race will be much closer. Chelsea won't have it their own way. Liverpool have shown the consistency to challenge for the title. With a fit again Fowler supporting Bellamy, there is no reason why we can't challenge. Bellamy may just give us the cutting edge and ruthlessness that we require to go all the way. Arsenal's poor run last season was a massive opportunity for their young players to put their hands up and they surely did. They'll be a little wiser now but still look short at the back. In hindsight, letting Sol go may prove to be a mistake. United can never be discounted but they are not the force they were a few seasons back. Fergie looks like he has run out of ideas but football is a funny old game. Just when you think you have seen it all, someone pulls a joker out of the pack! There are no guarantees in football, but I can guarantee and Liverpool challenge! Go you REDMEN!!
Your comment of ".... Liverpool's good approach play consistently then they could once again become a force." is shocking, reds are already a contender not just a force to be reckon with. Your post is contractictory