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Last season was an intriguing one in the Barclays Premier League. This new season is likely to be even more interesting with five teams in with a realistic chance of winning the league title at the end of the season. Here is a profile of all five teams looking to be crowned Premier League champions next May.
Manchester United
Last seasons league champions will go into the new campaign as favourites to retain their Premier League crown. The Red Devils will again be the team to beat in the race for the league title. United have lost experience keeper Edwin Van der Sar and midfielder Paul Scholes.
However they have balanced their squad by spending big on young keeper David de Gea, England winger Ashley Young and England under-21 centre-back Phil Jones. All three players are highly-rated and will add something new to an already strong United squad.
Chelsea
This summer has been a quiet one in the transfer market for last seasons Premier League runners-up. There has however been changes in the management of the club with former-Porto head coach Andre Villa-Boas replacing the departed Carlo Ancelotti.
The Portuguese head coach is a protégé of Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho and is rated as one of the best young up and coming bosses in world football. The 33 year-old has vowed to transform the Blues into a team that plays attractive attacking football.
One factor that could prove vital for Chelsea in the new campaign is Fernando Torres’ form. After joining from Liverpool in the winter transfer window his form was awful. If Torres can regain his form then Chelsea could be an entirely more dangerous outfit than last season.
Manchester City
Manchester City have again spent big in an attempt to put in a realistic title challenge in the new season. Their biggest signing of the summer was Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero, who arrived from Spanish La Liga club Atletico Madrid for a fee in the region of £40million.
The 24 year-old could replace friend and compatriot Carlos Tevez in the City attack next season. The striker’s future is in doubt after he stated that he wants to leave the club. Tevez is attracting interest from the likes of Spanish giants Real Madrid and Italian club Inter.
Everybody at Manchester City will be expecting to challenge for the Premier League in new campaign. However it remains to be seen if they are strong to compete with the likes of Chelsea and United for the big prize.
Arsenal
The Gunners have been frustrated in their attempts to strengthen their squad this summer. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has also had to contend with speculation over the futures of star midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
Neither have left the club and Wenger has failed to strengthen his weak backline. The Frenchman has had a £10million bid for Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka turned down but is expected to return with a bigger offer.
The club have also been linked with the likes of Blackburn centre-back Christopher Samba and Bolton’s Gary Cahill. A new centre-back remains Arsenal priority signing this summer.
Despite their apparent weakness in defence Arsenal can play the best attacking football in the league but much will depend on whether Fabregas and Nasri leave the club. Arsene Wenger’s one signing of note so far this summer has been Ivorian striker Gervinho, who joined the club from French champions Lille.
Liverpool
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has been a major player in the transfer market this summer. The Scot has spent nearly £50million on midfielders Charlie Adam, Jordan Henderson and Stewart Downing in a bid to get Liverpool back into the Champions League places next season.
However the form that the team showed under Dalglish last season suggests that they could be dark horses in the title race. A lot will rely on Uruguayan front man Luis Suarez, who made an encouraging start to his Liverpool career after joining from Eredivisie club Ajax last January.
Open
The new seasons title race could be the most open in recent years. All five teams have their own strengths and weaknesses. It will be difficult to predict who will finish as Premier League champions. One thing that is certain though is that next season Premier League promises to be a thrilling ride of emotions.
Who will win the Premier League title next season?
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