Sportsnet’s special panel of soccer commentators, writers and pundits offer their picks and predictions for the upcoming Barclays Premier League season.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Liverpool vs. Stoke City (on Sportsnet’s main channel), Arsenal vs. Aston Villa (on Sportsnet’s main channel), Sunderland vs. Fulham (on Sportsnet World) and Swansea City vs. Manchester United (on Sportsnet’s main channel). Also, you can watch these three games, plus Cardiff City vs. West Ham United, on Sportsnet World Online. Live coverage on Saturday begins at 7:30 am ET/4:30 am PT. | For full details of Sportsnet’s Barclays Premier League season coverage, CLICK HERE
Gerry Dobson, Sportsnet TV commentator
I don’t think any of the player movements that have taken place over the summer will have nearly the impact that all the managerial changes will have as the new season unfolds. All eyes will be on David Moyes as he steps into the void left by Alex Ferguson. Managers always had the utmost respect for Moyes. But that was when he was at an Everton club who never posed a threat. That respect remains, but the dynamic has changed. At the first sign of controversy others won’t be so kind in their assessment of his team. It will be just as interesting to see if Manuel Pellegrini settles things down on the blue side of town and returns Manchester City to championship territory. The same applies to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. What cunning does he have up his sleeve?
Craig Forrest, Sportsnet TV commentator
Of all the managerial appointments in the off-season – David Moyes, Roberto Martinez, Manuel Pellegrini and Jose Mourinho – the one I find the most interesting is Mark Hughes at Stoke City. Although he preached an unattractive brand of soccer, Tony Pulis managed to keep the Potters in the topflight during his tenure. That wasn’t good enough, though, as Stoke forced him out at the end of last season and hired Hughes. It’s hard to understand Stoke’s thinking here – Hughes’ teams play a more open style but he doesn’t have a track record of success. So while Stoke wasn’t great to watch under Pulis, they did manage to stay up. I’m not sure they’ll be able to do the same with Hughes at the helm.
James Sharman, Sportsnet TV commentator
With all due respect to Jose Mourinho and his headline stealing antics at Chelsea, the one story that is more fascinating will be Manchester United under David Moyes. For over a decade we have speculated on who will replace Alex Ferguson, and how would they be able to transform this club into their image. Well, we’re finally going to find out. It appears Moyes’ first major decision will be to move the “face of the franchise,” Wayne Rooney. Once that is done, plain and simple it will be down to results. Moyes has to contend. It is true Fergie left him with a side dripping with class, but there are some definite holes that were not exposed last season. United’s rivals have improved this off-season, so defending their crown will be a tough ask indeed, especially under a new manager.
Sid Seixeiro, FAN 590 radio broadcaster
Obviously the big story to watch this season has to be how David Moyes handles one of the biggest jobs in sports as Manchester United manager. Moyes will be following in the footsteps of Alex Ferguson, a man who won 49 trophies. The real test for Moyes will be in Europe, where he has virtually zero Champions League pedigree. Close behind the story out of Old Trafford will be their noisy neighbors Manchester City, who spent a lot of money this summer but did so in a very smart way. Fernandinho, Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo are solid pickups and with Manuel Pellegrini (who, by the way, has plenty of Champions League experience) standing on Manchester City’s sideline, this club seems poised to reclaim the title and have a prolonged run in Europe.
Greg Brady, FAN 590 radio broadcaster
With new managers at Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea (although it will seem like old times very quickly with Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge), we should have a tight three-team race for the title this season. We may not have the last-day drama we had in 2012 between City and United, but I strongly doubt we’ll have a runaway champion like we saw last season with Manchester United winning handily, with all the turmoil surrounding the departed Roberto Di Matteo at Chelsea, and the pending departure of Roberto Mancini at Manchester City.
Brendan Dunlop, Sportsnet TV commentator
The overwhelming theme this season is adjustment. And I’m not even talking about the trio of transfer sagas that hopefully are concluded by Sept 2. It really is unbelievable to think that four of the top six teams have new managers at the helm this season. How they adapt to their new clubs, install new systems, and manage a new lot of mercenaries, will be the story of the season. David Moyes has plenty of support at United, but his biggest challenge will be managing world class footballers for the first time. Manuel Pellegrini had the luxury of buying any player he wanted this summer, but he must make the new money buys gel with the old money guys to have success. And then there’s Jose Mourinho. The league has changed so much since he left, but so has he, and with the new desire and wisdom he has now I think he is the best suited to take his squad to the very top.
John Molinaro, sportsnet.ca soccer reporter
I guess I should cite David Moyes’ appointment as Manchester United manager as the one story to watch this season. Or the ongoing transfer soap operas surrounding Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez. Or Jose Mourinho’s return to Chelsea. But for me, the most interesting story is seeing which newcomer will take the league by storm. Last year, Michu garnered widespread attention by scoring bags of goals for Swansea City, while Oscar and Eden Hazard captivated audiences at Stamford Bridge. There is no shortage of high-profile debutants in the English topflight this season: Jesús Navas, Alvaro Negredo, Paulinho, Roberto Soldado and Fernandinho. Personally, I’m putting my money on former Fiorentina star Stevan Jovetic. The Montenegrin striker is tailor-made for the Premier League, and I think he’ll be this season’s Michu.
Thomas Dobby, Sportsnet TV producer
The Bale, Rooney and Suarez sagas look set to drag into the first few weeks of the season and will continue to dominate the headlines for a little while. But the managerial changes will be the story of the season when it’s all said and done. The top three contenders for the title all have new men at the helm. Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge and the expectations at Chelsea are massive. Manuel Pellegrini takes over at Manchester City with a glut of new stars to work in to the squad. But the most interesting transition will be at Manchester United. How do you fill the shoes of Alex Ferguson? David Moyes will be under the microscope, and with no high-profile additions, will have to try and succeed with a similar squad to last season. But there’s the intrigue. A team that won the league by 11 points last season, and were cruising in April, are the bookies’ third choice this season. Talk about no respect. Personally, I don’t think that gap has been made up by the chasing pack. But the three-horse race should take the title race much, much deeper than last season.
Ethan Dean-Richards, sportsnet.ca columnist
Jose Mourinho is the only show in town. For a couple of seasons the Premier League has looked stagnant: the same teams have dominated and the ebb and flow of the confrontations has been closer to relaxing than exciting. Last season the best argument Alex Ferguson could come up with was deciding that Ashley Williams "could have killed" Robin van Persie by kicking a ball at his head. It was an admirable attempt to appear ludicrous, but it wasn’t up to the Mourinho standard. Only Mourinho interrogates the notion of decency in the way that we all secretly want to happen but can’t admit. Whether he’s mellowed or merely faking it for the cameras, the main story this season will be whatever Mourinho does, whenever he does it, and wherever he does it.
Thomas Michalakos, sportsnet.ca columnist
Luis Suarez has given contradicting reasons for wanting to leave Liverpool. First it was the media scrutiny. Then he said it was a need to play in the Champions League. Suarez has made up his mind, citing broken promises, but the club refuses to sell. Brendan Rodgers laid down the law by banishing his star player from the first team for an indefinite period of time, pending a public and private apology for a lack of professionalism. As if the script couldn’t get better, owner John W. Henry quite vocally put the kibosh on any sale before the transfer window shuts, and gave Rodgers his full backing. Should Liverpool stay the course, despite the on-field consequences of Suarez’s forced exile, the standstill could get messy for both parties.
Nick Sabetti, sportsnet.ca columnist
It’s fair to say, Manchester City is looking more and more like Txiki Begiristain’s team. The former Barcelona director of football, who took up the same role at City last October, has made quite a splash in his first summer with the club. He’s spent over 100 million euros on Fernandinho, Jesus Navas, Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic – all quality players in the prime of their careers that should be able to make immediate and important contributions. City really shouldn’t have too much of a problem winning back the title from Manchester United this year. With the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini as manager, expect pretty football, too.
Dan Riccio, FAN 590 radio broadcaster
With a flurry of managerial changes, and the transfer sagas of Gareth Bale, Wayne Rooney and Luis Suarez, it’s hard to believe the season is already here. Manchester City have gone back to their spending like drunk-sailor ways of the past, Arsenal had another bucket load of cash they chose not to spend, Spurs continue to fight tooth and nail to keep their best player, Chelsea and Mourinho decided they can’t live without each other, and Manchester United … well United have a new manager for the first time in 26 years. It has a real Brian Clough and Don Revie feel to it. Will this be Arsene Wenger’s last year at the Emirates? Can Jesus Navas get over his homesickness? Certainly there will be no shortage of excitement throughout the season. However, Manchester City’s route to the title will be a little less dramatic than it was in 2011/12.
