Premier League 13/14 - Thoughts So Far

Now I know I haven't blogged much lately, or Tweeted either for that matter. I really do need to Tweet more, but I've always been more of a Facebook fan... Anyway, so we're into the third week of games in the annual EPL season, and the title contenders are taking shape.

Prior to the start of the season, everybody was talking about Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea filling the top three spots; and to a great extent, they still are. Though United are still without any major summer signings, and an injury to Carrick in the heart of midfield could spell disaster for the rest of the season. As a United fan, I finally know what it's like to support Arsenal and see your transfer budget still sat in a corner rather than being spent on exciting new players. We're now linked with players like Fellaini and Herrera, which feel a bit second or even third best, after nothing came of targets like Fabregas and Modric.

United still have players like van Persie though, who could still pull more than his weight and have a massive impact on their season. And they're also a team who have been there done that, and know how to win. Chelsea meanwhile have an adundance of midfielders and not too much up front, and while I personally can't see them finishing top; second or third is a real possibility. Also Juan Mata, arguably Chelsea's best player last season, has barely featured yet. Manchester City have looked good in pre-season,though stuttered against Cardiff, and could have been upset by Hull this weekend if they'd have taken more of their chances - I'm looking at you, Aluko! Their defence looks frail without Kompany, and I'm unsure how many of their new signings will flourish. Negredo looks like he knows where the goal is, but their many forwards doesn't guarantee any of their strikers a starting spot, especially when Jovetic is fit as well. Though they are still helped out by players like Yaya Toure, who is the engine of the team.

Two teams who also have top four aspirations are Liverpool and Tottenham. Sturridge looks like he'll bag twenty goals this season, especially with players like Aspas and Coutinho around him. Brendan Rodgers acted extremely quickly in the transfer market; identifying players and then snapping them up early in the window. They look solid this season, even without Suarez; though it'll be interesting to see how their form lasts, and how any injuries impacts their squad.

Tottenham may be losing Bale, but boy have they been busy making sure they can cope with his absence. They've scraped through their first couple of games - needing a couple of cool penalties from Soldado to see them across the line; but they look solid at the back, despite selling the emerging talent of Steven Caulker. Expect them to feature prominently in the race for the Champions League spots.

And then you have Arsenal of course, who have suffered a surprise loss at the hands of Aston Villa already. Obviously Arsene Wenger has money to spend, but who is left to spend it on? They've also been hit with injuries to players like Podolski, whilst missing out on potential signings like Gonzalo Higuain and Luiz Gustavo; but I expect Giroud to notch up a few goals this season. His scoring instincts were good last season, though he couldn't always apply the right finish. This season he's firing from the off.

If I had to predict at this point, I think the top five spots will be very close with Arsenal sixth; possibly:

Manchester United
Chelsea
Manchester City
Liverpool
Tottenham
Arsenal

Has Fergie lost his eye for a signing?

Eric Cantona; one of the first names on fans' lips if asked to name a Manchester United legend. The flamboyant Frenchman scored 80 goals in 5 years for the Red Devils, was listed in the 100 League Legends List, and in 2002 he was inducted into the the English Football Hall of Fame. A tremendous talent, signed for just £1.2 million in 1992, by Alex Ferguson.

Other great deals by Fergie include, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (£1.5 million), Roy Keane (£3.75 million) and Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.25 million). Just three names that are synonymous with Manchester United, and have gone on to fully justify and exceed their transfer fees. But this got me thinking; has Fergie still got the same eye for a player, in the transfer market today? Roy Keane's transfer from Nottingham Forest was then a British record fee, so it's obvious these days; that you can expect to pay a little bit more than that.

So why have Chelsea reportedly agreed an £8 million fee for Inter Milan and Brazil's Maicon? As a United fan, I think the position we need to strengthen most is the defensive / holding midfielder role. But Rafael is also less than competent at right-back, and Smalling or Jones could only fill in there, as they are both centre-backs primarily. It seems absurd to me, that Fergie hasn't even contemplated a move for Maicon since he's available on the cheap, or another right-back that would serve us for a handful of seasons.

Also, Ronaldinho became a free agent this summer; leaving Flamengo after a row over unpaid wages. I would have loved to see us snap up the Brazilian legend on a free transfer; but again no contact was established and Ronaldinho went on to sign for Atletico Mineiro just a few days later. Yes he's not as good as he once was, but let's not forget; Fergie snapped up Laurent Blanc on a free transfer in 2001. The commanding centre back did a decent job for us, despite his age of 35.

Over the last few years, despite good pieces of business for the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo; Fergie has bought a number of flops. Eric Djemba-Djemba anyone? Brought in by Sir Alex to replace Roy Keane, however he ended up applying his trade in Qatar by the age of 27. Others include Liam Miller, and the more recent flops of Mame Biram Diouf and Bébé. The latter costing a ridiculous £7.4 million.

However there is some good news, as Sir Alex has bought well in Shinji Kagawa. As one of my favourite players, he possesses good passing and dribbling abilities, and has an eye for goal. Our second new arrival is Crewe's youngster Nick Powell. Firstly, I'm pleased to see us beat Arsenal to the signing of a young, potential star; but I'm also pleased to see us buy British talent. I wish that a lot of the big teams would scower the lower leagues more, rather than buy from abroad; but United aren't too bad at that in general. Chris Smalling and Phil Jones to name another two bought Englishmen.

But it remains to be seen if Fergie can counjure some more off-guard, inspirational signings. Will he uncover the next Nemanja Vidic? (a £7 million bargain) or perhaps the next Roy Keane? In any case, our midfield is dire need of a holding midfielder; as our search for the next Roy continues since 2005. It also remains to be seen if we can keep up with moneybags Manchester City and Chelsea. Chelsea already opening their cheque book to sign Marko Marin and Eden Hazard this summer.