Bargain Brendan Rolls The Dice With Balotelli

Wow! Two blog posts in a day! I haven't had this much to write about since the World Cup. Which I failed to complete. Never mind, let's move on to other events in the North West of England and the arrival of Mario Balotelli to Liverpool FC.

I have to admit, it seems like a strange choice. Swapping one player who makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons for another who rarely makes them for the right reason is rather odd, and rather Liverpool. Whilst Suarez was lying, cheating, diving, biting scum, he was voted as PFA player of the year last season, and scored a couple of goals on the way to a very respectable second place for Brendan Rodgers' team.

He never made the headlines off the pitch, and that's where Balotelli weighs in. Named after an Italian plumber who gets high on acid and jumps on turtles whilst trying to save a beautiful Princess from the clutches of an evil turtle-like sorcerer, he was always going to be a difficult character. Setting off fireworks in your own bathroom is one special level of stupid.

So in the end, would you swap a highly talented but controversial striker for an arguably less talented yet equally controversial one? Well, when there's a price differential of £59m, you're damn right I would!

"Hi, I'm Louis Van Gaal. Welcome to Jackass"

So, many of us were predicting a resurgence at Manchester United this season. The arrival of Louis Van Gaal heralded a new era. One where we can forget about David Moyes and his excuses and maybe, just maybe, leave behind the ghost of Sir Alex Ferguson. The Dutchman was to breathe new life into this ailing old stallion and make the fans, and the football community in general, proud to see the Red Devils back amongst the greats once again.

Well, what a load of bollocks that's turned out to be. A singular, lonely point from the first two Premier League games leaves Utd urgently needing spare parts to plug the gaping holes in their squad. The rust is coming through and the paint that coated it last season in the form of Juan Mata cannot prevent it from bubbling up.

Another coat is on the way, however, in the form of Angel di Maria from Real Madrid. This is a stupid, pointless and expensive exercise. The problem is not towards the front of the team, it's a combination of a dreadful backline and shocking tactics. Why would you buy di Maria when you already have Mata, Rooney, Young, van Persie, Januzaj and Kagawa?

United should spend their money sensibly, having wasted an awful lot on the inconsistent Fellaini last summer. They should spend the reported £70m on some decent centre halves. Or, at the very least, Jerome Boateng, a man who can play anywhere across the backline in Van Gaal's ridiculous 3-5-2 formation. I'll come back to that. Alternatively, Elaquim Mangala would have been an excellent purchase, but City got there first. Maybe Vermaelen from Arsenal, but again that one has slipped through their fingers. They have to spend serious money, but not on some La Liga reject, on a defence that's at the top of their game and know how to handle the big occasions. Don't be stupid Woodward (MU chief exec), get a decent defence.

Van Gaal is also to blame for their sorry start to the season. In a league where the priority is to score goals, he plays some of the most negative tactics I have ever seen. There's no width in midfield, despite five players there, because they're all getting pinned back in their own half by the opposition wingers. There's a lack of creativity in the centre of the park, which is worrying when you consider the possible wealth of talent they could accrue were they to spend money. Teams also expose the weaknesses at the back by playing two up front with a marauding number 8 behind them that draws the defence forward before the through ball tears them to pieces.

Dreadful team, dreadful manager, dreadful tactics. I rescind my prediction and install Chelsea as potential champions, I still don't think Arsenal can win it, sadly.

New Season Build-Up

So here we are, on the eve of the new Premier League season. Anybody else excited? I certainly am. I think I'll go through each team in detail and pick out the highs and lows of pre-season and my prediction for the next 10 months.

Arsenal

Pre-Season - Arsenal have had something of a stuttering pre-season. It's been encouraging with the 5-1 crushing of Benfica and disappointing with the 1-0 loss to Monaco, both in the Emirates Cup. I can't help but feel that Arsenal will have lost out not playing over in the US during the course of the summer. When you consider what Man City, Man Utd and Liverpool have done over there and the competitiveness of those fixture I feel that Arsenal will not be as prepared for the start of the season as they will.
Signings - Unlike previous summers, Arsene Wenger's foray in the transfer market has been early. Finally, Arsenal fans can see the club flex its financial muscles. Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, David Ospina and Calum Chambers have all been brought in for the loss of Nicklas Bendtner and Bacary Sagna. Now I don't know about you, but that's pretty impressive. Along with Mesut Ozil signed last summer, this shows a serious shift in transfer policy from the Gunners.
Predictions - When you look at this team, you feel that they can push for the title. They spent most of last season at the top but threw it away. With the increase in the size of the squad and the strength in depth that provides, especially with the likes of Calum Chambers, they should be there fighting come May. 2nd.

Aston Villa

Pre-Season - Well, Aston Villa have not had the best pre-season in their history. Far from it actually. Their tour of the States, for some reason a big draw for Premier League teams this summer, was successful in their victories over Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas before returning back to the UK to beat Mansfield. They then played away to Chesterfield and a young side was brushed aside by the League Two champions. In their final match of the summer before the season gets underway, they again fell to a defeat to FC Groningen. Not the best preparation for Paul Lambert and his men.
Signings - The additions of Keiran Richardson and Aly Cissokho show a real lack of ambition on the part of Villa and their manager. When you consider that no fewer than seven players have left on a variety of loan and permanent deals the squad has hardly been bolstered by their new signings. Richardson is a player used to relegation scraps but lost out at Fulham last season as they were relegated along with their talentless manager. Cissokho spent last season on loan at Liverpool so already has Premier League experience, which helps.
Predictions - I can't see Villa breaking in to the top ten this season. I really hope they prove me wrong as I have nothing against Villa, but they have in Paul Lambert a manager who has no concept of loyalty and the further up the Premier League table he goes as a manager, the more obvious it is that players won't play well for a man who could leave at the next big opportunity that comes along. 16th.

Burnley

Pre-Season - A surprisingly productive one actually. Burnley's new signings have clearly bedded nicely in the squad and they look like a real team ahead of their return to the Premier League. With wins over struggling Blackpool and Accrington Stanley under their belt and a good draw at Celta Vigo their preparation for the top flight seems nearly perfect. I think their summer has given them a good base from which to work from.
Signings - Burnley have been very busy in the transfer market with no fewer than six players being added to their squad. The pick of these has to be Lukas Jutkiewicz from Middlesbrough, a striker who joined in July and marked his arrival with two goals against Celta Vigo. I expect the new signings to make a big difference to the outcome this season.
Predictions - The problem I always see with newly promoted sides is that they tend to accidentally have a good cup run while their in a relegation battle. I can see that happening to Burnley. Apparently the manager has made 500 phone calls this summer to strengthen their squad. I want them to stay up but I think a cup run will hurt their league form and they'll ultimately go down as a result. 18th.

Chelsea

Pre-Season - A mediocre summer for the Blues. Their victory over Vitesse Arnhem tempered by the fact that a near full-strength team failed to score at they were comprehensively beaten by Werder Bremen. Thy also failed to beat RZ Pellets earlier in July. The loss to Werder Bremen actually showcased how brilliantly put together last season's Atletico Madrid was with a toothless Costa hardly getting the support he needed and Courtois in goal let down by defensive lapses.
Signings - Former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and La Liga top scorer Diego Costa have joined from Barcelona and Atletico respectively. They have also re-signed Didier Drogba on a free transfer. The question on all the fans around the world at this was why? I mean, Chelsea already boast a reasonably prolific attack and the addition of Costa can only add to that. Drogba is an unnecessary waste of wages in an age of Financial Fair Play. He's clearly no longer the player he was during his first stint and his showings at the World Cup did nothing to add to his number of admirers. The signing was more to feed Mourinho's ego than anything. Fabregas and Costa, on the other hand, are big name signings and will help propel Chelsea to a strong campaign.
Predictions - I can see a great cup campaign tempered with a strong but fruitless league run. They'll be at the top come the end of season, I don't doubt it, but they won't top the table. It's a very strong side but I can see Mourinho throwing his toys out of the pram come January when results start going against him and he can't add to his squad thanks to the 100k a week he's paying Drogba. 3rd.

Crystal Palace

Pre-Season - Unbeaten on their tour of the States, Palace have been playing decent football and are stacking up to have a good campaign. They still have one more match to play this summer before they face the unenviable trip to the Emirates Stadium to start their season. A solid win against Richmond Kickers in the US rounded off a successful pre-season tour across the pond, a favoured destination this summer.
Signings - I have to admit that the transfer market for Palace this summer hasn't been so much about the players that they've gained but about the players they've kept a hold of rather than selling. Chamakh and Speroni have both signed new deals that will keep them at the club for a few years to come. Incoming for the new season are former United striker Frazier Campbell from Cardiff and Chris Kettings from Blackpool as back-up keeper. Campbell will add teeth to a rather stunted attack. Neither signings are particularly imaginative and typical Tony Pulis players.
Predictions - After last year's heroics, Pulis will be looking to build on that base. My view is that the manager switch last season was the main reason behind their survival rather than Pulis. Holloway plays an open and fluid style of football whilst Pulis prefers a closed, negative and, quite frankly, boring style which is built around the whole team sitting in their penalty area for 90 minutes. Most teams forgot this when they played against Palace and so were surprised (see Liverpool last season). Teams will be more wise to this in the coming campaign so I expect a more difficult season for them. 15th.
Side Note - Since I originally wrote this, Tony Pulis has left the club by mutual consent. The club, I believe, will sorely miss him and I urge Steve Parish to sign up Maulky Mackay as his replacement as soon as possible. Palace will be a better team for it.

Everton

Pre-Season - After looking so solid last season, Everton and Martinez have endured a torrid pre-season without a win all summer. Losing to Premier League new boys Leicester City was a particular low for Toffees fans. The team have looked vulnerable at the back whilst also not prolific in attack. Even the re-signing of Romelu Lukaku hasn't made the fans look up.
Signings - Everton completed the signing everyone expected them to just in time for the opening day of the season. Romelu Lukaku returned to Everton after a successful loan spell at the club last term. The fee, thought to be in the region of 28m, is a club record and they will be hoping that the big centre-forward will help them in the push for a coveted top four spot. They've also signed Brendan Galloway from MK Dons who is certainly a talent to look out for in the future.
Predictions - To be blunt, their top four aspirations have been dented by a disjointed and inept pre-season. I can't justify them challenging for a top four place as they did towards the end of last season. I still think they'll be in the running for the Europa League spots though. 6th

Hull

Pre-Season - Hull Tigers have had an excellent summer by their accounts. Strong showings in draws early on against Barnsley and AS Trencin were followed up by victories against their aforementioned Europa League opponents and away at a strong Stuttgart side. Marching on in Europe will give them cause for optimism in the coming season.
Signings - It isn't about who's come in to the side that's got everyone talking this summer, it's about who's left it. Shane Long has moved to the south coast in a 12m move (at last, Southampton are spending some of that money) and I think the move will benefit Hull. Predominantly because 12m for a player you signed in January for 7m gives you a bit more money to spend this summer on a replacement. I fully expect them the do that. Andrew Robertson and Harry Maguire are both young players and they will gain a lot of experience in the Premier League and I expect them to flourish as a result.
Predictions - This is a tricky one for me, I can't really see Hull getting relegated, despite their obvious flaws as a Premier League side. It will be a tough season for them, but Steve Bruce knows how to keep the team up and a run in the Europa League won't hurt them at all. A solid mid-table finish and knockout round in Europe is what I'll say. 12th

Leicester

Pre-Season - When you consider that they're new boys, back in the Premier League for the first time in a decade, Leicester have done extremely well over the course of the summer against teams from as many backgrounds as they could muster. They've beaten Premier League opposition in Everton, League One opponents Walsall and MK Dons, Championship team Rotherham United and even Bundesliga team Werder Bremen . This is no mean feat and they should be proud of their accomplishments of the summer.
Signings - The main talking point of the summer for Leicester has been the 8m signing of Leonardo Ulloa from Brighton. An Argentinian striker who hit the back of the net 16 times for the Seagulls last term. A great signing I believe and one who will light up the Premier League and help Leicester over the season. David Nugent has also signed a new contract and has returned to the Premier League after an unsuccessful spell at Portsmouth damaged his reputation, and the possibility of an England berth. They've also signed Jack Barmby, the son of former England midfielder Nick Barmby, and Louis Rowley, both from Manchester United.
Predictions - A successful pre-season, a strengthened squad, is there anything to stop Leicester from staying in the Premier League? Well, yes actually. Injuries is the biggest factor. The Premier League is grueling in the intensity of the football. It also exposes the lack of depth in many teams throughout the season. Leicester will stay up, but only by the skin of their teeth. 17th

Liverpool

Pre-Season - Lots has been said about Liverpool over the summer, but it has been a mixed bag of results during their pre-season. Like many Premier League teams, they opted to go on a tour of the US and they came across some stiff opposition. Losses to Brondby, early on, followed by Roma and Manchester United will engender concern within the Kop faithful. Although the team did acquit themselves well in matches against Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City, AC Milan, Olympicos and Dortmund. I think it reflects what is going to happen this season.
Signings - Ok, Luis Suarez has gone. Thank God for that, he did nothing for Liverpool's sterling reputation so let's move on. Brendan Rodgers has used the money generated from that sale to buy Southampton by the looks of things. No fewer than three of the Northern Irishman's new signings come from the south coast town, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren will be joined by Alberto Moreno from Sevilla and Javier Manquillo on loan from Atletico Madrid.
Predictions - Sadly, Suarez's goalscoring attributes probably can't be replaced. Lambert and Sturridge can do all they like, everyone knows that Suarez was the reason Liverpool did so well last season. I can see tehm winning the Premier League within the next few years but their return to the Champions League will detractfrom their league position this year and they'll suffer for it. 5th

Manchester City

Pre Season - Again, another mixed bag for the Premier League Champions. Their tour in the US marred by defeats against Liverpool and Olympiacos (admittedly both on penalties) was actually a success, having beaten AC Milan and Kansas City comprehensively earlier on in the summer. Their final match of the summer against Arsenal in the Community Shield ended up as an embarrassing 3-0 defeat. Defensive lapses have been prevalent throughout.
Signings - Their biggest signing of the summer has been Elaquim Mangala from Porto for 32m. 32m?! For a defender?! That shows you how desperate they are for a centre back after the showings of the summer. They've also signed Malaga goalkeeper Will Caballero and Bacary Sagna from Arsenal. The real talking point is that all of their big names are signing five-year contracts. In the last few days, Samir Nasri, Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero have all signed long term contracts.Pellegrini has turned this team of talented individuals into a family, and it shows.
Predictions - I think they're in for a tough time this season. The won't have it all their own way and I think their away from, notoriously poor last season, will continue to dog them throughout this term. I don't think they'll retain their crown but I can see them winning a cup or two. 4th

Manchester United

Pre-Season - Under Louis van Gaal, United look like a team reborn. It's difficult to replace a winning manager, but it's even more difficult to replace a losing manager and inherit a squad low on morale and confidence. Van Gaal has instilled both in this team and it showed throughout the summer. They have remained undefeated throughout the summer in fixtures against the likes of Roma, LA Galaxy, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Valencia.
Signings - The two biggest signings for United have been Luke Shaw from Southampton and Ander Herrera, both great signings. After losing Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra early on in the summer, it has been necessary for van Gaal to strengthen the back line and I can see Phil Jones being deployed more centrally from now on as he looks to cement his place in this Utd team.
Predictions - There is no doubt  in my mind that last season was a blip in the otherwise exemplary history of Manchester United. Van Gaal s a fantastic manager and I believe that the 'mad genius' will inspire these players to greatness. Champions

Newcastle United

Pre-Season - Despite losing their first fixture of the summer, to Oldham Athletic, Newcastle have been in fine form during pre-season. Only a loss to Malaga and a draw against Huddersfield have left blotches on an otherwise successful summer which have included wins against Sydney FC, Wellington Phoenix, Sheffield Wednesday, Schalke 04 and Real Sociedad. Alan Pardew should be happy with the team going into the new season.
Signings - It's been something of a busy summer for Alan Pardew, with seven new faces entering the squad, along with two others that won't be joining until next season. The pick of the bunch has to be Remy Cabella from Montpellier. He has a keen eye for the killer pass and his preferred position, just behind the striker but with license to go beyond, is a position that Newcastle sorely missed after selling Yohan Cabaye to PSG in January. Excellent summer so far for them.
Predictions - Can they improve on last season? Of course they can. Newcastle were safe in January and decided to play as if they were. Had they played the whole season as they had the second half of it, they would have been relegated without so much as a goodbye. I fully expect them to challenge for the Europa League positions. 8th

Queens Park Rangers

Pre-Season - Not much to say really. They played a few middling teams, no team that could really test them ahead of the new season. Leyton Orient and Southend United were the only two English teams they played. Both draws. Uninteresting and pointless is how I'd describe QPR's build-up.
Signings- Managed to keep hold on Loic Remy for the foreseeable future has been a struggle as he clearly wants to go. Redknapp isn't having any of it and it looks as though Remy will stay for one more year. With regards to those coming in, Jordon Mutch from Cardiff and Mauricio Isla from Juventus are two shrewd acquisitions, although I should point out that Isla is a loan move.
Predictions - What goes up must come down. Hope you stay down this time Harry! 20th

Southampton

Pre-Season - Hmm, seeing as the squad has seemingly halved, it must have been difficult for new manager Ronald Koeman to know who his best players are considering they keep getting sold. A similar pre-season to QPR gave them no real opposition to play against except Bayer Leverkusen, who promptly beat them 1-0. Solid wins elsewhere will at least give the depleted squad confidence to stay up over the next 10 months.
Signings - It's hard to see where Southampton could possibly spend the ridiculous amount of money they've gained over the summer through heir sale, but they are finding ways. Fraser Forster will be making the long move south after signing from Celtic as will Shane Long, who has signed from Hull. However, the furthest any of the new signings will have to travel is from Steaua Bucharest where defender Floren Gardos is coming from to replace the Liverpool-bound Dejan Lovren.
Predictions - Sorry Saints fans but Europa League isn't for you. A solid mid-table performance is, however. Good team being assembled and one to watch for the future. 10th.

Stoke

Pre-Season - Apart from Everton, Stoke have had the worst pre-season of them all. They tour of Germany consisted of two defeats and a draw. Returning home to England, they could only register draws against Burton Albion and Blackburn Rovers. A cheeky win against Real Betis has done little to lift the spirits
Signings - Whoever engineered the purchase of Bojan Krkic is a hero. One of Spain's brightest young talents, eclipsing the goalscoring feats of Lionel Messi whilst at La Masia in Barcelona, Bojan is an absolute coup for the northern club. Tie that in with Steve Sidwell (where has he been since he left Reading for Chelsea all those years ago?) and Phil Bardsley and the combination of youth and experience could be exciting to watch.
Predictions - A solid season with safety secured by January combined with a decent cup run and I can see Stoke doing very well next season. 9th

Sunderland

Pre-Season - Gus Poyet should feel delighted with the performance of his charges over the summer. Wins against Darlington, Carlisle, Hartlepool, Recreativo, Real Betis and Udinese are always going to be worth shouting about. Sunderland appear to have got the balance right in their pre-season and thabodes well for the comign campaign. Even a loss to CD Nacional and a draw against Vitoria Setubal shouldn't dissuade them from a terrific warm-up.
Signings - Jack Rodwell, need I say more? The former Everton wonderkid has been brought out of storage and will ply his trade in the North West this season. With a possible move for Fabio Borini in the pipeline, this summer is shaping up to be an excellent one for the Black Cats.
Predictions - A shaky start to the season, but I can see them being there or thereabouts for the Europa League places in March but dropping off at the business end of the season. 11th

Swansea

Pre-Season - Another interesting pre-season as the Swans have a split summer (P7 W3 D1 L3). Wins in the south-west against Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City coupled with a win against Reading have been marred by tepid performances in the losses against Minnesota United, Bournemouth and Villareal.
Signings - Gylfi Sigurdsson is probably the biggest signing of the summer for Garry Monk's side. This isn't taking anything away from World Cup finalist Federico Fernandez, expected to join soon from Napoli, but Sigurdsson had Premier League experience and has previously played at the Liberty Stadium. Another huge signing for the Swans is Lukasz Fabianski from Arsenal. The experienced shot-stopper is more than a capable replacement for Michael Vorm and will serve them well.
Predictions - I can see them having a good season. There's no reason they'll be in a relegation scrap and I expect them to be safe by February. 13th

Tottenham

Pre-Season - Well, Mauricio Pochettino has certainly got his team firing on all cylinders this summer. Even Roberto Soldado looks good. Wins in the US against Toronto (admittedly, that was Canada) and Chicago were followed up by a comprehensive victory over Celtic and a well-fought win against Schalke 04. Only and early draw against Seattle prevents it from being a perfect summer.
Signings - During the World Cup, I said that a Premiership team should sign DeAndre Yedlin. That's exactly what Spurs have done. They've signed the diminutive right-back but loaned him back to Seattle for the time being which means we won't see him this season. Micheal Vorm has made the move from Swansea after impressing in the Premier League. Eric Dier has also joined the Spurs set-up as they rebuild after a dismal year. There has been a lack of money available for the new manager with most of it being spent last summer.
Predictions - Spurs fans will be hoping for an improvement after their poos showing last term. The expensively assembled squad have had a year to gel together and the pain of Gareth Bale's departure will be felt less as time moves on. In Pochettino, the have a manager who can propel them to new heights i nthe season's to come. 7th.

West Bromwich Albion

Pre-Season - A successful beginning to the summer (P6 W4 D2) led to a total capitulation in August as West Brom lost three in a row against Nottingham Forest, Port Vale and FC Porto. It's difficult to take anything positive from pre-season simply because it was so erratic. It shows just how incapable this West Brom team is.
Signings - This summer, West Brom completed a club record signing in Brown Ideye. The Nigerian striker cost the Baggies 10m from Dynamo Kiev and is expected to bring increased firepower to a frontline now without the potent threat of Nicolas Anelka. They've also brought in Andre Wisdom on loan from Liverpool, Jason Davidson from Heracles Almelo and Cristian Gamboa from Rosenborg, the latter to shore up the defences.
Predictions - Sorry Baggies fans, I'm goingfor relegation this season. It's been a good few years but I feel that this season will be the Premier League's toughest ever. It's going to be a real dogfight and there are only going to be three losers. 19th.

West Ham United

Pre-Season - A pretty dreadful pre-season for West Ham to endure. Only a victory against Samporia is cause for optimism. Apart from that, losses to Wellington Phoenix, Sydney FC and Malaga show a real lack of quality within this West Ham side. Draws against Stevenage, Ipswich Town and Schalke 04 have done nothing to change my opinion.
Signings - With striker Diafro Sakho joining from FC Metz and defender Carl Jenkinson arriving on loan from Arsenal, Sam Allardyce has certainly bolstered his squad ahead of the coming season. Another excellent signing has been Enner Valencia, the Ecuadorian striker who scored three times for his country at the World Cup this summer, from Pachucha in Mexico. It looks like Andy Carroll will have his work cut out to get into the first team. Diego Poyet, son of legendary Chelsea player and Sunderland manager Gus, has also joined from Charlton.
Predictions - Do you have any idea how hard it is to predict West Ham? Or, indeed, 19 other teams. But here we are, at the end after hours of research and nail-biting anguish. Allardyce wants a top ten spot? Well, that's not going to happen. The quality of competition in this league is just too great and West Ham will suffer for it. 14th

Well, there it is, my views on the season to come. Feel free to comment or abuse, I don't mind. I am happy to accept that I am probably wrong and that there are things I've missed out, but I think I've got all the key points down.