One hard core Spurs fans told me last week he sees United, and only United challenging the Blues for the title. Put that newfound depth to good use rather than flirting with player burnout or deploying easily identifiable A and B teams that signal your indifference to one competition or the other. Though it may be the better all-round league, the Premier League front-runners simply don’t boast the same glamour and glitz of their Spanish counterparts.
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Silva says United have more history and prestige in terms of winning trophies but says City are closing the gap.
NBC Sports Group will once again make all 380 games from the Premier League available in the United States. If I had to pick one, Manchester City seems like a decent bet.
Despite these impressive statistics Manchester City failed to mount any sort of meaningful title challenge. But question marks hang over all three going into the new season.
Obliged to use Antonio Valencia as a makeshift right-back last season, Louis van Gaal has elected to bring in a specialist in the shape of 25-year-old Italy global Darmian. In the end City probably weren’t as good as Chelsea, but they also probably weren’t eight points worse than Chelsea.
“We are sure, as I have just said, that we are going to bring it back”. Well, it proves they’re able to attract some of the best and biggest names to their side – even though many have suggested they are not prestigious enough to pull world-class players in.
Monaco knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage last season, before being eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual runners-up Juventus.
“But it is my ultimate ambition to play for Las Palmas”. The club has taken remedial action by breaking the bank to sign burly Belgium worldwide Benteke, who scored 49 goals for Villa in 101 appearances.
Clyne enjoyed a fine 2014-15 campaign, earning a queue of admirers for his marauding performances with Southampton and breaking into the England team. Mauricio Pocchetino has brought in defensive reinforcements in the shapes of Toby Alderweireld and Kevin Wimmer over the summer as they aim to build on their fifth place finish, however with rumours of Manchester United making an offer for Kane, losing their star striker could really rock the boat down at White Hart Lane.
2nd or 3rd awaits for Manchester City, unless another midfielder and defender are signed.
Sterling averaged 2.5 shots per 90 minutes and 2.2 key passes-passes that lead to a shot-per 90 minutes. Fernndinho was more-than-solid in midfield as he often overshadowed Touré’s presence in the middle of the park, whilst Demichelis, who initially struggled during his first season in English football, looked exactly like the seasoned veteran he is – taking command from the back and making important interceptions despite his lack of pace. This was also the highest WCCP score for any player under 20 years old.
The City boss believes his side will bridge the gap between themselves and Chelsea despite finishing last season trophyless.
Pellegrini has quite the job on his hands convincing his players his is a long-term project worth investing in.
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Sam Gregory is soccer analytics writer based in Montreal.
