Pick Your Premiership Big Four

By: chris | July 29th, 2009

“They might not be favourites to win the league but they should be.” – Martin O’Neill on Manchester…

…City.

This hot on the heals of City’s scoop of Kolo Toure from new rivals Arsenal. Now, as respected as Martin may be in the game, that might be taking things a tad far. However, it’s plain as day that without Europe to worry about (pesky bastard that it is), Citeh have a real chance to break up the Big Four hegemony this season. Or are they just another Tottenham – good on paper, mediocre at best everywhere else?

Whether you agree with their buys or not, the inevitably top heavy tactical formation, the man leading the revolution or their shameless attempts to buy a team, one thing is for certain: they’re going about their assault on the Big Four the absolute right way – by weakening their closest rival.

Even Arsenal fans will probably admit they’re the #4 in the Big Four right now – the standings would at least indicate such. And whether or not they were positively giddy to get a smooth €40m for their African duo, they’re still a relatively young team which just lost two veterans which can’t afford to lose experience. And this to a team which can simply hope they pan out, and if not simply write a check in January to bring in someone who will.

As of now, City’s summer of spending has netted…

Gareth Barry
Carlos Tevez
Emmanuel Adebayor
Kolo Toure
Roque Santa Cruz

This after nabbing Wayne Bridge, Nigel de Jong, Shay Given and Craig Bellamy during the winter. And there’s little chance that they’re calling it a summer here – surely there must be another tier two striker to be had.

But does all this put them in the ultra valuable Champions League next summer? Can they gel appropriately? Does Mark Hughes have any idea what he’s getting into with this squad? Will a giant paycheck be enough to sooth the irritation of a firm spot on the pine for many?

But it’s not just City. Martin O’Neill’s own club have continued their progression and could, with two halves like last year’s first, make their way into the CL. And what’s more is that none of the others have really strengthened. It remains to be seen how Man Utd will react to the loss of all that hair gel; Liverpool’s two big moves have been overpaying for Glen Johnson and Andriy Voronin back from loan – hardly anything to write home about; while Chelsea have some nice depth from Zhirkov, but haven’t really brought in the big name game changer – not yet at least; will Arsenal reinvest that money wisely…or reinvest at all?

There’s plenty of time left to go, but we can probably say this year, more than last, the Big Four is up for grabs. Just like we say every year. (Which is precisely why nothing will change.)

So is Martin right? Will Manchester break into the Champions League treasure chest? Or another team which doesn’t rely on money printing machines? Pick your four.

(For giggles: Chelsea, ManU, Liverpool, Arsenal – in that order.)