Premium
This is an archive article published on August 16, 2006

World Cup hangover? Feast your eyes on EPL

New faces in old colours, old faces in new colours; all the key personnel changes in the close season

.

8226; Chelsea: The club with the deepest pockets expectedly bagged the big stars and they look unbeatable, at least on paper. Michael Ballack arrives at Stamford Bridge with Champions Lea-gue aspirations and 57 goals in 153 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern Munich do his reputation no harm.

With 127 goals in 207 appearances for AC Milan, Andriy Shevchenko will be hoping to continue doing what he does best 8211; scoring goals. He8217;s already off the mark, in the Community Shield. With proven strikers like Shevchenko and Didier Drogba already in the Chelsea ranks, Salomon Kalou8217;s chances for first team appearances look slim.

8226; Manchester United: More rumours at the Red Empire than even the Soviets could manage. Tottenham8217;s Michael Carrick remains the only notable newcomer to Old Trafford, filling the considerable shoes of a certain Roy Keane. Scoring goals this season could be a Ruud business.

8226; Arsenal: Tomas Rosicky: The Czech midfielder arrives in London from Borussia Dortmund, for whom he scored 19 goals in 149 appearances. Arsenal fans will be hoping for more stunning strikes like the one that helped the Czechs defeat USA in the World Cup.

8226; Liverpool: The dark horses have crept up on their rivals with some low-key but potentially high-value signings. Craig Bellamy, with his no-nonsense approach to scoring, could be a welcome change from the ever wasteful Peter Crouch.

Mark Gonzalez8217;s electric pace down the left wing, for which he has earned the nickname 8216;Speedy8217;, may very well prove to be a bit too much for the Premiership defenders to handle. And on the right, Rafa Benitez has Jermaine Pennant.

8226; Everton: Andy Johnson8217;s strikes could not help Crystal Palace stay in the Premiership at the end of the 2004-05 season, but the striker makes a return to the top flight with proven credentials in front of goal.

Story continues below this ad

8226; Fulham:Last season8217;s newcomers Wigan Athletic captured the imagination of all with their stunning run in the Premier League. A vital part of that side was Jimmy Bullard, who will play his football at Craven Cottage from this season.

8226; Newcastle Unit-ed: Sitting on the bench can8217;t possibly be any footballer8217;s favourite activity. Former Chelsea man Damien Duff decided to take matters into his own hand and exchanged the blue shirt for Newcastle8217;s stripes.

8212;Inputs by Shreya Chakravertty

 

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement