United's rivals play catch-up as spending season begins
LONDON: The transfer window has only just officially opened but already Manchester United look strongly placed to dent their Premier League rivals' hopes when the new season begins next month.
Champions United left their rivals standing in the transfer market by spending close to 50 million pounds ($100.5 million) on England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, Portuguese winger Nani and Brazilian attacking midfielder Anderson before the end of May.
United were the Premier League's top scorers with 83 goals last season and the 20-year-old Nani and Anderson, a year his junior, will boost Alex Ferguson's attacking options while Hargreaves will give them more strength in midfield.
Worryingly for the rest, United could yet add another forward to their ranks given Alan Smith's expected departure.
By contrast Chelsea, runners-up last season, face uncertainty over the future of their hugely influential England midfielder Frank Lampard who has yet to agree a new contract.
Yet despite club owner Roman Abramovich's decision to tighten the purse strings, manager Jose Mourinho has still strengthened his hand.
The Portuguese coach has brought in central defenders Tal Ben Haim and Alex along with midfielder Steve Sidwell and striker Claudio Pizarro.
French international Florent Malouda could arrive soon from Olympique Lyon, which would offset the possible departure of Arjen Robben, who is attracting interest from Real Madrid.
After reaching the Champions League final last season, Liverpool are aiming to mount a serious challenge for a first domestic championship since 1990 and the impending arrival of Spain striker Fernando Torres should help their prospects.
The 23-year-old would become the Merseyside club's record signing in a move that could take Luis Garcia in the opposite direction. Rafael Benitez is also hoping to recruit at least one winger, possibly West Ham United's Yossi Benayoun, to provide service to the Spaniard.
The Liverpool manager is also eyeing United's Gabriel Heinze but whether Alex Ferguson lets the Argentinian join a direct rival remains to be seen.
Arsenal arrival
Arsenal finished fourth last season but it will take more than the arrival of Croatian striker Eduardo Da Silva to ease the anxiety caused by Thierry Henry's sale to Barcelona and doubts over manager Arsene Wenger's long-term commitment.
With Jose Antonio Reyes expected to return permanently to Spain after a season-long loan at Real Madrid, the Brazil-born Da Silva - scorer of seven goals in 12 internationals - may not be the only new face at the Emirates in the coming weeks.
For now, however, supporters of Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur arguably have greater reason for optimism.
The acquisition of England striker Darren Bent from Charlton Athletic for 16.5 million pounds gives Tottenham enviable attacking options - alongside Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov and Jermain Defoe - and manager Martin Jol appears to have a squad capable of bettering the fifth-placed finishes of the last two seasons.
Looking elsewhere, few managers have been busier than Newcastle United's new manager Sam Allardyce, who, besides rebuilding his defence, has taken a high-profile gamble on Joey Barton.
Aston Villa, West Ham United and Manchester City - assuming Thaksin Shinawatra's takeover is completed - are also looking to spend big, but reaching the top six appears the limit of their ambition.
Amid all the speculation, one thing seems certain: whatever big-money deals follow in the coming weeks, United and Chelsea will almost certainly be the teams to beat again.
Agencies
(China Daily 07/04/2007 page23)
