Rest of pack could benefit from changes at top three

THE Premier League title is up for grabs this season more than in any other campaign one can remember – the first in 27 years that won’t feature Sir Alex Ferguson in the Manchester United dug-out.

Nobody knows if David Moyes will be able to seamlessly glide from Evertonian mediocrity equalling success to a clear and unequivocal demand for trophies 50km up the East Lancs Road at Old Trafford.

And who can tell if Manuel Pellegrini can instantly unite a Manchester City squad so distanced from their old manager that they ignored his every wish and lost a major cup final to a team built on a shoestring who are now in the Championship?

Jose Mourinho’s reputation has been ripped to shreds and thrown on a bonfire after his final season at Real Madrid. In his first spell, Chelsea as a football club were hungry for success but were made ripe for it by the Abramovich millions. But not only have trophies been won at Stamford Bridge without Mourinho, the football has evolved, too.

Has the Special One got the tactical ability to keep up with the demands? If the frankly unbelievable idea that he’s ready to let Juan Mata leave is true, then one has to question his credentials to manage a club with Chelsea’s ambitions of winning trophies in style.

Last season’s top three have all undergone significant change – what about the others?

The end of the coming season marks the 10-year anniversary of Arsenal’s last Premier League title win. The big spending has been promised and the big names have been mentioned. Even if the transfer business is of the standard befitting a club that charges fans more than a month’s wage for a season ticket, has Arsene Wenger remembered how to ensure the Gunners finish on top of the table?

Spurs fans’ loyalty to AVB is as admirable as it is bewildering. The manager’s clever wordplay to shift all the pressure about potential incoming signings and Gareth Bale’s future firmly on to the shoulders of chairman Daniel Levy is inspired stuff. It might even pay off.

If ever there was a time for Spurs to come good it is now, while the others could be seen as vulnerable. AVB talks a good game, he even charms people who should be less willing to hang on his every word. Distance is needed if a rounded judgement is to be given.

AVB’s spectacular naivety after the north London derby when he declared Arsenal would find it hard to get out of their negative spiral of results (the Gunners didn’t lose another game and turned over a seven- point gap on Tottenham) suggests he still has a huge amount to learn.

He’s been given a free pass after finishing fifth in his first season. I can’t believe Spurs fans will be so lenient next time around.

With change at three of the top four clubs, and the Gunners only one point better than Spurs, now would be a perfect time for Tottenham to launch a title challenge. If AVB is up to it.

There’s the unknown quantity of Roberto Martinez at Everton. He’s just taken a team down. To lead a different club to title success the following season would be a miracle.

Brendan Rodgers has no record of Premier League success, but his experiment at Liverpool continues. Nobody believes they can challenge for the title. At this point one can believe their success over the course of next season is dependent on Luis Suarez’s situation and who Rodgers signs if the Uruguayan leaves.

Let’s face reality, there is a long way to go before the season starts and plenty of transfer business to be sorted.

On the eve of last season I predicted Fulham for the drop and then on the final day of the window they signed Dimitar Berbatov.

It was a spectacular addition to their squad and without him, who knows what would have happened. Even with Berbatov, Fulham were still in trouble until late in the season.

Nobody expects Spurs, Everton or Liverpool to win the title. People will still have a chuckle if you suggest that Arsenal will finish top of the pile. But United, City and Chelsea have all changed manager.

Let’s see which of the chasing pack has the knowledge and selfbelief to prepare his squad pre-season in such a way that they can launch a serious title challenge.

Arsenal and Spurs fans have a right to expect a title push, Liverpool fans need to start setting serious goals for Rodgers. Everton fans should expect improvement at least.

It’s up for grabs now.

THE ANNOYING ONE: Reappointed Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho could be the manager to watch this season – even if he can’t reproduce the winning magic he did in his first spell at the club.