Jon Mcleod
Andrew MacdougallWho will fill the Premier League power vacuum?
This is the closest Premier League title race for years and also the most decisive. Not only is the destination of this season’s title at stake but potentially the destination of many more as Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United battle it out to be the pre-eminent force in English football.
It is no coincidence leagues are dominated one club over a period of time - perpetuated by ability, wealth, momentum and fear. But at present there is a vacuum of power at the top of the Premier League. English football is in a transitionary phase with Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all uncertain of their current status.
They all have the ability, they all - to an extent - have the wealth, but crucially no team has a monopoly on fear. For the past few seasons any of the top four have had the capabilities of beating anyone else in the top four and this has filtered down the league to the point where even the promoted clubs believe they can upset the leaders. The likes of Stoke and West Brom now eye wins against the big teams rather than rolling over and pleading for mercy.
When one team assumes the status of being feared by the entirety of the league, not only have they proved themselves to be a good team but they ensure the passage to the next title is infinitely easier.
Manchester United dominated during the 90s, Arsenal were the team after the turn of the millennia and Chelsea, bankrolled by Abramovich, were the most recent dominators. Now they, plus Liverpool, are vying to be the next dynasty team.
Liverpool have not dominated since the 80s. Arsenal’s empire crumbled at Old Trafford years ago when a 2-0 defeat ended their 49-game unbeaten run and obliterated the self-confidence. This was confirmed by Arsene Wenger’s reaction to their FA Cup triumph a few years ago when he vowed never to win ugly again.
Many believe Chelsea’s demise coincided with the arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari or Avram Grant. The truth is Chelsea are still reeling from the summer of 2008. It was Jose Mourinho, not Grant nor Scolari, that oversaw the beginning of the end of Abramovich’s revolution.
Mourinho’s success was based on a pragmatic platform spiced up by the cutting edge of Damien Duff, Arjen Robben and Joe Cole. The replacement of Robben with Florent Malouda failed and Chelsea retreated into a conservatism that was inconducive with winning the league. Scolari has attempted to reverse this but - after missing out on Robinho - it has taken longer than many thought.
Manchester United are closest to filling the void vacated by Chelsea. Though crackling with attacking possibilities, they are yet to attain the aura they enjoyed when Roy Keane was in command. But if - as many expect - United prevail this season they could be set for another period of sustained success.
That is until Sir Alex Ferguson leaves.
It is no coincidence leagues are dominated one club over a period of time - perpetuated by ability, wealth, momentum and fear. But at present there is a vacuum of power at the top of the Premier League. English football is in a transitionary phase with Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all uncertain of their current status.
They all have the ability, they all - to an extent - have the wealth, but crucially no team has a monopoly on fear. For the past few seasons any of the top four have had the capabilities of beating anyone else in the top four and this has filtered down the league to the point where even the promoted clubs believe they can upset the leaders. The likes of Stoke and West Brom now eye wins against the big teams rather than rolling over and pleading for mercy.
When one team assumes the status of being feared by the entirety of the league, not only have they proved themselves to be a good team but they ensure the passage to the next title is infinitely easier.
Manchester United dominated during the 90s, Arsenal were the team after the turn of the millennia and Chelsea, bankrolled by Abramovich, were the most recent dominators. Now they, plus Liverpool, are vying to be the next dynasty team.
Liverpool have not dominated since the 80s. Arsenal’s empire crumbled at Old Trafford years ago when a 2-0 defeat ended their 49-game unbeaten run and obliterated the self-confidence. This was confirmed by Arsene Wenger’s reaction to their FA Cup triumph a few years ago when he vowed never to win ugly again.
Many believe Chelsea’s demise coincided with the arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari or Avram Grant. The truth is Chelsea are still reeling from the summer of 2008. It was Jose Mourinho, not Grant nor Scolari, that oversaw the beginning of the end of Abramovich’s revolution.
Mourinho’s success was based on a pragmatic platform spiced up by the cutting edge of Damien Duff, Arjen Robben and Joe Cole. The replacement of Robben with Florent Malouda failed and Chelsea retreated into a conservatism that was inconducive with winning the league. Scolari has attempted to reverse this but - after missing out on Robinho - it has taken longer than many thought.
Manchester United are closest to filling the void vacated by Chelsea. Though crackling with attacking possibilities, they are yet to attain the aura they enjoyed when Roy Keane was in command. But if - as many expect - United prevail this season they could be set for another period of sustained success.
That is until Sir Alex Ferguson leaves.
