The usual suspects remain the strongest nominees for the 2007-2008 Premiership title, but with several clubs spending heavily in the summer transfer market, a higher level of excitement is expected in England this season. Manchester United and Chelsea are expected to engage in a fierce battle for the title once more, especially after both of them added more quality and class to their squads. Champions United invested in signing young talents Luis Nani from Sporting Lisbon and Anderson from Porto as well as England midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who could be a vital addition to the squad. Chelsea cut their usual spending spree as they captured Tal Ben Haim, Claudio Pizarro and Steve Sidwell on free transfers. Yet, France winger Florent Malouda is perhaps the Blues' most interesting summer signing. And it was Liverpool who grabbed all attention during the transfer market after landing Spain's wonder boy Fernando Torres, who became the club's record signing after the Reds paid 36 million Euros for his services. Rafa Benitez's team has not won the Premiership for 17 years, and this season could be their chance to get a hand on the title. Arsenal are usually among the top four, but big troubles are believed to be awaiting them after the departure of their talisman Thierry Henry and the uncertainty over Arsene Wenger's future at the club. Wenger did not add much to his young squad this summer, depending on the talents of Robin Van Persie, Cesc Fabregas and Thomas Rosicky. UEFA Cup battlers Tottenham Hotspur manager Martin Jol hopes his side can break into the top four this season instead of their usual place in the second quarter of the table, especially after signing Charlton's prolific striker Darren Bent, who became the club's record signing.
Chelsea Everton had a fine campaign as well last season, inspired by the performance of midfielder Mikel Arteta, and this term they welcome back Australian playmaker Tim Cahill, whose return from injury will be a huge boost to the Toffees' bid for a UEFA Cup spot. Sam Allardyce left Bolton Wanderers in May after seven years in charge and the Trotters will kick-off their campaign under his assistant Sammy Lee, who managed to keep Nicolas Anelka at the Reebok Stadium. Reading were the only newly-promoted side to survive the Premiership last season, ending a remarkable campaign in eighth place. But the Royals have sacrificed key midfielder Sidwell for Chelsea, can they make it without him? Harry Redknapp has reinforced his Portsmouth side with some interesting signings up front, including England's young striker David Nugent and African duo Sulley Muntari and John Utaka. Pompey will have much bigger objectives than just staying in the Premiership next season. Blackburn Rovers are a team that has no ambitions beyond reaching the UEFA Cup. Manager Mark Hughes almost abandoned the transfer market, signing only Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz from Bayern. Martin O'Neil has surprisingly offloaded a number of first-team players from his Aston Villa squad this summer in an attempt to pump new blood into the team. But they brought only West Ham duo Nigel Reo-Cocker and Marlon Harewood to the Villa Park. Will they do the job for O'Neil? Middlesbrough coach Gareth Southgate is the youngest among Premiership managers, the 36-year old will hope that Turkish star Sanli Tuncay could cover the gap left by Mark Viduka up front. Allardyce promised Newcastle fans to deliver silverware to St James' Park after he arrived in May. And despite a star-studded squad, Big Sam has a daunting task to lift the team higher than the 13th place they occupied last season. Sven Goran Eriksson has finally returned to football after being sacked by England in 2006. The S
