I have to say it’s been an absolutely amazing experience to watch the Premier League action unfold this season and I hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as me and my co-writers. It’s been such a great season that I’m going to be doing a four-part special in which I review each team’s performance over the season looking at the highs and lows as well as addressing what may help them do better next season.
Manchester United – 1st
Highlight of the season
Achieving their goal of regaining the league title and extending their record to 20 top-flight English Championship wins and kicking off their title charge with a last-gasp 3-2 win at Manchester City thanks to new acquisition, Robin Van Persie.
Low point of the season
It’s hard to see how a team can have a low point after winning their domestic league with time to spare but it was the struggles leading up to their title win that will have been United’s low point. After an 18 match undefeated streak United began to stutter with losses in other competitions to Chelsea and Real Madrid as well as Manchester City in the league but they managed to turn it around in time to win the championship again.
Player of the season
Robin Van Persie – undoubtedly the catalyst for United’s triumph with countless crucial goals. He experienced a bit of a dip of form in March but rediscovered his touch in time to guide United to glory.
What they need to do for next season
Buy a defensive midfielder. United have never really replace Roy Keane and I believe if they do then they could be a very different animal next season. Another centre back to replace an aging Ferdinand would be an astute purchase also. The impending arrival of David Moyes could solve a couple of these problems if he brings Marouane Fellaini with him and the fact that Moyes is replacing a manager like Ferguson suggests he’s going to spend big as a statement of intent.
Manchester City – 2nd
Highlight of the season
Sporadic flashes of brilliance reminded fans of just how good City can be when all their players get their act together as they tore apart the likes of Newcastle away from home and Aston Villa by four and five goals respectively.
Low point of the season
Their inconsistencies cost them the league and the FA Cup after their £300m team showed a lack of unity when it mattered and a manager that is surely on the way out of the club failed to solve the problem.
Player of the season
Hard to choose one as they’ve all had pretty high peaks and very low troths but Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero have salvaged City’s hopes on numerous occasions after some star performances in matches where City were really floundering.
What they need for next season
A manager who is willing to put these players to the sword and sort out the men from the boys by either getting them to perform or ship them off and replace them for someone who will. There’s no doubt the squad is good enough, it’s just getting the best out of them; a man-managing expert like Pelligrini or Mourinho is a must.
Chelsea – 3rd
Highlight of the season
As well as their lightning start to the season which has been their trademark since the Mourinho era, the success of Rafa Benitez has been a plus point whether Chelsea fans want to admit it or not. Finally he’s had a squad good enough to bring the best out of his rotational style of management and he’s thrived on it. Yes they’ve had blips but he’s inherited a job that rarely raises a manager’s profile and managed to come out of it with a better reputation than he had when he started.
Low point of the season
The occasional blips that have come under the Benitez and Di Matteo tenures have been quite big ones but one must admit, Chelsea have come back from those blips stronger like potential future champions should do.
Player of the season
Juan Mata – Another one that Real Madrid let escape their nest and the Spaniard has moved on to become Chelsea’s biggest star. A blossoming partnership with Hazard and Oscar shows positive signs for Chelsea’s future!
What they need for next season
If the Special One is indeed on his way back to Chelsea then he’ll be getting a huge transfer kitty! A striker has to be top of the list as well as a new centre-back if they’re going to be as forceful as Abramovich will want them to be.
Arsenal – 4th
Highlight of the season
A 10-game unbeaten stretch to end the season in which they saw themselves leapfrog local rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, into the final Champions League spot; if they can carry some of that standard of football into next season then Arsenal’s prospects will already be looking brighter.
Low point of the season
The emotional manner with which Arsenal celebrated their Champions League qualification (something they’ve achieved with ease for the most part of the last 17 seasons) shows just how relieved they were to salvage something from what was a dour season on the whole.
Player of the season
Santi Cazorla – The Spaniard has been the heartbeat of this Arsenal team for most of the season, giving to the side some of the footballing nous that hasn’t been seen since the days that Nasri and Fabregas were combining at their best as well as showing Arsene Wenger just what sort of quality you can get when you’re willing to put your hands in your pockets and dig out the chequebook.
What they need for next season
The same as they’ve needed for the last five or six seasons; as amicable as Wenger’s trust in youth is, he needs to dig out the chequebook and buy some proven quality. Touted moves for Stevan Jovetic and Gonzalo Higuain are rumours that just won’t go away and if there’s any substance to these rumours it’ll definitely be a step in the right direction for the Gunners.