Chelski once again rises to the top

The Premier League started this weekend with a bang. Reading and Portsmouth pulling off first day stunners, Chelsea and Manchester United clinically dominated and Arsenal&Liverpool failed to secure 3 points.

Before we get too far down the season here are some thoughts and predictions:

Chelsea: I cannot see how they will not win this thing once more. They have too much talent and depth, two things that are absolutely crucial to survive and win a long season. The additions of Shevchenko will pay huge dividends, he will dominate the Premierleague and will challenge Henry and Rooney for the top scorer. I think that Ballack will get lost in the shuffle, I have never been a huge fan of the German and I think that in a full Chelsea midfield he will get diminished much like what happened to SWP when he made a much ballyhood move from Manchester City. Speaking of the midfield, it is staked - Lampard, Makelele, Essein, Robbens, Ballack, Diarra, Obi, and Sean Wright Phillips. Morinho feels that Obi will become one of the greatest players in the world in a few years....and he is not even good enough to start. The defense will remain solid, even if Gallas does not return (assuming that if Gallas leaves Cole will be coming back). The one area that might be risky is the depth up front. With Drogba and Shev they have a deadly strike force, but little depth since losing Crespo. I also question whether or not Drogba can check his ego now that Shev is the #1 player up front.

Chelsea is going to win the Premiership but it will be closer than in past.

Liverpool: They will give Chelsea some what of a run. They will build on a good season last year building on their strengths. I think that they too will be in danger without a deeper strike force, Crouch stinks....I have never made a secret of my dislike for the tall lanky striker. Fowler can still bring something to the table, Kuyt, we shall see....Bellamy will be the key, if he stays healthy he could be a valuable player, but that is a huge if.....Gerrard, Riise, Zendan, Garcia, Kewell, Sissoko et al will have to carry the team from the midfield. The defense is okay but not sure what is happening in between the pipes.

Manchester United: They are less thin up front with the return of Solskjaer, even Alan Smith is a servicable 4th striker...and they have pace and strength through out the pitch. Rooney is going to have a huge season, I think he wants to prove the WC was a fluke. Saha, now the clear pairing striker for Rooney looks like the Saha from Fulham where he was scoring at will. It will be interesting to see how much Giggs and Scholes have left in the midfield, and I am not sure that Carrick will live up to the hype of being Keane's replacement.

Arsenal: They are young and have solid management. Henry will again be looked to in terms of carrying this team with scoring. Adebayore, Aliadiere and Walcott will provide some depth albeit young and inexperienced, with with worlds of talent. The midfield will be bolstered with Rosicky, he will bring the creativity that can really make the Arsenal machine work, I think his partnership with Cesc could prove very fruitful. The one question remains the back line. If they can get Gallas then I think this will resolve many issues, if not they relying on Senderos scares me!

Tottenham: Will once again be on the outside looking in to the Champions League. They have the talent with Lennon, King, Keane, Davids, Jenas, etc. But I think their depth is thin, and I think playing in London gives them a "third" team mentality, chasing Arsenal and Chelsea. Not convinced of their defense, althought that could be bolstered if they somehow get Chimonba from Wigan.

Those are my top 5, looks very similar to last season....I think that Chelsea will be ahead but not by as large a point margin. Teams that could be regulated: Middlesborough and Fulham are the two I think will fall....Newcastle will struggle .... teams will look to hack away at Chelsea, chopping players like Essein, Drogba, Carvalho, Robben, etc hoping they worry more about being chopped down rather than beating teams, that might be the only way to knock Chelsea off their rythm, cannot wait to see the Bolton - Chelsea games..... Cole to Chelsea, Gallas to Arsenal sounds more and more likely, I just hope that Arsenal can sign him to an extension