New season predictions

14 April 2012

Which London side is most likely to exceed expectations?
Crystal Palace. Nothing much has gone their way since the days of Ian Wright and Gareth Southgate but I expect a new enthusiasm under Palace folk hero Steve Kember. A 25-1 shot for the title, I think they could be challenging for promotion via the play-offs.

Which London side will probably under-achieve?
Chelsea. Having spent £80million on new players, nothing short of a Premiership-Champions League double will satisfy the neutrals. Chelsea must sustain a season-long challenge and win at least one of the big prizes to come close to justifying Roman Abramovich's investment.

Who is the most astute buy of the close season?
Philippe Senderos, the 18-year-old Swiss centre-half Arsenal signed from Servette for just £500,000. "He has the quality to be another Tony Adams," said Arsene Wenger.

Who is the most inspired signing of the close season?
A temple to thrift, modesty and quiet achievement, Charlton have suddenly dipped their toe into the glamour market. The signing of Paolo Di Canio gives people a reason to talk about the club in much the same way that the summer's other inspired signing, Teddy Sheringham, enhances Portsmouth's status.

Which London manager will be out of a job by Christmas?
Fulham's fledgling boss Chris Coleman has already suggested that it could be him so who am I to argue? Shame, because he needs a full season to show what he can do.

Which London player is most likely to make the big time?
This time last year Glen Johnson was about to join Millwall on loan. He returned to West Ham after eight games and then - opportunity knocked. Just 15 Premiership appearances at the fag-end of last season was all that was required to earn a £6m move to Chelsea and establish him as the most likely successor to Gary Neville as England's right-back.

Will Ken Bates see out the season at Chelsea?
In danger of becoming a national treasure, Bates, 70, should be immediately elevated to Life President at Stamford Bridge and left in peace to fire the occasional salvo at Soho Square, and spend the interest he receives from the sale of Chelsea on good wine, travel and expensive lunches for his media friends.

Which Premiership side is most likely to be taken over by a mystery foreign commodities trader even richer than Abramovich?
Is there a commodities trader richer than Abramovich? What the Chelsea takeover has taught us this season is that even a top-flight football club represents no more than small change to the world's great financiers. So, they are all vulnerable, even Manchester United.

Will Winston Bogarde play for Chelsea this season?
Most unlikely I'd say. It's 32 months since the Dutchman last made a Premiership appearance. Considered one of the world's great full-backs during three seasons at Ajax, Bogarde would be given a rapturous send-off at Stamford Bridge if only they could find someone else willing to pay his £42,000-a-week wages.

Will Wembley keep going up, or fall down due to lack of interest
The arrival of Mark Palios and a new determination to get things right at the FA means that the bricklayers will be on overtime to ensure that Wembley's topping out ceremony goes ahead as scheduled.

Will Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate prove a hit in the Bigg Market?
If they have any sense this pair will stay well clear of the Bigg Market, or any other large gathering in the North-East. Bobby Robson accepted the risks involved when he signed them so hopefully they won't let him down. Both are outstanding players and could reward Robson's faith - providing they stay out of trouble.

Will Sven-Goran Eriksson be manager of Chelsea this time next season?
Public perception, fuelled of course by THAT photograph and constant speculation in the popular prints, insists that the cool Swede will end up at Stamford Bridge. Why shouldn't he go there? Things like contracts and loyalty mean very little in the modern game. If the England job ends in tears Chelsea may be a legitimate option for him though my own hunch is that, whatever the financial inducement, he might prefer to move on to quieter pastures after his much-publicised adventures in London.

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