Are the 'big' 4, well 3 in trouble?

[Phube]

With Chelsea suposedly in 'turmoil', Arsénal losing top players left, right and centre and Man U about to lose Ronaldo...

Does this mean other teams like Villa, Everton, Man City and especially Liverpool may play a bit of cathch up next Prem season. Or will the top 3 pull away again?

[Jack]

With Chelsea suposedly in 'turmoil', Arsénal losing top players left, right and centre and Man U about to lose Ronaldo...

Does this mean other teams like Villa, Everton, Man City and especially Liverpool may play a bit of cathch up next Prem season. Or will the top 3 pull away again?

They'll still pull away, the gap is too big between other teams.

I think that United will win it again next season.

[Uncle Albert]

These three teams are hardly in 'Turmoil'. Ronaldo will be a loss but they will still dick the league.

Yanited will win the League next year and Liverpool finishing second.

Arsenal wil struggle (hopefully).

Nobody will break the 'Top Four' for a while yet even with three of the four teams being in 'Turmoil'.

[morris1234]

kind of agree but yes the gap is too big! i dont think arsenal have nearly enough experiance, liverpool just fanny about too much and should be doing a lot better, man u however will still dominate without ronaldo i feel! chelsea are just annoying, just bought their way to the top and tbh play boring football with diving bastardos! YES YOU DROGBA YOU 6"2 ABSOLUTE BEAST THAT FALLS OVER IF SOMEBODY FARTS ON YOU! YOU GIMP! sorry i just dont like mr didier!

[Manwell Pablo]

Too early to tell.

Arsenal have always been walking of fine line between becoming serious challengers again and dropping back down to midtable due to the serious lack of squad depth at the Emirates, depends whether Wenger finally gets his wad out and buys some decent players.

Scousers will be top four their home form and Torres will make sure of that.

United often look lost to me without Ronaldo but armed with an extra 75 million they could bring almost anyone they want wanted to replace him.

Chelsea really does depend on how many players Mourinho swipes and who the new manager is.

[Phube]

These three teams are hardly in 'Turmoil'. Ronaldo will be a loss but they will still dick the league.

Yanited will win the League next year and Liverpool finishing second.

Arsenal wil struggle (hopefully).

Nobody will break the 'Top Four' for a while yet even with three of the four teams being in 'Turmoil'.

But can ANY team lose 40 goals from their squad!?

[Uncle Albert]

But can ANY team lose 40 goals from their squad!?

Yanited would still of won the League this season if Ronaldo had only scored 20 goals.

Tevez and Rooney would of scored alot more.

[Bryn]

It's healthy that the top clubs are losing their players just like the other clubs, but the fact remains that the big 4 will bring in replacements that are better than the rest. So no, it won't have a huge affect.

[Manwell Pablo]

Yanited would still of won the League this season if Ronaldo had only scored 20 goals.

Tevez and Rooney would of scored alot more.

.

Remembering the title went down to the wire, that a big statement. Neither are out and out goalscorers

[lildave3]

But can ANY team lose 40 goals from their squad!?

They wouldn't lose 40, 20 at most.

And to answer the question in the opening post, no.

[Joe.]

The big four will never be broken. They've got too far ahead with money now and it's virtually impossible for anybody else to catch up with the gap becoming even bigger for x years to come.

[Simi]

Sadly, no.

[lildave3]

The big four will never be broken. They've got too far ahead with money now and it's virtually impossible for anybody else to catch up with the gap becoming even bigger for x years to come.

Apart from Blackpool and Peterbrough. Obviously.

[Simi]

The big four will never be broken. They've got too far ahead with money now and it's virtually impossible for anybody else to catch up with the gap becoming even bigger for x years to come.

It's true.

I really don't think that losing Ronaldo would be that bigger problem for United. Not half as much as the media are making it out to be. But, I suppose with England not being involved in the Euros, they need something to drag on over the summer to keep readers and eveyone else interested.

Even if United did lose Ronaldo, I don't really see that many problems for them to be honest. The likes of Nani and Anderson have shown this season that they are more than capable of holding down a place and producing quality. Maybe losing Ronaldo could be exactly what they need to allow them to move to the next level. If he did go, I'm not even sure Fergie would replace him. They've got enough cover. Perhaps a new right back? Neville isn't getting any younger and doesn't seem to be recovering from his injury that well.

Arsenal have a problem, but isn't this the season where a lot of you said his youngsters would be ready? Until the Eduardo incident, they were running away with the title. This was after they'd lost Henry and people said they'd be dropping out of the top four. Not a chance.

Chelsea, when they get their new manager, will once again buy themselves a place in the top four, without doubt. Losing Drogba will do them good I think, whereas the likes of Lampard and Carvalho wouldn't be as bigger loss as people are making out. Neither of them are getting younger.

Whilst all this apparent trouble is going on at the above clubs, Liverpool will be wetting themselves thinking they have a chance of a higher finish. Again. Not a prayer to be honest, unless they spend huge amounts.

Next season, it WILL be much of the same.

[Flynny]

The big four will never be broken. They've got too far ahead with money now and it's virtually impossible for anybody else to catch up with the gap becoming even bigger for x years to come.

Not true. It only takes one bad season on the part of one of them, or one incredible season from a chasing pack. And with people like Man City looking to 'do a Chelsea', the "Big 4" we've had for the past few seasons could change up a bit reasonably soon. Give QPR three seasons, even they could be knocking on the door.

When Wenger leaves Arsenal will struggle.

[Joe.]

When Wenger leaves Arsenal will struggle.

Hmmm I'm not so sure.

There's no denying he's been an absolutely fantastic manager for them, probably the second best the Premiership's ever seen but I doubt his eventual departure will affect Arsenal too much in terms of top 4 status. In fact it could even go the opposite way with them improving more when he goes.

Wenger's certainly got a superior eye for young talent. Virtually everybody raves about this aspect of him which is fair enough sometimes, but where has it got Arsenal over the past three seasons? Wenger does not always like to bring in players of a more "finished article" which has probably proved the difference between themselves and Chelsea/Man Utd in the Premiership and Liverpool in the Champions League.

It's like Arsenal's "total football". Yes it's pretty to watch but it's clearly not as effective as more conventional English methods of play over the course of a season. They've been some way off Premiership glory for the past three seasons and bar 2006 they've not been near the Champions League trophy.

For Arsenal to become successful once again they need change. Whether that means change of manager or not I don't know but whatever is going on isn't currently working. I think a potential new manager in a few seasons time can lead Arsenal further onwards and upwards.

[Father Ted]

If Ronaldo goes then Man U will still have too much quality over the likes of Liverpool.

If Arsenal can hold onto Fabregas and Adebayor, they will come on even stronger next year.

Chelsea - Turmoil Nah, If Drogba goes then it will only make it BETTER for them. The likes of Lampard and Terry won't go.

And Liverpool have no chance. They are a two-man team; Gerrard and Torres

And the players that it's looking that they are going to sign are hardly anything special, no wonder they have such high expectations but fail over and over again. Benitez's rotation system is absolute bulls*it.

[Flynny]

Hmmm I'm not so sure.

There's no denying he's been an absolutely fantastic manager for them, probably the second best the Premiership's ever seen but I doubt his eventual departure will affect Arsenal too much in terms of top 4 status. In fact it could even go the opposite way with them improving more when he goes.

Wenger's certainly got a superior eye for young talent. Virtually everybody raves about this aspect of him which is fair enough sometimes, but where has it got Arsenal over the past three seasons? Wenger does not always like to bring in players of a more "finished article" which has probably proved the difference between themselves and Chelsea/Man Utd in the Premiership and Liverpool in the Champions League.

It's like Arsenal's "total football". Yes it's pretty to watch but it's clearly not as effective as more conventional English methods of play over the course of a season. They've been some way off Premiership glory for the past three seasons and bar 2006 they've not been near the Champions League trophy.

For Arsenal to become successful once again they need change. Whether that means change of manager or not I don't know but whatever is going on isn't currently working. I think a potential new manager in a few seasons time can lead Arsenal further onwards and upwards.

Why? Despite their new stadium, they've proven not to have the financial clout of the other three clubs. It's only Wenger's eye for talent that's kept them where they are today. It's not like he has 70 million or so to spend but choses to only spend 20 on 3/4 up and comings and donate the rest to Battersea Dogs Home or something. Things are changing, but if Wenger goes within two seasons whilst people continue to pump money into clubs like Spurs and, as I mentioned, QPR, they'll be vunerable.

People saying "The Big 4 will be like that forever" have missed two quite obvious points. Firstly, the one I already made (twice), that clubs with big backers will break into that. Secondly, that Liverpool and Man U are saddled with such emormous piles of debt that any relatively unsuccessful period combined with just a little mismanagement could result in them going out of existance altogether or having to sell all their best players.

[Tevez]

Ask me this question on the first day of the Prem season. Then i'll answer.

[Simi]

Why? Despite their new stadium, they've proven not to have the financial clout of the other three clubs. It's only Wenger's eye for talent that's kept them where they are today. It's not like he has 70 million or so to spend but choses to only spend 20 on 3/4 up and comings and donate the rest to Battersea Dogs Home or something. Things are changing, but if Wenger goes within two seasons whilst people continue to pump money into clubs like Spurs and, as I mentioned, QPR, they'll be vunerable.

People saying "The Big 4 will be like that forever" have missed two quite obvious points. Firstly, the one I already made (twice), that clubs with big backers will break into that. Secondly, that Liverpool and Man U are saddled with such emormous piles of debt that any relatively unsuccessful period combined with just a little mismanagement could result in them going out of existance altogether or having to sell all their best players.

Some good points, yet I still don't see how the big four are going to change over the next few seasons.

If and when Wenger does leave Arsenal, the board are going to have to make some serious decions. From what I've read, it's more Wengers choice to not offer players massive salaries which has cost them in the past. Perhaps with a new manager, they may be able to expand a little more in the transfer market. The money they are earning from matchdays is more than any other in the Premiership. That must be going somewhere. I'm sure they've got a half decent idea of what they will do when Wenger leaves. I certainly dont' see as a result of Wenger leaving that they'll drop out of the top four.

Spurs have been pumping money into the playing squad for years upon years now. They've had no real result apart from the Carling Cup win. Last season was supposed to be there big year and they ended up in the bottom half of the table! This, in the same season where Arsenal were being written off after they'd let Henry go.

QPR have a very long way to go, they're not close to the Prem at the moment. I've a feeling this money won't get them results straight away. Dowie doesn't convince me, even if he gets them up, I only see him as a short term fix.

We're a long way away from the top four changing in my view.

[Bryn]

Why? Despite their new stadium, they've proven not to have the financial clout of the other three clubs. It's only Wenger's eye for talent that's kept them where they are today. It's not like he has 70 million or so to spend but choses to only spend 20 on 3/4 up and comings and donate the rest to Battersea Dogs Home or something. Things are changing, but if Wenger goes within two seasons whilst people continue to pump money into clubs like Spurs and, as I mentioned, QPR, they'll be vunerable.

I disagree. Arsenal have shown profits, not including transfers in or out, that are similar to the other 3 clubs, even bigger at times. I think Wenger chooses not to spend big money. Whether this goes against or backs up the point at hand is a different matter though. I think they could probably do with blowing a few million on a top class player or two.

[Simi]

I disagree. Arsenal have shown profits, not including transfers in or out, that are similar to the other 3 clubs, even bigger at times. I think Wenger chooses not to spend big money. Whether this goes against or backs up the point at hand is a different matter though. I think they could probably do with blowing a few million on a top class player or two.

That's pretty much what I've said in my previous post. It's most certainly more down to Wenger and the way he likes the club to be run. Which is good to see I suppose but it does have it's limitations.

Players like Flamini and Hleb are leaving because their wage demands are not being met. Whilst I respect Wenger for that, it's a risky business and one that may backfire on him soon. I'm sure the Arsenal board know they are going to need to spend to compete, if Wenger doesn't do that though, he's going to have to carry on blooding the young ones.

If Arsenal want to spend, I don't think it'd be a problem for them. Even if it meant them being laddered with debt, it would be par for the course for a big club. Dropping out of the big four is not an option.

[Joe.]

Yeah I think Ched and Burnham have followed on from what I initially wrote Flynny. I focused a lot on Wenger in my post because as the other two have said, it has been his decision not to spend big in the transfer market and instead scout for younger talent to bring through.

But when you see players such as Flamini who falls into this scouted young talent bracket it kind of defeats Wenger's whole approach to managing Arsenal. For them to succeed I think Wenger needs to change his ways slightly.

[eye666]

I still find it funny that everyone keeps saying Chelsea bought the title and that they will buy their way back up there again. Correct me if I'm wrong but Man Utd spent £80 odd million last season and won the title by a couple of points. Did they not buy the title? And before that by spending millions on Ferdinand, Van Nistlerooy etc. etc. in the past? Everyone who wins the title has bought it and it annoys me when people (especially Man Utd fans) say Chelsea bought it, when every team that has won the Premiership has bought it. That's the nature of football. Blackburn did, Arsenal did, Man Utd did, Chelsea did, and whoever spends big this season will probably win next season. All the big four have weak areas, and if they do what Man Utd did last season by pumping in £80-100 million then they have a chance.

Do not discredit Villa or Man City from breaking the big four in the next couple of seasons, Man City in particular. They have got cash to burn and in Hughes have a good manager who should be able to put together a top four team with the reported £200 million over 3 years. Villa also have got Lerner who is gonna pump in a lot of cash so it'll come down to who they can bring in. Interesting times for these clubs and for the Premiership, but it's quite depressing at how big the gap between the top clubs are and the bottom of the Premiership, and also the gap between lower Premiership and Championship.

[Uncle Albert]

I still find it funny that everyone keeps saying Chelsea bought the title and that they will buy their way back up there again. Correct me if I'm wrong but Man Utd spent £80 odd million last season and won the title by a couple of points. Did they not buy the title? And before that by spending millions on Ferdinand, Van Nistlerooy etc. etc. in the past? Everyone who wins the title has bought it and it annoys me when people (especially Man Utd fans) say Chelsea bought it, when every team that has won the Premiership has bought it. That's the nature of football. Blackburn did, Arsenal did, Man Utd did, Chelsea did, and whoever spends big this season will probably win next season. All the big four have weak areas, and if they do what Man Utd did last season by pumping in £80-100 million then they have a chance.

Do not discredit Villa or Man City from breaking the big four in the next couple of seasons, Man City in particular. They have got cash to burn and in Hughes have a good manager who should be able to put together a top four team with the reported £200 million over 3 years. Villa also have got Lerner who is gonna pump in a lot of cash so it'll come down to who they can bring in. Interesting times for these clubs and for the Premiership, but it's quite depressing at how big the gap between the top clubs are and the bottom of the Premiership, and also the gap between lower Premiership and Championship.

So Yanited's dominace in the 90's was because they bought the league? Or Arsenal's 49 game unbeaten run was because they spent millions and millions on players?