Premier League primed for summer of change

Just 48 hours after the Barclays Premier League reached it’s conclusion on Sunday evening, and already there have been rumours of Gareth Bale’s departure, Radamel Falcao’s arrival and the second coming of the ‘Special One’. That’s right folks, it’s that crazy time of year again.

After a plethora of emotional goodbyes on Sunday – all emotional, although more than others – the 2013/2014 season is already hotting up nicely. It may seem far too early to anticipate what will happen in the Summer, after all we only 19 of the 20 teams that will be presented in the Barclays Premier League next season. However, already the Premier League looks as though it will continue as the world’s most exciting next season.

Most of the discussion for the Summer will be managerial, as usual the managerial merry-go-round is in full swing. Who will replaced David Moyes at Everton? Roberto Martinez? Michael Laudrup? If so, who will replace them at their clubs?

Who will fill the vacancies at Manchester City and Chelsea? The odds on favourites are Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini respectively, but it wouldn’t be the first time the bookies misjudged it. There can be no doubt, however, that if these two managers do step into the boots of Roberto Mancini and Rafael Benitez, the race for the Title would be hotter than ever.

All three of the Barclays Premier League established ‘Top 3’ would all have new managers, each with different qualities and playing styles, but matching ambitions. For Moyes and Pellegrini, it would be a taste of something new, as neither have managed in the upper echelons of the Barclays Premier League. Even for the great Jose Mourinho, the challenge of taking on the Chelsea job once again would be challenging: damaged relationships could once again prove to be fractious for the Portuguese.

Furthermore, could the uncertainty at the top play into the hands of Arsene Wenger? If the Frenchman were to finally break the bank for a top class signing, then there is a strong argument to infer that he can silence his critics.

Everyone of the managers at the top will be looking to spend big in the summer, and the hottest names from around Europe are available. Falcao, Cavani, Lewandowski and even Cristiano Ronaldo will attract a huge share of the back pages this summer. Their destinations are completely unknown, and the new managers will be primed to show that their clubs can compete for top signatures, and that they themselves are not afraid to splash the cash.

You feel that, even amidst the list of great players, one will attract far more attention than all else. 606’s inaugural end of season reflections were filled with calls from anxious Spurs fans, desperate for Garth Bale to stay. Their Welsh talisman will attract interest from around Europe, and the question of loyalty vs success will once again be the focus of much of this summer’s attention.

As if all this wasn’t enough,the Premier League’s record signing television deal will mean that clubs can expect to be awarded double what they were last season. It is likely that next season’s bottom club will receive as much in bonuses as Premier League Champions did last season.

Premier League lovers, watch this space.