LONDON: The top of the Premier League has an unusual look as champions Chelsea and relegation favourites Blackpool hog the spotlight following emphatic opening weekend wins.
Blackpool, who sit in second place behind Chelsea on goal difference, are an unlikely but romantic presence alongside Carlo Ancelotti’s superstar squad at the summit of English football.
However, their paths may diverge for the rest of the season as Blackpool prepare to come back down to earth with a bump at Arsenal, while Chelsea’s early-season momentum should continue at woeful Wigan.
Chelsea’s Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel offered little hope to his side’s rivals as he insisted Ancelotti’s team are still hungry for success despite last season’s double.
“Manchester United will be hungry to win the title back and I think City will be up there but we want it just as much, if not more, and it will be our job to try to keep it,” said Mikel. “For me, once I’ve won something, I want to keep it. Just because you have won something it doesn’t mean you lose that hunger. Truly great teams win things multiple times and that’s what I want Chelsea to do.”
After missing out on a record 19th English title by just one point last season, United manager Alex Ferguson is desperate to regain the crown this time and Ryan Giggs admits the United boss is still as fiercely driven as when the pair first met 23 years ago.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 21st, 2010.
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