Summary: Anto is joined by former striker and BBC Radio commentator Steve Claridge to take a look at some of his early impressions of the Premier League season which includes the top three title contenders, a very intriguing battle for the four through eight slots and how several of the key teams could shape this race based on their off-seasons and who might emerge as important factors. At the center of our attention early on is the emergence of Chelsea who seem to have found a second wind with a lavish summer transfer campaign resulting in an early edge in quality and style, then over to Arsenal who once more have reinforced a level of serious frustration having sold off two more starters, raising questions about their ability to compete once again for top four. We also examine Everton and Newcastle United as potential wildcards this season, explore whether Swansea City in year two under Michael Laudrup could continue the dream and how the teams heading into the Champions League are not nearly the power sides from the 2005-09 seasons where England sides dominated at the semi-final round in Europe. We also take a glance at the Manchester clubs where perhaps the biggest factor might just be the return of Nemanja Vidic on the heels of a season settled by eight points and gauge whether Roberto Mancini will reach for that last marquee signing and sacrifice a striker to get this done. We also look at the expectations of Sheik Mansour given that the next step for Manchester City is their performances in the Champions League as well as whether Mancini should be the manager to lead them there longer term. We also touch on the the competition in the Championship and why it might be even more entertaining than the Premier League given the number of clubs who think they have a chance to find promotion, new money in the league itself and whether Leicester City can be one of those candidates now that club has moved on from the Sven Goran Eriksson and settled on Nigel Pearson as a more reasonable and common sense alternative. Also check into the comments Steve has about being a player/manager in modern football, the challenges it presents and whether it is truly an impossible task given the scope of the job and the many responsibilities that come with that role.
