Ferdinand: 'Man City will win the Premier League for the fourth time in a row'
"Man Utd and Arsenal are two competitors to Man City," Ferdinand told TNT Sports on August 10. "If there's a club that can come close to Man City, it's only Man Utd and Arsenal. But I still think there's a difference between Man Utd, Arsenal and Man City, both on and off the pitch."
Last season, Man City surpassed Arsenal in the sprint to win the English Premier League for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Then, the army under Pep Guardiola defeated Man Utd 2-1 in the FA Cup final and Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final to win the historic treble.
This summer, Man City has just strengthened two positions with the Croatian duo - midfielder Mateo Kovacic and midfielder Josko Gvardiol. Arsenal are the biggest spenders since the beginning of the transfer window, spending more than $ 250 million to recruit Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and reaching an agreement to buy goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford. Man Utd have signed Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund and are targeting more defensive midfielders.
According to Ferdinand, both Man Utd and Arsenal approached the transfer window decisively, frankly and signed three quality rookies who could immediately squeeze into the starting line-up. But the former English midfielder still predicts Man City will win the English Premier League for the fourth time in a row. "Man Utd and Arsenal will close the gap with Man City, but I don't think any club can stop Guardiola's army from winning the title," said Ferdinand.
Gary Neville is also impressed with Arsenal's transfer work, but unlike Ferdinand, this former Man Utd defender believes that the army under Mikel Arteta can win the Premier League next season. "I don't think Arsenal can do any better this summer to close the gap with City," the former England defender told The Overlap. "Arsenal shows ambition and will be stronger with three rookies. I think Arsenal can overcome Man City to win the title."
Neville's former teammate, Louis Saha, said that Man Utd's chances of winning the championship would be higher if they recruited Harry Kane - the striker who had just accepted the offer to Bayern. "Man Utd can compete for every title when they are playing more consistently," Saha said. "Man Utd's goal this season is to win the Premier League. This is very difficult, and Man Utd need to start the new season with confidence and a little bit of pride in themselves, believing they can win it. ".
Meanwhile, Dimitar Berbatov ignores Arsenal, and thinks that Chelsea - the club that started a new era under Mauricio Pochettino and do not play in Europe - can focus on racing for the Premier League title. "I won't say Man City anymore, when it's clear that Man Utd wants to win," the former Bulgaria striker told Betfair. "I think the Premier League champion will be Man Utd or Chelsea. I like the story of a club that is not as highly rated as Chelsea to surprise. I also like Pochettino and want him to succeed in England with a trophy." .
The new English Premier League season will kick off this weekend, starting with a match against Man City as a guest at Burnley at 2am tomorrow, August 12, Hanoi time.
