Though Jose Mourinho considered last season’s title race to be between “two big horses and a little horse”, it is hard not to conclude that the pack has grown since then, with five thoroughbreds and two outsiders all chasing a top four finish.

Fresh off a pulsating title race in which Liverpool’s late collapse gift-wrapped the title for Manchester City, a flurry of transfer activity has shifted the landscape to set up a 2014/15 campaign that could go in a multitude of directions.

Manchester City, for once, were not front and centre during the summer as Manuel Pellegrini prepares for his second season in England – but useful moves were made. Bacary Sagna’s arrival from Arsenal on a free transfer bolsters the Chilean’s defensive options while Fernando, who is unlikely to displace Fernandinho, adds extra steel in midfield.

Willy Caballero has been brought in from Malaga to keep Joe Hart on his toes – but early form suggests Hart has little to worry about. Manchester City also completed a surprise loan deal for Frank Lampard, which has already been met with raised eyebrows around the league after the midfielder agreed a deal with City’s sister club New York City FC.


Pellegrini also added Eliaquim Mangala, who is likely to partner captain Vincent Kompany at the back.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s summer plans were turned upside down by Luis Suarez’s antics in Brazil. The Uruguayan’s bite on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini seemingly sealed his Anfield exit, with Barcelona gleefully waiting in the wings, despite Suarez’s four-month ban. Boss Brendan Rodgers moved quickly to fill the void, raiding Southampton for Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren, in addition to Rickie Lambert, who signed at Anfield prior to the World Cup.

Other additions may take more time to settle in England. Lazar Markovic commanded a £20m fee from Benfica as another attacking option while Emre Can made the switch from Bayer Leverkusen and Divock Origi’s performances for Belgium this summer earned him a chance to compete for a starting role alongside Daniel Sturridge, although not until 2015. For the Reds, much will depend on the continued development of Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho who must both find the net more frequently to relieve the burden on Sturridge. Given the drama of the Suarez saga, the need to bed in new faces and the improvements among the other contenders, do not be surprised if Liverpool take a step back this season and end up missing out on the top four.
 

Down in the capital, Chelsea ran out of steam at key moments last season after threatening to snatch the title in Mourinho’s first year back in London. Had the Blues possessed a prolific, 20-goal striker – rather than the shaky trio of Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto’o – the trophy could well have been theirs. This flaw has been comprehensively addressed over the summer with the signing of Atletico Madrid talisman Diego Costa for £32m and the return of fan favourite Didier Drogba, though Mourinho’s lack of interest in keeping Romelu Lukaku at Stamford Bridge was puzzling. 

Chelsea’s workmanlike midfield received a timely upgrade too, with Cesc Fabregas arriving from Barcelona to pull the strings and giving the Blues box-to-box energy. Filipe Luis will replace Ashley Cole at left-back. Mourinho needs to resolve the goalkeeping situation, with Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech fighting for the no.1 shirt, but otherwise the Blues are ready to roll. One more significant signing can be expected before the window closes.

Arsenal, like Chelsea, had the look of champions at times last season. Arsene Wenger’s men topped the table for chunks of the first half of the campaign, but their fragility against their title rivals was exploited mercilessly. Not for the first time, Wenger has seemingly ignored key weaknesses during his forays into the transfer market – a proven defensive midfielder should have been top of his wishlist. That said, Gunners fans will be excited to see Alexis Sanchez’s impact at the Emirates after sealing a £30m move from Barcelona. Sanchez impressed at the World Cup and should fit perfectly with Arsenal’s style of play.

Calum Chambers made the switch from Southampton and may find more playing time as a holding midfielder initially, while Mathieu Debuchy will slot in to replace Sagna at right-back. Goalkeeper David Ospina caught the eye in Brazil and is poised to put pressure of Wojciech Szczesny, who has plenty still to prove. The Gunners, who sold centre-back Thomas Vermaelen to Barcelona, will again be an exciting side to watch, but the lack of a midfield enforcer could be the difference between first and fourth.

Over at Old Trafford, the woes of the David Moyes era are still lingering, with Manchester United facing a season without European football. However, Louis van Gaal’s arrival has provided a clean slate for several players while bringing more credibility and discipline to the whole squad. Manchester United will begin the season using Van Gaal’s favoured 3-4-1-2 formation that was so successful for Holland at the World Cup.
 

Midfielder Ander Herrera and defender Luke Shaw are the noteworthy new faces and will add adventure and energy – but Manchester United will be working the phones all the way up to the transfer window deadline, with Mats Hummels and Arturo Vidal among the big name targets. If Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Juan Mata click, Manchester United have to be considered serious title contenders, but bringing in at least one experienced central defender has to be a priority if Van Gaal’s system is to work. The absence of Champions League football enhances Manchester United’s title chances and should allow the Dutchman to field his strongest team in most league games.

Everton and Tottenham, two teams that finished above Manchester United but outside the top four last term, will be pushing for inclusion in the top four conversation. Everton have excelled under Roberto Martinez and showed their intent by agreeing a £28m deal for Lukaku this summer, while also fighting off the suitors for Ross Barkley and John Stones. Tottenham have yet another new manager – Mauricio Pochettino – who will need time to establish a new identity. Pochettino has a large, talented squad at his disposal but must settle on a first choice line-up and show some fringe players the door. Consistency has been an issue for Tottenham and is likely to again be the Achilles heel.

When the dust settles in May, look for Chelsea to be crowned champions, with both Manchester clubs fighting the Blues all the way. 

At the other end of the table, newly promoted Leicester and Burnley have an uphill battle to avoid the drop, with major question marks over their ability to score goals in the top flight. There will be no lack of spirit but the talent gap is considerable. QPR, who won a dramatic playoff final thanks to Bobby Zamora’s late goal, should fare better with Rio Ferdinand’s experience at the heart of the defence. West Brom spent £10m on Dynamo Kyiv’s Brown Ideye and brought in Joleon Lescott among several others during a busy summer, but could struggle under new boss Alan Irvine. Swansea and Sunderland could also find themselves dragged into the relegation scrap if poor form or injuries intervene while Aston Villa’s appointment of Roy Keane as assistant manager should help Paul Lambert’s men just steer clear of danger. Of this pack, Burnley, Leicester and West Brom look the likeliest relegation candidates.

Four teams begin the 2014/15 season with new managers. Van Gaal looks a safe bet to hit the ground running at Old Trafford but it could take time for Pochettino – one of the top young managers in the game – to make his mark at White Hart Lane, meaning chairman Daniel Levy needs to show patience. Ronald Koeman has inherited a challenging situation at Southampton after all the summer transfer activity and a top half finish would be a major success in these circumstances, especially if more players are sold before the end of August. Irvine’s job at West Brom could be the toughest of all and his lack of experience at this level should be a concern for Baggies fans.
 

Keep An Eye Out For

Mourinho vs. Van Gaal: The Dutchman put his faith in Mourinho during his Barcelona days – now they will be rivals in a Premier League title race. The mind games will be fascinating.

The World Cup hangover: will the likes of Eden Hazard, Robin van Persie and Sergio Aguero be able to hit their stride early in the season?

The rebuilding job at Southampton, who have sold five key members of last season’s starting line-up and have a couple of others with one foot out of the door

Alexis Sanchez: whether he plays on the flank or through the middle, he is going to make a huge impact

Manchester City v Chelsea; Sunday 21st September: Lampard comes face-to-face with his former team-mates

First manager to be sacked: Alan Irvine, Sam Allardyce and Alan Pardew are among the contenders