England expects Chelsea challenge

Spending spree
While many clubs have done their best to balance the books and make sure they survive the tough climate which is casting a shadow over world football, Chelsea went on a spending spree that made David Beckham's €35m move to Real Madrid CF look like loose change.

Football superpower
Russian businessman Roman Abramovich swept into the London club and promised to turn Chelsea into a football superpower. And true to his word, Glen Johnson, Wayne Bridge, Damien Duff, Geremi, Joe Cole, Juan Sebastián Verón and Adrian Mutu all joined the club for a total of €105m.

Top two tipped
Abramovich has promised more players before the 31 August transfer deadline but unless Chelsea's all-stars gel immediately, the league race could well be another two-handed affair between champions Manchester United FC and FA Cup holders Arsenal FC.

Hugely talented
United may have sold Beckham to Madrid and Verón to Chelsea but their squad remains hugely talented. Rio Ferdinand will look to rediscover his 2002 FIFA World Cup form alongside Gary Neville at the back, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes remain the driving forces in midfield and prolific Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooij leads the line having scored a record 12 UEFA Champions League goals last season.

Fresh signings
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson may have failed to land top target Ronaldinho but the arrivals of American goalkeeper Tim Howard, Brazilian midfield player Kleberson and teenage Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo should ensure United challenge for both Premiership and European honours once again.

New deals
Arsenal too have a strong core running through their side and Arsène Wenger can finally sleep easy now that French duo Robert Pires and Patrick Vieira have pledged their futures to the Highbury club by signing new contracts.

Seaman spell ends
Wenger's only summer recruit came in the shape of German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann from BV Borussia Dortmund after veteran David Seaman - who turns 40 in September - ended his 13-year spell with Arsenal to join ambitious Manchester City FC.

Bowyer arrival
Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC should give the front two a run for their money. Newcastle faded in the final weeks of their Premiership campaign last year to finish third but their midfield looks even stronger with Lee Bowyer's arrival from relegated West Ham United FC, and Alan Shearer continues to score for fun.

Valuable addition
Liverpool beat the likes of United and FC Barcelona to the signature of Leeds United AFC forward Harry Kewell and the exciting Australian will be a valuable addition to Gérard Houllier's forward line.

Outside bet
Last year's dark horses Everton FC will once again look to manager David Moyes to inspire their push for a Champions League place, while Sam Allardyce's Bolton Wanderers FC, who only just avoided relegation last term, have raised a few eyebrows with the capture of Mário Jardel from Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Portsmouth hopes
Away from the race for Champions League places, newly promoted Portsmouth FC will be anxious to consolidate their Premiership status and manager Harry Redknapp hopes new recruits Amdy Faye, Teddy Sheringham, Patrik Berger and Boris Zivkovic will do just that.

Relegation contenders
Leicester City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC, promoted alongside Portsmouth, have also been busy in the transfer market but are favourites for relegation with the bookmakers. However, indebted Leeds, who in the last year have sold six key players including Kewell, and Fulham FC both struggled in 2002/03 and could do so again.