This year however this is not the case. Manchester City has of course improved their squad drastically with their attacking threat the main concern to oppositions, Aston Villa too have bought well, and Everton unfortunately appear to be growing stronger.
In the meantime however the current top four have improved but not to their usual degree. United having sold Ronaldo do not look the same attacking threat, Chelsea have signed Zhirkov an accomplished player but unproven in the Premier League and now have a drastically ageing squad, and Arsenal despite their impressive youngsters, Wilshere quite rightly the focus of the papers, gaining more experience seem perplexingly to want to sell any of their players.
We however have signed the impressive Johnson, yet let go of Arbeloa and Alonso two of our most consistant players last season, and while significant funds have been raised, time will tell how well matched we are for the Premier League fight.
With the opening fixture only a few days away, the nine months of football ahead are bound to be the most exciting, dramatic, and nail biting affair since that beautiful night in Istanbul four years ago.