FOOTBALL: VIALLI'S BOYS COULD BE THE ONES TO GIVE REDS THE BLUES;

0 Comments | Sunday Mirror, Aug 13, 2000 | by ANDY GRAY

GIANLUCA Vialli's Chelsea are the side best equipped to halt Manchester United's domination of the Premiership.

Realistically - and it's a little bit sad to have to say it - there are only five clubs capable of winning the Championship.

I don't think anyone is going to break from the mid-table pack and seriously challenge champions Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds, Chelsea and Liverpool for the title.

I genuinely think that Chelsea are capable of stopping Alex Ferguson winning a seventh Premiership title in nine attempts now that they have addressed last season's goalscoring problem by signing Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. It was a brave decision by Vialli, and it's one I feel could provide spectacular dividends.

If Hasselbaink avoids injury then I think he will score 20-plus goals, and Chelsea didn't have that sort of firepower last year.

And without the distraction of the Champions League they could take Manchester United the distance this time. There have been a lot of false dawns for Chelsea down the years, but I have a feeling they will mount a strong challenge.

But they would have to play exceptionally well and with a consistency they didn't show last season.

With players of the quality of Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs, it is hard to look beyond the champions repeating last season's success.

If anyone finishes above Manchester United then we are probably talking about them as champions. But I would plump for United and Chelsea to take the two automatic Champions League spots.

Arsenal will feel that they can improve on last term and finish top. But a lot depends on how much they miss Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit.

Arsenal can absorb the selling of Overmars (below). I think it was pretty good business to get pounds 20million for a left-sided midfielder, and new signing Robert Pires could be a big hit at Highbury.

But whether they can withstand the loss of Emmanuel Petit is another matter. I thought Petit and Patrick Vieira provided one of the most formidable midfield pairings in the Premiership.

Petit will be a harder act to replace than Overmars, but the Highbury dressing-room might be a better place without him. Petit's body language was all wrong last season.

I think the youngsters at Leeds United will benefit from another season's experience under their belt, and if they can repeat last year's blistering start they will make a strong challenge.

But injuries and the loss of Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka to the Australian Olympic squad could stop them getting a flyer.

With Olivier Dacourt and Viduka in the line-up they are undoubtedly stronger than last year, but much will depend on their start.

Liverpool simply have to show progress again this season. Gerard Houllier has tried to strengthen his squad without really making any top-bracket signings.

But I think the capture of Gary McAllister from Coventry on a free could turn out to be one of the most inspired close-season signings.

A good start is important to them and if they get it then Liverpool will go as close as they have in many years.

Looking at the other end of the table, I think newly promoted Ipswich Town look the most likely to struggle. They haven't spent much on strengthening their squad and history shows that usually spells trouble.

Manchester City's Joe Royle and Charlton's Alan Curbishley have both been very active in the transfer market.

Curbishley, in particular, has spent well this summer. He has learned from their last relegation and his side are better equipped to survive in the top flight than they were two years ago.

I saw Manchester City get totally ripped apart by Leeds in the FA Cup at Maine Road last season, and it was obvious they had to improve at the back.

The signings of Steve Howey and Spencer Prior will improve the defence and they could have a few goals up front with George Weah and Paulo Wanchope.

But I think Joe and the City fans will be happy if their side is still in the Premiership come next May.

It could be a difficult season for Gordon Strachan at Coventry City. He has lost some key men in McAllister, Noel Whelan and Robbie Keane and they will have to work harder than ever to survive.

It's the same for another Scotsman, Walter Smith at Everton. He has lost quality players such as Don Hutchison and Nick Barmby and I worry a little bit for him.

The same goes for former England boss Glenn Hoddle at Southampton.

Bradford City survived last season because they had a great team spirit - and they have to be careful that the money Benito Carbone is getting doesn't ruin that.

The scrap at the bottom is going to be every bit as exciting as the battle at the top and, apart from Ipswich, I think the relegation dogfight is more open than it has been for years.

Interview by BRIAN McNALLYARSENALCERTAINLY championship contenders, but much will depend on how well Arsene Wenger replaces Petit.

In: Lauren Etame Mayer (R Mallorca, pounds 7m), Robert Pires (Marseille, pounds 6m). Out: Marc Overmars (Barcelona, pounds 25m), Emmanuel Petit (Barcelona, pounds 5m), Nigel Winterburn (W Ham, undisclosed), Davor Suker (W Ham, free) Jay Bothroyd (Coventry, pounds 1m), Julian Gray (C Palace, undisclosed), Tommy Black (C Palace, undisclosed).ASTON VILLAIT'S a big season for John Gregory. They have had a troubled summer with players wanting to leave the club. They have brought in two 30-plus players in David Ginola and Luc Nillis and I don't see them challenging at the top.