Footballs

So, football season is about to kick off. The world breathlessly awaits as we wait to see whether or not the superstars of last season can return to their world-beating form, and to see which newcomers will step up and make the jump from obscurity to A-list celebrity.

Of course, what I am referring to is the English Premier League! Not to say I am not eagerly anticipating the beginning of the NFL season (I am, but I am way more excited for College Football), but as a fan of the beautiful game, I cannot help but be psyched for the new season of the EPL, not with so many intriguing stories abound.

For all of you who haven't been paying attention (I would guess that's all of you), the offseason for soccer really wasn't an offseason, as Euro 2008 took center stage. However, a few stories have certainly dominated the headlines. Here is a quick rundown:

Liverpool, with 18 Premier League titles, leads Manchester United by only one title in their claim as being the greatest English club in history. Their last title came in 1990, 18 years ago. The risk of losing their status atop English football is simply unbearable for Liverpool's fans, and the possibility that Manchester United could tie them is leading many Liverpudlians to claim that this is their year. With the offseason addition of Irish international and former Tottanham captain Robbie Keane, Liverpool sends out a strike force as fearsome as any in all of Europe - could this be the year their wait comes to an end?

Chelsea has fully moved on from the Jose Mourinho era. After a season in limbo under the unwanted and unloved Avram Grant, the Blues appointed former Brazil and Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari to the helm, in an effort to instill the flowing, attack-minded football owner Roman Abramovic prefers. With the offseason addition of midfield magician Deco, and the retention of the mercurial Didier Drogba, could this be the season that Chelsea can finally hoist the European Championship for the first time?

Arsenal continues to sell their established players, and bring in unproven youngsters to take their turn in the Arsene Wenger factory of football superstars. New faces Karim Benzema and Samir Nasri hope to offset the undoubtedly damaging losses of Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini. Former Chelsea coach and current Inter man Jose Mourinho has ruled them out of the title hunt, but every season people write the Gunners off as being too young, Arsene Wenger is able to pull another rabbit out of the hat. Will Arsenal prove their resilience yet again, and show that last season's run at the title was not a fluke?

The story of the summer had been Cristiano Ronaldo's purported switch from Man U to Real Madrid. That noise has since died, as Ronaldo, Madrid, and Manchester United have all confirmed that the player will be staying at Manchester for at least one more season. The failed attempt at signing Tottenham want-away Dimi Berbatov has not dampened manager Alex Ferguson's outlook on the season, but with both Chelsea and Liverpool improving, and the ever dangerous Arsenal adding fresh new faces to the mix, will Manchester United be able to hold on to their spot atop the footballing world as Premier League and European Champions?

With so many story lines just among the big 4, the Premier League season, which kicked off on Saturday, is must see TV. Too bad it's only shown live if you have Setanta or special TV programming (satellite), or on replays on FSC.

Cmon American TV, get with the program! Euro 2008 was a massive success for ESPN! There's an audience for good football, so get with it!