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England’s Premier League opens this weekend with teams still frantically trying to complete their squads before the close of the transfer window.
Manchester United start their title defence against Newcastle on Sunday with reports suggesting they’re about to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham to compensate for the absence of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, while Chelsea host Portsmouth the same day still seemingly trying to buy Robinho from Real Madrid.
And many of the teams playing in Saturday’s opening matches are in a similar position.
Arsenal played their first competitive match Wednesday with a 2-0 win at FC Twente in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Manager Arsene Wenger said he expects to sign a new player after his side’s opening Premier League match against newly promoted West Brom.
Fans may have to wait until the August 27 return match against Twente to see the unidentified new player in action.
“Will something be done ahead of the second leg? Certainly yes, but before Saturday, no,” Wenger said.
Despite the offseason departures of Alexander Hleb and Mathieu Flamini from the team that finished third in last season’s Premier League, Wednesday’s win in the Netherlands suggested there’s no need for Wenger to rush.
Wenger had several players injured and unavailable but his weakened team still won comfortably through second-half goals by William Gallas and Emmanuel Abebayor.
“If you look at the number of players we had out, you can say it was very positive for us,” Wenger said. “We did not have (Abou) Diaby, (Cesc) Fabregas, (Tomas) Rosicky, (Samir) Nasri, Kolo Toure, Eduardo (Da Silva) and (Philippe) Senderos while (Alex) Song is at the Olympics.
“We missed seven or eight players out so for me our squad looks big because the players who were here did well.”
West Brom will be hoping none of the missing players are back for Saturday, although Toure has said he will be fit after recovering from malaria and Nasri could have recovered from a knee problem to replace Denilson or Aaron Ramsey in midfield.
West Brom, back in the top flight after two seasons in the second tier, know nine of the last 15 promoted teams have fallen straight back down to the League Championship.
A good start is crucial if the Baggies are not to get immediately drawn into a relegation battle.
“I don’t get star-struck or awe-struck,” West Brom manager Tony Mowbray said. “It isn’t that type of occasion. I keep saying that I want us to be recognised for the achievements we’ve had and we deserve to be in the Premier League.
“I’m not into the theory of us just going an enjoying the day.”
Liverpool are at Sunderland hoping the new and expensively assembled forward line of Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane functions better than it did in Wednesday’s lucky 0-0 draw at Standard Liege in the Champions League.
“The team know they have to improve, and I did not have to say much to them in the dressing room. Sometimes you do not need many words,” Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said. “The only positive to take from the match was the fact that we did not concede a goal.”
Tottenham take many summer signings to Middlesbrough after a stirring preseason that culminated with a 5-0 rout of AS Roma. Luka Modric, David Bentley, Giovani Dos Santos and Heurelho Gomes are likely to make their competitive debuts, and Darren Bent could start up front after hitting 12 goals in six friendlies.
Newcomers Hull and Stoke play Fulham and Bolton respectively, while Everton host Blackburn and West Ham are home to Wigan in Saturday’s other games.
United host Newcastle with Ronaldo sidelined until October following ankle surgery, although Wayne Rooney should be fit to play some role after recovering from a virus.
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari takes charge of his first Premier League match buoyed by Frank Lampard having committed himself to the club with a new five-year contract.
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