City are contenders but Blues have edge

For me, the league will come down to a two-horse race between Manchester City and Chelsea with three others certain to be in the mix: Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Yet while the race for the title promises to be exciting, and while all five teams have a chance of winning it, I have to stick my neck out.

So I'm leaning towards Chelsea, although I believe a very strong argument can be made to say that City will retain their title.

However, Chelsea have what I consider a definite edge, namely the arrivals of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas to fill problematic positions. Clearly, they lacked a top-class goalscorer last year. Costa is the answer.

City too remain a superb side and have less need for a rebuild than Chelsea. They will go close and could win it, but my money is on Jose Mourinho to lift a third Premier League title.

They won't walk away with it, though. If anything, the top five will all make a habit of taking points off one another. None of Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United will fear anyone. And United, under Louis van Gaal, will definitely improve.

Yet they have too much ground to make up on everyone else. This season promises to be the rebuilding one, next year the season when they stake a claim to be champions again. Liverpool, meanwhile, need to ensure they spend the £75m they received for Luis Suarez wisely rather than waste it, as Spurs did when they sold Gareth Bale.

Yet even if they do spend well, can they replace the 31 Premier League goals Suarez scored last season? I doubt it. So while they, United and Arsenal will go close, for me City and Chelsea are just that bit better.

SIGNING OF THE SUMMER

CESC FABREGAS (CHELSEA)

With Frank Lampard showing signs last year that he was no longer the player he once was – and with Juan Mata being sold to Manchester United – I felt Chelsea lacked a classic No 10, a midfielder who could set the tone and set games alight.

Now those doubts have gone with Fabregas' arrival. Having already played in the Premier League with Arsenal, the adjustment period should be easy. He has one of the best managers in the business to work with and a little point to prove.

Last year was not a special one for Barcelona; Fabregas will be anxious to show he can deliver again. And at Chelsea he can. He could be the key man in their title charge.