Mind The Gap

Manuel Pellegrini determined to shatter the goal
scoring record

January is finally here and a Happy New Year to all! The English Premier League title race is due for an exciting finish. January also means the opening of the transfer market. A time when clubs make strategic additions of key difference makers to build a gap between title contenders. As of today Arsenal leads the league with 45 points, followed by Manchester City with 44 and Chelsea 43. It looks like the title race is between these three clubs and whatever additions being made will be crucial to their title chances.

It's no secret that on paper Manchester City are the clear favorites. In fact, if I was a betting man I would bet my money on them to win the title. Well, all anyone has to do is look at their roster and examine their offensive statistics. After 20 games played, City leads the league with a staggering total of 57 goals scored. That's a goal difference of +34. They are well on pace to shatter Chelsea's record of 103 goals with a projection of 114 total goals. Perhaps even more dangerous is that City are currently hitting on all cylinders especially away from the comforts of Etihad Stadium where they hold a perfect record thus far.

In the transfer market manager Manuel Pellegrini will be looking to strengthen his defense with additions of a center back and perhaps even a goalkeeper. Joe Hart struggled through much part of the first half of the season and even lost his starting job to back up Costel Pantilimon. However, the last two games he has regained form and actually been the key figure ensuring positive results. So will Hart be able to save his job? The transfer market will help answer this question.

Arsene Wenger has his mind set on proving pundits
wrong

Chelsea and Arsenal on the other hand have been very solid defensively, but need much more fire power upfront to ensure they can keep up with Manchester City's firing squad. Both teams are among the league leaders in goals conceded and clean sheets. Both clubs are also closely identical in goals scored so it's no secret that both clubs will be looking for goal scorers in the transfer market. Pundits are dismissive of Arsenal's chances to win the title after 10 years and Manager Arsene Wenger has used this as motivation to fire up his players. However, losses to Manchester United, City and Chelsea (Capital One Cup) have pundits asking more questions of Arsenal's ambitions.

On the other hand Jose Mourinho's return haven't been as smooth as Chelsea fans had hoped particularly on the pitch. Expectations were very high based on his first spell from 2004-07. Chelsea's primary problem have the names of FernandoTorres, Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba written all over it. Combined these forwards have only six Premier League goals. Furthermore, Mourinho has opted for Oscar in place of fan favorite Juan Mata and Oscar has responded greatly with six goals scored. This has tremendously rocked Mata's confidence and as a result he has zero goals and only two assists in 13 Premier League starts. Decisions will be made in the transfer market and this might mean cutting the two-time Chelsea Player of The Year loose. However, considering all this, Chelsea sit only two points behind the league leaders and between Pellegrini and Wenger, Mourinho is the only one who has the credentials of winning multiple titles the last 13 years.

Key Factors:

Transfer purchases must be very strategic. All three clubs must avoid the temptations of the next Fernando Torres. Rumors swirling around Arsenal and Chelsea are high profile players like Radamel Falcao, Gonzalo Higuain, Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata. These players have never played in the Premier League and history tells us that there usually is a transition period. Can these clubs afford the time to break in these players in a close title race?

Injuries of key players are also a big factor. Arsenal just lost major key players to injuries. Players like Oliver Giroud, Mesut Ozil, and Aaron Ramsey have combined for 20 goals and 18 assists. Injuries in the EPL in January is usually normal due to a grueling December schedule.  Chelsea have also been hit with the injury bug with injuries to Marco Van Ginkel, Branislav Ivanovic and Frank Lampard. Manchester City has probably the deepest roster in the EPL. However, they haven't been immune to injuries with hits to hit men Sergio Aguero, Stevan Jovetic, team captain Vincent Kompany and defenders Martin Demichelis and Micah Richards.

Jose Mourinho and the mastermind of mind games

Lastly is the psychological factor. Which team will have the fortitude to withstand the pressure of a title race? Manchester City are the most recent club to have experienced a close title race in dramatic fashion in 2012 by winning the title on the last day. The mind games have already begun from none other than Jose Mourinho who has already declared the title is Manchester City's to lose. By doing so he has two strategies: on one hand he's relieving pressure off his players and one the other hand he steers the pressure to Manchester City. Thus far Pellegrini hasn't fed into Mourinho's tactics. He has mind games of his own by embracing the pressure and rallying his troops for a long fight. For all we know we are sure that the mind games will continue because there can only be one champion.