The EPL Class System

The last few years in the English Premier League (EPL) has created a clearly visible class system. Parity is seemingly gone and blowout scores are becoming commonplace even among the top few clubs (Man U - Arsenal 8 2, Man City - Tottenham 6 1, Man City - Man U 6 1, and Arsenal - Chelsea 5 3 just to name a few). I divided the EPL into 5 tiers:

Tier 1 - The Elite Clubs of Manchester

1. Manchester United

Yes, I know, City, not United is in first, but two months of dominance doesn't trump six years of dominance in England. A combination of great work in the transfer market (Ashley Young, Phil Jones) and strong youth development has set up United nicely for the future.

2. Manchester City

Money, money, money. That's it. City's 25th man is making as much per year as the San Jose Earthquakes players combined. This model will bring City a few trophies, but it's unsustainable. Their monstrous wages will catch up to them and City will fall back to the middle tiers within ten years.

Tier 2 - Man City Seven Years Later

3. Chelsea

Money, money, money... but what money buys gets old. Chelsea bought themselves a few trophies and it was fun for a while, but their stars are aging and it's going to be tough to dig themselves out without young stars. Aside from Daniel Sturridge and maybe Ramires the future looks bleak.

Tier 3 - By Other Ways

4. Arsenal

While Arsenal haven't won a trophy in six years, they've made the Champions League 14 straight years, which is a remarkable success considering the rigors of the Premier League. Stellar youth development is the key here, with young stars from the Academy always coming in to replace the departed. Don't worry, Arsenal faithful, a trophy will come.

5. Tottenham

Tottenham are a poor mans version of Arsenal. I don't think they'll ever be as good as Arsenal, but they're always going to be threat to the top 4. They play exciting soccer but at the moment they seem a little lucky, Modric, Bale, and van der Vaart won't be around forever. I see them falling a bit in the next few years.

6. Liverpool

I can't really read Liverpool right now. They signed players in the summer that are stars for middle class teams but only average against the big guns. Downing, Henderson, and Adam will never be as good as Nani or Gerrard (pre-injuries). At the moment, Liverpool seems destined to be a 4th-8th place quality team.

Tiers 4 and 5 coming soon.