Is it a Premier League big two, big four, big six or nothing?

Is it a Premier League big two, big four, big six or nothing?

For about the past 10 or so years the English Premier League has been dominated by the “the big four”. Though in the last two seasons, mainly due to Manchester City’s new found billionaire money and fame “the big four” seems to be no longer. City have obviously arrived at the table of the Premier League‘s big boys and are here to stay but have they replaced a team in the big four or has this group been reduced or expanded?

Originally, and as we all know the big four consisted of Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool but in the last few seasons it looked as though City had just replaced Liverpool in this group. Then with the emergence of Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham who have continued to improved into a genuine top four side the lines of the big four has been blurred.

Manchester United’s rivalry with neighbours Manchester City has intensified since City became a major player with the backing of Adu Dhabi money. The Premier League looks a two horse race at the moment, with only the experience of Sir Alex Ferguson able to compete with City’s mega bucks.

Question now is who can compete with City’s mega bucks and the experience of Sir Alex Ferguson?

Chelsea are the original get rich quick club, although they still have the financial clout to compete, the West Londoners have had a difficult time of late. New young manager Andre Villas-Boas has not quite worked out as well as the board hoped following his transfer from Porto. Chelsea have fallen well behind in title race with some questionable peformances but are again through to the Champions League knock out stages which is more than the two Manchester clubs can say.

Tottenham have made massive strides under Harry Redknapp in the last few seasons. From being in the relegation zone when he took over in October 08, to playing in the Champions League and now competing for the title.

They are considered as third favourites behind the two Manchester clubs and with the likes of Van der Vaart, Bale and Adebayor, they look as though they are on course for another stint in the Champions League. That experience will be invaluable for a team who desperately need it hoping to be there to stay.

The four clubs mentioned could be considered as the Premier Leagues top four, but to be considered as the big four takes more than just a good season here or there. With that being said there is no way you can count out Arsenal and Liverpool even though both teams are trophyless in the last six and five seasons respectively.

Arsenal (Robin Van Persie aside) have been indifferent this season, losing the final of the Carling Cup last season to Birmingham was a massive blow and many say they have never recovered since. Arsene Wenger’s critics have become louder over the past few season’s but they have consistently qualified for the Champions League (14 seasons in a row) and are in the knock out stages this season.

Liverpool have really struggled in the last few years or so and not playing in the Champions League for the past two season have hurt them bad. Obtaining new owners Fenway Sports Group and the return of Kenny Dalglish have given the club a real lift. Although they have struggled in the league this season especially at home, overcoming Man City to reach the final of the Carling Cup and then knocking Manchester United out the Fa Cup in the same week has really made a statement.

With the two Manchester clubs battling each other for the Premier league title they are obviously at the top of the mountain, but ironically they both are out the knock out stages of the Champions League. Arsenal and Chelsea have both qualified for the Champions League knockout stages. Both seem to be out the title race but could still play a part in the destination of the title.

Tottenham have become a major player in the league recently and look on course to qualfy for the Champions Leauge. unfortunately they were knocked out in the group stages of the Europa League, although this could be to their benefit in the long run to maintain a title challenge and at the very least secure a top four finish.

Liverpool’s recent good week in the cup competitions against the two Manchester clubs have showed signs they could be making a comeback. Although they still need to improve considerably in the league if they are to get into the Champions League, they cannot be taken lightly.

This season more than any have proved that the gap between the elite and the rest of the league is rapidly closing. With the likes of Newcastle, Stoke, Norwich, and Swansea doing very well, it’s proving to be a very hard league all round. Although many teams can have one good season, it’s hard to maintain that level for the whole season and beyond as Birmingham have demonstrated.

With that being said I believe we have seen the end of the so called “big four”. Even though the Manchester clubs seem to be ahead of the rest, the last few weeks have showed they are not ahead by that far. With the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool all in the chasing pack I think the group has expanded.

Then again, though money does play a big part, the way teams have come and gone with new owners buying English clubs lately. In the next few seasons we might just see that group, or the notion of a “big” anything disappear forever.