‘Fasten your seatbelts, we’re in for a wild ride’
| Published date | 21 August 2021 |
| Author | Sameer Naik |
| Publication title | Saturday Star |
However, the Joburg-born City fan is under no illusion of the challenging task ahead.
With all of City’s main rivals strengthening in the transfer market, he knows his team have a fight on their hands if they are to again go all the way.
“I have been a City fan for far too long to expect anything, especially back-to-back league titles. But I would like to see us compete for all four trophies again this year,” said Venter.
City got off to a less than ideal start to the 2021/22 Premier League season, with an opening day loss to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.
The English champions went down 1-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, courtesy of a second half goal by Heung-min Son.
Venter expects the season to be one of the most challenging seasons in years, and is wary of his team’s rivals.
“I reckon Chelsea will be excellent value given their recruits and Thomas Tuchel having a full pre-season. That man is a wizard and has the measure of (City manager) Pep (Guardiola),” said Venter.
“Liverpool having Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk back, make them strong competition. Jurgen Klopp also, I think, returns to being the underdog this season, especially given the transfer activity of Man United, City and Chelsea. Klopp seems to thrive when he’s written off, so I expect them to be tough.”
Venter has however been buoyed by his team’s transfer activity, with the signing of Aston Villa’s star player Jack Grealish for £100 million (R2.057 billion).
“City and the City Football Group, catch a lot of grief about our transfer activity especially given the sum paid for Grealish. But the club did offload £60m worth of talent prior to doing so. There is definitely a long-term plan and the players brought in add to that sustainability.
“This season, City did well to land Grealish, he’s a pleasure to watch. Not the best of starts for the club, given our two losses on the trot and no goals scored, but he played decently against Spurs to win some fouls in key areas.”
In Cape Town, diehard Chelsea FC fan Leesharn Rose expects another strong season from her team.
Having finished fourth in the league last season, and having won the biggest trophy in European football, the Champions League, Rose expects her team to build on last season’s success.
“I have to say that since Thomas Tuchel arrived in January it’s been...
To continue reading
Request your trial