Sunday’s Community Shield between Chelsea and Manchester City officially kicked off the NEW domestic campaign and the Premier League bandwagon has simply rolled back into town, promising months of great games, goals – with some incredible highs for some clubs and undoubted lows for others. If this new Premier League season season proves to be as exciting an unpredictable as the last, then we are really in for an exciting 10 months ahead.

This week on Football FanCast we are counting down to this weekend’s Premier League kick-off with a full list of content that includes a full season preview for each club; features on players to watch and a whole host of stats and videos of great games to whet your appetite ahead of the big kick-off.

Join us here on Football FanCast every day for the latest updates:[divider][divider]

What the players will be wearing

‘Suits you sir!’ – The Full Premier League Kit collection for 2012/13 season

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Club Previews

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Tottenham

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Liverpool

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Arsenal

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Manchester United

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Everton

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Chelsea

The Full Premier League Preview – Aston Villa

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Manchester City

The Full Premier League Season Preview – West Ham

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Sunderland

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Reading

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Newcastle

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Fulham

The Full Premier League Season Preview – Southampton

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List Articles

The 15 players that need a BIG Premier League season

Top TEN Premier League Players Simply ‘Wasting Away’

The 15 players set for a ‘Premier League breakthrough’ this season

The Top TEN contenders for this year’s ‘Premier League Golden Boot’

The 15 Premier League transfers ‘still likely to happen’ this summer

Top TEN ‘likely surprise packages’ in the Premier League this season

The Top TEN ‘Greatest Premier League Openers’

The TEN Things ‘You can Expect To See’ In This Premier League season

The TEN things AVB must do to get ‘Tottenham back in the Champions League’

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Blogs

The Premier League’s top tips courtesy of Ladbrokes

The right career move by Jack Rodwell?

Premier League Experience The Key For West Ham

One door closes but another one opens at Tottenham

Too much too soon for Chelsea football club?

Mind Games From Mancini or Sheer Madness?

Chelsea must prove that it has all counted for nothing

Does a season of redemption await for Big Sam?

Can he adapt to the new Tottenham Hotspur regime?

Why Liverpool must hit the ground running

The perfection Premier League addition that will aid development

So what must Reading and Southampton do?

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Can Newcastle United really compete here?

Has Roberto Mancini every right to be frustrated?

Papiss Cisse The Value To Win The Premier League’s Golden Boot Award

Time to grab the bull by the horns at Old Trafford

Do Hazard lights await for Eden?

Should Tottenham focus on it this season?

Why at Old Trafford he must continue where he left off

Has Tottenham’s transfer brinkmanship gone a step too far?

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VIDEO – Great Opening Day Games

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Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that it is just a matter of time before a deal is completed for the sale of midfielder Luka Modric to Real Madrid.

The summer-long transfer saga appears to be coming to an end with the wantaway creative player forcing a move away from north London and heading to sunny Spain.

Modric arrived late back to Tottenham from his summer break and didn’t travel with his team mates to their tour of the USA in pre-season. Clearly unimpressed, Villas-Boas seems happy to sell the Croatian for the right price and it seems that valuation has nearly been met.

Villas-Boas told talkSPORT: “I think [Modric’s move to Real Madrid] could be concluded soon but you never know because it is not an easy deal to do. An agreement will be reached one way or another it’s just a question of time.

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“[Signing a new midfielder] obviously depends on what happens with Luka’s situation. If that [move] happens we might be looking at bringing another player in.”

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Internacional president Giovanni Luigi insists the club will not let Leandro Damiao leave unless his buyout clause is met amid rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United.

The Brazil international striker was heavily linked with Tottenham during the summer transfer window but Internacional have claimed they turned down an offer from the White Hart Lane club because it did not match their valuation. Luigi has previously revealed the youngster has a €60m (£47m) buyout clause in his deal at Inter, where he is contracted until 2016.

It is also believed Damiao was offered to Liverpool on loan but the deal was considered too expensive by the Merseysiders. Since then, speculation has surfaced that United are targeting a January swoop for the 23-year-old, who starred for his country at the Olympics, finishing the tournament as top scorer with six goals.

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Luigi says Internacional will stand firm on their valuation if United do come knocking and is adamant the Premier League giants must speak directly to the Brazilian club. He told Zero Hora:

“We aren’t talking about a small team. We are talking about Internacional. They (Manchester United) have to talk with Internacional, not with the player. If Manchester United came here today, I would ask them to pay his buyout fee. They have to know that Internacional are a big club. Now, Leandro Damiao only leaves if the buyout fee is paid.”

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Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud insists he was pleased with his performance despite failing to score for the Gunners at his former club Montpellier on Tuesday night, according to Sky Sports.

The 25-year-old joined Arsenal from the French champions for £12 million in the summer, but has yet to score his first goal in five attempts so far this season.

Giroud says he was just glad to return to Montpellier, “I tried not to really think about the context of the match. I was just so happy to come back here, even if I didn’t score.” The Frenchmen added, “I had a decisive assist in our first goal and I was quite satisfied with my own performance.”

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Giroud also said he was delighted with the start his new Arsenal side have made to the campaign, “We won and now we are in a good position. We remain undefeated and that is perfect for us.”

West Bromwich Albion striker Shane Long believes Steve Clarke has added a passing style to the resilience already at the club.

The Baggies became very difficult to beat under Roy Hodgson and questions were raised about how they would fare following Clarke’s arrival during the summer, but so far this season they have been in impressive form. Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Midlands rivals Aston Villa kept West Brom flying high in sixth place, and Long believes Clarke deserves a great deal of credit. The Republic of Ireland international told Sky Sports:

“He has brought his own stamp on our football. Straight from the start it was all about passing football, and how he wants us to play. When he has an idea, he is able to put it across really well to the players. He has installed a bit of confidence in the lads to receive the ball in any situation and we are dealing with it pretty well. It is nice what you do in training every day comes onto the pitch on a Saturday and that has been the case so far this season. It’s enjoyable times at West Brom – good football to watch, good to play in and we are getting results at the end of it as well.”

Long believes there were further signs of progress at the weekend as Darren Bent’s equaliser denied West Brom all three points in a closely-fought derby. He added:

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“”It shows how far we have come as a team, to come to Villa Park in a big derby and leave disappointed with one point. It’s good for us a team to expect more from ourselves. If we put in performances like that for the rest of the season, we will go very far.”

It’s no secret that contracts in the world of football aren’t worth the paper they’re written on. The modern game is built on fairytale riches, the quest for silverware and turning the concept of loyalty into a fallacy. As an increasing number of financial restrictions begin to take effect, keeping hold of your prize assets is an essential priority, which is why so many clubs are willing to hand out new deals like they’re going out of fashion.

At Arsenal, the harsh reality of failing to secure long-term agreements is painfully evident. During the past two seasons both Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie have used their looming expiry dates to engineer a move away from the club. Many will argue that Arsene Wenger deserves praise for extracting substantial funds from the Manchester duo but money in the bank does not win you football matches.

Even players still basking in the infancy of a newly signed contract can still instigate problems if they kick up enough fuss. Wayne Rooney successfully earned himself a significant pay rise after questioning the ambitions of the club while the likes of Luka Modric have thrown impressive tantrums as they become aware of interest elsewhere.

Only last year Marouane Fellaini signed a five year-deal at Everton but can anyone see him remaining at the club beyond next summer? If the Toffees repel the inevitable offers that come his way, which they have every right to do so, they risk angering their new talisman and jeopardising their impressive squad harmony.

Alan Pardew echoed the sentiments of an entire nation when he spoke of his “astonishment” at being handed his distinctive eight-year contract on Tyneside. The influential figures at Newcastle will declare this a statement of intent as they build for the future, but I believe the priority is to stop envious eyes from flirting with ‘Pardiola’ should he continue to work wonders with the Toon Army. It would appear the financial rewards on offer in football break through the barriers of realism and far exceed any other industry in the world.

Of course agents have been pivotal in creating a climate of hysteria and agitation when it comes to contract negotiations. However, this is by no means a criticism, after all who can begrudge them when they are simply trying to acquire the best financial package for their client. The temperamental nature of football’s elite is at such a surreal level that agents are constantly sourcing interest from potential suitors and planting stories in the media, just in case a player suddenly decides he wants to leave.

There is a real worry that these increasing financial demands are heaping unnecessary pressure on the bank accounts of football clubs. The mind boggles when you consider the number of outgoing payments involved in drafting up a new contract. Players and indeed managers will warrant signing-on fees, image right payments, win bonuses plus a ‘loyalty fee’, which concerns the money a player is entitled to if they don’t hand in a transfer request throughout the duration of their contract.

All of these elements are on top of their basic page and doesn’t take into account the compensation packages, which will increase as the length of contract skyrockets that have to be paid out if it all goes the shape of the pear. There is an incredible level of risk for what is a very unrealistic likelihood of reward. What happens if Newcastle go 5, 10 or even 15 games without a win? Mike Ashley has essentially backed himself into a very tight corner that only an extortionate amount of money can free him from.

If clubs manage to tie down their best players then they can at least drive their asking price upwards should relations suffer a monumental breakdown. That is perhaps the only advantage, as more and more players appear confident enough to throw their weight around. The growing consensus is that football is entering into an age of sensible financial practise but the recent philosophy towards contract negotiations would suggest clubs are being more reckless then ever before.

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Join me on Twitter @theunusedsub where Udinese’s performance at Anfield last night reignited my affection for Antonio Di Natale.

It is reported that Newcastle United FC are set to make a fresh approach for French international full back Mathieu Debuchy.

Arsenal are also believed to be targeting the £6million full back, who has been seeking a move to the Premier League since the start of last summer’s transfer window.

The Lille right back has drawn admiring glances in particular for his impressive performances for France in Euro 2012, despite the side exiting the tournament in lacklustre fashion.

Many Newcastle fans though won’t be overly confident of their club pulling off the deal this time around, despite retaining interest, due to a struggle to agree a fee for the star, in one of the summer’s longest transfer sagas.

It is believed the Toon are still looking at reinforcing the right back area with Danny Simpson’s future no nearer to being settled.

Despite this, there is no certainty of the club’s investment in the January transfer window, as Derek Llambias has stated that a board are taking a prudent approach to wages and transfers.

However, the Newcastle squad is threadbare and fresh injuries could yet change the mind of the club’s hierarchy.

Whilst Arsenal look on, it is thought that their interest remains lukewarm at best, with Sagna set to return to the side, alongside the emergence of Carl Jenkinson.

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Even though a glimmer of hope of the club spending on new recruits is positive, the focus is on retaining their current stars at Newcastle.

The Magpies managed to turn away all overtures towards their big assets in the summer, but with January being a time where clubs can charge bloated fees; they may yet part with one of their stars. The £35 million deal for Andy Carroll being proof of the value of the window for selling clubs.

Manchester United winger Nani’s future at the club appears to be in serious doubt following a row with Sir Alex Ferguson, according to reports from ESPN.

The Portuguese international has fallen down the pecking order at the Premier League side since the back end of last season, with Ferguson becoming more and more frustrated by his drop in performance.

This irritation reached breaking point last week, as United dropped out of the Capital One Cup with defeat to Chelsea.

The Scottish manager singled out Nani’s wasteful use of the ball as a major factor in the Blues’ equalising goal, launching an attack on his player after the final whistle.

The 25-year-old was believed to be incensed by the comments, feeling that he had been victimised. According to reports, United’s assistant manager Mike Phelan had to step in to calm the wide man after he had exchanged angry words with members of the coaching staff.

Fergie is believed to be a huge fan of Nani’s technical ability, but is unconvinced as to whether he has the hunger and focus to fulfil his potential.

The Red Devils lined up Brazilian youngster Lucas Moura as a replacement during the summer, however big spending Paris Saint-Germain gazumped them to secure his signature.

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United are likely to search for a potential suitor for Nani ahead of January, with Zenit Saint Petersburg believed to be keen.

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Brad Guzan believes Aston Villa can achieve great things under new manager Paul Lambert, despite a faltering start to their Premier League campaign.

The Villians currently sit just one place and three points above the relegation zone having won just two of their opening eleven league games this season.

But the American goalkeeper believes he has seen enough to know Lambert has the ability to create “something special” at Villa Park.

He told Aston Villa’s official website: “I thought the performance against Manchester United was a good indicator of where we are heading. I think it is a sign of good things to come.

“We want to create something special and the manager wants to do that too. I feel the pieces of the jigsaw are starting to be put in place. It will take time but we are on the right road.

“We will continue to grow and build under the gaffer. We are improving all the time. We are starting to create an identity for ourselves as a team under the manager. It is exciting times ahead.”

But Guzan has made it clear that success under Lambert won’t happen instantly and that the whole team are looking forward to a future under the Scot.

“We know it is not going to happen overnight but, at the same time, we are really excited about what is going on,” he continued.

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“It is about where the manager wants to take the club and how we get there. It looks really good.”

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West Bromwich Albion are keen to bounce back against Stoke in the English Premier League on Saturday after their midweek loss.

The 3-1 defeat on Wednesday at the hands of Swansea ended a four-match winning streak for West Brom but they remain in fourth spot on the Premier League table ahead of the visit of Stoke.

West Brom captain Chris Brunt claimed the loss was the worst performance by the team this season as they have stunned the English Premier League under new manager Steve Clarke.

“It’s the worst we’ve played all season by a long stretch,” Brunt told West Brom’s website after the game, “In the second half we dug in and we were a bit better but we didn’t have enough tonight and it’s disappointing because we let ourselves and the supporters down. They’ve come a long way on a Wednesday night and they deserve better from us.”

“We’ll pick ourselves up and we’ve got a home game on Saturday which we need to turn into a positive result after tonight’s performance. We let ourselves down and we definitely let the travelling support down.”

Swansea blitzed West Brom in the first half with Michu’s ninth-minute opener followed two minutes later by a goal from Wayne Routledge.

It was 3-0 in the 39th minute as Routledge struck for the second time and while Romelu Lukaku dragged a goal back in first-half injury time, West Brom could not maintain their fine form.

But having won all but one game at home this season, Clarke’s men will have plenty of confidence they can get back on the winners’ list against Stoke. The Potters have claimed three victories during a four-game unbeaten streak to move up to ninth in the Premier League table.

Having gone behind to a goal from Newcastle United’s Papiss Cisse on Wednesday, Stoke recovered late in the match thanks to goals from Jonathan Walters and Cameron Jerome to win 2-1. That result backed up their 1-0 home win over Fulham last weekend.

Peter Crouch lost three teeth after a collision with Fabricio Coloccini in Wednesday’s win and faces dental surgery, meaning he will miss the trip to the Hawthorns.

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Stoke manager Tony Pulis could have Andrew Wilkinson and Michael Owen available for selection, however.

For West Brom, Ben Foster and Steven Reid remain unavailable due to injury.

Prediction: West Brom 2 – 1 Stoke City