Know YOUR CLUBS

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  Arsenal (known as the Gunners — hence the rather large cannon on their badge) plays at the impressive Emirates Stadium in North London. They play in distinctive red shirts with white sleeves and their biggest rival is Tottenham, the other Premier League team in North London.

  There’s a strong French element in the club, starting with the appropriately named manager Arsène Wenger. And the team is known for its style and flair.

  No trophies have been won for the last eight seasons — since the team of “Invincibles” won the Premier League in 2003–04 without losing a game, in fact. But the club has finished in the top four for the last 17 years and is sure to be a contender again this season.

  Come on you Gunners!

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  Lukas podolski

  Hometown/Country:

  Gliwice, Poland; grew up in Germany

  Position:

  Forward

  Age:

  28

  Former teams:

  FC Cologne, German National Team, FC Bayern Munich

  Languages:

  Polish, German, English, and local Cologne dialect

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  Aston Villa (known as the Villans — and not, it should be noted, “the villains”) is the biggest club in the Midlands city of Birmingham. Its home is Villa Park, and players wear claret and blue shirts.

  The club is owned by American Randy Lerner, former owner of the Cleveland Browns. Famous fans include British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William, though neither is thought to attend games often.

  The club has struggled recently, only just avoiding relegation to the division below in each of the last two seasons. But manager Paul Lambert’s policy of picking young, hungry players looked like it was starting to bear fruit at the end of the last campaign and the Villans are likely to do much better next season. (Watch out for American Brad Guzan in goal — he was outstanding last year.)

  Up the Villa!

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  Brad guzan

  Hometown/Country:

  Homer Glen, IL, USA

  Position:

  Goalkeeper

  Age:

  28

  Former teams:

  Chivas USA, U.S. Men’s National Team

  Languages:

  English

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  The Welsh club Cardiff City, which not surprisingly plays at the Cardiff City Stadium, is new to the Premier League, having gained promotion by winning the league below last season.

  Promotion was something of a personal triumph for Cardiff-born star player Craig Bellamy, who has years of experience playing at the highest level. But the club will doubtlessly need to strengthen up to match his ambition and avoid being relegated again at the end of this season.

  The team nickname is the Bluebirds — though they now play in red. Malaysian owner Vincent Tan caused controversy among the fans when he changed the club’s colors from the traditional blue and white, noting that red is considered a lucky color in Asia. But there have been fewer protests now that Premier League status has been won.

  Come on you Blues…er, Reds!

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  Chelsea (popularly known as the Blues because they wear blue) plays at Stamford Bridge in South West London. The manager is José Mourinho — at least he was when this was written, but that might change by the time you read this since Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich never seems to let anyone stand on the sidelines for too long.

  After 50 years without winning the league, Chelsea players have been champions three times in the last 10 years. And in 2012, they became champions of Europe.

  They’ll definitely be contenders again this season. Watch out for all-time club-leading scorer Frank Lampard and the Three Amigos, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, and Oscar at midfield.

  Come on you Blues!

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  David luiz

  Hometown/Country:

  Diadema, Brazil

  Position:

  Defender

  Age:

  26

  Former teams:

  Brazil National Team, SL Benfica Portugal

  Languages:

  Portuguese and English

  Demba ba

  Hometown/Country:

  Sèvres, France

  Position:

  Forward

  Age:

  28

  Former teams:

  TSG Hoffenheim, Senegal National Team, West Ham United FC, Newcastle United FC

  Languages:

  French and English

  Fernando torres

  Hometown/Country:

  Fuenlabrada, Spain

  Position:

  Striker

  Age:

  29

  Former teams:

  Atlético Madrid, Liverpool FC, Spain National Team

  Languages:

  Spanish and English

  Juan mata

  Hometown/Country:

  Born in Ocón de Villafranca, Burgos, and raised in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain

  Position:

  Attacking midfielder

  Age:

  25

  Former teams:

  Real Madrid CF, Valencia CF, Spain National Team

  Languages:

  Spanish and English

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  Crystal Palace, known as the Eagles, plays home games at Selhurst Park in South London. The team wears red and blue shirts (yes, a bit like Barcelona but no, they’re not quite as good).

  Crystal Palace is making a return to the Premier League after an eight-year absence — and only three years after the club almost went out of existence. A takeover was agreed to in the nick of time, and now the club is back in the big time again.

  There’s likely to be as much entertainment off the pitch as on it this season — manager Ian Holloway is renowned for his funny post-match interviews. But first he’ll need to strengthen the team considerably if the Eagles are to avoid swooping back down to the league below at the end of the campaign.

  Eeeeeeeagles!

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  Everton, known variously as the Toffees, the People’s Club, and the School of Science, plays at Goodison Park in Liverpool. In fact, it’s an older club than Liverpool FC, which was originally a splinter club from Everton. The club plays in blue and white — so not surprisingly, it’s also known as the Blues.

  The club’s last great period of success was in the 1980s, though it did finish sixth last season — one place higher than their city rivals.

  Everton has had a number of American players in its ranks over the years, including Brian McBride, Landon Donovan, and current keeper Tim Howard.

  Next season could prove tricky, though; long-serving manager David Moyes left to take over at Manchester United. Will his successor be able to keep up his fine work?

  Up the Toffees!

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  Tim howard

  Hometown/Country:

  North Brunswick, NJ, USA

  Position:

  Goalkeeper

  Age:

  34

  Former teams:

  North Jersey Imperials, NY/NJ MetroStars, Manchester United FC

  Languages:

  English

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  Fulham Football Club has its home at Craven Cottage, nestled next to the River Thames in South West London. The club plays in black and white — which seems appropriate given the old-fashioned feel of the stadium. Fulham has the oldest stand in professional football as well as the Cottage Pavilion, both listed buildings.

  Fulham has been a solid Premier League team for several seasons now, thanks to the millions of owner Mohamed Al-Fayed — he’s also responsible for the statue of Michael Jackson outside the stadium. Be sure to keep an eye out for languid but brilliant striker Dimitar Berbatov on the pitch.

  Come on you Whites!

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  Hull City is the team from Kingston upon Hull, on the east coast in the North of England. The club plays at the KC Stadium — and as befits a club nicknamed the Tigers, players wear amber and black shirts.

  The club is back in the Premier League after an absence of three years — and this will be only its third season at the top level of English football.

  Hull City has never won a major trophy in its 100-odd-year history. And there are no big stars on the Hull team, though center-back Alex Bruce is a household name in the Bruce household — his dad, Steve, is the team manager, after all!

  The Tigers will have to fight tooth and claw to stay in the Premier League this season — but with their fans roaring them on, who knows what will happen?

  Come on City!

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  The Reds of Liverpool is one of the most famous and successful football clubs in the world. The trophy room at its Anfield Stadium has held the English league trophy a total of 18 times and the European Cup on five occasions.

  It’s also a club rich in history. Although the Kop end of the ground is now an all-seater, it’s still a magnificent sight when the fans lift their scarves aloft and sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” And it was the club’s iconic manager Bill Shankly who famously remarked that football isn’t a matter of life and death — “It is much, much more important than that.”

  However, it is now over 20 years since Liverpool won the league. Will the club be able to mount a serious title challenge this season? The current owners — Fenway Sports Group, which also owns the Red Sox — will be expecting it to.

  Come on you Reds!

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  Luis suÁrez

  Hometown/Country:

  Salto, Uruguay

  Position:

  Forward

  Age:

  26

  Former teams:

  AFC Ajax, Uruguay National Team, FC Groningen (Netherlands)

  Languages:

  Spanish and English

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  For years, the Blues of Manchester City languished in the shadow of their illustrious neighbors Manchester United. They suffered bouts of what a former manager called “City-itis,” or the tendency to make life difficult for themselves. The rather mournful song “Blue Moon” became the club anthem.

  But more recently, the club has been transformed. It now plays at the impressive Etihad Stadium — and under the ownership of the Abu Dhabi United Group, lead by Sheikh Mansour, it’s spent well over a billion dollars on top players.

  In 2012, the club won the league for the first time in 42 years — and last year was runner-up in both the league and the FA Cup, though this wasn’t enough to keep manager Roberto Mancini in his job. That gives you an idea of the level of expectations at the club now.

  Come on City!

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  Samir nasri

  Hometown/Country:

  Marseille, France

  Position:

  Midfielder and winger

  Age:

  26

  Former teams:

  France National Team, Olympique de Marseille, Arsenal FC

  Languages:

  French and English

  Sergio Agüero

  Hometown/Country:

  Quilmes, Argentina

  Position:

  Striker

  Age:

  25

  Former teams:

  Independiente de Avellaneda, Argentina National Team, Club Atlético de Madrid

  Languages:

  Spanish and English

  Yaya touré

  Hometown/Country:

  Bouaké, Ivory Coast

  Position:

  Midfielder

  Age:

  30

  Former teams:

  Ivory Coast National Team, KSK Beveren (Belgium), FC Metalurh Donetsk (Ukraine), AS Monaco FC, FC Barcelona

  Languages:

  French and English

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  Manchester United — or Man United, or the Red Devils — is big. Its stadium, Old Trafford, is the biggest in the Premier League. It’s the first sports team in the world to be valued at more than three billion dollars. And it’s been the English champion 20 times — more than any other club.

  The club currently has American owners — the Glazer family, who also owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

  And — more importantly for next season’s prospects — the club has a new manager. The incredibly successful Sir Alex Ferguson has retired after more than 26 years in charge and has been succeeded by David Moyes from Everton. He’s another tough, no-nonsense Scot — but will he be able to keep up the same level of success? Being able to call on players of the caliber of Robin van Persie can’t hurt.

  Come on you Reds!

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  Wayne rooney

  Hometown/Country:

  Croxteth, Liverpool, England

  Position:

  Forward

  Age:

  27

  Former teams:

  England National Team, Everton FC

  Languages:

  English

  Robin van persie

  Hometown/Country:

  Rotterdam, Netherlands

  Position:

  Striker

  Age:

  30

  Former teams:

  SBV Excelsior, Feyenoord, Arsenal FC (2004–12 — appointed club captain for 2011–12 season), Netherlands National Team

  Languages:

  Dutch and English

  Javier “chicharito” hernández balcázar

  Hometown/Country:

  Guadalajara, Mexico

  Position:

  Forward

  Age:

  25

  Former teams:

  CD Guadalajara, Mexico National Team

  Languages:

  Spanish and English

  Shinji kagawa

  Hometown/Country:

  Kobe, Japan

  Position:

  Midfielder

  Age:

  24

  Former teams:

  Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

  Languages:

  Japanese and English

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  Northeastern club Newcastle — the nickname the Magpies is reflected in the black-and-white shirts the players wear — plays at the huge St James’ Park. The stadium was briefly named for the club owner’s company, but the fans weren’t slow to voice their objections.

  The supporters here are certainly passionate. The “Toon Army,” as they call themselves (“Toon” meaning “Town”), often go bare-chested even on freezing days. And it’s said that some avoid eating streaky bacon since it reminds them of the red and white stripes of their local rivals Sunderland.

  Newcastle hasn’t won the league since 1927 — and last season only avoided relegation to the league below by two places. But the team’s ardent fans always think they should be challenging for the title. It won’t be any different this year.

  Howay the lads!

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  The presence of Norwich (a city in the East of England) certainly brightens up the Premier League, and not just because of the team’s unique yellow and green strip, which reflects the Canaries nickname.

  The club’s fans are known for their passion and their loyalty — even when the club was relegated to the third tier of English football a few years ago, the stadium was sold out every week. This loyalty was rewarded with consecutive promotions back to the Premier League, where the club has enjoyed solid mid-table finishes for the last two seasons.

  Famous fans include leading TV cook Delia Smith (who, along with her husband, is the club’s majority shareholder) and Hugh Jackman.

  Last season, the team featured Kei Kamara, on loan from Sporting Kansas City — but this season, the offense will be led by Ricky van Wolfswinkel, newly signed for $13 million.

  On the ball, City!

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  Southampton, on the south coast of England, plays at St Mary’s Stadium and is known as the Saints. It actually started life 127 years ago as the football team of St Mary’s Church.

  Many great players have worn the Saints’ red and white stripes over the years: Kevin Keegan, Mick Channon, Alan Shearer, Matt Le Tissier. The club has also produced outstanding young players such as Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. But four years ago, the club went into administration, was docked 10 points, and fell into the third tier of English football.

  Under new ownership, however, the club achieved successive promotions back to the Premier League and last season survived with some comfort.

  Oh, when the Saints go marching in…

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  The city of Stoke in the North of England is famous throughout the world for pottery; little wonder, then, that Stoke City is known as the Potters. Like pottery, this team is old, the oldest in the Premier League and the second-oldest football club in the world.

  The red and white striped team has also become known in recent seasons for a muscular, direct, and uncomplicated style. It’s come in for criticism from football purists — but it’s been a very successful style for the club since it’s so hard to play against.

  Things may be about to change, however. The Stoke fans — some of the loudest in the Premier League, especially when singing their anthem “Delilah” — have grown tired of this approach and the manager responsible for introducing it has now left the Britannia Stadium.

  The club must have some behind-the-scenes recruiting on the U.S. National Team, because both Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea now play for Stoke City.

  Come on City!

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  Brek shea

  Hometown/Country:

  College Station, TX, USA

  Position:

  Midfielder

  Age:

  23

  Former teams:

  FC Dallas, U.S. Men’s National Team

  Languages:

  English

  Geoff cameron

  Hometown/Country:

  Attleboro, MA, USA

  Position:

  Defender

  Age:

  28

  Former teams:

  U.S. Men’s National Team, Houston Dynamo; played in the 2011 MLS All-Star Game

  Languages:

  English

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  Sunderland, in North East England, plays at the magnificent Stadium of Light and is known as the Black Cats — a slightly surprising nickname, perhaps, since its fierce local rival, Newcastle, plays in black and white.

  The red and white stripes of the Sunderland team endured a difficult time last season, avoiding relegation to the league below by only one place. Its passionate supporters will be looking for a big improvement in this campaign, but whatever happens on the pitch, there will certainly be equal passion on the sidelines.

  Since March, the manager has been the controversial but committed Paolo Di Canio, whose style was described by the chairman of his previous club as “management by hand grenade.”

  At the end of last season, Di Canio criticized the levels of “arrogance” and “ignorance” in the playing squad, so changes seem likely. It’s not going to be dull, that’s for sure.

  Ha’way the lads!

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  Swansea, a club in South Wales, plays at the Liberty Stadium and is not surprisingly known as the Swans — though they’re also often referred to as Jacks, possibly because of the historic reputation of Swansea sailors, or “Jack Tars.”

  The team’s white strip may be reminiscent of Spanish giants Real Madrid, but it is to Barcelona that Swansea is more often likened because of the club’s patient, passing style of football. (Indeed, the club is often called “Swansealona” by football followers.)

  This attractive brand of football has propelled the club up the leagues in recent seasons, and it has survived comfortably at the top level, winning the League Cup last season.

  Swansea fans have plenty to sing about — and they certainly live up to the Welsh reputation for singing.

  Come on you Swans!

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  Tottenham Hotspur, also known as Spurs (but not Hotspurs), is a North London club that plays its home games at White Hart Lane. The team plays in white shirts, hence they are sometimes referred to as the Lilywhites.

  While other clubs can boast more trophies in recent years, this club has a reputation around the world for playing an attacking brand of soccer and has traditionally attracted fans who believe the game should be exciting, entertaining, and played with style and flair. The club boasts a great history, with the Spurs being only one of two English teams to have won a trophy in each of the last six decades.

  With a focus on developing young talent, the club has enjoyed an excellent run in the Premier League, finishing in the top five in each of the last four seasons. With a new state-of-the-art training center and world-class players such as Jan Vertonghen, Brad Friedel, Hugo Lloris, and Gareth Bale, the stage is now set for Tottenham Hotspur to challenge at the very top of the Premier League.

  Come on you Spurs!

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  Brad friedel

  Hometown/Country:

  Lakewood, OH, USA

  Position:

  Goalkeeper

  Age:

  42

  Former teams:

  U.S. Men’s National Team, Brøndby IF (Denmark), Galatasaray SK (Turkey), Columbus Crew (USA), Liverpool FC, Blackburn Rovers FC, Aston Villa FC

  Languages:

  English

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  West Brom (as it’s often called for short) is a Midlands club, located in what’s known as the Black Country, named for the soot once belched out by industrial chimneys in the area.

  And it may have been the baggy trousers worn by their fans in the factories that gave the club its nickname of the Baggies.

  Today’s fans are more likely to be wearing their blue and white striped shirts as they celebrate in their unique way — bouncing up and down and chanting “Boing Boing.”

  West Brom finished in a very respectable eighth position last season — not quite as high as its stadium (the most elevated in the country), but not bad at all. Whether West Brom can repeat depends on how well it replaces top scorer Romelu Lukaku, who returned to Chelsea after his loan ended.

  Come on you Baggies!

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  Boaz myhill

  Hometown/Country:

  Modesto, CA, USA

  Position:

  Goalkeeper

  Age:

  30

  Former teams:

  Hull City AFC

  Languages:

  English

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  Despite its name, West Ham is actually a club in the East End of London. It plays at Upton Park (though it’s due to move into the Olympic Stadium in 2016) and is known as both the Hammers and the Irons — the latter nickname deriving from the club’s original name of Thames Ironworks.

  Probably the finest moment in the history of the claret and blues came in 1966, when England won the World Cup final. Captain Bobby Moore and goal scorers Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters all played for West Ham.

  The club is also known as the Academy of Football because it’s produced so many fine young players over the years. The style has become slightly more pragmatic under current manager Sam Allardyce, but it got the club promoted to the Premier League in 2012 and it stayed up comfortably last season.

  Come on you Irons!

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  Sebastian lletget

  Hometown/Country:

  San Francisco, CA, USA

  Position:

  Midfielder

  Age:

  21

  Former teams:

  U.S. Men’s National Team

  Languages:

  English