THE FLOODGATES REOPEN

The very substantial proportion of the world population that is enamored with the Beautiful Game as it is played in the country of its roots, has been deprived long enough for some maddeningly fast paced Premier League action. Not for much longer. Premier League football, in a lot of ways, is like heroin (!!) - the ones that manage to get hooked onto it stay hooked for life - not if rehab has its say in it. And the frequent "highs" can have you craving for more and more. (Disclaimer: The author of this article is NOT hooked on to heroin, though he may seem to speak appraisingly of it. He's just plain stupid.) On the 15th of August, the BPL addicts (that's us) are set to get an all new and improved dose of the football we've all loved and missed - one that will set your adrenalin pumping, your pulses racing, and quite simply make you go bonkers!!
The scene shifts to West London for the first game - title contenders Chelsea host minnows Hull City in the afternoon kickoff. Will Chelsea let the rest of the contenders know of their intentions with a roar, or will Hull spoil the feast?
One look at the front-runners of this year's race will reveal not much of disparity in terms of skill and flair and panache. More importantly, the title race just got a lot more open than it has been for a considerable period of time. Departure of English football's poster-boy Cristiano Ronaldo means that United just lost a major tooth in their attack - will their bite be as venomous this year without him?
Chelsea haven't really strengthened their squad as much just yet - but they've held on fiercely to their marquee players. Carvalho's presence for another year in the centre of defence solidifies their title charge. With new boss Carlo Ancelloti shipped in from Milan, The Blues will be confident that this could be their turn to be champions again. The Italian mastermind at the helm will ensure that Chelsea will play with the same principles that proved to be so successful for him at the San Siro. He won't put his feet up for a moment to enjoy some Milanese pastas - this signore truly means business.
Rafa Benitez could be forgiven for having a confident smirk on his face himself - after all he's got one of the best midfielders in Stevie Gerrard marshaling his troops, and not to forget the prolific 'El Nino', Fernando Torres - the apple of Scousers' eyes, and an insatiable hurricane to PL defenders. The loss of the technically gifted Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid would have been a major shot in the arm, no doubt, but Rafa will count on new Italian recruit Alberto Aquilani to inject some flair into the terrific Liverpool midfield that also includes the tenacious Javier Mascherano. Liverpool were so close last year - they believe they could go all the way this year too.
The Emirates Stadium hasn't seen too many arrivals this summer - but it has seen a few familiar faces leave. Wenger is yet to find a replacement for departing marksman Emmanuel Adebayor, while Thomas Vermaelen comes in to strengthen Arsenal's very modest back four. A lot has been said in the British press about Fabregas's potential transfer to Barcelona - will he? won't he? For now, it seems like he stays for another season at least. Eduardo's full recovery is like a new signing for Arsenal, and he strengthens the Gunner's forward line that boasts the technically marvelous Robin van Persie and the classy Andrei Arshavin. Hoping for the title still remains just that - hopes, unless the young guns step up to repay the fans' patience. An added worry for Arsenal is the ever-closing gap between the Big Four and the rest - particularly big-spending Man City. They've got to watch their heels closely.
Man City have been hogging the tabloids with their summer spending spree. They've shelled out about 90 million pounds for a host of impressive names - Barry, Adebayor, Toure, Santa Cruz to name a few. They'll be looking to break into the top four this season, and in Mark Hughes they have got a more than able mentor.
The champions have their work cut out for them. One wonders where from midfield the goals will arrive. Antonio Valencia is not much of a goal scorer like Ronaldo - he's a more conventional winger, one that can offer United great width on the flanks. The shock arrival of Michael Owen could prove to be either a grand success, or a miserable failure. This is the 29-year old Owen's final chance to reignite his fading career - one that epitomized the highest standard of goalscoring and guile that a striker could aspire to achieve.
So fasten your seat belts, because the next nine months will have you drowned in anguish and also pumping fists in triumph. Experience the thrill of Premier League football. Rest assured - by the end of the season, you'll be so high that you'll never wanna come back down again.