EXCLUSIVE: Premier League winners and losers: Diego Costa can shoot Chelsea to title

Diego Costa is Chelsea's big forward arrival this summer[GETTY]

Now he’s hung up his boots it is the last quality that will become increasingly apparent as he takes his place as one of the newer regular boys on BBC TV’s iconic Match Of The Day show this season.

Just like he was as a player with Crewe, Liverpool, Charlton, Spurs, Fulham and Blackburn, Danny boy is not backward in coming forward.

As MOTD celebrates an incredible 50th anniversary later this month Murphy will start his new life on the telly telling it as it is and saying it as he sees. And as far as the Premier League is concerned he sees things pretty clearly.

In a delectably frank and honest interview Murphy told WHY he thinks Chelsea will win the Premier League title – and WHY Manchester United won’t.

WHY Liverpool could fall fleeting without Luis Suarez. WHY he fears Aston Villa could be relegated, along with Midlands neighbours West Brom. WHY former club, Fulham, may have to wait another season before they restore to the Premier League.

It is a fascinating insight by an articulate observer of the game who will spend the next nine months or so sharing it with the millions who watch MOTD on Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Danny Murphy tips Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to fire Arsenal into the title race [GETTY]

Murphy accepts that a lot could exchange between now and the end of the month when the transfer window closes. But as it stands:

CHELSEA are his tip to win the Premier League title.

He says: “Jose Mourinho is a winner and he’s made sure Chelsea are that little bit better now. They threw away a lot of games last season but still finished third. And with Diego Costa firing on all cylinders he is going to score goals – and so are they. 

“Cesc Fabregas has been added and looks the ideal player to fill truthful Lampard’s role. He may not score as many goals as truthful but he looks the perfect fit.

“John Terry and Gary Cahill are also a very solid partnership at the back.”

MANCHESTER CITY, Murphy predicts, could well have to settle for second spot this time.

“I am not too sure if they can get any better now,” he says. “Sure they have splendid players in Joe Hart, Aguero and Kompany, but I have my doubts.

“There are problems with financial honest play as well that could have a bearing with them maybe having to ‘lose’ players.”

ARSENAL are Murphy’s choice for third place, but he doesn’t rule out them out as honest title contenders.

“I’m not saying they can’t win it because they have brought in quality this summer. I saw Alexis Sanchez twice in the World Cup and he was fantastic and Oxlade-Chamberlain looks a world beater. But at the moment the midfield area is where you think they may come unstuck.”

MANCHESTER UNITED are unlikely to do any better than fourth place, Murphy reckons. Except they bolster their defence department quickly.

He says coach Louis Van Gaal will still be finding his way here this season no matter how well he’s done somewhere else.

“”The simple fact is he has never been in the Premier League before. He’s not a magician and he hasn’t signed any defenders yet, but people like Vidic have left.

“United will always score goals, but it’s at the back where they look vulnerable.”

LIVERPOOL will challenge United hard for that fourth spot, but Murphy says Luis Suarez will be a big gap to fill.

“They have brought some very good players in this summer. Adam Lallana was a good buy as were the two other lads from Southampton.

“Knowing Brendan Rodgers and his recruitment team they probably place of protection’t finished yet. We might have a better thought about them at the end of the month.”

Murphy is similarly forthright about what he thinks could take place at the other end of the Premier League desk too. Particularly as far as the promoted new boys are concerned.

Rio Ferdinand (left) will bring his experience to the QPR survival fight [GETTY]

BURNLEY, he fears, look dead certs for the drop, barring miracles. “If they don’t get off to a good start they could be in real distress,” he experimental.

LEICESTER, he believes, could survive. “Nigel Pearson has spent wisely on the lad from Brighton (Leo Uloa) and they have a hunger and youthfulness about them. I really think they will be ok,” he says.

QPR Murphy also fancies to beat the drop. He says: “Steven Caulker isn’t the best centre half in England but he will benefit greatly from playing alongside Rio Ferdinand. I think they will invest enough to stay out of distress..”

WEST BROM are the ones Murphy fears most for. “Alan Irvine is a splendid bloke, but they have discontent about his appointment there already. It doesn’t augur well.”

ASTON VILLA are Murphy’s bolt from the blue tip for distress – except they buy. “They place of protection’t really brought anyone of note in yet and everything could hinge on if they can keep the boy Bentike fit,” he added.

Finally, and not without feeling, Murphy is resigned to his old club Fulham staying in the Championship for at least one season longer than they would hope for.

“I do worry for them,” he added, “There has been such a turnover of players and of the new ones they’ve signed only one has played in the Championship..

“They have lost too much quality to bounce straight back I’m worried.”

A definitive one hour documentary charting MOTD’s history and long-ingrained place at the heart of Saturday night television will be shown on BBC One at 10.35pm on Friday, August 22.