The Premier League, along with most other leagues, has come to a standstill. International competitions seem to be growing in magnitude, and it is becoming clear that more days will belong to international football than ever before. Football fans have continuously expressed their discontent at this structure, but FIFA has never really been one to take the opinions of others into reason. So, while footballers represent their nations in these coming days, the fans who refuse to indulge are left to ponder. They are left to analyse the little club football they have seen, and what it could mean for the clubs they support. They reluctantly replay match footage of weeks past, hoping to relive both magic and horror alike. And although the Premier League has seen only 3 match weeks, there have been some insights this constant review of Premier League football matches played has made hard to ignore
Manchester United are yet to improve under Erik Ten Hag
Two trophies in two years would make it seem like Erik Ten Hag is doing a glorious job at United, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Manchester United currently sit at 14th in the league, having won only one of their first three games. In their previous season, which was their joint worst finish in their league history, the position they were situated in after Match week 3 was much more optimistic. They were placed 8th courtesy of 2 victories in their opening 3 games. While it is still too soon to make such a damning prediction, it seems unlikely that they will find themselves in the Champions League next season if they don’t win the Europa League.
Manchester United won only their first game of the season | Photo: Express” height=”326″ src=”https://img.vavel.com/b/mvl%20express.png” width=”570″ />
Manchester United won only their first game of the season | Photo: Express
Erling Haaland and Manchester City are at it again
Pep Guardiola won his 6th Premier League title in 8 years barely 3 months ago, and the Spaniard is tirelessly charging towards his 7th. His side has scored the most goals in the league, averaging 3 goals a game. Erling Haaland, his main marksman, scored 2 hattricks in 2 games, outscoring every club but his, Liverpool and Chelsea. Manchester City have started the Premier League season on a much worse note than this and still ended up the victor. The title race is still open, but one can see Manchester City is reaching for the trophy at an electrifying pace.
Manchester City at the top of the table | Photo: ESPN” height=”309″ src=”https://img.vavel.com/b/haaland%20espn.jpg” width=”570″ />
Erling Haaland’s hattrick against West Ham puts Manchester City at the top of the table | Photo: ESPN
Liverpool’s new manager ‘slots’ in perfectly
Many were worried that the problems that plague former titans Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement would find itself lurking on Liverpool’s grounds. Jurgen Klopp retired after 9 years at Anfield, leaving in his wake uncertainty and doubt. He had introduced the Kop to a winning culture that saw Anfield hardly witness a loss. It would be difficult to replace him. However, few have come into a new role as prosperously as Arne Slot. Liverpool have won all their Premier League matches without conceding a single goal. With tactics that were built upon Klopp’s, they have made a statement to the league with these ruthless victories. A statement that nothing has changed. A statement that nothing will change.
Time will reveal to us if Arne Slot will truly be a successful replacement for Jurgen Klopp, but the little we are privy to suggests he very well might be.
Manchester City | Photo: Express” height=”332″ src=”https://img.vavel.com/b/Arne-Slot-5541274.png” width=”570″ />
Arne Slot’s Liverpool share the same points and goal difference as league leaders Manchester City | Photo: Express
Chelsea still relies on Cole Palmer for output
Cole Palmer’s 22 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League last season meant he had a hand in 42.9% of Chelsea’s goals in the 2023/2024 Premier League season. This was the highest personal contribution percentage towards a Premier League team’s tally last season, followed by Ollie Watkins’ 42.1% for Aston Villa. While this speaks great things about Palmer, it is worrying that a side that spent over a billion euros on signings in just 2 years contrives such low goal productivity and sustains such dependence. This worrying form has spilled into the new season, with Palmer having a role in 5 of Chelsea’s 7 goals (1 goal and 4 assists). Although title winning teams tend to have a more balanced goal distribution, having goals largely come from a single player is not necessarily a deterrent, provided the player can shoulder the responsibility all through the season. Erling Haaland’s debut season where he broke the goal scoring record saw him participate in 46.8% of Manchester City’s 94 Premier League goals (36 goals and 8 assists).
Cole Palmer has contributed towards a goal in every PL game he has played this season | Photo: Goal.com” height=”309″ src=”https://img.vavel.com/b/cole.png” width=”570″ />
Save for Chelsea’s opening match against Manchester City, Cole Palmer has contributed towards a goal in every PL game he has played this season | Photo: Goal.com
Aston Villa just might have what it takes to go far in the Champions League
Aston Villa qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 41 years last season wonderful football. Even though they lost a lot of their heroes in the summer transfer window, smart recruitment decisions they made have ensured they started this season on a similarly positive note. And if their form is anything to go by, their Champions League run will be anything but brief. They are not favourites to win the trophy, sure, but their ambition is sure to drive them further than most will expect. Additionally, their fixtures in the competition are relatively uncomplicated, with their strongest opponents being Bayern Munich and Juventus.
Premier League goals this season | Photo: BBC” height=”309″ src=”https://img.vavel.com/b/onana.png” width=”570″ />
New signing Amadou Onana has scored half of Aston Villa’s Premier League goals this season | Photo: BBC
Brighton’s coach has potential
Brighton coach Fabian Hürzeler is yet to record a loss this Premier League season, despite facing heavyweights Arsenal and Manchester United. His portfolio is quite humble compared to other managers in the league, with a position as St. Pauli head coach that spanned across barely two years being his only senior managerial experience . That short stint, however, turned out to be one of St. Pauli’s most impactful in recent times. They achieved promotion to the Bundesliga 13 years after their last relegation. This convinced the Brighton board that Hürzeler was their man, and so far, he hasn’t disappointed. With age on his side (He is the Premier League’s youngest ever coach) and an , it is conceivable that he might be on his way to greatness.
Premier League Table currently | Photo: talkSport” height=”366″ src=”https://img.vavel.com/b/fabian-7.png” width=”570″ />
Fabian Hürzeler’s side sit at 3rd in the Premier League Table currently | Photo: talkSport
Everton really might be headed for relegation
We all watched as Everton relentlessly clawed themselves into safety time and time again last season, despite the numerous point deductions they suffered as penalties for breaking Fair Play rules. They find themselves in a distasteful position again, sitting at the bottom of the league with 3 losses and 10 goals conceded in 3 games. Of course, there is every possibility that they might survive this season as well, but the matches they have played suggest the exact opposite. Highly susceptible to pressure, prone to mistakes and systematically inconsistent, their start to the 2024/2025 season has all the makings of a relegation.
Everton start to this season has been the worst in their history | Photo: Yahoo!Sports
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Publish date : 2024-09-07 05:30:00
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