1. Manchester City issue ominous warning to title challengers
PEP GUARDIOLA HAS made a dream start to his Manchester City career after the Citizens thrashed Stoke 4-1 at the bet365 stadium.
But so far, that is all it is – a start.
Three victories in a week, two of which were comprehensive and remorseless. These weren’t words you would have associated with City in the past – just ask Joe Hart and Yaya Touré.
Previously, the opposition always felt that if you could unnerve City early on, prohibit them from getting in their stride – that they were there for the taking. But the early signs suggests this is not the case this season.
Of course, there will be times this year when the 2014 champions may not click at the right times, but you can be sure that Guardiola will create an environment where the best technical players can prosper, with no room for players who think they are bigger than the team.
And that can only lead to greater success in the seasons to come.
2. Chelsea are firmly back on track under Antonio Conte
For Chelsea fans not too familiar with their new manager when he was announced back in April, they got a pretty good taster during Euro 2016.
His passionate displays on the sidelines in charge of Italy, were replicated by his players on the pitch. He was also never afraid to evolve his tactics, depending on the situation he found his team in. Which has also produced dividends in the Premier League – their two late winning goals in a week is a hallmark of champions.
The 47-year-old already has three Serie A titles on his managerial CV, but winning the Premier League title may be a bridge too far however, in his first season in charge.
But after Chelsea experienced their worst campaign since Roman Abramovich’s takeover last season, just being in the mix come the end of the season would be mission accomplished.
3. Champions League qualification would represent a good season for Liverpool
After Liverpool’s dramatic win against Arsenal last weekend, expectations were raised by some supporters for the season ahead.
But Liverpool didn’t hire Jürgen Klopp as a quick-fix solution to the club’s problems, the six-year contract he signed in July echoes this point.
Despite having over 80% possession and 26 shots on goal against Burnley, Liverpool rarely looked like getting back into the game when they fell two goals behind, thanks to a dogged Clarets defence coupled with a lack of spark in the final third from the visitors.
Individual defensive mistakes will continue to cost Liverpool throughout the season, Nathaniel Clyne was the villain this week after Alberto Moreno was dropped to the bench after a calamitous performance at the Emirates.
No European football though should allow Klopp to hone in on certain aspects of their game, much like Brendan Rodgers did in the 2013-14 season.
Should Liverpool produce more consistent and coherent performances and improve their defence over the coming weeks and months, a Champions League spot should become a distinct possibility and a step in the right direction, in one of the most competitive Premier League seasons in recent memory.
4. Mike Phelan has already worked wonders with Hull City
The former Manchester United assistant manager was ridiculed in 2013 when he suggested he and several other ‘undercover’ backroom staff significantly contributed to Alex Ferguson’s success at Old Trafford.
But he has shown in the opening weeks of the season, that he is more than capable of managing a team in England’s top flight, even in the most difficult of circumstances, with the interim manager taking charge of a squad ravaged by injury and lacking new faces from the side that earned promotion.
Hull are already 15% towards the magical 40-point mark that usually guarantees safety in the Premier League, and with a deal for a group of wealthy Chinese investors to takeover the club imminent, maybe the future is not as bleak as it seemed before a ball was kicked.
5. Already Arsenal don’t look like title contenders
The ‘Wenger Out’ campaign was once an annual event around March after the Gunners were knocked out of the Champions League and fell away in the title race, but now it seems to be a year-long affair.
If it wasn’t for referee Mark Clattenburg, who failed to award the Premier League champions a late penalty at the King Power Stadium when Hector Bellerin tripped Ahmed Musa, Arsenal could have started the season with consecutive defeats with the temperature rising once again for the man in the Arsenal hot seat.
Arsenal haven’t won the title since 2004, and after two games it doesn’t look like that is going to change in Wenger’s reign. but a couple of shrewd purchases before the transfer window shuts, could turn things around very quickly.
But is Wenger the man to spend the money required to get the players they desperately need?
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