Wednesday, September 13, 2017

New season, new talents, new challenges

What can be more exciting for football fans all around the world than to have the EPL back! 2017/2018 season is here and it looks promising as ever with so many young talents to look out to and what a remarkable start it has been thus far. Situations in the table at this point of time looks slightly different than to how it ended last season. As of now, Manchester United are steadily sitting at the top with 10 points from a possible 12, sharing the plight with Manchester City who are just tailing the Red Devils at 2nd place. Liverpool and Chelsea had a positive start to the season as well but suffered defeats which created the points difference with the top 2. Manchester United had 3 straight consecutive wins and it was proven that the likes of Lukaku, Matic and the return of Baily has hugely made a difference. Lukaku is looking sharp as ever and to be honest, the lad's finishing has been extremely clinical thus far. Matic is definitely one of the best buys this season simply because of the aerial abilities the lad possesses and the type of results he is capable of producing. He is definitely one of the underrated players in the league but surely result -oriented in many ways. Manchester City are currently very much reliable on their young samba genius, Gabriel Jesus who has been shining since day 1. He is one of those young talents that needs a close watch this season and a type of players that's full of surprises and always wanting to prove his capabilities to the people around him. Overall, City are looking deadlier upfront but they do have their issues at the back just like how Liverpool are suffering every season. Liverpool, on the other hand invested on quality players like Sadio Mane, Salah, Robertson, Solanke and the latest transfer of Oxlade - Chamberlain from Arsenal. The only ongoing concern that the Reds has been facing since day 1 would be defence. It has been a total disaster at times seeing how careless and silly the mistakes that are being committed at the back and honestly speaking, it comes with a hefty price to pay. Klopp simply needs to look into that and invest on some real quality left, right and centreback for the betterment of the team so that the team would be capable on genuinely putting up a firm fight for the title.

Some of the young talents that needs a close watch this season would be Marcos Rashford, Anthony Martial, Robertson, Solanke, Gabriel Jesus and the list goes on. These players are already proving to be a massive threat whenever against any of their opponents. It is the energy they bring to the team that keeps the spirit going and surely a force to be reckoned.

Tottenham Hotspur had a shaky start to the season and it is probably due to the shifting of stadium from White Hart Lane to Wembley which is causing some discomfort among the players and will definitely require time to adapt to Wembley. Harry Kane, surprisingly had a slow start and failing to score in the first few games before finding the net twice in the last week's clash with Everton.

Monday, April 24, 2017

EPL's twist & turns 2017

Just like any other season, this season sees no difference in terms of the competitive element that is often portrayed by almost all the TOP half of the table teams. Current leaders Chelsea are simply seated in a pretty pole position of reclaiming what used to be their toy to play with during the Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba era. Well, those were the days and you just feel that those days were long gone until you have a bunch of revived stars who recently found their foot in the gas such as Hazard, Costa, Pedro, Willian and also a power pack Defence wall with the likes of Alonso, Luiz, Cahill and the list goes on. Chelsea looks close to unbeatable this season under the supervision of Antonio Conte and his tactics has often come out successful in all the games. It is extremely rare these days that you maintain such consistent results in a league that sees teams outside the top four put up a good fight to prove good Football. The other team that's been almost unbeatable this season would be Tottenham Hotspur. Quite a slow start to the season but slowly and steadily, Spurs spurred on to be 2nd place now. If there's one team that stands out to be a complete one, it definitely is Spurs! Boy, they're just so good and almost a flawless team until they sold Bale and Modric to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Imagine the duo of Modric-Kane-Bale-Alli. Oh my, I would bet on them nicking the title on a very simple term. The likes of Alli and Kane proved to be a lightning force to be reckoned in the league and they're so deadly together everytime they start. Alli, at such a young age is definitely one of the upcoming stars and he has often contributed all that he can in the games he plays. His enthusiasm, fighting spirit, clinical finishing, classy first touches and his regular goal scoring abilities makes him one of the best in the league. With Kane alongside him, they're probably one of the deadliest combo in the league now after SAS. Regardless having a rough start to the season, Liverpool are sitting third and knowing that their chance of winning the title after almost 30 years is gone, they will now settle for a top four finish and see out a Champions League spot. Sadio Mane suffered a horrific tackle in the Merseyside Derby and will be out for the rest of the season. His absence is huge and it is so huge that it may dent their hopes of even qualifying to the Champions League next season. Liverpool is pretty wounded at the moment for losing quite a number of influential players like Lallana, Henderson, Ings and Sturridge. Players that often defines Liverpool's credibility in going forward and players that gives a wide range of options leading towards the back of the net. Arsenal's season is taking a whole new roller coaster ride with much criticism thrown towards Arsene Wenger. Fans are already falling out hopes on Wenger and his old school tactics and for often failing to recruit new engines to the squad. Arsenal need more players like Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott, Bellerin, Ozil and players that can provide variety of attacking options upfront and most importantly creativity. Creative play with a great pace is the recent trend in the league and very limited players actually are capable of that in the league. Manchester United's season is taking a seasonal turn and their results speaks for itself. The grandest of signing Paul Pogba from Juventus is proving to be least effective and the most common comments we all hear is " give the lad some time to settle down in the league". Wonder for how long more are we gonna hear those remarks? Paul's signing takes him above Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale's price tag and makes him the most expensive player at least for now before some other joker comes along. As much as I hate to say this, I think Ibrahimovic should cost more than Paul Pogba and his form will speaks for it. On a free transfer from PSG, the big guy still hasn't lost it. Just as slick, tough, creative  and clinical with his finishing, he's been a great addition to the team. Sidelining Rooney and starting Ibra, Rashford, Martial and Lingard has given United more flexibility and consistency in scoring goals. United's fight for top four remains at touching distance but it is sure to go down for a great fight with quite a number of team looking to settle for it. It won't be that easy guys.