Is the new handball rule ruining the game?
The new handball rule has arguably been the talking point of the weekend with three penalties given over the weekend because of a handball. Joel Ward, Neal Maupay and Eric Dier were all penalised for handball which lead to a penalty being given in the games they were involved in. The handball rule states that; if your arm is away from the body, a player leans into the direction of the ball and if the player's arm touches the ball in the lead up to a goal or a goal scoring opportunity, handball will be given. Steve Bruce and Roy Hodgson were not admirers of the new handball rule because of the way referees were using it to check a decision via the VAR monitor. Could this be factor in it ruining the game.
Are Fulham already doomed?
I was asking last week if Fulham have learnt from their mistakes from two seasons ago and after watching the goals they let in against Aston Villa, I can say that the answer to that question is no. The Cottagers have already conceded 10 goals and we are three games in. The defending for most of the goals they've let in has been terrible and if they're to stay up, they need to sort out the defence. With the club bottom of the Premier League and conceding goals from anywhere, are they already gone after three games?
Will the signing of Diaz improve Man City's defence?
City's defence was their Achilles heel last season as they finished 18 points behind Liverpool and their defence was once again under question as they conceded five goals against Leicester. They've badly missed Vincent Kompany since he left at the beginning of last season and in signing Ruben Dias, they might've found a replacement for the Belgian. The reasons for this are that he can play on the right hand side which is what City have lacked and he is also a leader having being captain of Benfica and Portugal youth teams.
Are Liverpool title favourites?
After Man City's 5-2 defeat to Leicester and Liverpool winning their opening three games, are the reds title favourites again? City may have played one game fewer than Liverpool, but their Achilles heal from last season has continued into this season having shipped in five against Leicester. When I look at both City and Liverpool, the reds look stronger at the moment in that they're more solid defensively than City are. That along with the signings of Thiago and Jota could make them champions again.
Will Chelsea ever find their best centre back pairing?
Chelsea may have a lot of exciting talent going forward, but defensively they're still shaky as they were last season. Their defensive struggles were clearly seen in the first half against West Brom as they went 3-0 down. One of the most experienced defenders in Thiago Silva was punished for being casual in possession as Callum Robinson made the most of Silva's error in scoring his second goal. Chelsea need to find a reliable partner for Silva if they're to push City and Liverpool this season and their other options haven't convinced. Andreas Christensen has a mistake or too in him as does Kurt Zouma plus Tomori and Rudiger could both be off before the window closes. Frank Lampard needs to find the right partner for Silva soon if Chelsea are to be successful this season.
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