Will we have another Leicester season?
After seeing Everton and Aston Villa with 100% starts and Liverpool and Man United heavily beaten, could we have another unlikely title winner like we had with Leicester back in 2016. Everton are currently top after winning their opening four games while Villa are second by three points having played a game fewer but still with a 100% record. The toffees have started the season on fire thanks to their new signings and Dominic Calvert Lewin's goals. Carlo Ancelotti's men are hoping to achieve a top six finish season because of the manager they have and the players that they have brought in. But could they go all the way after a perfect start to the season? No one saw Villa's 7-2 win over Liverpool coming considering they were up against the champions and Villa just avoided relegation last season. Like Everton, their recruitment so far has been impressive with Ollie Watkins, Emi Martinez and Ross Barkley all impressing so far. Like Leicester a few seasons ago, they made the great escape the season before and carried their momentum into the following season which helped them start well. Could Villa possibly be the new Leicester?
How long will Jordan Pickford remain England's no.1?
After another mistake between the sticks, Jordan Pickford is once again under the spotlight after yet another error during Everton's win over Brighton on Saturday. He dropped the ball from Leandro Trossard's shot which fell at the feet of Neal Maupay who put the ball in the back of the net to level the score. Pickford has made several errors over the last two to three seasons and they're starting to put his position as England's no.1 in doubt. As it's an international break break this week, Gareth Southagte will have a decision to make whether to stick with his no.1 who has rarely let his country down or pick either Dean Henderson or Nick Pope ahead of their upcoming internationals. As its also the Euro's this summer, will Pickford be part of that squad never mind be first choice if his form doesn't improve between now and the end of the season.
Is the pressure back on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Man United?
After a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Tottenham on Sunday, is the pressure back on United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a difficult start to the season? After a strong end to last season, United were expected to kick on and push the top two by making some additions in the window. Unfortunately, United only made one signing prior to the Spurs game in Donny Van De Beek from Ajax and after watching their first three games, it's very clear that they needed a centre back. As the manager, Ole will take some of the blame because of the way he set his team up and his decision making during the game in bringing off Bruno Fernandes and bringing on Fred before later on bringing on Scott McTominay. The other bit of blame will go to the board because they haven't backed Ole in the transfer market when he needed it after a strong positive finish to last season.
Have Villa found their answer to last seasons main problem?
Aston Villa's main problem from last season was scoring goals and in Ollie Watkins, have they found the answer to that problem? Watkins opened his Premier League account with a hat trick in Villa's incredible 7-2 win over champions Liverpool on Sunday and he could've had more. He tormented Liverpool's backline all game and continuously caused them problems which made it a difficult evening for them. With Wesley failing the convince last season and with Watkins getting off to a flyer, have Villa found what they lacked last season in and out and out goal scorer if he can keep this up throughout the season.
Is time for Liverpool to ditch their high line?
Liverpool's high line was time and time again exposed during their humiliating 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa with Villa constantly getting in behind it. Leeds exposed the high line in opening game of the season numerous times and scored three times and with Villa exposing it easily on Sunday, is it time for Liverpool to ditch it. The reds used the high line last season and it worked because the forward players pressed the opposition to keep them away from Liverpool's goal time and time again. One player who is vital to the press in Sadio Mane didn't play because of his positive COVID test result. Liverpool clearly missed Mane against Villa because of the way he presses and with the chances that Liverpool had in the game, he might've converted one or two due to how clinical he is in front of goal. With the Merseyside Derby up next and with Everton in fine form, will Liverpool stick with the high line or throw it away?
Comments