Fragment form, tactical errors, personnel problems?
With two points separating the top three and eight the top six, what’s stopping us from calling the potential Premier League champions now? It’s safe to say this year then Premier League hasn’t gone as smoothly as in recent years as at least seven teams are still in the race for the title with 18 games still to play. This time last year, with 20 games played, Liverpool were sitting comfortably 13 points ahead of second place Leicester with 55 points with this season current league leaders Manchester City 14 points behind and second place Manchester United 24 behind. Liverpool are currently four league places and 21 points worse off compared to last season. So, what is really preventing us from calling the potential league winners right now?
Fragmented form is a common theme throughout the top six teams and is certainly one reason for why the league is as close as it is, with one of the most outrageous defeats going to Liverpool as they lost 7-2 to a lively Aston Villa side led by captain Jack Grealish. But this isn’t the only reason why it is so tight in the top half of the table; injuries have impacted teams’ performances and also lower table clubs.
Liverpool are hit the worst after they lost their centre back pairing Joe Gomes and Virgil van Dijk at the start of the season, both with knee injuries, and they both aren’t looking like making a return until next season. But they aren’t the only team impacted by injuries. Manchester City still have Sergio Aguero out injured along with their main talisman Kevin de Bruyne out with a thigh problem keeping him from playing for 4-6 weeks. Constant personal changes and players playing out of position to fill for injured players will almost definitely be having an impact on teams. Lack of understanding between players or understanding of their position could lead to potential detrimental mistakes leading to the loss of the game. But what about the teams who have no injury problems?
Manchester United and Spurs both seem to not be struggling with injuries so far this season, so what is holding them back? Well in Manchester United’s case you could maybe suggest tactical errors from manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and also lacking specific positional personnel. It has been identified and made obvious this season they are missing quality players in specific positions which seems to be a big reason and the answer to some of their underwhelming performances. It also seems like United need to concede first so they can win which is something Ole needs to sort out. For Spurs, their team is strong in all areas potentially highlighting tactical mistakes of Mourinho or his players have still yet to adapt to his style of play.
As for lower table teams West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa have been putting it up strong performances so far this season. These three teams alone have taken 19 points from the current top six (not including West Ham). Is this due the top six struggling with injury, personnel problems, tactical issues or fragmented from? Or maybe these teams are just catching the top teams out cold with the newfound quality they now possess.
So far, this season has been interesting to say the least. Not one team has looked profound enough to suggest they are genuine title contenders, but City are starting to find their form again as they find themselves on a seven-game win streak. But who knows, Maybe Thomas Tuchel will spark some life back into the Chelsea or Liverpool’s front three all turn to the same page and start linking together like they used too. It really is anybody’s guess.
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