With the EPL now two games old for every club, we are now able to gauge which teams will be optimistic of good times ahead, and which ones will be rushing around the supermarket, panic buying before the transfer window slams shut next Monday. Which EPL managers will be begging their club owner to pay whatever cost necessary for potentially average players to merely maintain their club’s status amongst the elite, whilst in turn trying to preserve their own jobs?
Well, two games does not make much of a season at all, but it certainly sets a pattern of what we should be able to expect between now and next May.
Glancing at the early table, we can see four teams on maximum points.
The Epl So Far: The Top 5
Tottenham Hotspur have made a stunning start to the campaign. Whilst fans will realise they are not contenders for the EPL title, the buzz of expectancy is back at White Hart Lane. Two London derby victories have placed them at the top of the pile, and their 4-0 dismantling of Queens Park Rangers was both emphatic and very pleasing on the eye. If Mauricio Pochettino can finally extract the best out of last season’s expensive ‘flops’ Erik Lamela, Nacer Chadli, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, Spurs could be set for a great season. Their new young previously unheard of English defender, Eric Dier, has scored in both games too, and will surely be in Roy Hodgson’s next England squad. Don’t expect a great deal of transfer activity over the next week, unless an ‘unbelievable’ deal falls their way. The squad is youthful, hungry and well balanced.
The detractors of Chelsea will point towards two opening fixtures against ‘lesser’ opponents, Burnley and Leicester City. But you can only beat what’s put out in front of you, and the Blues have done a good, solid, professional job in both games so far. New, expensive signings Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa have settled in very well, the former making a very impressive debut at Burnley, and the latter, perhaps more importantly, scoring in each game for his new club. Viewed by most as the most sincere threat to Manchester City’s title defence, the acid test will of course come for Jose Mourinho in the clashes with the ‘big boys’, but the real message so far is this: Chelsea lost the title against the smaller teams last year, so perhaps those particular lessons have been learnt already.
The platform of a comfortable win at Newcastle United on the opening weekend set the tone for reigning champions Manchester City‘s comprehensive 3-1 victory over last season’s runners-up Liverpool. City were very impressive indeed, and don’t look like a team ready to give up their EPL crown easily. Professional throughout, they attacked the Reds in a clinical fashion, and provided their fans with the expected three points, whilst also bagging three goals against a ‘big’ rival too. Last season’s much maligned man, striker Stevan Jovetic, scored a brace, and looks both sharper and hungrier this time out. The squad contains depth, and is both toughened and experienced to the demands of the Champions League, EPL and domestic cup competitions. Unlikely to see any more transfer activity in this window, apart from the possible departure to West Ham United of defender Micah Richards.
Every season, there is an early surprise package in the EPL, and with maximum points from both their opening day trip to Manchester United and a hard earned win against new boys Burnley, Swansea City currently hold this particular mantle. Rookie manager Garry Monk has stuck rigidly to the club’s attractive passing style, which has already yielded three years of EPL action, a League Cup and a Europa League campaign. There successes have been no fluke, so don’t expect any mad, last minute purchases to upset squad morale at the Liberty Stadium. Most will know and realise that their promising start is not maintainable, yet the bar has been raised in South Wales, and some will inevitably grumble loudly when the results do turn. Monk will have to make sure he is not the latest young manager to fall on the sword of his own success.
Arsenal‘s entire season could now rest upon the suspected long term injury of main striker, Olivier Giroud. If the Frenchman is ruled out for a significant period, the Gunners will not only have to look to the original plan of securing him a striking partner, but also work on a replacement for Giroud, all within less than a week. A laboured opening day victory over Crystal Palace and a stirring fight back against Everton at the weekend have pointed towards an average start to the season at The Emirates. A quality replacement for the recently departed Thomas Vermaelen is urgently required, whilst a defensive midfielder wouldn’t go amiss either. Not to mention the Champions League qualifier against Besiktas, all in all it is a vital few days to come for Arsene Wenger and co. Put simply, their whole season depends on it.
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