After one of the busiest transfer windows in history, the Premier League is shaping up to have one of the most competitive seasons so far, and it will come down to the top teams’ attacking trios to make the difference in the challenge for the title.
The Best Premier League Attacking Trios
Tottenham Hotspur—Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane
Last season’s golden boot winner, Harry Kane, had another very quiet August. After what seems to be the cursed month for Kane, he is back to his goal-scoring ways and has proven to everyone that he is more than just a one-season wonder and his attacking influence will be greatly appreciated in the near future.
Attacking midfielders Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen have both been in great form during the early stages of the 2017/18 season. They have both been instrumental to Spurs’ 11 hard-earned points, scoring goals as well as providing service for other forwards. Both midfielders provide a creative spark in offence as well as the ability to distribute long balls to initiate the Premier League’s most lethal weapon—the counter attack.
Spurs’ primary attacking trio is compiled of world class talents who are more than capable of helping them lift the Premier League title by the end of the year. Kane’s capability to change games and single-handedly carry his team to victory will help them kill off games and secure maximum points. The Spurs attacking trio is one that is lethal, but unfortunately they aren’t quite yet comparable to the trios of the likes of the Manchester clubs and Liverpool.
Manchester City—Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus
Virtually everyone, including manager Pep Guardiola, thought that both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus could not play together, but they have formed the most lethal strike force in the Premier League. The pair have collectively scored ten goals in their opening five games. They are tailor-made for the Premier League, bringing both strength, pace and agility to the game. Aguero has proven his world class talents on countless occasions and is proving to be an excellent role-model for the Brazilian youngster.
Kevin De Bruyne is an integral part of the City midfield. His work ethic and creativity is highly undervalued at the minute. Although the Belgian hasn’t scored this season, he has dished out three assists. He has the ability to release perfectly-weighted balls to which the strikers can latch onto and clinically finish. His football mindset and vision is something priceless and rare in the industry today, thus it is vital that Guardiola is able to get the best out of him.
The current City attacking trio has experience, youthfulness and pace. These three talented individuals are capable of changing the course of the game in minutes and with them on a side, one can never count them out. Having scored the most goals in the league so far, City look to have an attacking trio which is making them favourites for the title.
Manchester United—Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Paul Pogba struggled last season, scoring just five times and assisting four times. The Frenchman has got off to a great start this season, with two goals and two assists in four games. He presents pace to cover ground on the pitch, and strength to outmuscle opposition. Attacking wise, he possesses plenty of skills, an impactful long shot as well as a respectable aerial threat. Without him, United lack a box-to-box midfielder who is vital for their system to function, both in attack and defence.
Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku is already proving his worth as he leads the Premier League golden boot race with six goals in his opening six games. Lukaku was unlucky to miss out on the golden boot last season, but he has definitely begun the season with a bang and has made a statement to all other strikers in the Premier League. Last season, United struggled to break down teams of a lower calibre. Lukaku will be able to use his speed and strength to drift out wide and bully full-backs to help create chances as well as finish them.
Mourinho didn’t start Henrikh Mkhitarayan in every game last season, and made him earn his spot in the United first team. This season, however, he has produced five assists in five games. He has been nothing short of exceptional this season, providing great service for other forwards.
Arsenal—Mesut Özil, Alexis Sanchez, Alexandre Lacazette
Another rocky start to the season sees Arsenal in for another very unpredictable campaign. Alexandre Lacazette is one of the most clinical finishers in the league, having proven his attacking abilities in Ligue 1, and will be at the heart of any success they have this season. It seems to be just a matter of time before the Frenchman is fully comfortable in the Arsenal squad and is challenging for the golden boot.
After carrying the team through many games last season, Alexis Sanchez has struggled for minutes this season. Last season, he was forced to play a more attacking role as a striker, but this season, after the signing of Lacazette, and the team’s change in system, he has returned to a deeper position. Once the Chilean gets going, he is world-class.
Mesut Özil has also not been able to display his full potential recently, but he now has a strong finisher to whom he can supply chances. He brings creativity and his excellent vision combined with his long passing abilities could be the difference for Arsenal this season. On his day, the German maestro puts forward a strong case for the best attacking midfielder in the Premier League.
Liverpool—Sadio Mané, Mohamed Salah, Philippe Coutinho
Last season, Mané and Coutinho were Liverpool’s key men and their presence on the pitch was greatly missed when they were not included in the squad. Mané has got off to a great start, scoring three goals in the process, but now faces a suspension after the controversial red card against Manchester City. He is one of the fastest players in the league, and will be able to use his pace to drift out wide and look to deliver balls into the box.
Coutinho was Liverpool’s biggest attacking threat last season and was in high demand this summer. He has not featured much in the campaign so far, but he will be nothing but an improvement to the current squad.
Club record signing Mohammed Salah has already begun proving his worth. The Egyptian winger fits right into Jürgen Klopp’s system and is playing to the best of his abilities. Salah has been making the most of his pace by drifting out wide, making up lots of ground before either crossing or cutting into the box. His talents have seen him put four past ‘keepers this season.
This attack has the potential to be the best in the Premier League, however the defence haven’t been at their best and thus put pressure on the forwards to track back and help out at the back.
Chelsea—Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata, Willian
After missing out on signing Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, the Blues closed the deal of Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata. The Spaniard has easily been Chelsea’s best forward this season, scoring six goals and assisting twice, not to forget his hat-trick against Stoke. The youngster was rejected at Real Madrid, but now at Chelsea he is their first choice striker and he doesn’t look like giving it up any time soon.
Wingers, Eden Hazard and Willian both played integral roles in Conte’s 3-4-3 system last year, but they were unable to carry their momentum forward into the new season. The pair have combined for just one assist this season in the Premier League. Having returned from injury now, Hazard will be back to his world-class ways when given the chance to play.
The Race for the Title
These sides all have a very valuable attacking trio as part of their squad, but it is evident that Manchester City have got their attack down to a tee. Besides their minor set back against Everton, they have been nothing but ruthless, obliterating teams by very impressive score lines. Guardiola has created an attack which is well-balanced, clinical, and probably the best in the league. This is reflected on paper, as City are the league’s top scorers with 19 goals in their opening six games. If Aguero, De Bruyne and Jesus maintain their form, it will be very hard to stop them.
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