The season is off to a blistering start, as blistering as the heat wave hitting us in Europe and the UK right now. We take a quick look at the big moments from the Premier League Matchweek 2.
Spurs’ Bissouma worthy of a start
Conte got the backing he needed from the usually frugal Spurs board but until he starts to use his new signing more effectively it will feel like a bit of a waste. Of course Conte will continue to select the team that earned Tottenham a spot in the Champions League, but new signing Yves Bissouma is making a strong case for himself in central midfield where Spurs are struggling to take control of the game. It’s true that Pierre-Emile Højbjerg scored a crucial goal against Chelsea, but it’s equally true that they were lucky to be only one down at the time. Højbjerg is a hard working midfielder, but his lack of speed and vision remain a big problem for his team – especially given Conte’s preference of a 3-4-3 formation that leaves Spurs wanting in the middle of midfield. Bissouma, on the other hand, is quicker to the ball, stronger once he’s got it and smarter in moving it around the park. He’s the more complete player and if the draw against Chelsea on the weekend has shown us anything it’s that Tottenham need a player like him, and they’ve got one. Now it’s time for Conte to give him the nod.
Haaland making moves at City
Even though Erling Haaland only had eight touches in Saturday’s cruise against Bournemouth, where City enjoyed almost all of the possession, the Norwegian did remarkable work to set up Ilkay Gündogan’s opener with two of his touches. He is not there to be part of the build-up every time – Pep Guardiola has signed him to score. Which he did twice last week in his first ever Premier League game. In the post-game press conference Kevin de Bruyne had this to say about Haaland’s goalless game: “I think he did well today. If he doesn’t score they will say it but he set up the first goal, he had a couple of chances and he was there,” “He helped us make these chances, he did what he had to do and on another day he will score. It’s all good for me.” Haaland’s career record speaks for itself. There is no doubt his arrival has changed City’s style, which will keep opponents on their toes. The focus should be on what he does, rather than what he doesn’t do. It’s remarkable that we’re having these discussions about him just two games in.
Leicester looking thin two games in.
After watching Arsenal new boy Gabriel Jesus spearhead a 4-2 victory on Saturday against Brendan Rogers Leicester City this weekend, it was clear that Rogers was frustrated. Having made the goalkeeper Alex Smithies their first signing of the window last week on a free transfer, financial difficulties mean the club that finished fifth in successive seasons and won the FA Cup in 2021 must sell players first before any recruitment is possible, with Chelsea expected to follow up on their interest in Wesley Fofana this week. Rogers’ managerial acumen can’t be called into question, but without the adequate monetary support there’s only so much he can do. He didn’t hold back after this weekend’s loss to the Gunners: “It’s just unfortunate because I’m an ambitious coach and I came here to challenge the established order at the top end of the league. But for that you need to constantly evolve and improve, but I respect the club and I trust the club and if we can’t then my focus goes on to the existing players we have and trying to maximise their potential.” Leicester can kiss their top 6 ambitions goodbye if they don’t get out the cheque book.
United ripped to shreds by Brentford.
Thomas Frank and Brentford executed their tactical plan against United expertly on the weekend, downing the Red Devils 4-0 in a historic win for the Bees. A historic, celebratory day for Brentford was one of sheer embarrassment for United. Their display was so incredibly poor, and Erik ten Hag could not have had a worse start to his career at the helm. He’s already in severe danger of being given the boot if United’s history of sacking manager’s is anything to go by. They looked a team incapable of playing at the level that Brentford performed at, and there are far better teams in the league than Brentford. New signings have been made, but obviously in the wrong positions, with United’s midfield woes continuing. However, the problem is bigger than the players and the managers.
Hammers lose two in a row
Nottingham Forest registered their first Premier League victory in this millennium. This gave David Moyes and West Ham their second loss in two games, though it was not through lack of trying. The Hammers had a goal disallowed, a Declan Rice penalty saved, and two shots off the crossbar – an indication of their willingness to score if not the actual ability to convert chances into points. Hopefully, at least in Moyes’ eyes, their Europa Conference League playoff against Viborg will help to settle the squad down and bring more opportunity and success, especially if they bring their new signings Gianlucca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet into play. Pointless and goal-less so far this pre-season, the Hammers’ coach seems to be playing his disappointment close to his chest as he told reporters: “We’re a wee bit slow, a wee bit behind it”. It’s cute to hear in a Scottish accent but West Ham’s situation is far from cute and work needs to be done.
Buendia bolsters Villa
“You don’t pick my team,” is what Steven Gerrard said after being told that his side looked far better with Buendia in it and that he should be considered as a regular starter. Certainly Villa were far more energetic and inventive with ball after Buendia replaced the injured Philippe Coutinho against Everton, the former Liverpool and Barcelona player again showing flashes of quality but not going the distance. It does seem though that Gerrard recognises the difference that Buendia can make with regular starts, and putting him on the field for the game against Crystal Palace next Saturday can only bolster the team as a whole. “We’ve got good options in the final third,” said Gerrard. “Emiliano is one of them and he will start games for me. He was winning the race to start the season and got a muscle injury behind closed doors against Fulham. That forced him out for a week and his training was not at the same level when he came back. I’ve done the right thing by Emiliano in protecting his health, first and foremost, but he will get his starts”. And when he does we think Villa could make a run for top 8 football this season.
Blues hard-done by against Spurs
No matter who you support, Chelsea were far better than Tottenham on Sunday, outnumbering and outplaying them in midfield and dominating in wide areas too. But they still lack a reliable striker up front, and for as long as that remains the case, it’s hard to see them winning enough games to seriously challenge for the title. Maybe Raheem Sterling will fill the gap, but the reality of that situation is that he’s far better out wide. He can probably be relied upon for a decent number of goals this season, but nothing we’ve seen from him suggests that his finishing is sufficiently waxed enough to regularly make the difference when it gets to the business end of the season. Even before N’Golo Kanté got injured, it was easy to understand why Thomas Tuchel wanted Frenkie de Jong for his midfield – he’s of an entirely different calibre to Jorginho – but he would be better advised to find the best striker for his system and spend whatever it takes to bring him to the Bridge. The curse of the Chelsea striker continues.