Cheer up, soccer followers – the September worldwide break is not the tip of the world.
There are some self-healing positives to take. For instance, there may be ample time to replicate on the season to date. Which groups must be proud of outcomes and performances up to now? Who must be somewhat involved? Does anybody should be reaching for the panic button?
This is what we at 90min assume…
Place: 4th
Factors: 7
Takeaway: The stable base is wobbling
Arsenal’s 2023/24 title cost was constructed atop one of many strongest backlines within the trendy historical past of the Premier League.
Boasting a number of gigantic defenders who love defending, it turned almost not possible to attain towards the Gunners.
And although Mikel Arteta’s males have conceded solely as soon as to date this time period, cracks are slowly exhibiting – Aston Villa obtained at them time after time, whereas Brighton & Hove Albion discovered area even earlier than Declan Rice’s controversial crimson card.
Possibly that is a part of the give-and-take in Arsenal’s quest to be extra attacking, significantly in video games towards stronger opposition. It could simply take some time to regulate to that tweak, significantly with journeys to Tottenham and Manchester Metropolis on the horizon.
Place: seventh
Factors: 6
Takeaway: Jhon Duran should come off the switch record for good
Everyone knows Jhon Duran needed to depart Aston Villa this summer season. Everyone knows he was obtainable for £40m. All of us noticed him do the West Ham ‘irons’ gesture on video.
It turns on the market’s a motive why Villa had been so steep on that determine. The man is a gem of a striker. At solely 20 years of age, he has huge potential, and the membership must be doing all they will to maintain him.
Place: eighth
Factors: 5
Takeaway: Tactical nous making up for Dominic Solanke shortfall
The sale of Dominic Solanke to Tottenham may have ended Bournemouth’s season earlier than it even began, however they’re unbeaten heading into September.
The Cherries have staged two late comebacks on their travels – notably beating Everton 3-2 after they had been two objectives down till the 87th minute – they usually cruelly denied a last-minute winner towards Newcastle.
There’s a collective effort on the south coast being led by supervisor Andoni Iraola that is not going unnoticed.
Place: sixth
Factors: 6
Takeaway: We’re watching a ‘streets will not neglect’ partnership earlier than our very eyes
Neglect Ivan Toney. He is previous information.
Let’s respect the duo of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo as an alternative. You will be watching compilations of those guys for years to come back.
Place: third
Factors: 7
Takeaway: There’s life after Roberto De Zerbi
12 months in the past, Brighton had been a Europa League membership and their supervisor was linked with each prime job on the continent.
Each the Seagulls and Roberto De Zerbi’s inventory then fell, however the south coast membership have appeared reinvigorated underneath Fabian Hurzeler – the youngest supervisor in Premier League historical past.
Place: eleventh
Factors: 4
Takeaway: Enzo Maresca is reducing by way of the noise
4 factors from three video games and a slender combination win towards Servette within the play-off spherical of the UEFA Convention League does not scream ‘superb begin’ for Chelsea and new head coach Enzo Maresca.
However within the context of the Blues’ venture, he is had a reasonably respectable starting to life at Stamford Bridge. He has been ruthless together with his overstuffed enjoying squad, rapidly instilled a possession-based model of soccer and is constant to develop the perfect of their huge younger crop.
Place: sixteenth
Factors: 1
Takeaway: Shrewd enterprise may save Crystal Palace’s European hopes
There was widespread curiosity in Crystal Palace’s star males this summer season, however their solely noteworthy departure was that of Michael Olise.
In addition they bought Joachim Andersen to Fulham, although have stuffed that void with Maxence Lacroix and Trevoh Chalobah.
In lieu of Olise, Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr may make up for his exit.
A job effectively executed down at Selhurst Park.
Place: twentieth
Factors: 0
Takeaway: Please consider the troubled Everton followers in your life presently
I imply this within the least disrespectful manner doable – when you do not assist Everton, you ought to be grateful.
Place: twelfth
Factors: 4
Takeaway: Marco Silva’s building of Arsenal ‘B’ is a staff constructed for the 2000s
Marco Silva’s Fulham have been among the many Premier League’s most entertaining groups since their return to the highest flight in 2023.
Revolving round a forged of aptitude gamers will all the time have flaws, however will equally make you a staff for the impartial.
The additions of Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson will enchantment to these in each west and north London.
Place: seventeenth
Factors: 1
Takeaway: Preserve your eyes on Liam Delap
Hear. Sooner or later, England are going to must plan for all times with out Harry Kane. The issue is there aren’t many potential younger strikers breaking by way of.
That leaves a gap for Liam Delap to burst into. The son of the good Rory scored a belter in Ipswich’s draw to Fulham on Saturday and has been tipped for achievement. If his objectives assist hold the Tractor Boys up, a Three Lions call-up may await.
Place: fifteenth
Factors: 1
Takeaway: A season of struggling awaits
Following their 2015/16 title, Leicester followers have no less than been capable of dine off their staff enjoying a beautiful model of soccer, significantly through the Brendan Rodgers and Enzo Maresca eras.
Nicely, given the Foxes’ monetary struggles and standing as a newly-promoted staff, they will not be seeing that type of enjoyable for some time.
As a substitute, Steve Cooper is in right here to push the membership again from the brink of disaster. It’s going to be about digging in soiled and scrapping for factors. Hey, come Could, that could possibly be enjoyable differently.
Place: 2nd
Factors: 9
Takeaway: Arne Slot is the true deal
Whoever changed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool was all the time going to be judged fairly harshly, however Arne Slot has made a implausible first impression.
At Feyenoord, Slot flexed his teaching muscle as one of many Eredivisie’s finest improver of gamers in addition to a tactical genius. Up to now in England, he’s exhibiting that these skills can scale up.
Regardless of Reds followers bemoaning their frustration at a quiet summer season switch window, they’re nonetheless well-placed for achievement this 12 months.
Place: 1st
Factors: 9
Takeaway: Erling Haaland is, no less than for now, the perfect participant on the planet
Till Kylian Mbappe begins persistently delivering for Actual Madrid, we’ve to think about Erling Haaland because the world’s finest participant.
This scoring file is getting ridiculous.
Place: 14th
Factors: 3
Takeaway: The membership is caught in purgatory till additional discover
Ought to Manchester United have saved Erik ten Hag? You may make compelling instances both manner.
In any case, a part of the membership’s new construction sounded out potential replacements for the Dutchman in the beginning of the summer season, however determined they had been higher off sticking with what they’ve for now no less than.
That is utterly comprehensible. If the correct particular person is not on the market, they merely aren’t on the market. It simply leaves United in a sticky place – Ten Hag most likely is not the person to carry them sustainable glory, however there is not a great candidate to take his place both.
Place: fifth
Factors: 7
Takeaway: Eddie Howe has executed effectively to disregard England hypothesis and Newcastle doomsayers
Newcastle supporters had been fairly downbeat on their summer season enterprise and hopes for the 2024/25 season. Eddie Howe, the nice supervisor that he’s, has introduced a relaxing reassurance again to Tyneside.
If something, that’ll make the FA solely respect him extra.
Place: ninth
Factors: 5
Takeaway: Nuno Espirito Santo is constructing Wolves 2.0
There are some hanging similarities between the Wolves and Nottingham Forest groups which were managed by Nuno Espirito Santo.
His present aspect ought to have the ability to keep away from relegation once more in the event that they hold to his blueprint.
Place: nineteenth
Factors: 0
Takeaway: Yeah, these guys are in bother
Russell Martin could take pleasure in folks writing Southampton off, however that is occurring for good motive and he faces a troublesome job of proving them fallacious.
The Saints cannot defend significantly effectively and has scored only one aim on their return to the Premier League. I am not a mathematician, however these numbers look unhealthy.
Place: tenth
Factors: 4
Takeaway: Solely Ange Postecoglou can decide how profitable Tottenham shall be
A lot has been made from Tottenham’s incapability to transform their probabilities, although their head coach isn’t precisely innocent both.
If Spurs are to problem for trophies and return to the UEFA Champions League, they should exhibit they will no less than be purposeful defensively. You understand, perhaps not be on the point of conceding a aim with one straight go each every so often. It is not a lot to ask.
Place: thirteenth
Factors: 3
Takeaway: The method will take time
Julen Lopetegui is making an attempt to alter who West Ham have been for the final half-decade or so, turning them from one of many league’s most regressive groups to a progressive one.
That is not going to occur in a single day. The Hammers had been busy within the switch market and have executed a sensational job in turning their squad over, however additional endurance is required.
Place: 18th
Factors: 1
Takeaway: Lack of star energy may spell bother
After shedding Pedro Neto to Chelsea, Wolves are a tad wanting standout particular person high quality.
There are some cracking gamers nonetheless of their ranks comparable to Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri, however the Premier League is ruthless and relentless. Gary O’Neil may have his staff to get scrappy to avoid wasting themselves.
