After 10 Gameweeks of observing each team’s approach to the season and adaptability to the challenges facing them, these are my title challengers for one of the fiercest title races we will ever see in an EPL season. My title contenders in order of ability are
- Liverpool.
I have said this on many platforms despite all the challenges Jurgen Klopp’s team has faced that the league is still Liverpool’s to lose. Jurgen Klopp has built a formidable team so good such that last season they were able to deal with an Alisson injury for the first 10 games even with the leaky defence due to Adrian as his backup. Even with those games they won all 10 games enroute to their 44 game unbeaten run (extending from the previous season) which ended via that out-of-the world 3-0 loss to relegated Watford. Klopp’s man management of all the numerous injuries he’s faced so far makes his team the MAIN TITLE CHALLENGER.
2. Man City / Tottenham
Seriously, it’s a tough call for me to make a choice between these two teams yet because of how good both managers (Mourinho & Guardiola) are despite their different start to the season.
a) Tottenham
Mourinho for once has shown us that he has clear intentions of winning the league looking at how he played the games against City and Chelsea recently where he was so content with a 1 point via a 0-0 result instead of going for the killer punch in the final minutes of the 2nd half. Rather Jose brought on defensive-minded players such as Ben Davies for an attacking-minded full back, Sergio Regullion.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Jose Mourinho, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur speaks with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg of Tottenham Hotspur following the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 21, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo Neil Hall – by Pool/Getty Images)
And as a 3 time EPL Champion, expect Mourinho to bring his title run-in experience in the final run of games around March-May.
b) Man City
I know Man City haven’t had a good start to the season like the way we have always expected them to be attack blazing as each season starts. Rather, they have been more defensively solid except that 5-2 loss to Leicester. Their attacking displays have dropped: passes, big chances created, shots and almost every other attacking stat over the first 10 games.
I won’t put the blame on their extended Champions League campaign from last season or not having a proper preseason, but maybe due to Pep’s ‘naivety’ in managing the injuries and challenges he’s had like how Klopp has managed his.
But now that almost his guys are all fully returning from injury including Mr Reliable- Sergio Kun Aguero, I still tip Man City to be in the title race albeit having a game in hand.
- Chelsea
Sorry Man U fans, I think the Chelsea team has proven to be a better challenger than your team this season as long as Olé won’t be tweaking his formation team anyhow when it’s so clear that players like Alex Telles & Van de Beek should be starting consistently.
With Chelsea getting their defensive solidity back on track after the shrewd signings of Mendy, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell in addition to some old players to deal with that leaky defence of last season, their attack now has the platform to build upon.
With a flurry of options upfront of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Tammy Abraham and super-sub Olivier Giroud ahead of the midfield of Kante, Kovacic, Mount, Jorginho and the likes, I think Lampard will have a stronger chance of winning the league next season 2021-2022 if he misses out this season because this Chelsea team is playing so lovely football that everyone must watch out for them.
NB:
Leicester, Everton, Wolves/Soton and Man United will compete strongly for the Europa League places albeit I think if Olé sticks to the aforementioned advice I gave including making good use of El Matador, Edison Cavani, they can be in for the Top 4 spot.
My 2 cents on the Relegation certain teams will be out soon…
So that’s it and I sign out here.
Raymond Nketsiah here.
(FPL Enthusiast & Football Columnist at http://www.Netsportworld.com & http://www.kwekuwrites.wordpress.com)
Reviewers: Rowland Ekuban @romekuban & Daniel Dadzie @ddartie12
Picture Design Credit: Daniel Dugbatey
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