On The Volley: 5 Takeaways from the Opening Matches of the Premier League Season
(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
By Charlie DeMatteo
After a chaotic summer that saw the transfer window intertwined with an entertaining Euro 2024, the Premier League season is now well underway. With Man City looking as ominous as ever as they seek out their seventh title in eight seasons, here are five of my takeaways from the opening three matches of the Premier League season.
- Liverpool are not in for their “David Moyes Season”
When Jurgen Klopp announced last winter that he would be leaving Liverpool after eight years in charge, many fans on Merseyside worried how their team would cope with losing such an influential manager. While his tenure was not as long, many comparisons were being made to the season following Sir Alex Ferguson’s final year at Manchester United, where David Moyes crashed and burned and was sacked within eight months.
Klopp rebuilt Liverpool in his own image and won everything there is to win in the club game. Losing such a figure was always going to be difficult to cope with, but Dutch manager Arne Slot may have already proved that he has it takes to keep Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
The appointment of Slot was a somewhat underwhelming one. His pedigree is made up of managing in the Dutch league, and while he achieved success there, the two leagues don’t always translate well. Further, it looked like Xabi Alonso, a former Liverpool and Spain midfielder who currently manages Bayer Leverkusen, was going to be the man to replace Klopp. Alonso is a charismatic figure and his team plays scintillating football. After winning an unprecedented Bundesliga last year, Alonso decided to stay in Germany for another season. So what have we seen from Slot so far that points to a successful season for Liverpool?
Firstly, he seems a cool and collected character, not bothered by the pressure that comes with such a big job. Slot’s demeanor in press conferences and in the dugout is that of someone who knows he has to prove himself in a new league to earn respect.
Further, Slot’s tactical knowledge has been on display for all to see. In a post-game interview following Liverpool’s 3-0 over United at Old Trafford, Slot seemed to pick through United’s entire game plan on live television. His tactical nouse combined with the fantastic squad that was left for him means Slot is set up well to succeed on Merseyside.
2. Erling Haaland is the single most valuable player on the planet
Erling Haaland’s first two seasons have simply been staggering. In his first season, he scored 36 goals in 35 games en route to a Man City treble. Last year he scored another 27 goals in 31 appearances, and in just three games this season, he has scored seven goals, including two hattricks. That’s 70 goals in 69 league games, unbelievable.
Even after seeing his dominance for two seasons now, Haaland’s brilliance still is incredible to witness. The Norwegian is the perfect hybrid of brute force, pace, and finesse; he is the complete number nine in every way possible.
While Man City’s dominance has brought into question the skill level of the Premier League over recent years, much praise has gone to Pep Guardiola for creating a team so consistent that they win the competition every year. However, I’m here to say that Haaland is actually more valuable to Man City at this stage than Guardiola.
For example, I’m quite sure had Arsenal had Haaland on their side last year, they would have won the title. Haaland has an air of inevitably about him that is unprecedented, even compared to City’s success in the early years under Pep. When you have someone on your side who is almost guaranteed to score every single time he sets on the field, it is an unbelievable advantage that allows for the other world-class players in City’s team to flourish as well.
I really want to predict Arsenal to win the league this year as I’m sick of seeing City win it, but with Haaland on their side, I just don’t see how they won’t win it.
3. Everton are in big trouble
It’s been a painful few seasons for Everton fans. Years of poor spending under Farhad Moshiri has left their squad depleted and the club in financial disarray. After squeaking their way out of relegation battles in two of the last three seasons, and staying up somewhat comfortably last year despite a points deduction, Evertonians were hoping their final season at Goodison Park would be a less stressful one. That hasn’t turned out to be the case so far.
After losing their opening two matches to Brighton and Tottenham by a combined score of 7-0, things were already looking bleak for Sean Dyche’s men. However, things looked like they were turning around when they found themselves 2-0 up at home this weekend over Bournemouth in the 86th minute. What followed was an unthinkable collapse.
Bournemouth proceeded to score three goals in the final four minutes plus added time to snatch all three points from the hosts. A defeat at home to Bournemouth is a bad result. A defeat at home to make it three losses in three games to start the season is even worse. But, to throw away three points in the manner Everton did this weekend is what really has me worried for them this season, because that is catastrophic.
One of the fears I have for Everton is that I think their players are just mentally running out of steam. It has been 3 consistent years of fighting relegation dealing with off-the-field drama. The capitulation we saw this weekend was truly remarkable, and Everton had enough quality on the pitch to see out that game, they just lacked the mental toughness. Everton have another tricky season on their hands, and if they aren’t careful, they will be playing in their brand spanking new stadium in The Championship next year.
4. It’s do or die for Erik ten Hag at United
Erik ten Hag’s first season as Man United manager showed some promising signs. After a third-place finish and a League Cup win, hopes were high entering the beginning of last season. However, injuries and underperforming players plagued what was one of United’s worst Premier League finishes in recent years. With new ownership coming into the club in the form of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, it looked like Ten Hag’s future was sealed and that the new owners would bring in their own man. However, a shock FA Cup win over rivals Man City made it a little trickier to sack Ten Hag than expected, and here he is for a third season.
The start to his third season has been rocky, to say the least. United started out by squeaking their way by Fulham on the opening day of the season but followed that up with consecutive demoralizing defeats. First, a late winner for Brighton saw United fall 2-1, and this past weekend, humiliation against rivals Liverpool saw Ten Hag’s men fall 3-0 at Old Trafford. With big money being spent in the summer on some quality players, there is simply nowhere for Ten Hag to hide.
Ten Had prided his Ajax teams on playing total football and being both entertaining and effective, in his first two and a bit seasons at United, we have seen neither. Ten Hag’s first year was somewhat effective, but the style of play could not contend for the Premier League title and last year, injuries caused more compromise when it came to style of play. This year though, Ten Hag should have all the pieces he needs to shape this United team in his image, and he must get it right.
Ineos and Jim Ratcliffe have already once looked for replacements for Ten Hag, and should he continue to falter early this season, I’m willing to bet they will start that search once more.
5. Brighton are due for a redemption season
In a league that is plagued with overspending and advantage going to the richest teams, Brighton’s recent success in the league has been refreshing. However, injuries plagued them last year and they really struggled because of it. With that being said, with some new additions, they’ve started the season well and look poised to return to their form of seasons past.
New manager Fabian Hurzeler is just 31 years old, seven years younger than his starting midfielder James Milner. However, Hurzeler perfectly fits the Brighton model which has brought them success in recent years.
A young mind that is privy to the nuances of the modern game is the exact profile that can lead Brighton to success this year, and we’ve already seen evidence of this with wins over Manchester United and a draw against Arsenal. Further, Brighton has made a killing in the transfer market in recent seasons, finding hidden gems for cheap, and selling them for a premium. This summer, they have begun to splash that cash and if their signings pay off, they could be in contention for European football.
While Europa League qualification was a great journey for fans of the club to go on last year, not having routine midweek football should benefit Brighton massively this season as they look to climb up the table.