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 this point. Which groups needs to be proud of outcomes and performances so far? Who needs to be slightly involved? Does anybody should be reaching for the panic button?
This is what we at 90min suppose…
Place: 4th
Factors: 7
Takeaway: The strong base is wobbling
Arsenal’s 2023/24 title cost was constructed atop one of many strongest backlines within the fashionable historical past of the Premier League.
Boasting a number of gigantic defenders who love defending, it turned practically unattainable to attain in opposition to the Gunners.
And although Mikel Arteta’s males have conceded solely as soon as to this point this time period, cracks are slowly exhibiting – Aston Villa bought at them time after time, whereas Brighton & Hove Albion discovered area even earlier than Declan Rice’s controversial crimson card.
Perhaps that is a part of the give-and-take in Arsenal’s quest to be extra attacking, significantly in video games in opposition to stronger opposition. It might 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 listing for good
Everyone knows Jhon Duran needed to depart Aston Villa this summer season. Everyone knows he was out there 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 needs to 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 might 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 once they had been two targets down till the 87th minute – they usually cruelly denied a last-minute winner in opposition to 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 overlook’ partnership earlier than our very eyes
Overlook Ivan Toney. He is previous information.
Let’s admire the duo of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo as a substitute. You will be watching compilations of those guys for years to return.
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 high job on the continent.
Each the Seagulls and Roberto De Zerbi’s inventory then fell, however the south coast membership have appeared reinvigorated below Fabian Hurzeler – the youngest supervisor in Premier League historical past.
Place: eleventh
Factors: 4
Takeaway: Enzo Maresca is slicing by way of the noise
4 factors from three video games and a slender combination win in opposition to Servette within the play-off spherical of the UEFA Convention League does not scream ‘wonderful begin’ for Chelsea and new head coach Enzo Maresca.
However within the context of the Blues’ venture, he is had a reasonably first rate starting to life at Stamford Bridge. He has been ruthless together with his overstuffed taking part in squad, shortly instilled a possession-based model of soccer and is continuous to develop the perfect of their huge younger crop.
Place: sixteenth
Factors: 1
Takeaway: Shrewd enterprise might 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 might make up for his exit.
A job properly performed down at Selhurst Park.
Place: twentieth
Factors: 0
Takeaway: Please consider the troubled Everton followers in your life at the moment
I imply this within the least disrespectful approach attainable – for those who do not assist Everton, you need to be grateful.
Place: twelfth
Factors: 4
Takeaway: Marco Silva’s development 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 solid of aptitude gamers will at all times 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: Hold your eyes on Liam Delap
Hear. Sooner or later, England are going to should 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 nice Rory scored a belter in Ipswich’s draw to Fulham on Saturday and has been tipped for fulfillment. If his targets assist maintain the Tractor Boys up, a Three Lions call-up might 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 taking part in a horny model of soccer, significantly in the course of the Brendan Rodgers and Enzo Maresca eras.
Effectively, given the Foxes’ monetary struggles and standing as a newly-promoted staff, they will not be seeing that form 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 will 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 actual deal
Whoever changed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool was at all times 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 greatest improver of gamers in addition to a tactical genius. To this point in England, he’s exhibiting that these abilities can scale up.
Regardless of Reds followers bemoaning their frustration at a quiet summer season switch window, they’re nonetheless well-placed for fulfillment this yr.
Place: 1st
Factors: 9
Takeaway: Erling Haaland is, no less than for now, the perfect participant on the planet
Till Kylian Mbappe begins constantly delivering for Actual Madrid, we have now to think about Erling Haaland because the world’s greatest 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 stored Erik ten Hag? You can also make compelling circumstances both approach.
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 fully comprehensible. If the precise particular person is not on the market, they merely aren’t on the market. It simply leaves United in a sticky place – Ten Hag in all probability is not the person to carry them sustainable glory, however there is not a really perfect candidate to take his place both.
Place: fifth
Factors: 7
Takeaway: Eddie Howe has performed properly 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 great supervisor that he’s, has introduced a relaxing reassurance again to Tyneside.
If something, that’ll make the FA solely admire 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 have been managed by Nuno Espirito Santo.
His present facet ought to be capable of keep away from relegation once more in the event that they maintain to his blueprint.
Place: nineteenth
Factors: 0
Takeaway: Yeah, these guys are in bother
Russell Martin might get pleasure from folks writing Southampton off, however that is occurring for good motive and he faces a tricky job of proving them unsuitable.
The Saints cannot defend significantly properly and has scored only one purpose 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 manufactured from Tottenham’s incapability to transform their probabilities, although their head coach will not be precisely innocent both.
If Spurs are to problem for trophies and return to the UEFA Champions League, they should show they will no less than be purposeful defensively. , possibly not be on the point of conceding a purpose with one straight cross each occasionally. It is not a lot to ask.
Place: thirteenth
Factors: 3
Takeaway: The method will take time
Julen Lopetegui is making an attempt to vary 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 performed a sensational job in turning their squad over, however additional endurance is required.
Place: 18th
Factors: 1
Takeaway: Lack of star energy might spell bother
After shedding Pedro Neto to Chelsea, Wolves are a tad in need of standout particular person high quality.
There are some cracking gamers nonetheless of their ranks similar to Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri, however the Premier League is ruthless and relentless. Gary O’Neil might have his staff to get scrappy to save lots of themselves.
