Paddy’s review: 2021
After three games gone in the 2021/2022 Premier League season it’s time have a look at some of the title challengers.
Manchester United started with a big win against Leeds United on the opening day. Leeds suited Manchester United because Leeds play an open game which Man United like as they love to counter attack teams which their quick forwards. Paul Pogba started the new season on fire as he managed to get four assists in one game and Bruno Fernandes showed again in this game that he is Man United’s best player by scoring a hat-trick. It was great to see a packed Old Trafford again which helps the players play better.
After their big win against Leeds there was a buzz about Manchester United as they went into their second game against Southampton at St. Marys. In the first half they dominated possession but were not clinical in front of goal and Southampton played Man United at their own game as The Saints played on the break. Man United were ripped open as Southampton took a shock lead against Man United at half time. Man United were able to get a equaliser in the second half but didn’t create enough chances to win the game. This game showed that Man United still need a striker in tight games.
Man United travelled to Molineux to play Wolverhampton Wanders in their third game. In the first Man United were very poor as Adama Traore had a field day against Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw as Wolves dominated the chances in the first half. Man United had Aaron Wan-Bissaka to thank as he cleared a shot off the line to keep it scoreless at half time. The theme of Wolves having chances continued in the second half and David De Gea made an amazing double save midway through the second half which proved to be the turning point in the match. Man United got a smash and grab win as Mason Greenwood scored with ten minutes to go but Man United were lucky that the goal was allowed because Paul Pogba fouled Ruben Neves in the build up to the goal.
In my opinion Man United can’t get away with playing Fred in front of the back four because he gives the ball away too easily and he has no pace to track midfielders and this could cost Man United winning games this season. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer doesn’t know his best eleven because he keeps changing his forward players which won’t help players belief and momentum. Mason Greenwood has showed in the first three games that he is the best finisher at the club by scoring three goals in the first three games. Man United have signed Cristiano Ronaldo but they need to stick with Mason Greenwood. Paul Pogba is not a holding midfielder and Man United need to play him higher up the pitch. Manchester United have made some good signings but they still have some weaknesses in their team which cost them in closing gap this season.
Manchester City started their campaign against Tottenham Hotspur. Manchester City dominated possession in this game but were caught out as Spurs hit them on the break as Son scores a cracker to sink The Champions on the opening weekend. The response of Manchester City was unbelievable as they followed it up with two five nil wins against Norwich and Arsenal. Gabriel Jesus showed against Norwich and Arsenal that Manchester City don’t need to buy a striker. Jack Grealish has started his career at Man City very well by getting a goal against a assist in the first few games. Jack Grealish will go to another level at Man City because he is playing with plenty of superstars. The frighten thing about Man City’s two five nil wins that Kevin De Bruyne or Phil Foden didn’t play it is a great luxury to have destroying teams without your two best midfielders. It looks like that Man City will play this season with a false nine it works in most games but when they play a good team either in the Premier League or Europe they could find it difficult without a striker. Man City have set the standard in the Premier League over the last few years and you will have to finish ahead of Man City this year if any of the challengers want to win the title.
Chelsea have played really well in the first few games. Last season Chelsea had plenty of midfielders but no striker. They have signed Romelo Lukaku in the summer and he could be the final piece of the jigsaw. Lukaku has showed so far that he is a different player this season and Chelsea have a great chance of been closest challengers for the title this season. The most impressed Chelsea performance so far this season was their second half performance against Liverpoll with ten men. This performance showed title winning contentials by stubborn and hard to break down.
Liverpool are delighted to have Virgil Van Dijk back in their starting line up this season. Liverpool haven’t signed anyone this Summer and this could cost them this season because they don’t have a strong bench. Even when Liverpool played Chelsea they were not themselves because they didn’t show as much energy as they usually do. Losing Gini Wijnaldum in the Summer was a blow because he was a great player for Liverpool.
The most surprising thing so far this season is that referees are letting the game flow and not giving as many fouls as last season.
The return of a home crowd is making a difference in results as the crowd are dragging the home team over the line in getting a win or hanging onto a draw. For example there was seven home wins on the opening weekend.