Gary Lemke discusses this week’s talking points ahead of the much-awaited return of the Premier League.
EVERTON? THEN WHAT ABOUT MAN CITY?
If anyone follows The Exploding Heads on Twitter (X) they will be familiar with Colin from Portsmouth. He basically phones in to a radio programme and rants. Wonderful stuff. He’s often disgusted. Which is what I am this week with the news that Everton have been docked 10 points for Financial Fair Play irregularities. Those 10 points could well be the difference between staying up and being relegated. Obviously, it wouldn’t affect a club like Man City, or even Chelsea, both who are being investigated. City face 115 possible breaches of FFP. Let’s see what “balls” the EPL authorities have in docking them the appropriate points, obviously requiring them to be found guilty in the first instance. One can’t help but think they’ve got a soft target here in Everton.
What should #ManchesterCity punishment be for 115 alleged breaches? #mancity #premierleague #football#manchesterunited #liverpool #chelsea #mcfc #arsenal #soccer #championsleague #england #fifa #city #manchestercityfc #epl #futbol #debruyne#pepguardiola #etihadstadium pic.twitter.com/tthZym9V8D
— The Back Four (Football Podcast) (@tbf_pod) November 24, 2023
LONGEVITY RECORD UNDER THREAT
Speaking of Everton, who now find themselves second from bottom with four points from 12 matches (they were 14th before the deduction), they have played 69 consecutive seasons in the English top-flight. Only Arsenal have a better record in terms of longevity. Oh yes, a reminder that Everton were formed on the one side of the River Mersey in 1878, with Liverpool coming later across the Mersey in 1892.
It’s soon to be the end of an era for Everton Football Club at Goodison Park, their home since 1892.
— Behind The Game ⚽️ 🕶️ (@OfficialBTG2023) November 16, 2023
What is your favourite memory of the historic ground and what will you miss most when the curtain is finally drawn? 🤔
The Old Lady, as it’s commonly known by Evertonians, will… pic.twitter.com/nxzG323X4K
SILLY SEASON IS APPROACHING
This is Black Friday weekend, where everything must go. There are marked down prices on just about anything you can lay your eyes and hands on – and it leaves consumers in a lather. It also signals the start of football’s “Silly Season”, ahead of the January transfer window. It’s when speculation ramps up and agents do their best to cash in on one of the two annual transfer windows. Don’t get fooled, much of it will be hype, to push up players’ prices. First up is Manchester United, themselves about to be taken over by Sir Jim Ratcliffe (really). Today’s headlines are all about possible January exits for Casemiro – he was so lauded last season – and Raphael Varane. Today’s Daily Mail headline: TRANSFER GOSSIP COLUMN: Manchester United want Jean-Clair Todibo to replace out-of-favour Raphael Varane, as Chelsea enter race for Napoli star Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Real Madrid target Roberto De Zerbi. Here we go.
Raphaël Varane (30) wants to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window. The Premier League club will command a fee between €20m - €30m for the French defender. (@Plettigoal)https://t.co/BcYEHzPrFf
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) November 23, 2023
JOHNSON MAKES HIS VOICE HEARD
Social media is so often a go-to place for the screen generation and I’ve noticed that Glen Johnson has been available for interviews of late. Among the things he’s been saying are that Cole Palmer “looks the real deal”, that Romelu Lukaku is “a goal machine, but not right for the EPL” and that “if anyone can stop Erling Haaland it’s Virgil Van Dijk”. Those who are wondering if it is “the” Glen Johnson, then you’d be right. Ex-England, Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham, Portsmouth, Stoke and Millwall defender. He will also be remembered as being the first player signed in the Roman Abramovich era, joining Chelsea from West Ham for £6-million in 2003.
Glen Johnson: “Romelu Lukaku is an absolute goal machine, but I just don’t think he was right for the Premier League. He’s obviously so big and strong and a beast in front of goal, but sometimes the game would fly past him a bit.”https://t.co/WG8CL608JI
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) November 24, 2023
LAW OF AVERAGES KICKS IN
As someone who plays in the EPL Superbru – and I fluked a Global win in 2017/18, beating 71k other players – I keep a study of trends, and I follow them religiously. For those remotely interested in wondering what I feel is “due”, here it is: Brighton to keep a clean sheet, with Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United all due their own first of the season. Some others: Tottenham shouldn’t lose, while Palace are due to concede, Chelsea are due a clean sheet, while Newcastle aren’t … Throw all that into the melting pot!
🔒 Most Premier League clean sheets since 2009/10:
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 23, 2023
🥇 Manchester City - 231
🥈 Liverpool - 209
🥉 Manchester United - 207
🏅 Chelsea - 204
🏅 Arsenal - 189
🏅 Tottenham - 176 https://t.co/AmKvC5aYfH pic.twitter.com/B4iG5hR9QO
GOALS GALORE – BUT WINTER IS HERE
Going through the EPL app, I came across confirmation that there are more goals being scored in the Premier League than ever before. According to official stats, there have been 370 goals scored heading into this next round at an average of 3.08 per game. The previous high was 2.85, established last season. Should the trend continue – though, with winter upon us, I’m going to bet against it – it would see a projection of 1170 goals, 86 more than last season’s record high.
Goals galore whenever these two clash🍿.
— Miracle (@UTD_Machala) November 24, 2023
Score predictions? #MCILIV #premierleague #FPL pic.twitter.com/80G3YM9ZWr
