We catch our breath in this week's Friday 5iver as the Premier League pauses for the international break. Desh takes a look at how the big five are shaping up.
Aaaaand breathe…
There have been 8 managerial changes thus far in the 2021/22 English Premier League – the most from the top 5 major European football leagues. The league is like no other and failure to deliver results means one thing.
As we make our way past the midpoint of the season and toward the business end of the campaign, I thought it would be fitting to take a look at who will emerge as the number one contender to Manchester City F.C. in the coming weeks and more importantly, a few players to keep your eye on!
Arsenal on the ropes?
Arsenal are winless since the turn of the year, across all competitions (W0 D2 L3). In the league, Arteta’s men lost to Manchester City and were held to a stalemate against relegation-threatened Burnley.
Add their Carabao Cup exit by the hands of Liverpool and their shameful 3rd round elimination from the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest and we can see the threads coming undone.
I’m sure you don’t need any reminding that they did not qualify for Europe (following their dismal 8th placed finish last season) so it should be all systems go in the league!
Alexandre Lacazette is really a second half of the season player and should hold down an uninterrupted starting berth, following Aubameyang’s antics. The Frenchman has registered 5 attacking returns (2 goals and 3 assist) in his previous 6 league appearances.
Furthermore, he’s missed 4 big chances during that period so I’m sure it won’t be long until he starts tucking them away.
FT: Arsenal 0-0 Burnley pic.twitter.com/HZpp45C3YG
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 23, 2022
Conte’s re-build continues
Antonio Conte was handed his first league defeat as Spurs manager (W6 D3 L1) against Chelsea last time out. In his short stint at the North London club, Conte has steadied the ship, plugging their defence and resurrecting their attack somewhat.
There have been some impressive performances under him but their true test is still to come. Between 19 February and 19 March, Tottenham are scheduled to play both Manchester clubs, a good old fashioned London derby against West Ham, as well as Leeds United and Everton (who should have put their first half of the season woes behind them).
Following their Europa Conference League elimination, Spurs won’t be involved in any heavy travel so the onus will be on man-management. One player seemingly barred from rotation is Harry Kane.
Only Hugo Lloris has featured more than Kane has during this campaign. The forward has bagged 4 goals in his previous 6 league appearances, not to mention one assist from his 9 chances created within this period.
It’ll also be interesting to see how long the Italian manager can go before throwing his toys, with Spur reportedly missing out on a number of January targets.
Adama Traore has taken a pay cut to avoid moving to Tottenham. [@SkyKaveh] pic.twitter.com/vGoZCXkCDn
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) January 27, 2022
Liverpool preparing for Salah, Mane and Keita returns
Liverpool will be boosted by the return of Mane, Salah and Keita following AFCON. The Merseyside club are in some rampant scoring form this season and I think things are about to heat up.
Three of the top five players for shots, shots on target AND assists don the Liverpool red. With that being said, value can be found all over that Anfield pitch. Liverpool play three of their next four league fixtures at home which means goals galore.
My pick of the bunch is Virgil Van Dijk – who hasn’t seen a league defeat at Anfield in his 56 league appearances! Moreover, Van Dijk ranks in the top 5 for shots on target from all topflight defenders so there may very well be some value here as an anytime goalscorer.
The goals of the match between
— 🅩🅘🅩🅞🅤 (@zi_53) January 24, 2022
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace 3-1
Van Dijk ⚽️
Chamberlain ⚽️
Fabinho ⚽️#LFC | #YNWA
pic.twitter.com/1kkXr3SVVQ
Fernandes key to United’s top four push
Last season’s runners up, Manchester United, have had a decent start to life under Ralf Ragnick (W5 D2 L1). You can hardly fault Ragnick, but it must be said – results are masking performances.
Old Trafford is crying out for a hero and I’m tipping a certain Portuguese forward to answer that call. In his first full season, everything Bruno Fernandes touched, turned to goal!
Last season, Fernandes was involved in 30 league goals – only Harry Kane (37) had more from all topflight players. Fernandes hit the ground running this season, scoring a hatt-rick on United’s opening day fixture against (their infamous rivals) Leeds United.
The attacking midfielder had somewhat stifled since the opening weeks but has been in some red-hot form of late! Fernandes has two goals and two assists to show for his previous 3 league fixtures – not to mention 9 chances created in that period.
Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹
— Stretford Paddock (@StretfordPaddck) January 26, 2022
⚽️ 14 goals
🅰️ 3 assists
Bruno Fernandes 🇵🇹
⚽️ 7 goals
🅰️ 10 assists#MUFC pic.twitter.com/7Qd1ywq4vI
Busy weeks ahead for Chelsea
Chelsea have played at least one more league fixture than the other 19 top-flight clubs. They have an exceptionally busy fixture schedule and Thomas Tuchel will certainly have his hands full.
In February 2022, the club has just a single league fixture (Crystal Palace) scheduled, however, they are booked for appointments in the Champions League, FA Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and end the month in the final of the EFL Cup!
My pick from the lot is none other than midfield maestro, Mason Mount. The academy graduate is the only Chelsea F.C. player to have been involved in 10 or more league goals this season and will be imperative to Tuchel in the coming months.
The last time @ChelseaFC met Liverpool in the #CarabaoCup, Eden Hazard did 𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎...#EFL pic.twitter.com/ofeI6hkTHa
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) January 28, 2022
