Premier league review 2014/15: September- Mid November 2014
Heading into this week's international break, I look back at how the Premier league has shaped up in the first spell of fixtures. After eleven matchdays, many teams haven't been performing to expectations and some teams have played like they have nothing to lose. Summer signings have varied in form, with some players entering the form of their career (where as some know they've had better runs of form).
Surprise teams playing like there is no tomorrow
After Southampton sold most of their star players and had a budget of over £80 million to rebuild their team, many fans and pundits thought that Southampton had had their time in the Sun and that they'd have a dreadful season, no matter who they signed. However, after eleven matches, Southampton have 25 points and have a brilliant +18 goal difference (one better than leaders Chelsea). The reason for The Saints success is that they have bought smart, young players who are more than capable of featuring in this league. Some would say that they have gotten lucky in who they have played but every game is difficult in the Premier league.
On Transfer deadline day, Swansea fans were praying that their star striker Wilfried Bony didn't jump ship to one of the lurking sharks that were chasing his signature (Arsenal and Inter Milan were among those clubs). Bony stayed and helped lead Swansea into 5th place after eleven games. The stand out player has got to be Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icleand midfilder has scored two goals and provided seven assists for Gary Monk's side, making people wonder why tottenham ever let him go.
Some star summer signings
Diego Costa- Although he may not be the top goalscorer in the Preimer league at the moment, Costa has finally filled the boots of Didger Drogba and become the clincal finisher that Cheslea have lacked in recent seasons. His hardwork and endless running, which he mastered under Altechcio boss Diego Simeone, has set the tempo for Chelsea's steam roller of a campiagn, so far. Many bet that Costa will be the top goalscorer come the end of the season and I am among those people.
Alexis Sanchez- Without Sanchez's eight league goals, Arsenal would be 15th. The Chilean forward swapped the Nou Camp for the Emirates in a £35 million deal and I was shocked by this move. Barcelona have some of the best attacking forwards in Europe in Neymar, Messi and now Suarez but surely Sanchez is worth keeping in your squad?? He does deserve to be starting every game but he needs to be careful not to burn himself out before the season comes to its exciting winter run-in.
Gylfi Sigurdsson- As stated above, Sigurdsson has scored two goals and provided seven assists and has also combined fantastically with Wilfried Bony to give the Welsh club's fans high expectations for the remainder of the season. Hopefully he can continue his fine form as he been the most improved player this season for me (as I'd assume many people would agree with).
Samuel Eto'o- I never thought I'd see the day when Everton signed one of my favourite players of all-time, Samuel Eto'o. The 33 year-old had almost every team in the world knocking on his agent's door this summer, desperate for his signature, but he decided Goodison Park was where he'd write the next chapter of his wonderful career. Roberto Martinez has described Eto'o as a 'gift from the Gods' and as an Everton fan, his class and footballing brain can really help us for the long season a head.
Some teams not playing so well
Liverpool- Brendan Rodgers spent £116 million on 10 players this gone summer and he has bought quantity over quality. Ballotelli has been the most high-profile flop, with 0 goals in the Premier league and has only scored once in the Champions league and the Capital One Cup. it now seems that when you spend big in one transfer window, your squad takes a long amount of time to gel (maybe not in Tottenham's case). However, Brendan Rodgers is a good manager and this is just a bump in the road for the ex-Swansea boss.
Tottenham- Ever since Gareth Bale left White Hart lane for Real Madrid (for £85 million) in the summer of 2013, Tottenham have failed to pose any threaht to the big teams in this league. Having made one good signing (Christian Eriksen, £14 from Ajax) and one average signing (Erik Lamela, £30 from Roma) since Bale's departue, Spurs don't know who their leaders are and what formation to play. This was highlighted by their 2-1 loss to Stoke City in their last game in the Prem and the fact that Abeyador would rather play away from home because of the awful atmosphere in and around White Hart lane.
Manchester United- The summer's biggest spenders (£151 million) and probably the team with the most unbalaced squad. The fact that United had more points under David Moyes at this stage last season than they currently do this season shows the lack of brains behind not buying quality defenders. Although many think that United can stll get into the top four, I think that they need to release that their time in the spotlight is fading rapidly and they need to paln for the next three or four seasons (instead of expecting a quick turn around in one).
Follow me on Twitter @Weston1878
Surprise teams playing like there is no tomorrow
After Southampton sold most of their star players and had a budget of over £80 million to rebuild their team, many fans and pundits thought that Southampton had had their time in the Sun and that they'd have a dreadful season, no matter who they signed. However, after eleven matches, Southampton have 25 points and have a brilliant +18 goal difference (one better than leaders Chelsea). The reason for The Saints success is that they have bought smart, young players who are more than capable of featuring in this league. Some would say that they have gotten lucky in who they have played but every game is difficult in the Premier league.
On Transfer deadline day, Swansea fans were praying that their star striker Wilfried Bony didn't jump ship to one of the lurking sharks that were chasing his signature (Arsenal and Inter Milan were among those clubs). Bony stayed and helped lead Swansea into 5th place after eleven games. The stand out player has got to be Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icleand midfilder has scored two goals and provided seven assists for Gary Monk's side, making people wonder why tottenham ever let him go.
Some star summer signings
Diego Costa- Although he may not be the top goalscorer in the Preimer league at the moment, Costa has finally filled the boots of Didger Drogba and become the clincal finisher that Cheslea have lacked in recent seasons. His hardwork and endless running, which he mastered under Altechcio boss Diego Simeone, has set the tempo for Chelsea's steam roller of a campiagn, so far. Many bet that Costa will be the top goalscorer come the end of the season and I am among those people.
Alexis Sanchez- Without Sanchez's eight league goals, Arsenal would be 15th. The Chilean forward swapped the Nou Camp for the Emirates in a £35 million deal and I was shocked by this move. Barcelona have some of the best attacking forwards in Europe in Neymar, Messi and now Suarez but surely Sanchez is worth keeping in your squad?? He does deserve to be starting every game but he needs to be careful not to burn himself out before the season comes to its exciting winter run-in.
Gylfi Sigurdsson- As stated above, Sigurdsson has scored two goals and provided seven assists and has also combined fantastically with Wilfried Bony to give the Welsh club's fans high expectations for the remainder of the season. Hopefully he can continue his fine form as he been the most improved player this season for me (as I'd assume many people would agree with).
Samuel Eto'o- I never thought I'd see the day when Everton signed one of my favourite players of all-time, Samuel Eto'o. The 33 year-old had almost every team in the world knocking on his agent's door this summer, desperate for his signature, but he decided Goodison Park was where he'd write the next chapter of his wonderful career. Roberto Martinez has described Eto'o as a 'gift from the Gods' and as an Everton fan, his class and footballing brain can really help us for the long season a head.
Some teams not playing so well
Liverpool- Brendan Rodgers spent £116 million on 10 players this gone summer and he has bought quantity over quality. Ballotelli has been the most high-profile flop, with 0 goals in the Premier league and has only scored once in the Champions league and the Capital One Cup. it now seems that when you spend big in one transfer window, your squad takes a long amount of time to gel (maybe not in Tottenham's case). However, Brendan Rodgers is a good manager and this is just a bump in the road for the ex-Swansea boss.
Tottenham- Ever since Gareth Bale left White Hart lane for Real Madrid (for £85 million) in the summer of 2013, Tottenham have failed to pose any threaht to the big teams in this league. Having made one good signing (Christian Eriksen, £14 from Ajax) and one average signing (Erik Lamela, £30 from Roma) since Bale's departue, Spurs don't know who their leaders are and what formation to play. This was highlighted by their 2-1 loss to Stoke City in their last game in the Prem and the fact that Abeyador would rather play away from home because of the awful atmosphere in and around White Hart lane.
Manchester United- The summer's biggest spenders (£151 million) and probably the team with the most unbalaced squad. The fact that United had more points under David Moyes at this stage last season than they currently do this season shows the lack of brains behind not buying quality defenders. Although many think that United can stll get into the top four, I think that they need to release that their time in the spotlight is fading rapidly and they need to paln for the next three or four seasons (instead of expecting a quick turn around in one).
Follow me on Twitter @Weston1878
Gylfi Sigurdsson celebrates scoring a wonderful free-kick against Arsenal on 9th November. Swansea won 2-1 against Arsenal, thanks to Sigurdsson's free-kick and Gomis' late header.
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