After the international break the 20 Premier League clubs are gathering their players for action, back at home, and this is always a slightly edgy time.
The first job is to check on any niggles or, worse still, injuries to key players. Then some teams will be more desperate than others to return to action, as the international interruptions don’t always come at a good time. It’s always better the go into a break with a good result, but then momentum is vital. And we also have the excitement of new players, signed on or near deadline day, making an appearance.
Three clubs in particular are desperate to get back to Premier League action, Manchester United, Spurs and Arsenal…but for three very different reasons.
Unless you’ve had your head in the sand over the past three weeks you can’t have failed to notice that a famous face has returned to Old Trafford to send the Manchester United fans into a near frenzy of excitement. Yes Cristiano Ronaldo is back at the Manchester club for the first time in 12 seasons, but such was his impact on the Red Devils faithful in his first stint, their home might once again be called the Theatre of Dreams.
Unsurprisingly Ronaldo’s No 7 shirt has broken Manchester United shirts sales records in less than four hours and he could be set to take his bow against Newcastle on Saturday. But Ronaldo’s return is more than just a way of selling shirts. The Glazer family have never been popular with the fans but the relationship reached new depths when Manchester United were at the forefront of the Super League breakaway attempt towards the end of last season. The owners have done all they can to appease the fans, bringing back their hero for one more hurrah.
The Red Devils have come in to 5.00 in the latest Premier League 2021 betting odds, behind title favourites Manchester City and Chelsea and, for the first time in a few seasons, ahead of Liverpool.
Argentina rebels cause Spurs a headache
On his arrival at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, new manager Nuno Espirito Santo had a major problem to face immediately; the future of Spurs’ want-away striker Harry Kane. But that was resolved, for now, and Nuno could settle into his job, which is to win games for Spurs. And his first three Premier League 2021 results as Spurs boss have been perfect, lifting the Whites top of the table and two points clear of the chasing pack.
But Nuno has been given another nagging pain, thanks to the reckless decisions of two of his players to defy club orders. Giovani Lo Celso and Cristian Romero took part in Argentina’s abandoned clash with Brazil on Sunday. Both ignored the club’s instructions to refrain from travelling to COVID ravaged South America, and now they are set to be fined. This is just the sort of behaviour Nuno wants to stamp out of he is to forge a team serious enough to maintain a challenge, at least for a top four finish.
Gunners need a return on investment… and quickly!
Here at SBOTOP my writing buddy Brad has already cast Arsenal as losers in the transfer market and I can’t disagree with him there. If Nuno thinks he has problems he only needs to look at his local rival Mikel Arteta, who is under increasing pressure after spending big in summer and failing to pick up a point so far.
The Gunners have turned in their worst start to a league season in 67 years and are rock bottom, and that’s a shocking position to be in after coughing up over £150m on players who are not exactly striking fear…into anyone. The biggest outlay was £50m on centre back Ben White, who only came to prominence last season as a replacement for Shane Duffy at Brighton. The £34m handed to Real Madrid for Martin Odegaard makes some sense after he impressed in a loan stint at the Emirates last term.
Possibly the most eye-brow raising deal of all is the £30m paid to Sheffield United for goal-keeper Aaron Ramsdale, only 12 months after they sold Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa for £17m. While Martinez put in an outstanding season with the Villains and then won the Copa America as Argentina stopper, Ramsdale picked up his second relegation from the Premier League in two seasons, as the Blades crashed and burned 12 months after the keeper was relegated with Bournemouth.
The Arsenal boss had better hope he’s got it right!
Round Four; The biggest games
All eyes will be on Old Trafford for the return of the prodigal son when the Red Devils take on Newcastle United, while the North London pair both have a chance to put their recent problems to one side, when they return to action with distinctly winnable games. Spurs are away to Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace who are tipped to be embroiled in a relegation battle, while Arsenal host Norwich City. The Canaries will be happy to be still in a relegation battle come next May, having lost their opening three games with a goal-difference of minus nine. It’s a bottom of the table clash and anything other than an Arsenal win will be a total disaster for Arteta.
Away from the circus surrounding Ronaldo’s return, Leicester City vs Manchester City is arguably the match of the weekend while Chelsea host Aston Villa; and there’s a real top flight classic on Sunday when Leeds United entertain Liverpool.
Internationals can be great, of course they can, but I am not half pleased the Premier League is back…and I’m not alone!
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