Hey all. My uncle just passed away, so there isn’t gonna be a Tuesday newsletter this week or a podcast. There will still be a Friday edition previewing the 18-19 season, and regularly scheduled programming should resume next week. But I’ve got an hour of free time today, so come back here at 11 AM EST, and we’ll do a live chat about all things Premier League. As my uncle used to say: “You’re just … typing all day? Real hard work, huh?”
OK, guys! Thanks for all the kind words, and thanks for all the great questions. I've gotta run. Sorry I don't have more for you the week before the Premier League kicks off -- I certainly had more planned -- but life happens sometimes. I'll see premium subscribers on Friday, and I'll see everyone else next week. Have great weeks, and enjoy the first weekend of games!
Is Arsenal just setting themselves up for ridiculous failure this season if they do not address their defense? Seems they can't count on Leno having a great shot stopping season again and all they've done is shore up their already lethal attack.
I think there error bars are from 4th down to somewhere like 8th. Unless there's a significant structural shift to their underlying performance this season, it might not be pretty. The incredibly hot finishing and incredibly hot goalkeeping COULD continue, but that's as likely as a season of cold finishing and cold goalkeeping. I'm having a real hard time figuring out how this team is going to work.
Be patient. They'll get two more players by Friday. Hopefully, they'll be fit to play in the PL soon. Not too worried about the Newcastle game; very worried about the second away game though.
I actually support United. Arsenal is just fascinating me with their business this off-season. Seems they need to do some serious reinforcing of the defense. They're actually having a very United post-Fergie off-season.
They needed an explosive forward, a central/attacking mid, a centerback and a leftback. They got two out of four so far. You can organize a defense; it's much easier when you have talented players, but that's where coaching eventually counts; however, you can't teach what Pepe brings to the table. A United post-Fergie off-season would have been spending $200 mil on players who suck or are inconsistent. Arsenal have never had a preseason like that, honestly.
I think Arsenal's biggest issue is that two of their best players play the same position and so to get them to play together you are either playing two strikers or one out of position. Those guys play best as a strike partnership which means you mean more of a support winger, which is not what I think Pepe really is, he's more of a wide forward. I'm guessing Auba is gonna be shunted out to the left, but that likely makes you worse, not better.
The United comparison was that they're investing in areas that I think most people on the outside don't think they need to be investing in. Attack isn't the issue, it's the defense.
Watched every Arsenal game last season. The attack, while pretty good, was stagnant at times, especially on the road. Lotsa 2:1 games. They needed a wide forward who can dribble past people and that's what Pepe does, apparently. As for the Auba/Lacca comparison, they hardly play the same position. Auba scores and does not really do anything else (and that's fine). Lacca creates and scores; thus can interchange with at least three players during the game. Lacazette is a very versatile, creative, agile and still improving player; he's someone you build your team around. Again, those three should play in a 4-3-3 in away games or in a 4-2-3-1 at home, with Ceballos or Ozil as a 10. Now, if Arsenal get Coutinho, like it's been written at places, that's a United pre-season, right there...
Watched every Arsenal game last season. The attack, while pretty good, was stagnant at times, especially on the road. Lotsa 2:1 games. They needed a wide forward who can dribble past people and that's what Pepe does, apparently. As for the Auba/Lacca comparison, they hardly play the same position. Auba scores and does not really do anything else (and that's fine). Lacca creates and scores; thus can interchange with at least three players during the game. Lacazette is a very versatile, creative, agile and still improving player; he's someone you build your team around. Again, those three should play in a 4-3-3 in away games or in a 4-2-3-1 at home, with Ceballos or Ozil as a 10. Now, if Arsenal get Coutinho, like it's been written at places, that's a United pre-season, right there...
Watched every Arsenal game last season. The attack, while pretty good, was stagnant at times, especially on the road. Lotsa 2:1 games. They needed a wide forward who can dribble past people and that's what Pepe does, apparently. As for the Auba/Lacca comparison, they hardly play the same position. Auba scores and does not really do anything else (and that's fine). Lacca creates and scores; thus can interchange with at least three players during the game. Lacazette is a very versatile, creative, agile and still improving player; he's someone you build your team around. Again, those three should play in a 4-3-3 in away games or in a 4-2-3-1 at home, with Ceballos or Ozil as a 10. Now, if Arsenal get Coutinho, like it's been written at places, that's a United pre-season, right there...
lol, I love this sequence of questions. I, uh, would not put any money on the prospect of Newcastle not being relegated. But they have good center backs and a good keeper and a couple interesting attacking pieces. A good manager, as we've seen, can figure out how to make it all work. Steve Bruce, on the other hand ...
So I was listening to a Theo Epstein interview and he discussed how after using moneyball concepts with both the BoSox and Cubs to win World Series, he's constantly thinking of other ways to keep changing his approach to stay ahead of other GMs. And just like all industries, it seemed like baseball was a pendulum and it had swung all the way to the Analytics side and was ignoring the human element.
I was happy to see Man Utd give up Dybala, a player who would fit into their system but was so obviously not into joining the project and would end up being another Di Maria or Sanchez.
Do you know much about how much this is taken into account in the transfer process at other clubs? As 'da xG gawd' do you think analytics is sometimes taken account too much or not enough in the European leagues?
We're still so far away from analytics and just numbers in general being accepted that any worries about numbers being put ahead of humans are either misguided or strawmen created by people who don't want to accept that there's a better way. Just a couple clubs have a top-down analytical approach. Most teams have some kind of analysts now, and most teams completely ignore everything they say. Soccer's still, like, 25-30 years behind baseball, so we're a long, long way from numbers being valued over intangibles. I'd also say that most of the analysts I know -- in every sport -- are also very concerned about how players and coaches get along with each other. They want to help their teams win, however they can.
Leeds was so damn close. Hopefully Leeds loses again and the US is still flailing to beat teams like T&T, so that Berhalter gets fired. Which only logically means, that El Loco will coach the USMNT
Brighton. Some very talented players and a talented manager, too. They were relegation-quality last season, and the betting markets have them finishing 18th this time around. I think they'll be closer to midtable this season.
If you were Tottenham, would you sell Eriksen now in order to avoid potentially losing him on a free transfer next year, knowing that even with him, they are probably looking at a No. 3 finish at best? Let's assume for the sake of argument that Spurs would use the Eriksen money to sign someone like Giovani Lo Celso
Bonus question - how worried should Spurs fans be at Tottenham's right back situation right now?
With the new stadium and the deep CL run and theoretically more to come, Spurs are about to take a leap in the amount of money they make. They'll be right on the verge of teams that can afford to lose a player like Eriksen for nothing and then still be able to replace him. That being said, I'd make the deal now, especially if the money means bringing in Lo Celso or whoever else. They're not winning the PL this year, they're likely not falling out of the top four, and does going from Eriksen to GLC really change their Champions League odds all that much this year?
Belive in Poch, the fullback whisperer, for now. I wouldn't worry about it until it actually becomes a problem. The world's gonna give you plenty of oter shit to worry about!
As a United fan, the new Eriksen rumor infuriates me, because we should be going and signing Lo Celso and not funding Spurs purchase of that player. Knowing Levy and Woodward, Woodward will pay £120 million for Eriksen and then Levy will get Lo Celso for half that.
sorry for your loss - what are your thoughts on Aston Villa's transfer strategy. Not a big fan. They spent a lot, a la Fulham last year, but are they players that can keep them up?
The overpaid for a couple centerbacks and then basically bought the entire Belgian league. Their season should be a nice case study in the quality transfer from Belgium to England, which is fun ... but also not the way I would build a soccer team. They've spent a bunch of money without, to my eyes, obviously improving the team's ability to win games.
What would it take for all the major (let's say top 5) leagues to share the same transfer deadlines?
Is that likely to ever happen? I'm a fan of the new timing for the PL that has all the signings IN before day 1, but it's odd knowing there's still a chance players could leave. I'm not sure where other leagues stand on the issue or why.
Outside of players on teams in the top 6, who do you think scores the most prem goals this season?I may have a regrettable amount of money riding on it
What's more in the realm of reality: Man city facing any FFP repercussions, or Coutinho moving from Barcelona during either this window or January one?
Leicester have (surprisingly old) Jamie Vardy, some of the best young midfielders in the Prem, and a coach who has finished in 2nd before. Can they crack top 6?
With Hazard's departure, Lampard's arrival, the transfer ban, a possible youth-heavy team... is this a year for Chelsea to finish out of Europe and closer to mid-table? Or are they such a big club with so much money and enough talent that a Europa League place is almost guaranteed no matter what? Should Chelsea fans look at this as a "rebuilding year" and just enjoy Pulisic/Lampard/youth/etc.?
(I don't think Lampard is going to be a disaster, and even though Hazard is gone, the team still has a ton of talent. I really don't see them falling too far down the table.)
I'm a Chelsea fan looking forward to the youth this season. Maybe they'll actually use their quality academy players and promote from within instead of paying a premium on players past their prime ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
does united’s infatuation with acquiring a #10 make any sense to you? wouldn’t they be better off attempting to replicate liverpool’s attack with a front three and then the fb’s firing short crosses and low balls and letting pogba play freely with two of fred/mctominay/matic “mop” up behind?
It seems, for whatever reason, Ole wants to play a 4231, and they don't really have a #10 currently. What you propose is probably the best way to get the most out of the current talent.
Leicester City sold a lot of quality players for top-dollar transfer fees the past few seasons. Is that the model for smaller clubs to stay relevant in the EPL? And what are the chances that Leicester ever makes it back to the top 4?
In just three years, they've pretty much totally rebuilt the team that won the league into a new, young, dynamic squad. You stay relevant by making the sales and then making the right buys. The money they got for Harry Maguire is incredible business. But! With Brendan Rodgers now leading the way, I'm not sure I trust their scouting/recruitment anymore. Don't love the Perez signing, Tielemans is promising but had some finishing luck last year, and I'm not sure about a lot of the names they're being linked with to replace Maguire. I was way higher on their future before Rodgers arrived, but they should be pretty competitive this year.
He's 23 and he was second in the league in non-penalty goals+assists per 90 minutes last season. I think he's a superstar as long as he gets the playing time.
With the underlying numbers suggesting that the one point gap at the end of the season was flattering to Liverpool do you see any significant changes from either squad that will prevent the inevitable City three peat?
The most likely outcome is a comfortable City title, but I do think a full season of Naby and Ox will give Liverpool some more midfield juice -- both in aiding the attack and playing out of pressure. But City will have KdB back for a full season plus Rodrigo and it seems like Joao Cancelo (who is great.) If you wanna make a case for Liverpool, it's because of the defense and the keeper. When you barely give up any goals, it's a lot easier to win even if the attack is sputtering. James Yorke has a good rundown here: https://twitter.com/jair1970/status/1158500788219633665
I actually think it's really hard to add any depth there. There aren't any players who are as good as that trio but would be willing to be a fourth option. And to sign a backup of the required quality, they'd need to spend, what, 30 or 40 million? They've obviously decided that Origi is as good as any outside depth piece they could've brought in, and I do think the Community Shield should allay some concerns about the importance of depth up there.
Klopp is content with his squad. Everyone is familiar with the system/culture, and they're fairly deep across the board. Also, that money isn't going anywhere.
Are Wolves or Everton good enough to jump into the Top 6? Who is most likely to drop out? Chelsea seem the most likely candidate for me - no obvious replacement for Hazard's consistent 15+ goal seasons and Tammy Abraham is wildly inconsistent. If he is the choice to lead the line for this upcoming season.
I think they're both good enough. But if I had to rank all all of the teams in the league by their 50th-percentile season, I still think I'd keep the Top Six in some order. That being said, 'm gonna say: Wolves break in (we know what they are and their floor seems really high) and Arsenal (eighth-best xG differential in the league last year, not sure how Pepe fits into the team without further un-balacing them) drop out. THAT being said: Arsenal finishing 4th also wouldn't be a surprise. Lotta uncertainty from 4 through 10th, imo.
I also had Wolves sneaking in - the biggest reason is because surprisingly their squad did not get poached as much as I would've thought it would. Neves still being on that team is shocking.
Sorry for your loss Ryan.
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family in this hard time.
Sorry for your loss. Prayers to you and yours.
Sorry for you and your family's loss, Ryan. Thanks for all your work.
My condolences man
Sorry for your loss Ryan.
Sorry for your loss as well, RIP Uncle O'Hanlon.
OK, guys! Thanks for all the kind words, and thanks for all the great questions. I've gotta run. Sorry I don't have more for you the week before the Premier League kicks off -- I certainly had more planned -- but life happens sometimes. I'll see premium subscribers on Friday, and I'll see everyone else next week. Have great weeks, and enjoy the first weekend of games!
All right -- let's get started! Send me your Qs!
Is Arsenal just setting themselves up for ridiculous failure this season if they do not address their defense? Seems they can't count on Leno having a great shot stopping season again and all they've done is shore up their already lethal attack.
I think there error bars are from 4th down to somewhere like 8th. Unless there's a significant structural shift to their underlying performance this season, it might not be pretty. The incredibly hot finishing and incredibly hot goalkeeping COULD continue, but that's as likely as a season of cold finishing and cold goalkeeping. I'm having a real hard time figuring out how this team is going to work.
Be patient. They'll get two more players by Friday. Hopefully, they'll be fit to play in the PL soon. Not too worried about the Newcastle game; very worried about the second away game though.
I actually support United. Arsenal is just fascinating me with their business this off-season. Seems they need to do some serious reinforcing of the defense. They're actually having a very United post-Fergie off-season.
They needed an explosive forward, a central/attacking mid, a centerback and a leftback. They got two out of four so far. You can organize a defense; it's much easier when you have talented players, but that's where coaching eventually counts; however, you can't teach what Pepe brings to the table. A United post-Fergie off-season would have been spending $200 mil on players who suck or are inconsistent. Arsenal have never had a preseason like that, honestly.
I think Arsenal's biggest issue is that two of their best players play the same position and so to get them to play together you are either playing two strikers or one out of position. Those guys play best as a strike partnership which means you mean more of a support winger, which is not what I think Pepe really is, he's more of a wide forward. I'm guessing Auba is gonna be shunted out to the left, but that likely makes you worse, not better.
The United comparison was that they're investing in areas that I think most people on the outside don't think they need to be investing in. Attack isn't the issue, it's the defense.
Watched every Arsenal game last season. The attack, while pretty good, was stagnant at times, especially on the road. Lotsa 2:1 games. They needed a wide forward who can dribble past people and that's what Pepe does, apparently. As for the Auba/Lacca comparison, they hardly play the same position. Auba scores and does not really do anything else (and that's fine). Lacca creates and scores; thus can interchange with at least three players during the game. Lacazette is a very versatile, creative, agile and still improving player; he's someone you build your team around. Again, those three should play in a 4-3-3 in away games or in a 4-2-3-1 at home, with Ceballos or Ozil as a 10. Now, if Arsenal get Coutinho, like it's been written at places, that's a United pre-season, right there...
Watched every Arsenal game last season. The attack, while pretty good, was stagnant at times, especially on the road. Lotsa 2:1 games. They needed a wide forward who can dribble past people and that's what Pepe does, apparently. As for the Auba/Lacca comparison, they hardly play the same position. Auba scores and does not really do anything else (and that's fine). Lacca creates and scores; thus can interchange with at least three players during the game. Lacazette is a very versatile, creative, agile and still improving player; he's someone you build your team around. Again, those three should play in a 4-3-3 in away games or in a 4-2-3-1 at home, with Ceballos or Ozil as a 10. Now, if Arsenal get Coutinho, like it's been written at places, that's a United pre-season, right there...
Watched every Arsenal game last season. The attack, while pretty good, was stagnant at times, especially on the road. Lotsa 2:1 games. They needed a wide forward who can dribble past people and that's what Pepe does, apparently. As for the Auba/Lacca comparison, they hardly play the same position. Auba scores and does not really do anything else (and that's fine). Lacca creates and scores; thus can interchange with at least three players during the game. Lacazette is a very versatile, creative, agile and still improving player; he's someone you build your team around. Again, those three should play in a 4-3-3 in away games or in a 4-2-3-1 at home, with Ceballos or Ozil as a 10. Now, if Arsenal get Coutinho, like it's been written at places, that's a United pre-season, right there...
Probably. Getting Holding back could help, but they didn't do anything to address clear deficiencies.
i know this is a premier league chat....but how the hell is Juve going to play all those players?
1. I'm sorry for your loss
2. Will you please be the one person to tell me Newcastle won't be relegated?
lol, I love this sequence of questions. I, uh, would not put any money on the prospect of Newcastle not being relegated. But they have good center backs and a good keeper and a couple interesting attacking pieces. A good manager, as we've seen, can figure out how to make it all work. Steve Bruce, on the other hand ...
Sorry for your loss, Ryan.
So I was listening to a Theo Epstein interview and he discussed how after using moneyball concepts with both the BoSox and Cubs to win World Series, he's constantly thinking of other ways to keep changing his approach to stay ahead of other GMs. And just like all industries, it seemed like baseball was a pendulum and it had swung all the way to the Analytics side and was ignoring the human element.
I was happy to see Man Utd give up Dybala, a player who would fit into their system but was so obviously not into joining the project and would end up being another Di Maria or Sanchez.
Do you know much about how much this is taken into account in the transfer process at other clubs? As 'da xG gawd' do you think analytics is sometimes taken account too much or not enough in the European leagues?
We're still so far away from analytics and just numbers in general being accepted that any worries about numbers being put ahead of humans are either misguided or strawmen created by people who don't want to accept that there's a better way. Just a couple clubs have a top-down analytical approach. Most teams have some kind of analysts now, and most teams completely ignore everything they say. Soccer's still, like, 25-30 years behind baseball, so we're a long, long way from numbers being valued over intangibles. I'd also say that most of the analysts I know -- in every sport -- are also very concerned about how players and coaches get along with each other. They want to help their teams win, however they can.
Prediction for relegated teams and promoted teams from the Championship this year?
Relegation, let's say: Villa, Norwich, and Newcastle. (I have a soft spot for Sheffield.)
Promotion: Leeds, Fulham, and Brentford
Leeds was so damn close. Hopefully Leeds loses again and the US is still flailing to beat teams like T&T, so that Berhalter gets fired. Which only logically means, that El Loco will coach the USMNT
What team do you expect to surprise us in 2019?
Brighton. Some very talented players and a talented manager, too. They were relegation-quality last season, and the betting markets have them finishing 18th this time around. I think they'll be closer to midtable this season.
If you were Tottenham, would you sell Eriksen now in order to avoid potentially losing him on a free transfer next year, knowing that even with him, they are probably looking at a No. 3 finish at best? Let's assume for the sake of argument that Spurs would use the Eriksen money to sign someone like Giovani Lo Celso
Bonus question - how worried should Spurs fans be at Tottenham's right back situation right now?
With the new stadium and the deep CL run and theoretically more to come, Spurs are about to take a leap in the amount of money they make. They'll be right on the verge of teams that can afford to lose a player like Eriksen for nothing and then still be able to replace him. That being said, I'd make the deal now, especially if the money means bringing in Lo Celso or whoever else. They're not winning the PL this year, they're likely not falling out of the top four, and does going from Eriksen to GLC really change their Champions League odds all that much this year?
Belive in Poch, the fullback whisperer, for now. I wouldn't worry about it until it actually becomes a problem. The world's gonna give you plenty of oter shit to worry about!
As a United fan, the new Eriksen rumor infuriates me, because we should be going and signing Lo Celso and not funding Spurs purchase of that player. Knowing Levy and Woodward, Woodward will pay £120 million for Eriksen and then Levy will get Lo Celso for half that.
sorry for your loss - what are your thoughts on Aston Villa's transfer strategy. Not a big fan. They spent a lot, a la Fulham last year, but are they players that can keep them up?
The overpaid for a couple centerbacks and then basically bought the entire Belgian league. Their season should be a nice case study in the quality transfer from Belgium to England, which is fun ... but also not the way I would build a soccer team. They've spent a bunch of money without, to my eyes, obviously improving the team's ability to win games.
Sorry to hear about your uncle.
What would it take for all the major (let's say top 5) leagues to share the same transfer deadlines?
Is that likely to ever happen? I'm a fan of the new timing for the PL that has all the signings IN before day 1, but it's odd knowing there's still a chance players could leave. I'm not sure where other leagues stand on the issue or why.
I think it'll probably remain as is until all the leagues decide to start at the same time or the, uh, Super League comes to fruition.
Outside of players on teams in the top 6, who do you think scores the most prem goals this season?I may have a regrettable amount of money riding on it
I'll be boring and say Vardy again. He was 4th in the league in total xG last season, and he takes penalties.
Oh yeah, the VARdy impact could really put him over the top (I'm so sorry, I'll show myself out)
Vardy's on fire
Your defence is terrified
Who do you think wins POTY this season? My money’s on Bernardo Silva.
If City win again, it seems like this should be the year Sterling finally gets it. The Bernardo hype is getting a little too loud for my liking.
Oh the hype has only begun. The “he won the Nations League” argument has actually been made. By a living human being.
What's your Top 6 prediction?
1- City
2- Liverpool
3- Tottenham
4- United
5- Wolves
6- Arsenal
So where do you think Chelsea finishes? 7th?
Wow. I forgot about Chelsea.
Cut me some slack here!
Revised Top Six:
1- City
2- Liverpool
3- Tottenham
4- United
5- Chelsea
6- Wolves
No Leicester? I'd be surprised if they weren't better than Wolves with Rodgers having a full preseason, Tielemans signing, etc..
What's more in the realm of reality: Man city facing any FFP repercussions, or Coutinho moving from Barcelona during either this window or January one?
Let's go with the latter.
All things being held equal, would you take Klopp or Guardiola (or someone else)?
Oh god. Guardiola's been more successful. Klopp is more fun. Sports are supposed to fun. Gimme the fun guy.
Leicester have (surprisingly old) Jamie Vardy, some of the best young midfielders in the Prem, and a coach who has finished in 2nd before. Can they crack top 6?
They had the sixth-best xG differential in the league ... last year. Theyr'e another team who's in the realm of "good luck gets you into the Top Six".
With Hazard's departure, Lampard's arrival, the transfer ban, a possible youth-heavy team... is this a year for Chelsea to finish out of Europe and closer to mid-table? Or are they such a big club with so much money and enough talent that a Europa League place is almost guaranteed no matter what? Should Chelsea fans look at this as a "rebuilding year" and just enjoy Pulisic/Lampard/youth/etc.?
THEY SHOULD TANK https://nograssintheclouds.substack.com/p/what-if-chelsea-decided-to-tank-for/comments
(I don't think Lampard is going to be a disaster, and even though Hazard is gone, the team still has a ton of talent. I really don't see them falling too far down the table.)
After reading this when you posted it I was very much all-in on the idea
I'm a Chelsea fan looking forward to the youth this season. Maybe they'll actually use their quality academy players and promote from within instead of paying a premium on players past their prime ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
does united’s infatuation with acquiring a #10 make any sense to you? wouldn’t they be better off attempting to replicate liverpool’s attack with a front three and then the fb’s firing short crosses and low balls and letting pogba play freely with two of fred/mctominay/matic “mop” up behind?
Good teams don't play with nos. 10 anymore. That's my biggest issue with it!
It seems, for whatever reason, Ole wants to play a 4231, and they don't really have a #10 currently. What you propose is probably the best way to get the most out of the current talent.
Leicester City sold a lot of quality players for top-dollar transfer fees the past few seasons. Is that the model for smaller clubs to stay relevant in the EPL? And what are the chances that Leicester ever makes it back to the top 4?
In just three years, they've pretty much totally rebuilt the team that won the league into a new, young, dynamic squad. You stay relevant by making the sales and then making the right buys. The money they got for Harry Maguire is incredible business. But! With Brendan Rodgers now leading the way, I'm not sure I trust their scouting/recruitment anymore. Don't love the Perez signing, Tielemans is promising but had some finishing luck last year, and I'm not sure about a lot of the names they're being linked with to replace Maguire. I was way higher on their future before Rodgers arrived, but they should be pretty competitive this year.
What are your thoughts on Liverpool’s community shield performance?
Did nothing to suggest that they're not one of the two or three best teams on the planet, imo.
How well do you think the Sane move to Bayern Munich (if it does happen) work? Who stands to benefit from that move more?
He's 23 and he was second in the league in non-penalty goals+assists per 90 minutes last season. I think he's a superstar as long as he gets the playing time.
Bayern need to replace Robben and Ribery and get younger.
With the underlying numbers suggesting that the one point gap at the end of the season was flattering to Liverpool do you see any significant changes from either squad that will prevent the inevitable City three peat?
The most likely outcome is a comfortable City title, but I do think a full season of Naby and Ox will give Liverpool some more midfield juice -- both in aiding the attack and playing out of pressure. But City will have KdB back for a full season plus Rodrigo and it seems like Joao Cancelo (who is great.) If you wanna make a case for Liverpool, it's because of the defense and the keeper. When you barely give up any goals, it's a lot easier to win even if the attack is sputtering. James Yorke has a good rundown here: https://twitter.com/jair1970/status/1158500788219633665
If you were a betting man (aka Bill Simmons rubbed off a lot on you), where would you put your money on Coutinho end up at the end of this summer?
I'd bet on Barcelona. Boring but I bet you'd get better odds than you should.
Why hasn't Liverpool added anyone in the transfer market? They have Champions League money.
I actually think it's really hard to add any depth there. There aren't any players who are as good as that trio but would be willing to be a fourth option. And to sign a backup of the required quality, they'd need to spend, what, 30 or 40 million? They've obviously decided that Origi is as good as any outside depth piece they could've brought in, and I do think the Community Shield should allay some concerns about the importance of depth up there.
Klopp is content with his squad. Everyone is familiar with the system/culture, and they're fairly deep across the board. Also, that money isn't going anywhere.
What position do you think they should address?
Not sure what happens at LB if Robertson gets hurt, so that's probably my biggest concern.
They are not deep in the front three. If they lose any of those guys for a significant period of time, it will hurt them.
Thought on Derby signing Wayne Rooney as a player coach?
My thoughts are Derby really needed to earn promotion last year to save them from themselves.
Brighton Hove have made a couple big splashes on Championship-tier players. Will they be enough to keep them up?
I think they stay up. I really like Graham Potter, and I think he'll do a better job of integrating both this season's and last season's signings.
No. Just did the table and had them pegged at 20, barely ahead of Sheffield and Villa...
Are Wolves or Everton good enough to jump into the Top 6? Who is most likely to drop out? Chelsea seem the most likely candidate for me - no obvious replacement for Hazard's consistent 15+ goal seasons and Tammy Abraham is wildly inconsistent. If he is the choice to lead the line for this upcoming season.
I think they're both good enough. But if I had to rank all all of the teams in the league by their 50th-percentile season, I still think I'd keep the Top Six in some order. That being said, 'm gonna say: Wolves break in (we know what they are and their floor seems really high) and Arsenal (eighth-best xG differential in the league last year, not sure how Pepe fits into the team without further un-balacing them) drop out. THAT being said: Arsenal finishing 4th also wouldn't be a surprise. Lotta uncertainty from 4 through 10th, imo.
You have City-Liverpool-Spurs as a strong Top 3, then? (Obviously not all in the same tier)
I also had Wolves sneaking in - the biggest reason is because surprisingly their squad did not get poached as much as I would've thought it would. Neves still being on that team is shocking.
Curious on this one as well
Second this question.
Seems like it might just be Barcelona.