Most of the Premier League sides have played eight games so far this season, and we still don’t know where the table is heading. Usually by this time, we get a couple of sides who ahead of the rest, either on the league table or on the pitch with their dominance and style. But this time, circumstances have been different.
The fixture pile-up and the number of games have had an adverse effect on teams who have European commitments, but some have flattered to deceive regardless. Several sides have underachieved this season, and need to get a move on if they are to make some progress and finish higher up the table than what that managed last season.
Here are three sides who need to bring in more consistency after club football resumes:
#3 Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s side were expected to push Liverpool for the title with some new additions to their defence, but they haven’t looked like the team of two seasons ago.
While their form has improved after a patchy start, they are still struggling to find goals when Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero aren’t on the pitch.
Now, granted they are two of the best forwards in the league, but the club should have been better equipped to deal with Aguero’s injury issues, considering his bad injury history has been evident for several seasons now. Aguero’s age means his recovery time from injuries has increased quite a bit, and it remains to be seen if he can adapt his game accordingly.
The midfield is heavily reliant on Kevin de Bruyne, and if has an off day or isn’t on the pitch, this team becomes too predictable and easy to defend against, something West Ham United proved. Raheem Sterling’s wayward finishing coupled with the inexperience of the likes of Ferran Torres and Phil Foden means Manchester City are far from the finished article.
Can they bring in the consistency and climb higher up the table?
#2 Everton
The Toffees have gone from winning their opening seven games in all competitions to losing three on the trot and going winless in four. That’s the last thing you would have expected, especially when they have the wise old head of Carlo Ancelotti at the helm these days.
But the truth is, Everton simply are not the same side when you take away a few of their first-team regulars. It is either that or they just overachieved in their opening seven games.
Ancelotti’s sides are usually hard to be and get the job done in the final third, but that hasn’t been the case in recent weeks. The game against Manchester United before the international break is a prime example as the Toffees started brightly, but the same issues haunted them.
Ancelotti needs to drill in the winning mentality in these players as they can beat Tottenham and hold Liverpool on certain days but fall apart against Newcastle United on another day. Perhaps the return of the charismatic Richarlison after his suspension will bring the quality they need?
#1 Manchester United
From smashing RB Leipzig and beating PSG to winning just three games in the Premier League in seven outings; no side has been as inconsistent as Manchester United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has run out of reasons really, and although the recent win against Everton helped a bit, the pressure will be on again after the international break.
You would think that they will pick up three points against West Brom in their next fixture, but the way they have played, absolutely nothing is a given right now the with club.
Solskjaer will hope the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes stay injury-free during the break as the two have been key players for them. If either one of the two is not on the pitch play, they look pretty toothless.
Defensively, the club have been shambolic. They have kept just one clean-sheet in the league this season, and it is no surprise that they are 15th in the Premier League table. A lot to improve on.