A cracking season in store
> 2018-19 has all the trappings of a vintage EPL <
grace and positivity.
You have to feel the manager’s attitude has to rub off on his players. Offsetting the bad news, Spurs have been rewarded for letting Heung min Son play in the Asian Games and can welcome him back to bolster a thin squad.
Biggest worry? Harry Kane. He may have scored in August but he doesn’t look the player he was before his latest injury.
By hanging on to Eden Hazard, Chelsea have given themselves a chance – and who’s better in the “dark horse” role?
It’s so far so for Maurizio Sarri but the Europa League’s daunting schedule may take its toll – something predecessor Antonio Conte was spared of.
Arsenal are interesting and it will be fascinating to see what Unai Emery makes of taking over from Arsene Wenger. Nowhere near as daunting as following Fergie, but still not a simple task.
He has firepower in Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and no shortage of creativity but Mesut Ozil needs careful handling and Aaron Ramsey must be played in the right role.
Lucas Torreira looks to be the tough defensive midfielder the Gunners have long needed, but the fullbacks and keeper are a worry.
Only Liverpool, Watford and Chelsea have maximum points with West Ham alone on what is not even minimum and it could be a long winter at the London Stadium.
Manuel Pellegrini was a curious choice to lead a revival just as are some of the £100 million worth of new signings.
You know the likes of Cardiff, Huddersfield and Brighton will fight all the way to stay up – but you wonder whether the Hammers’ hierarchy and their unhappy fans will have the stomach for it.