JAMIE REDKNAPP
CHELSEA SLOW OUT
OF THE BLOCKS
LAST season Chelsea came out all guns blazing. Their new signings were magnificent, the fans were buzzing and they won seven of their first eight league matches.
This time round something’s not quite right. Jose Mourinho is moaning at his medics, Oscar didn’t celebrate his goal and they lacked pace at the back. Of course it’s still only week one, but they seemed out of sorts in pre-season, too.
With Manchester City up next, if they leave space behind the defence then Sergio Aguero will tear them apart. That’s why I suspect Jose will play Kurt Zouma, either at centre back or in defensive midfield, because they need his speed.
If City win tonight and next week, Mourinho’s men will be five points behind but Jose is a front-runner. he won’t want to be playing catch-up.
DROP IN PRESSURE
THERE is no reason why Philippe Coutinho can’t be the best No 10 in the country. That was an incredible strike and a big result for Liverpool. Why? It immediately lifted the pressure off Brendan Rodgers.
NO NEED TO TINKER
CLAUDIO RANIERI is the Tinkerman but after Leicester’s run last season, he won’t want to change too much.
There were only three changes to the starting XI from the final day in May and only one of those was a new signing.
With Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, this team will work hard and score goals. You don’t tinker with that.
AHEAD OF THE REST
RUDY GESTEDE’S winner at Bournemouth was his 20th headed goal since the start of 2013-14 — five more than any player in the top four divisions. He also he has more than twice as many as Christian Benteke (9), the best header of the ball in the league, in the same time. But his game is about more than that. He scores and creates all sorts of goals. It will be tough for Aston Villa to replace Benteke but Gestede is off to a good start.
OXFORD MAKES
THE GRADE
WhEN I looked at the team sheets yesterday and saw young Reece Oxford’s name, I feared for him. It was a real baptism of fire for a 16-year-old.
I made my debut at the same age and it was an incredible feeling. So for Oxford to put in a composed performance like that in midfield at the Emirates was sensational. The good news for him is it only gets easier from here.
he’s got a long way to go but it shows we have good young English players — they just need to be given a chance. Slaven Bilic was under pressure after going out of the Europa League so credit to him for picking Oxford.
And West ham’s new boy Dimitri Payet? Wow. he was exceptional. As for Arsenal, the only good news after that loss is the transfer window is still open.
ODION PUTS ON A FINE SHOW
ODION IGHALO nearly made it into my list of 10 players to watch this season but I wasn’t sure how often he would start for Watford. If he keeps playing like he did on Saturday, he will be getting plenty of games. Ighalo had a big impact when he came on, leaving John Stones for dead to score a terrific goal. He and Troy Deeney combined well and they were a real handful for Everton. That pace and power will help Watford compete this season. By contrast, fellow new boys Norwich and Bournemouth played some nice football but in the Premier League you have to have a nasty side, too.
LVG OFF THE MARK
LAST season Manchester United lost on the opening day to Swansea. On the surface this year’s game against Tottenham looked even tougher.
Spurs have caused problems at Old Trafford in recent times but, even though Louis van Gaal’s men were far from their best, they did what Chelsea and Arsenal didn’t. They won.
25 PL points won by Leicester since the start of April — more than any other side.
17 IGHALO has 17 goals in 2015, more than any other player in the top four tiers.