Premier League talk is all about the Top Six and how it’s impossible for any other clubs to break into this exclusive group. Leicester City proved, albeit briefly, that it is possible to mount a challenge but are there any clubs that pose a credible threat to the dominance of England’s dominant clubs?
Chelsea has hit on a formula that will keep it at the top for years to come. The tactical brilliance of Antonio Conte led them to the title last season and there is no reason why that won’t continue. The only thing holding the club back is the Diego Costa situation. His days are numbered and Chelsea must replace him. The talk is that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is ready to come in and if he does, watch out everyone!
Also safe from mid-table predators are Manchester City. Pep Guardiola had a tricky first season but his second will surely see a determined tilt at the title. Midfielder Bernardo Silva has been brought in and will be looking to justify his £43m price tag. More importantly, City has taken steps to end its inconsistency between the posts. Goalkeeper Ederson Moraes has been signed from Benfica for another big fee and he will be looking to build his reputation at the Etihad stadium.
Following another superb season, Tottenham Hotspur will be looking to go one better and topple Chelsea from top spot. Mauricio Pochettino has been magnificent since he moved to White Hart Lane and can call on an expanding squad of real class and potential. Dier, Alli and Kane form the spine of the national team as well as Spurs, providing the firepower to keep their challenge alive.
Below these three, there is less certainty. Arsene Wenger’s new contract should deliver stability to the Emirates stadium but despite the capture of Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon, there is uncertainty over the future of a number of first-teamers. Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud may well be on the move.
Manchester United look very strong on paper, as always, but can Jose Mourinho mould them into genuine title contenders? Expectation is huge at Old Trafford but despite spending £120m on Romalu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof, United’s squad remains a group of very good players rather than a cohesive team.
Down the road at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp also faces doubt over the fate of his team. On its day, Liverpool is unstoppable but it doesn’t enjoy too many of those. The Reds are too inconsistent and weighed down with the expectations of the Anfield faithful. Unless Klopp gets his team to really play, Liverpool could struggle.
Waiting in the wings, should any of the Top Six slip up, is Everton. It has been very busy with its chequebook and there is no sign of a let-up. In Ronald Koeman Everton has a manager who has been brilliant since he came to England. He looks like he is building a team that could mount a serious challenge.
He has signed Jordan Pickford, Michael Keane, Davy Klassen and of course Wayne Rooney. The spine of Everton’s team is now rock solid. If the new signings can gel with established players like Phil Jagielka and Morgan Schneiderlin, as well as young players like Tom Davies and Mason Holgate, they will be a real force.
Watch out Top Six, Everton could be ready to gatecrash the party.
by Ian Hine
The post Football: Which Teams Will Finish Top 6? appeared first on Felix Magazine.
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