Newcastle
The top ten in the Premier League is stronger than ever, and a range of European contenders have emerged. Newcastle United under Eddie Howe, with a cacophonic cauldron at St James Park, are a force to be reckoned with. Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes are significant signings, and a 5-1 demolition of Aston Villa on the opening weekend was a clear illustration of their quality. Alexander Isak is an exemplary striker, and Eddie Howe has a robust spine to work with. However, a string of matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton have hampered Newcastle’s progress, but they remain a fierce contender for Europe, and maybe even the top four.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have had an outstanding transfer window. Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans are all exceptional signings, as are the low-risk loans of Clement Lenglet and Nicolo Zaniolo. Meanwhile, buyback clauses on the talented pair of academy graduates, Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey are promising for the future. However, Villa’s start to the season has been haphazard. A thrashing by Newcastle on the opening weekend, and then by Liverpool this weekend sandwich two impressive performances. A 4-0 win against Everton and a 3-1 win against Burnley demonstrative of their attacking prowess. Moussa Diaby, one of Bundesliga’s standout wingers, has kindled an impressive partnership alongside Ollie Watkins, while Matty Cash and Lucas Digne have showed signs as attacking full backs. However, Unai Emery’s persistence with a high line can be exploited.
Brighton
Brighton and Roberto de Zerbi were the story of last season and have begun this season in equally impressive fashion. The losses of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo seamlessly replaced by Billy Gilmour and Pascal GroB, while Carlos Baleba will surely be a future superstar. The experienced Mahmoud Dahoud and James Milner, alongside Fiorentina centre back Igor and Bart Verbruggen are needed defensive reinforcement following the return of Levi Colwill to Chelsea. However, it is the signing of Joao Pedro in attack, alongside the shocking loan signing of Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati that are the most exciting. Brighton began with consecutive 4-1 wins against Luton Town and Wolves and Solly March, Kauro Mitoma and Pervis Estupinan have shone. A loss against West Ham was undeserved, as showcased by an entirely one-sided momentum bar. This weekend, 18-year-old Evan Ferguson starred, scoring a sublime Premier League hattrick. Brighton are flourishing, and Ferguson is undoubtedly the next significant talent to break through at the Amex Stadium.
West Ham
For West Ham, a poor Premier League campaign was balanced by a Europa Conference League trophy last season. Coming into this season, the loss of midfield stalwart Declan Rice is momentous, yet the signings of Mohammed Kudus, Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse have added exceptional quality to the Hammer’s midfield. David Moyes’ team has been largely faultless this season, accumulating ten points already. Jarrod Bowen, West Ham’s hero in Prague, and Michail Antonio have impressed in the opening month, while James War-Prowse, and especially his set piece prowess, looks a formidable midfield signing.
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