Post-Guardiola, Guéhi Versatility Crucial As Bouaddi Arrives
Coach Enzo Maresca has a shiny new £85m midfielder he could select for a debut but he may want Ayyoub Bouaddi, at 18 years old, to have a bit of time watching on from the bench to learn about the Premier League from his elders.
The Moroccan may not have expected one of those to be a centre-back by trade.
Tonight, Marc Guéhi will be eager to make a triumphant return to Crystal Palace and may well have the opportunity to do so from central midfield, where he played last weekend in the victory over Bournemouth, scoring the equaliser.
The centre-back was a surprise selection in the blocker role next to Elliot Anderson, but equipped himself admirably and was not limited to the dirty work, often being found in more advanced positions in open play and happy to have the ball at his feet.
His long-term future is unlikely to be outside defence but further proof of Guéhi’s adaptability will be a positive for Maresca, as a long season awaits.
*Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Friday.
Liverpool Need To Stop Gibbs-White
“It is just not personnel,” insisted Coach Andoni Iraola in response to Liverpool conceding two goals to quick Newcastle transitions in his first Premier League game as the club’s head coach.
Some long-term faults cannot be rectified overnight – although that did not prevent some hysterical reactions to the performance at St James’ Park – and, with Liverpool prioritising wingers in the final days of the transfer window, the answer to this particular weakness, as Iraola indicated, lies on the training ground.
Morgan Gibbs-White revelled in the spaces behind Liverpool’s midfield last season as he – and set pieces – helped Nottingham Forest to a second successive league win at Anfield.
Iraola does not want to curb Ryan Gravenberch’s attacking instincts but greater tactical discipline and willingness to do the dirty work from the entire Liverpool midfield will be needed to stop Gibbs-White producing a repeat performance.
Forest’s new record signing, Liam Delap, has also been registered in time to play.
*Liverpool v Nottingham Forest, Saturday.
Acheampong Fights To Stay With Blues
This is an important moment in Josh Acheampong’s development. The 20-year-old academy graduate did not have many opportunities last year but he started in Coach Xabi Alonso’s back three when Chelsea beat Fulham on Monday.
It was a big vote of confidence from Alonso in the young defender, who played well, and may indicate that Acheampong will stay at Stamford Bridge this season.
Several clubs are interested in the England youth international and there is talk of a loan before the transfer window shuts, but Acheampong would strengthen his position further if he is selected again for Sunday’s home game against Brighton.
*Chelsea v Brighton, Sunday.
Carrick Under Pressure To Deliver
Manchester United are bloody-nosed and Ipswich definitely delighted after the tale of each team’s results on the opening weekend.
At Hull last game day, Coach Michael Carrick’s team played with zero cohesion and conviction and went down to a miserable 2-0 loss.
At Portman Road, Coach Gary O’Neil’s Ipswich hosted Sunderland and claimed a rousing late 2-1 win, so arrive at Old Trafford with a bounce in the step.
Carrick has to lift his men and get a result – preferably victory.
A loss, at home, to another promoted team, would begin the latest inquiry into a United manager: a predicament suffered by all of Sir Alex Ferguson’s successors.
*Manchester United v Ipswich, Sunday.
Villa Fans Bid Farewell To Arsenal’s Konsa
At a time when the manner of a player’s departure feels particularly pertinent, especially at Aston Villa, Ezri Konsa can expect a warm reception on his return.
Konsa could make his Arsenal debut at Villa Park against his former club, where he excelled across seven seasons. A £12m buy from Brentford in 2019, Konsa surely represents one of their finest signings in the Premier League era.
He joined fresh from a single season in the Championship with Brentford and left as an England regular and a Europa League winner.
Konsa’s role in Villa’s recent success should not be overlooked. Coach Unai Emery can be judged by Villa’s extraordinary run of league finishes – seventh, fourth, sixth and fourth – but also his track record of turning promising talents, such as Konsa, into fully fledged internationals.
*Aston Villa v Arsenal, Monday.
Tottenham Keen For Tonali To Tick
It has not taken long for Sandro Tonali to be reunited with his former teammates. After succumbing 3-0 on the opening weekend at Brentford, a home victory will be the minimum requirement for Tottenham.
Coach Roberto De Zerbi and his players will be desperate to show that things have changed after a busy summer in the transfer market. Tonali will be a key part of that; he was the only central midfielder who made it past half-time in west London, so at least has minutes in his legs to build on.
The Italian will be eager not to suffer at the hands of a team that served him well after bringing him to England. Tonali is supposed to make his new team tick and a rousing home debut would do a lot for everyone’s confidence, while defeat would bring plenty more questions.
*Tottenham v Newcastle, Saturday.
