What We Know About The Top 6 Premier League Teams So Far

With another international break in full swing let’s take a look about the positives, negatives, and things to look for with the top six teams in the Premier League.

1st-Liverpool

Liverpool sit top of the table with 18 points. Maybe a surprise to some that they are on top of the table. The main reason is because they started the season under new head coach Arne Slot. To say he’s done a good job would be an understatement so far. It’s still early, but there’s something different about this squad compared to what they looked like under former coach Jurgen Klopp. This team feels more composed than ever, the midfield is more balanced largely due to the fact that Ryan Gravenberch is having a phenomenal season and probably Liverpool’s best player this season. The defense has been solid only conceding two goals all year, even though at times they look a little shaky. The only issue I see with this Liverpool side is their ability to consistently kill off games. However, it’s still to early to be calling them title favorites, but it’s good that they haven’t shown any signs of drop offs. Having overall more time under Slot to integrate more of his ideologies and tactics will go a long way to their quest for a Premier League trophy.

2nd- Manchester City

Second on the table is Manchester City. The team looks good, but the defense needs help and I don’t know with Rodri’s season ending injury that things will get better for them. Now it would absolutely ludicrous to rule out City for the Premier League trophy considering they’ve been a powerhouse for well over a decade now. But if there’s any man in this sport to come up with a tactic to try and replace what Rodri brought to the pitch, it would be Pep Guardiola. It’s almost impossible to replace Rodri player for player. Guardiola can’t ask Mateo Kovacic to do exactly what Rodri did because they’re completely two different players. I do think though that this international break came at a perfect time for Guardiola and he’s probably sitting in his office for hours ripping off his hair if he had any coming up with a tactic to “ruin” football again. My hunch is that City will be just fine and for sure be in contention for a fifth Premier League crown in a row.

3rd- Arsenal

From the time of writing we don’t know how serious Bukayo Saka’s injury is. If it is a serious injury that’ll leave him out for months it’ll obviously be costly to them and their hopes of winning their first Premier League trophy since 2004. When healthy this team are title contenders. I think their best 11 can go toe to toe with anyone in the league. It helps that they have a great coach and that all their players are committed to the project they are trying to build. My worries again though is if this team can stay healthy. In a full season I don’t know if you’re able to trust an attack with Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Raheem Sterling. And if those players I mentioned go down with an injury; then there will be serious concerns on who’s gonna score the goals. The good thing about this squad is that they’re deep in Midfield and Defense. A few seasons ago when William Saliba went down with a long injury their season was essentially over. Now they have a few quality options that are able to slot in for Saliba or Gabriel and same could be said for the midfield. It’s unfortunate that summer signing Mikel Merino got injured on his first day at the job, but I think Jorginho and Thomas Partey are quality rotation players that can help you win games. Basically what I’m trying to say is that this team should win the league if they’re healthy, especially if City struggle without Rodri and Liverpool dip in consistency.

4th- Chelsea

The Blues sit in fourth with three points off the top. They’ve only lost one game this season and that was to defending champs Manchester City. The skies aren’t as gloomy anymore at Stanford Bridge considering what the past few seasons looked like. While the team isn’t perfect, its definitely the best they’ve looked since the UCL winning season back in 2021. To start with the negatives the defense still dosen’t look good apart from Levi Cowill. Wesley Fofana hasn’t been looking the best considering what Chelsea paid for him a few seasons ago. Understanding that this is Fofana’s first consistent season in the last two years due to injury, I do think there’s a slight chance moving forward that he will become the defender he was at Leicester City with more games. Goalie Robert Sánchez has his moments where he can be a very good shop stopper, but when it’s time to play the ball from the back he does tend to have a few hiccups like the game against Brighton. I wouldn’t be surprised when the winter window comes that Chelsea will look into signing a center back and goalie, even though they signed goalie Filip Jörgensen from Spanish club Villarreal last summer. Now you can’t talk Chelsea without mentioning Cole Palmer. It’s not a shock to anyone that he is Chelsea’s best player again this season and fans should be delighted that he’s able to retain his last season form. Head coach Enzo Maresca has this side playing great transition football which can be dangerous against top sides. While going up against a low block however, there’s still concerns if Chelsea can win those games. It was evident with the games against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forrest that this side will struggle against compact defensive sides. A top four finish should be the aim for this side as the season starts going in full swing.

5th- Aston Villa

Head coach Unai Emery is having the best problem to deal with and that’s having two strikers who can’t stop producing. Striker Jhon Duran has been one of the most fun players to watch even though he never sees the pitch for more than 30 minutes. Duran averages a goal every 46 minutes considering he averages 26 minutes a game. Ollie Watkins started the season off a little slow, but has six goal contributions in the last five games. I do think Emery is having a headache on how to get both of these players starting at the same time. There is a world where this duo works out. I would like to see Watkins play off the flank with Duran in the middle holding the ball or being given the freedom to rip a shot 25+ yards away. Winger Leon Bailey isn’t having the best season, so a like for like swap with Watkins is for sure a possibility. Some other notable players for Villa this season is midfielder Morgan Rogers. Rogers hasn’t been stuffing up the scoresheet, but if you watch him you understand how gifted of a player he is. A very direct midfielder who is willing to take on anyone and creates many chances for his forwards. Villa overall are a very fun watch and will be interesting how this team will cope with the Champions League and other tournaments. If the team stays healthy I do think they can compete for the top four.

6th- Brighton

Enjoying the hot start at the beginning of the season, the team has definitely started to cool down just a bit. Still if you ask any Brighton fan before the season that they would be 6th with a win over Manchester United and holding a draw at the Emirates at this point of the season they would be happy. The positives for this side is that they can score consistently. Brighton are getting great production from Danny Welbeck who seems to be aging like fine wine. Welbeck has four goals this season and one coming from a free kick which was his first of his career. A negative for them is their defensive line. Brighton have the most goals conceded out of any club in the top 10 and their highline is a point of attack for teams going against them. It’s like double edged sword though because I do think the reason they score many goals is because they win the ball so high up the field which can lead to counter attacks, but it’s easy for teams to get in behind against them which leaves them exposed to concede. As of right now this team doesn’t have the quickest center-backs to suit their style of play, so I do think that will be a point of emphasis during the winter and summer transfer window. Brighton do have the youngest coach in the league Fabian Hurzeler at 31 years old and bumps along the road are expected, but for them any finish that guarantees European football for them will be a success.