Three talking points from Gameweek 33 in the EPL
Here are three talking points that we can take from the Premier League’s Gameweek 33
1. Mason Greenwood is a player for the future and the present…
If it wasn’t already clear to see, Greenwood’s outstanding performance against Bournemouth on Sunday proves he has the potential to be world class.
However, what also appears evident from the 18-year-old is that he’s a player who can perform for Manchester United in their big run in.
Having scored arguably his best United goal midweek against Brighton, he followed it up with two exceptional finishes on Saturday.
He was awarded man of the match against Bournemouth in a game where a number of players could have staked a claim, including Bruno Fernandes who set up Greenwood’s first goal, got another assist and scored delightful free-kick.
It was the brilliance of Greenwood, once again showing he can score with both feet that stood out amongst a United attack all in great form.
He shows so much maturity for his age, for someone so young he gets so much power in his shots and he’s already one of the most complete goal scorers in the Premier League.
He needs to consistently offer more outside of scoring goals, but he showed a glimpse against Brighton of what he’s capable of away from goalscoring.
He provided a delightful cross for Bruno to volley for his second goal of the game and those two are starting to build up a real understanding with each other.
It’s time now for Ole to give Greenwood an extended run in the team, with vital league, FA Cup and Europa League games still to come as Manchester United chase a top four finish and two trophies.
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2. Manchester City need to invest if they want to challenge for the title next season…
This is a big summer for Manchester City.
City are eagerly awaiting to find out whether or not they will be banned from European football for two years, one year or not at all, it's also a summer in which Pep needs to spend in order to close the gap on Liverpool.
If this summer goes badly, they lose the appeal, fail to attract big names, then not only could the title be beyond them, but so could a top two finish.
Chelsea have already invested well with the signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Zieych and Manchester United appear to be heading in the right direction since the January arrival of Bruno Fernandes.
Therefore, winning the appeal could be paramount to Manchester City’s success next season as they need to attract players who will take an already impressive squad to the next level but also keep hold of players who demand Champions League football.
Who’s to say Kevin De Bruyne will stick around if the two-year ban is upheld?
The best midfielder in the Premier League, if not the world surely has to be playing Champions League football.
Pep Guardiola seemed lost for words after Manchester City’s 9th league defeat of the season to Southampton on Sunday, as he couldn’t explain why the same team which won the league last season, fell so short of that this season.
To me the issue is in the defence, Laporte being back from injury is a boost but looking towards next season, he is the only player in the back four that looks secure in a starting place.
Walker has had a good season so you would expect to see him at right back but Otamendi isn’t consistent enough for Manchester City and he’s had another hit and miss campaign.
He is a big weakness in the heart of City’s backline which is a stark contrast to Vincent Kompany’s leader and legend status. 19-year old Eric Garcia could well be the long-term replacement for Kompany but in the short-term, the club must invest in a world class centre-half.
They also need to sort out the issue at left back, as Pep has rotated between Zinchenko, Mendy and Angelino (before he moved on loan in January to RB Leipzig) and hasn’t found one man he trusts to fulfil that role effectively.
Although both Mendy and Zinchenko both have some good qualities, this is another position that Pep needs to strengthen in the summer, so that next season they can have a reliable and consistent back four in the same mould that Klopp has at Liverpool.
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3. There are only a few teams with nothing to play for…
In a season where the top teams have all (bar Liverpool) struggled for consistency, there is very little separating the top half of the table with the bottom half, which gives even a club like Southampton in 13th slim hope of European football.
The two main battles are for the Champions league places and the fight to stay up.
Leicester recorded a vital win for their Champions League aspirations against Crystal Palace, to put an end to a barren run of form.
That win has reignited their top four chances, just when it looked likely that both Chelsea and Manchester United would leapfrog them in the table.
Despite losing to Arsenal on Saturday, Wolves are still in with an outside chance of making the top four as four clubs scrap it out for two places in the most unpredictable top four race in years.
There is also the possibility that 5th could be enough for the Champions League which also means that 8th place could get you Europa league football next season.
From 6th placed Wolves downwards, there has been no consistency in the league standings, with teams constantly moving up and down the table.
The most in form team with a chance of Europa League football is Southampton, despite having been in a relegation battle not so long ago.
However, several teams will fancy their chances of securing unlikely Europa League football for next season.
Whilst Manchester United, Wolves and Arsenal currently vacate the three Europa League places, (assuming Manchester City win their court case) Tottenham, Sheffield United and Burnley are all very much in contention.
As for the relegation battle, Norwich’s third defeat from three since the restart leaves them all but relegated.
The other two teams to go down are much harder to predict, the form Bournemouth are in would suggest they are the next most likely side to go down and then it would be between Aston Villa, Watford and West Ham for the final relegation spot.
Villa currently in 18th could join Bournemouth and Norwich as they have a more difficult run of games than 17th placed Watford.
4 points from their last two games, including a massive London derby win over Chelsea, means that West Ham are in a strong position to avoid a relegation that would be disastrous for the club.
It’s the relegation battle that nobody wants to lose but with that in mind, a win for Watford against doomed Norwich this evening could be enough to ensure survival and to see Aston Villa go straight back from where they came from.
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