The Top 6 has become established over the past few years as the best six sides have always finished in those places. They also have significantly more money than the rest of the league, meaning being able to sign higher quality players more easily (except Arsenal).
Last season, though, Wolves came very close to breaking into to the Top 6. They finished just 9 points off Manchester United which may seem quite a distance but United were terrible and Wolves had some disastrous performances against teams lower down the table. If they had managed to beat those teams, United could've have easily ended in 7th.
This transfer window has particularly shown that the Top 6 could be potentially be broken up. Arsenal and United are the two sides that could be out, with Leicester, West Ham, Wolves and Everton all having a chance at finishing in their positions.
The clubs' activity in the transfer market is very revealing. Leicester, my bet to finish in the Top 6, have spent over £75 million including buying Youri Tielemans, who was a target for Manchester United. West Ham have made an excellent signing in Pablo Fornals and have today agreed a deal with Frankfurt for striker Sebastiaen Haller for £40 million, also linked with Manchester United. It is now at a point where players will turn down Manchester United for other "lesser" clubs due to the club's situation and demise.
Everton had a good end to the season beating Top 6 sides Chelsea, Arsenal and United as well as drawing with Tottenham. They have confirmed the permanent signing of loanee Andre Gomes (£22 million) and if they can continue their form from the back end of last season, plus making other signings, they can be a force.
Wolves had a fantastic season and should qualify for Europa League football. That might hamper their Top 6 aspirations but they certainly have the squad and manager to do both. As previously mentioned, they struggled more so last season against teams who sat deep which meant Wolves dominated possession and couldn't use their counter attack system. If Espirito Santo can find a tactic that works with them in possession, they could be the ones to get in to the Top 6.
It is very much positivity for teams outside the Top 6 but for United and Arsenal, it anything but.
Solskjaer has made two good additions with James and Wan-Bissaka coming in but they need to offload over players quickly but it is not looking likely. There is a lot of deadwood at Old Trafford and other clubs know it, as they are not signing them. United also have other problems, with Pogba and Lukaku both looking to force moves away and Rashford and Lingard acting like twats on holiday, rapping about beans. Players have every right to go on holiday and do as they please, but singing about a protein source after a horrendous season, playing badly and being paid a lot of money won't please fans.
There may be some hope for United, but I cannot see anyway Arsenal cannot be in the Top 6. There has been no first team signings, club captain Laurent Koscielny has not reported on tour as he wants to leave and Tottenham look set to be them to the signing of centre back William Saliba. It must be so depressing as an Arsenal fan. There is no ambition at the club, Kroenke does not invest and Wenger left a squad that, quite simply, isn't good enough.
Chelsea, due to their transfer ban, have not been able to made signings of the same calibre they have lost. They've replaced world class Eden Hazard with Dortmund sub Christian Pulisic and have signed Kovacic. Striker is an issue but their overall squad is better than Arsenal and United so they should be fine.
My prediction is that Leicester replace Arsenal in the Top 6. Rodgers is building a good, young squad while Arsenal are static, as per usual, and are not addressing key areas (defence) that need strengthening. United could be fine as they've made signings in areas that were weak but if they do not sit certain players down and tell them to focus on their job - playing football - then it could go the same way as Arsenal, with Wolves overtaking them.
There could be a change of the guard soon, and it would be great to see some of the traditional powerhouses replaced by other clubs.
Last season, though, Wolves came very close to breaking into to the Top 6. They finished just 9 points off Manchester United which may seem quite a distance but United were terrible and Wolves had some disastrous performances against teams lower down the table. If they had managed to beat those teams, United could've have easily ended in 7th.
This transfer window has particularly shown that the Top 6 could be potentially be broken up. Arsenal and United are the two sides that could be out, with Leicester, West Ham, Wolves and Everton all having a chance at finishing in their positions.
The clubs' activity in the transfer market is very revealing. Leicester, my bet to finish in the Top 6, have spent over £75 million including buying Youri Tielemans, who was a target for Manchester United. West Ham have made an excellent signing in Pablo Fornals and have today agreed a deal with Frankfurt for striker Sebastiaen Haller for £40 million, also linked with Manchester United. It is now at a point where players will turn down Manchester United for other "lesser" clubs due to the club's situation and demise.
Everton had a good end to the season beating Top 6 sides Chelsea, Arsenal and United as well as drawing with Tottenham. They have confirmed the permanent signing of loanee Andre Gomes (£22 million) and if they can continue their form from the back end of last season, plus making other signings, they can be a force.
Wolves had a fantastic season and should qualify for Europa League football. That might hamper their Top 6 aspirations but they certainly have the squad and manager to do both. As previously mentioned, they struggled more so last season against teams who sat deep which meant Wolves dominated possession and couldn't use their counter attack system. If Espirito Santo can find a tactic that works with them in possession, they could be the ones to get in to the Top 6.
It is very much positivity for teams outside the Top 6 but for United and Arsenal, it anything but.
Solskjaer has made two good additions with James and Wan-Bissaka coming in but they need to offload over players quickly but it is not looking likely. There is a lot of deadwood at Old Trafford and other clubs know it, as they are not signing them. United also have other problems, with Pogba and Lukaku both looking to force moves away and Rashford and Lingard acting like twats on holiday, rapping about beans. Players have every right to go on holiday and do as they please, but singing about a protein source after a horrendous season, playing badly and being paid a lot of money won't please fans.
There may be some hope for United, but I cannot see anyway Arsenal cannot be in the Top 6. There has been no first team signings, club captain Laurent Koscielny has not reported on tour as he wants to leave and Tottenham look set to be them to the signing of centre back William Saliba. It must be so depressing as an Arsenal fan. There is no ambition at the club, Kroenke does not invest and Wenger left a squad that, quite simply, isn't good enough.
Chelsea, due to their transfer ban, have not been able to made signings of the same calibre they have lost. They've replaced world class Eden Hazard with Dortmund sub Christian Pulisic and have signed Kovacic. Striker is an issue but their overall squad is better than Arsenal and United so they should be fine.
My prediction is that Leicester replace Arsenal in the Top 6. Rodgers is building a good, young squad while Arsenal are static, as per usual, and are not addressing key areas (defence) that need strengthening. United could be fine as they've made signings in areas that were weak but if they do not sit certain players down and tell them to focus on their job - playing football - then it could go the same way as Arsenal, with Wolves overtaking them.
There could be a change of the guard soon, and it would be great to see some of the traditional powerhouses replaced by other clubs.
Comments
Post a Comment