EARLY SIGNALS

International break as always provides a good time to take a quick gut check on the performance of the teams in the EPL so far:

Arsenal: Wenger still does not know how to make subs, The Gunners still choke in big games, “Princess Ozil” couldn’t be bothered with work-rate, Lacazette has looked really sharp, and Arsenal have another failed transfer window.

Chelsea: Fabregas & Hazard hold key to the blues creativity, “70% of the earth” is still covered by Kante, They still can grind out results in big games, Morata has settled in nicely, Alonso guarantees fantasy points, Contes’s “pickup line”didn’t woo his main targets.

Liverpool: Gegen pressing still pressing on, Mo Salah’s speed is very real & it comes with goal scoring ability, Klopp did excellent transfer business except signing his most pressing need (CB).

Man City: Pep bought a new defense but they are still leaking goals, Sterling is pushing for a starting place, City’s attempt to form EPL’s “Globetrotters” thwarted by Arsenal on transfer deadline day.

Man Utd: Matic has started like he was on the team last season, Fellaini’s resurgence under Jose continues, Martial & Rashford are challenging each other positively, Jose still requires a solid left back, and maybe this is the season we say “How Mikhi got his groove back”.

Spurs: Wembley still feels strange to them, Kane’s August blues still continue, Poch not content with being best defense last season so he signs more defenders, Eriksen still knits it all together for Spurs, Trippier might be relegated to 2nd choice if Serge hits the ground running.

Others: Everton are still a hard team to beat until they play Chelsea, Bilic already on borrowed time, Pulis still organizes a solid defense, and Leicester’s Mahrez is still nowhere to be found.