The Story so far: 2020/2021 English Premier League defining moment

Like they said, the English Premier League is the best football league in the world. Drama, suspense, action, mind games will all play its part as they look for the consistent team after 38 games. The story so far has seen Chelsea who spent over £200m in the summer transfer window is still battling at the mid-table. Manchester United fans called for the sacking of their legend and coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a very poor start to the campaign but started singing his name and praising him after going 17 games unbeaten which put them in the first position. Liverpool was hammered by Aston Villa and hammered Crystal Palace all in the space of one season, Tottenham Hot Spur, Everton, Leicester City all topped the league also. This is the league we all want to see, the league we all love and the league we don’t want to miss any moment.

Let me start with Manchester United. Manchester United welcomed Alex Telles, Donny Van de Beek, Cavani in the summer transfer window but had a poor start to the campaign. The first game was at Old Trafford where they hosted Crystal Palace. We all expected Manchester United to register their first win in the campaign but the players looked like they haven’t cleaned the cobwebs in their wardrobe. The sluggishness and nonchalant attitude contributed to their first woe of the season. Zaha was full of himself and he had a stellar performance scoring twice. Donny Van de Beek was introduced and got his league debut for the club but his introduction paved way for the clubs only goal. That wasn’t enough, Tottenham was invited for a league game and couldn’t take the fixture lightly. Manchester United playmaker, Bruno Fernandes’ early penalty was the only goal the Manchester club were able to manage that day. The White Hart Lane outfit netted 6 times which made Jose Mourinho very happy with the build up considering the fact he trashed his former club 6-1. Manchester United was struggling in the second half of the table but as soon they gained their confidence back, they went on seven (7) away games at a streak, coming victorious in all of them. They found themselves in the top four already and the rest was history. Performing outstandingly in the league, they were shocked by the Blades (Sheffield United) last night who are battling relegation, winning just one out of 19 games. The fans are currently blaming Ole and Martial for their poor turn up but the league is still open for anyone to claim.

Several football pundits called Chelsea “title contenders” based on how they went on a spending spree, buying every available talent in Europe. But as things were not going well for them, they were labelled “title pretenders” by fans on social media. Frank Lampard was given all the force he needed to bring the club back to good shape. Chelsea’s bright start in the league gave them an edge in the league. They lost many of the games and Lampard was accused of not bringing the best off the players he signed. Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Mendy, Ziyech was finding it difficult to adapt. Lampard lost his job but many people felt he should have been given more time. Chelsea as a football club has a history of ditching managers when the results is nothing to write home about, so Frank Lampard’s predicament and dismissal shouldn’t be an exception. Thomas Tuchel took over and his first game was a goalless draw against Wolves at Stamford Bridge. Tuchel also promised to bring laughter and joy to the fans face and also insisted his legacy will yield good football and makes opponent uncomfortable if they want to play against his squad.

Next up is Arsenal. In Mikel Arteta we trust, the Gunners shaky start saw them very close to the relegation zone and Arsenal’s hierarchy were very patient enough and had faith in the Spaniard. Arsenal brought out their winning spirit against Chelsea where they played with so much energy and strength. Xhaka was sensational, and his re-insurgence back to the fold continued to keep Arsenal in a good working condition. Arsenal initially lost to Everton, Burnley but threw the water cans back at Manchester United and Chelsea when it reached their turn to take that three points from the cheerful givers. Mikel Arteta’s long term project for the North London club is still in the process despite loosing Mesut Ozil to Fenerbahce.

Pep Guardiola has had series of unavailability in his team selections due to physical, mental or health injury. Manchester City’s disappointment game i could recall was against Leicester City where Vardy netted hat-trick (5-3 defeat at the Etihad Stadium). I was bemused at first but couldn’t help it, “a whole Manchester City was battered in her home like a child” i said to myself. Since then, Manchester City picked a good run of form in the season conceding just once since the pairing of Ruben Diaz and John Stones. They are currently first position with a game in hand and i don’t think they will be able to drop down this season (anything is still possible in football though).

Tottenham’s on and off display shouldn’t be worried about because a specialist in Jose Mourinho is currently handling the club’s progress. To be sincere, Tottenham’s CEO Levy left Spurs in the hands of someone he has no trust issues with and that man is called “Jose Mourinho: The Special One.” Liverpool also started the season very well, making people believe they are going to retain the league title but 7-2 defeat against Aston Villa raised a big question mark on that go ahaed adventure. Even after hammering Crystal Palace 7-2, they couldn’t score a single goal in their first 3 league games in 2021. Well, they finally opened the 2021 score chart in the league against Tottenham with Firmino breaking that jinx.

The league is thus, far from finish and we are not sure who will be the champions come May, 2021. This is how the English Premier league has always been and that is why it is still regarded as the “best league” in the world. The story so far has been hectic and dramatic, nobody is a fortune teller, nobody sees the future as anything can still happen in the game of football.