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Pre-seasons So Far...

olawaliumPosted for Everyone to comment on, 2 years ago5 min read

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I don't really take Pre-seasons to heart but it's always fun to see so many teams showing desires, building up fitness and also giving young players so many opportunities to stake their claim and also gain recognition for themselves. It's fun to watch and I usually watch the games with lightheadedness. I just want to analyze based on my understanding of how so many teams fared and what we are to expect also for the coming season.

I would be talking about the so-called big teams because they are the ones I actually kept tabs on with results and also highlights. I watched quite a lot of these games too because they were played at the right time for me and most of them got streamed live on YouTube. I watched all Manchester United games on MUTV of course.

Arsenal.

I am impressed with how things have gone for Arsenal this preseason. They won all their games and scored a lot of goals. Their new signing that impressed me the most is Gabriel Jesus. I wouldn't say I am surprised because I already mentioned how good he is. He can play on the side and bring others into play and he can play as a striker. Even when he plays as a striker, you see him drift to the side because he is not just about goalscoring but creating chances and helping the team as well. I love that about him and Arsenal would benefit a lot from this.

He is a poacher, a risk taker and he has scored 4 goals already. Arsenal did so well with their transfers and they are the biggest spenders currently in this transfer market in England among the Premier League elites. Arsenal played a fluid game and I love the movement as well as the connection between the players. They are young and exciting and I look forward to seeing what they would offer when the season starts.

We can hope that things would be different for Arsenal this season but it's a matter of time to see if they have what it takes to push all the way. I am used to seeing them fizzle away towards the end of the season and I believe the same thing might happen again this season but with Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard in good form plus Saka and Martinelli doing their part, they might just nick that 4th place but I don't see them higher than 4th place.

It has been positive for Arsenal with transfers and preseason. It has lifted the mood in the camp and given hope to the fan.

Chelsea.

It hasn't been a positive mood with the fans this preseason despite the signings Chelsea has made. There is the joy with the fans after they signed Raheem Sterling and Koulibaly. It would take a while for both players to fully understand their teammates even though Sterling has the edge for his Premier League experience. The struggle showed because both haven't been convincing in the games they played.

Chelsea only won 1 out of their 3 games. They won Club America but lost on Penalties to Charlotte FC after Connor Gallagher missed his spot kick but the talk of the town was when they comprehensively lost against Arsenal by 4-0. I saw a different Arsenal who ripped apart a Chelsea side that wasn't convincing that much in their game. They looked out of depth, clueless and just waiting on luck to favour them. Timo Werner can't lead this side and if the idea was to use Sterling as a striker for the coming season, I think it wouldn't make much sense either since he struggled a bit with Manchester City when he was deployed in that same role. Batshuayi is a good option but I have doubts regarding him leading the line for Chelsea next season.

I don't know if Chelsea is lacking inspiration but the mood of uncertainty is hitting them with Azpilicueta's uncertainty about Barcelona's move as well as Timo Werner publicly stating he doesn't see himself much in the manager's plan. As I've said, it's just preseason but if anyone can recover during the course of the new season I feel it's Chelsea because they have a tough mentality and strong players with a mixture of technicality. I still feel they won't be able to win the Premier League but I don't see them missing out on the Champions League. It would be a top battle for next season because we have a lot of teams vying for the same position and it's hard to imagine the team that might miss out on this race for the top 4.

It's a terrible preseason for Chelsea but it's not the end. It's about preparation and having a peep into what to expect based on different systems and measuring up the fitness level for the incoming season. I think Chelsea would struggle a bit, especially without a recognized striker that they can rely on for the coming season. The transfer market is still open and anything can happen. If they manage to get Cristiano Ronaldo, a lot can change for them so quickly but until then, fingers are crossed.

They are struggling for goals and they have only scored 3 goals in 3 games. They are lining up against Udinese next before the Premier League season starts. They would want to make a positive statement to build their confidence ahead of the Premier League encounter with Everton. It would be interesting to see what can change between now and then.

...to be continued...


Thank you for your time.


My pen doesn't bleed, it speaks, with speed and ease.

Still me,

My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer.

Olawalium; (Love's chemical content, in human form). Take a dose today: doctor's order.

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