Five key questions heading into week three - EPL

  • 25/08/2016
Manchester United's Paul Pogba (Getty file)
Manchester United's Paul Pogba (Getty file)

By Alex Bell

How good is Paul Pogba?

When Jose Mourinho was being touted for his 'special' services at Old Trafford, he probably said something like this: "I want loads of money to buy anyone I like!" With a bottomless pit of dosh, off he went and nabbed Paul Pogba, who was at United four years previously and left for Juventus after a handful of appearances.

It was a messy departure, with former gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson not happy at the Frenchman’s behaviour.  But PP gracefully swallowed his pride and returned to Old Trafford for more than $500,000 a week – what a sweetheart.

Throw in a $200m transfer fee and you’ll be hoping he’s quite good… well he is. In fact, he’s outstanding.

On his debut against Southampton, Pogba ran the show. Covering every blade of grass, he was head and shoulders above everyone else, literally and figuratively. His touch, vision and strength on the ball invoked comparisons with Patrick Vieira, but for me PP can be so much more.

Of course he’s not worth that silly money, but United fans will be salivating at the prospects for this season. They have the best young player in the league (PP is 23), the best old player (Ibrahimovic is 34) and perhaps the top keeper in the world (De Gea).

It’s Hull away this weekend… and the future certainly looks red.

Has Joe Hart been treated poorly?

Is it just me, or has there been a slight over-reaction to Joe Hart losing the Manchester City No 1 jersey?

I admit, I'm not a member of the 'I Hart Jo' fanclub – despite delivering some incredible, world-class performances for Citeh, especially in the Champions League.

Five key questions heading into week three - EPL

Manchester City's Joe Hart (Getty file)

But his form has been below average for a while now. Hart was dreadfully exposed on his left side in the European Championships with England, and Pep Guardiola is looking for a goalkeeper more comfortable with the ball at his feet, hence Willy Caballero getting the nod and Claudio Bravo coming in from Barcelona.

When told he had a 100 per cent pass completion rate in the Champions League second leg against Steaua, Hart tweeted: “Wow! Pigs do fly, don’t they?”

Grow up man, you won the game 6-0 on aggregate and had bugger all to do. When a manager who holds the status of Pep Guardiola decides you’re not good enough, it’s time to iron out your weaknesses and prove him wrong, not get smart on social media.

Who wins the battle of the nearly men?  

I acutely recall Spurs vs Liverpool always being a cracker of a game back in the early 80s. So much quality was on show, with Hoddle’s delicate genius up against the brutal, uncompromising drive of Souness.

And while Dier vs Lallana doesn’t have quite the same joie de vivre, this weekend’s clash is still massive, especially with an international break coming up.

Jurgen Klopp will be so desperate for a clean sheet, having conceded five goals in their first two games, while Mauricio Pochettino is still working on the ideal striking formation for Harry Kane. New signing Vincent Janssen played 90 minutes last week, while Eric Dier and Dele Alli have been on rotation in midfield.

It’s the early kick-off on Saturday and is not to be missed.  

Do you live in a Fantasy world?

For those of us who play Fantasy Premier League, unearthing a bargain is everything.

Currently, in my fantasy.premierleague edition, the top goalkeeper is Burnley’s Paul Heaton, while Gareth McAuley, James Collins, and Curtis Davies are leading the way for defenders.

Etienne Capoue already has two goals for Watford, with Negredo and Stuani tearing it up for Middlesbrough – I have none of these players!

Of course Aguero and Ibrahimovic are worthy (but expensive) investments, while Vardy is still to fire (please hurry up, Jamie).

But you have to ask yourself a question at this early stage: Am I fully committed to this, because it’s dangerously consuming – or can I walk away and not really be that bothered?   

Who will panic buy in the transfer window?

With just six days left, it’s now or never for managers looking to add to their squads.

When the Premier League comes knocking, selling clubs can just stick a zero on the end of their valuations, adding to the incredibly inflated sums being washed around.

But it won’t stop Chelsea trying to bring in some defensive options, including household name Kalidou Koulibaly, and West Ham possibly in the running for strikers Loic Remy or Wilfried Bony.

And will Arsene Wenger keep his chequebook powder dry? That decision may have a direct impact on the Frenchman’s short-term future.    

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