The problem position for each of the Premier League’s ‘big six’

Each of last season’s top-six sides already have at least two Premier League wins under their belts this term, which is to be expected given the high-calibre players and coaches they all possess.

But despite their superior squads, the ‘big six’ have their issues. Each team has a problem position, an area of the pitch where there is either a lack of quality or depth.

Even after a summer of spending – Tottenham aside – the Premier League’s big boys will still be concerned about certain areas of their squads.

So where exactly are those problem positions? Let’s investigate.

Man City

Problem position: Defensive midfield

Fernandinho played a crucial role in Manchester City’s title win last season. But at 33, question marks are certain to emerge around his ability to maintain a consistent level of performance and fitness this term.

Having missed out on Jorginho to Chelsea over the summer, City have fewer options in central midfield than they had hoped, making it difficult to switch to a system that renders a dedicated holding player unnecessary.

John Stones sat in front of the back four during the latter stages of City’s Community Shield victory over Chelsea. Whether that’s a viable option for the future remains to be seen.

What’s clear is the current reliance on Fernandinho, who has started each of City’s four Premier League games so far this season. Only Aymeric Laporte has made as many clearances as Fernandinho in those four matches (both 13), and the Brazilian has made more recoveries (25) than any other outfield City player.

So while the champions possess one of the best defensive midfielders in the the country, an injury to Fernandinho could seriously hamper their chances of retaining the title.

Man United

Problem position: Centre-back

Manchester United were linked with Toby Alderweireld for much of the summer transfer window – at one point the Mirror claimed a deal was close – but ended up failing to sign a new centre-back.

That has already come back to bite them, with United’s centre-backs floundering badly in defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham.

Eric Bailly’s and Victor Lindelof’s struggles at Brighton saw Jose Mourinho switch to back three of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and, strangely, Ander Herrera against Spurs, a decision that backfired.

Lindelof returned to the line-up and helped United keep a clean sheet at Burnley, but Mourinho’s constant rotation shows there is a real issue in the heart of the defence, an issue that Alderweireld would have partly resolved.

The Belgian has won more tackles in the Premier League (5) than any of United’s centre-backs so far this season. To really rub it in, three of those tackles occurred during Tottenham’s win at Old Trafford.

Tottenham

Problem position: Central midfield

Last season, Mousa Dembele was substituted 13 times for Tottenham in the Premier League. Only Heung-Min Son (20) and Dele Alli (16) were hooked more often, and no other central midfielder was taken off more than nine times (Moussa Sissoko).

Despite his heralded ability, Dembele has struggled with his fitness for years and consequently his influence often wanes towards the end matches.

The Belgian was linked with a move away over the summer and he has now entered the final year of his contract. But despite these issues, Spurs are still somewhat dependent on him.

Why? Two reasons: the Londoners failed to sign a much needed long-term replacement for 31-year-old Dembele over the summer; and the likes Victor Wanyama and Harry Winks have proven to be injury prone over the last 12 months.

As a result, already this season Pochettino has been forced to start Dembele in tough games against Manchester United and Watford, against each of whom he looked ropey. Central midfield cover is desperately needed at Tottenham.

Liverpool

Problem position: Defensive midfield

It says a lot about Liverpool’s impressive squad that theirs was the most difficult in which to identify a problem position. There is perhaps a lack of quality depth at centre-back, and they don’t possess an out-and-out No.10 player to given them another attacking option.

But the Reds’ most pressing issue may actually be a position they are quite well-stocked in. Jurgen Klopp’s three-man midfield is reliant on a defensive-minded player, and Liverpool are struggling to settle on one.

Jordan Henderson and James Milner have done well in deeper-laying roles but they are better known for their passing ability than their propensity to shield a back four. Naby Keita, meanwhile, is more of a forward-thinking midfielder.

A dependence on Fabinho to adapt quickly could see Klopp’s men falter during a run of tough upcoming fixtures against Spurs, PSG and Chelsea.

Failing that, Georginio Wijnaldum could be used in the role, although he is yet another imperfect option in a midfield full of them.

Chelsea

Problem position: Striker

Despite his brilliant start to the previous campaign, Alvaro Morata finished the 2017/18 campaign with just 11 Premier League goals. If Chelsea possessed a Harry Kane or a Mohamed Salah, they would have arguably pipped either Tottenham or Liverpool to a Champions League spot last term.

Despite Morata’s dip, new manager Maurizio Sarri has handed the Spaniard four stars already this season. He has scored just once, though, and Sarri has introduced Oliver Giroud from the bench in all but one game.

That’s not to say Chelsea are having problems scoring as a team. They have netted ten goals across their four matches with players from all positions contributing.

But a lack of firepower where it is needed most – up front – could eventually hurt Chelsea again, just as it eventually did under Antonio Conte.

Morata’s confidence in front of goal doesn’t appear to be improving. If that continues, the Blues may end up pursuing a new striker in the January transfer window.

Arsenal

Problem position: Goalkeeper

So far this season, Petr Cech has made more successful passes (100) than all of his fellow ‘big six’ goalkeepers, but that says more about Arsenal’s new style of play than anything Cech is current accomplishing.

Unai Emery wants his side to play out from the back regardless of the risk, and Cech has been caught out a few times already, failing with 40 passes – only David De Gea has failed with more (55) out of the ‘big six’ stoppers.

With all of that in mind, there are obvious questions to be asked about Bernd Leno, the goalkeeper Arsenal signed from Bayer Leverkusen over the summer and the man many believe should be starting ahead of Cech.

According to football.london, Leno made a costly mistake during a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford, which contributed to his continued exclusion from the first-team line-up.

The Gunners have other defensive issues – notably at centre-back and left-back – but the longer Leno is left out, the more of a standout problem position Arsenal are left with.

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