Going into the new year, the battle for the 2018/19 Premier League title appears to be a three-horse race.
Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City lead the way after a festive period of mixed fortunes for the clubs at the top. Jurgen Klopp’s men now lead City by seven points, while Spurs have jumped over the champions into second.
Despite Liverpool’s lead, it’s been impossible to separate the teams this calendar year; they have all picked up exactly 85 points in 2018. With the quality the three sides have at their disposal, there are certain to be countless twists and turns between now and the end of the campaign.
But alongside the star performers in each squad, there are players whose performances are going unsung. And despite the three leaders racking up the points, there is also a weak link or two in every side.
So who are the unsung MVPs for Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City? And who are the weak links? Let’s explore.
Liverpool
Unsung MVP: James Milner
Liverpool can seemingly do no wrong. They are top of the league, unbeaten and have conceded seven goals in 19 matches. As a result, onlookers have been singing the praises of just about every Liverpool player of late.
Predictably, there have been some standout performers; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk immediately spring to mind. But as usual, James Milner has been steadily going about his business without attracting too much attention.
His statistics are solid across the board. Of Liverpool players who have been given more than 270 league minutes this season, only Salah (2.75) and Xherdan Shaqiri (1.87) have created more chances per 90 minutes than Milner (1.84).
Again, of those with more than 270 minutes, Milner has made more total blocks (2.76) per 90 minutes than any other player at the club this term.
“He is still in my top three contenders for Footballer of the Year,” Garth Crooks said of Milner after a dependable performance at right-back against Wolves. If Liverpool do go on to win the Premier League, Milner’s influence should be recognised just as much as that of Salah and company.
Weak link: Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno
The Reds’ success so far this season has been the direct result of an improved defensive record ever since the arrival of Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in January. That said, it does feel like the Merseysiders are one injury to a key defender away from a real problem.
Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip remain erratic defensively but have performed commendably when called upon. However, if Van Dijk was to pick up an injury, consistency would be required from Lovren and Matip, which would be testing.
But perhaps even more of an issue is Liverpool’s lack of depth at full-back. Nathaniel Clyne and Alberto Moreno have barely played this term because of a combination of injuries and other options being preferred.
Andy Robertson, who creates 1.64 chances per 90 minutes from left-back, has become a vital cog in Klopp’s attacking machine. The fact Liverpool are an injury away from having to give Moreno an extended run of games is a big concern.
They have dealt with things slightly better on the right, but Klopp preferring Milner – a player needed in midfield – to Clyne in the back line when Trent Alexander-Arnold is unavailable could cause issues down the line.
READ MORE: Every player rated as Klopp’s side complete unbeaten half-season to secure six-point lead
Tottenham
Unsung MVP: Erik Lamela
Since joining Spurs in the summer of 2013, Erik Lamela has always seemed to be on the verge of becoming a forgotten man. He has constantly been linked with a move back to Italy and injuries have prevented him from ever becoming a regular starter.
Lamela missed most of last season after undergoing hip surgery but returned towards the end of the campaign and scored twice on the final weekend. Those were his only two goals in the Premier League last term – he has already doubled that tally this season.
Indeed, the Argentinian has scored six goals in all competitions in 2018/19 and is proving to be one of the most important players in Tottenham’s squad. The recent form of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dele Alli has seen Lamela’s number of starts fall, but his stats prove he shouldn’t be ignored.
The 26-year-old has managed more successful take-ons (2.26) and more total attempts at goal (4.1) per 90 minutes than any other Spurs player in the Premier League this season. What’s more, only Harry Kane (2.05) has had as many shots on target per 90 minutes as Lamela (also 2.05).
Weak link: Eric Dier
With so many of his players having featured in the latter stages of the World Cup, Pochettino has rotated heavily since the summer to keep key men fresh. Injuries have made matters even more difficult, but Spurs have managed to stay near the top despite constant changes in personnel.
However, the area they have struggled most in is central midfield. A trio of Harry Winks, Moussa Sissoko and Christian Eriksen is currently doing a surprisingly effective job, but the need for a defensive minded player like Dier is evident. Or is it?
Dier is a favourite of Pochettino’s but his statistics suggest Tottenham need someone better in his position. He has won 4.34 total duels per 90 minutes in the Premier League this term, fewer than Winks (4.47), a midfielder not known for his defensive attributes.
On top of that, Dele Alli – an attacker by trade – is managing more interceptions (1.83), total blocks (1.96) and tackles (1.47) than Dier (1.13, 1.61, 1.13), who has struggled to track the opposition’s midfield runners at times this season.
Dier’s versatility has been – and will continue to be – useful to Spurs but a more commanding deep-laying midfielder is needed. Further injuries to Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama might force Pochettino into the transfer market in January.
Manchester City
Unsung MVP: Fernandinho
For all of their attacking talent and depth, Manchester City’s most important player may be a deeper one. Much has been said about Fernandinho’s absence in recent weeks, and the stats back up the dissenting voices.
Under Guardiola, City have won 71.3% of their matches with Fernandinho in the team, but only 59.3% without the Brazilian.
His absence was clear for all to see in City’s defeats to Crystal Palace and Leicester City over Christmas. Leicester created eight chances from open play in their 2-1 victory on Boxing Day – only Arsenal and Wolves have matched that tally against City in the Premier League this season.
Guardiola has tried Ilkay Gundogan and Fabian Delph (more on him below) in the Fernandinho role but it hasn’t worked out. City are better going forward and defensively when Fernandinho is in the team, such is the 33-year-old’s importance.
Weak link: Fabian Delph
It might seem harsh to pick out Delph as a weak link considering the surprising impact he has made under Pep Guardiola’s management. But having to play Delph in two key positions has highlighted some of his flaws, mainly because he can’t replicate the attributes of the players he is filling in for.
As mentioned above, defensive midfield is the biggest issue. City are a massively weakened side without Fernandinho and there isn’t a player in the squad who can fill that hole. Delph has been trailed in front of a back four but his influence simply can’t match that of Fernandinho.
In fairness to Delph, he may have been given more time to grow into the defensive midfield role had he not been needed in yet another position. Benjamin Mendy’s injuries have seen Delph primarily used at left-back.
The England international has generally impressed in the back line, but City miss Mendy’s attacking width. Indeed, Mendy has created 1.22 chances per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season; Delph has only managed 0.57.
It’s worth reiterating Delph has performed well in unfamiliar roles for City. But the champions may need reinforcements in the positions he is playing if they are to retain their crown.
The post Unsung MVPs & weak links in each of the three Premier League title contenders appeared first on Squawka News.
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