There wasn’t any EPL action last week and weekend, but plenty of EPL players were involved in Champions League and/or FA Cup play, and there were many lessons to be learned. Here are a few key takeaways:
1. Sadio Mane’s demise has been greatly overstated
Contrary to many popular reports since Mo Salah’s arrival this year, the Senegalese winger is still alive and well. Sure, his production seems down this year as he shares the spotlight with Salah and Roberto Firmino, but a hat trick in the Champions League goes a long way towards curing those ails. All three were on the scoresheet in Liverpool’s 5-0 dismantling of Porto, but none as impressive as Mane. With the counter attacking style of play that the Reds played and how variable the passing combinations can be, it was fitting that Mane finally got his moment in the sun. With that extra confidence going into this weekend’s EPL match with West Ham, Mane’s appeal is as high as it has been all season.
2. Willian and Giroud can thrive together
The Brazilian Willian and the Frenchman Giroud are both capable of delivering strong performances, but their inconsistency in doing so is what keeps fans frustrated. The good side was on display in last week’s FA Cup match, a 4-0 win over Hull, and for Willian, even against the might Barcelona. Their playing styles are quite disparate from each other with Giroud feeding off of crosses and Willian darting through midfield, but there is a commonality between them in how they score points in EPL. It’s either a point for playing minutes, or a goal-scoring, bonus worthy romp. And the reason fans can be so frustrated is that the two players are evidently capable of such performances, but usually only string together a few 1-point showings and then out of nowhere explode for an unusual double-digit hall. But now their unlikely partnership may have an opportunity to thrive, and they’ll have a chance to run out the rest of the season together as likely starters. And the obvious common link is that they tend to shine more against weaker competition, which will begin again in EPl after they play both Manchester teams.
3. Spurs need more of Moura
Spurs must have liked the look of Lucas in his first start for club, and they’ll certainly want more Moura as he finds his feet. Though the overall result, a 2-2 draw against Rochdale, will be disappointing for most Spurs besides Moura and the recovered Harry Kane, Spurs will still be heavy favorites to easily overtake their lower-league opponents in the replay. But back to Moura – he opened Spurs’ scoring and will be a handful for EPL defenses. Moreover, it didn’t take him long to be convinced that his new squad can win the Champions League as he has already professed his confidence in the team’s quality. The pact player must now translate a favorable FA Cup debut performance and some strong talk of European triumphs into success in the EPL if he is to join the core of the club. The Brazilian Moura simply must start against Crystal Palace and Newcastle in order to build his fitness and get him sharp for the hopeful Cup runs. Even without a trophy or two, Moura must continue to build himself up if he wants to be successful from the start next season.
4. Manchester City are human
Singles, doubles, and triples are relatively common in everyday life. Alas, the quadruple (Manchester City’s audacious bid for as many trophies as are possible) has come up short. Though the 1-0 defeat to Wigan is surprising, the really damage would seem to be more afflicting to Pep Guardiola and the team’s pride than anything else. Really, they’ll be fine without the FA Cup and there will surely be another Man City win 1/200 (William Hill) to come. In fact, this loss may be a blessing for many EPL Draft Fantasy managers who have loaded up on City players, and now they can hope to keep a full lineup more easily through the blank gameweeks without dropping them. There will still be some risk ahead with all the other competitions and matches to be scheduled, but one less thing to worry about is a nice surprise. But in the end, they’re still odds on to win the league, and a humbling reminder that they need to refocus and close out their pursuits. That is, as long as they keep their tempers under control.
5. Pogba has a problem
There have been warning signs for weeks that Paul Pogba is unhappy. The arrival of Alexis Sanchez has been a boost for the club in general, but unfortunately Pogba has been pushed deeper, and the creative returns he provided to start the season seem less likely. His undisciplined performance and lack of threat have meant Jose Mourinho has needed to make adjustments, and that is leaving Pogba behind as a top-tier Draft Fantasy threat. An illness sidelined the French midfielder against Huddersfield, as Manchester United won easily, but he is expected to recover and face Sevilla in the Champions League (lineups still unannounced at the time of this writing). Though this is a positive, the whole debacle has left some to wonder if Pogba was truly ill, or perhaps nursing an injured ego. There are already reports that United will prioritize a signing this summer that will unleash Pogba for the next EPL season, but that is still some ways off. Depending on how you look at it, Pogba is either an intriguing buy-low candidate in EPL, or time to look elsewhere, especially in standard scoring leagues.
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