Paul Merson assesses Chelsea and Enzo Maresca and Arne Slott’s first game at Liverpool Football News

Paul Merson assesses Enzo Maresca and Arne Slott’s first video games in command of Chelsea and Liverpool respectively, why Raheem Sterling holds all of the playing cards in Stamford Bridge stand-off, And the distinctiveness of Mohamed Salah.

Chelsea do not placed on gloves in opposition to Manchester Metropolis

To be trustworthy, I do not suppose Chelsea has any good emotions in direction of Manchester Metropolis. Dwelling benefit, not having Rodri, Phil Foden or Kyle Walker – typically in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, I believe that is considered one of them. They began the preseason enjoying from the again and have been very tight.

I do know it is solely the beginning of the season however there will likely be instances in opposition to Manchester Metropolis and that may be time. You’ll be able to’t simply decide them primarily based on that recreation, however on the identical time like I mentioned, it is the appropriate time to play them.

However they cannot be judged but – I am a giant believer in ready 10 video games and so they’ll inform you the place you are going to be within the league.

For lots of cities, you have a look at yesterday, it was a tricky recreation, Chelsea away and so they gained that recreation. I believe Arsenal might take the lead over Manchester Metropolis this season and so they might draw with Chelsea.

I am shocked X-factor Raheem Sterling did not play in opposition to Manchester Metropolis however he holds all of the playing cards now

nothing improper with me [releasing a statement] – He wonders if he is enjoying. He is coming to the top of his profession and he is performed lots of soccer and he desires to play soccer and does not wish to be caught there.

I simply don’t suppose that should occur proper now. For the membership, when Pedro Neto got here on board, the supervisor had a tough thought and he would not actually be concerned two weeks earlier than the beginning of the season.

Sterling has some huge cash and they should eliminate him instantly, I shudder to suppose how a lot they must pay to let him go.

I do not know what is going on to occur, however I will purchase him. I am stunned he wasn’t concerned yesterday. He has so much to present and he’s a type of guys who has the X issue on his day.

To me, I used to be shocked, however, , the choice is made by the top coach. However I simply suppose that was most likely nipped within the bud two or three weeks in the past.

Raheem holds all of the playing cards now however I believe he simply desires to play soccer. On this case, he didn’t carry out effectively at Chelsea. Nathaniel Chalobah performed lots of soccer final season and is now coaching with the youngsters quite than with the primary crew.

Connor Gallagher is in no man’s land at Atletico Madrid and it does not look good. It is like we are the bosses, however issues have gone from there. I assumed these days the place you have been within the reserves doing nothing have been gone.

If somebody does not prepare with you, if they’ve a nasty perspective, then you possibly can nonetheless go, , you go to the reserves and prepare with the youngsters. I do not just like the ambiance now, lots of people are coaching, perhaps as a result of there are tens of millions of gamers now.

Maresca should discover his finest crew quickly

I’ve mentioned it from the start and I will say it once more as Chelsea supervisor – he [Enzo Maresca] He has to seek out the perfect crew as quickly as doable. We noticed this with Mauricio Pochettino final yr – he by no means knew what his finest crew was and each weekend we requested: “What would Chelsea appear like?” You is perhaps confused. 5 factors eradicated.

I can inform you now which crew Arsenal will likely be enjoying subsequent week. 100%, I do know. I can inform you what Arsenal’s crew will appear like in 5 weeks’ time. That is what he wanted to repair shortly. Yesterday, he fielded three strikers and to some extent needed to preserve steadiness.

The 2 most vital components in profitable any recreation are the goalkeeper and the forwards – nobody can win any recreation with no prime goalkeeper, and also you want a middle ahead.

Sure, Arsenal haven’t any striker however they’ve an excellent goalkeeper and also you noticed it the opposite day when he [David Raya] Made a world-class save to disclaim Jorgen Strand Larsen – a game-changing play as if he had scored and Wolves breathed air , it’s a special recreation.

You see yesterday, Chelsea at all times had a 1-0 probability as a result of they’d have an opportunity earlier than the top of the sport after which the goalkeeper would cross the ball in and the sport can be over. It was like placing a pin within the balloon, the soccer recreation was over – he had to reserve it.

That is Chelsea’s concern and the 2 most vital belongings you want. You have a look at Erling Haaland yesterday – individuals mentioned he solely touched the ball thrice, which made me snort. I would quite he rating than contact the ball 1,600 instances and never rating!

Irreplaceable Mohamed Salah is a one-off

When you’re one of many huge guys, the worst factor you wish to do is play in opposition to one of many promoted groups first. You wish to play them in November however actuality has set in and so they cannot win a soccer recreation and have lots of accidents.

It was an early-season equalizer and Liverpool equalized within the first half. Perhaps with a little bit extra stage Ipswich might have scored, however within the second half, that is what occurred.

The cream will rise to the highest and be relentless. In final yr’s match, they gained that recreation 99.9 % of the time. However on the finish of the day, the injury is restricted, you’d suppose, it might be 4 or 5. They did nothing improper.

You’ll be able to’t communicate extremely sufficient of Salah – what number of targets has he scored now enjoying on the appropriate wing? He is a right-winger, which is basically thrilling. He does it each season, he is Liverpool’s Frank Lampard however on the appropriate wing!

Who got here up with such a proper winger? Not an excessive amount of, he is a one-off, extraordinary, you possibly can’t change these gamers. He exhibits up each week, he is wholesome and he by no means misses lots of video games.

saturday evening soccer The journey to Villa is the true take a look at of Arsenal’s title credentials

Arsenal have been superb at instances, not inside 90 minutes however in all phases of the sport – their mode of play. No disrespect to Manchester United, it was end result on Friday evening however then you definately watch Arsenal play the subsequent day and it is chalk and cheese. The disparity between the 2 groups is staggering.

On the identical time, it is an unbelievable end result for Villa, it is a robust recreation and a tricky place to be. I am undecided what the West Ham supervisor is pondering [Julen Lopetegui] It has been finished, shopping for all these gamers as an alternative of enjoying them. That is extraordinary and I discover it a bit unusual.

However I really feel sorry for him as a result of irrespective of how laborious you’re employed and who you purchase, if individuals do not take set items and let your marker go, it does not matter who you’re. Pep Guardiola is the perfect participant within the enterprise, but when Ruben Dias continues to lose his gamers, it will not matter what Guardiola does.

However we noticed that at Newcastle final yr – it is a huge ask for Villa [to make the top four again]There are additional video games within the Champions League, gamers have not performed earlier than – it took Manchester Metropolis three years to win the title – and it isn’t simply aggressive, it is robust once more on Saturday, it is grueling.

But it surely’s begin as a result of in the event that they lose that recreation after which get overwhelmed by Arsenal then the subsequent recreation will likely be away and so they might lose three of the primary three video games. Then hastily, the season began badly.

But it surely’s an vital recreation in opposition to Arsenal. It is a benchmark for Arsenal and take a look at. Villa scored twice in opposition to them final yr, which value them the league title. However at Villa Park it was the perfect I’ve seen Arsenal play all season and they need to have gained that recreation comfortably.

Saturday, August 24, 5:00 pm

Begins at 5:30 p.m.

However in one other match, I believe Vera did some work on them and so they simply sat on the ropes, acquired punched and thought, “We may give this a attempt now…”

It is an vital recreation as a result of Manchester Metropolis now have the benefit over Chelsea as a result of Arsenal must go to Chelsea and it is a troublesome recreation for them, it is a London derby.

But when Arsenal win this recreation in opposition to Villa and then you definately give Arsenal a bonus, that is how I see it. The title was actually over when Arsenal misplaced to West Ham and Fulham in December as a result of Metropolis do not lose a majority of these video games.