1.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 13:45:13
Nice summary, I agree with a lot of that.
I do believe you are overrating Chelsea, however. Hazard was/ is an elite footballer, whose very presence on the pitch compels most opponents to significantly adapt their game plans, especially their attacking play. I see it as similar to how we lost Suarez in a way (I’m not comparing them as footballers), teams went for us and we had far less resistance to their play.
I fully agree on Rodri, however. To me, he is the kind of signing that signifies the full Pep-ization of a team, and actually ends up making them worse. Kompany will be a much bigger miss than the usual clowns in the media have suggested.

2.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 14:02:23
I think Chelsea will find a new way of being a dangerous side. Other players will step up. The attack still has Willian, Pulisic, Odoi, Pedro, Giroud, Bathsyui, Mount etc. It's enough to be dangerous and score goals.

In other areas they are superior to both Man United and Arsenal and remember that is the comparison here (not to the top 3). They just seem a far more complete squad to me even without Hazard than the other 2.

3.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 14:35:39
Nice read that Davey. I’m not sure on the Kompany part as he featured in less than half of City’s games last season and they seemed to still manage without him so there must be leaders in the team. Sometimes a leader doesn’t have to be vocal but they lead from the front with their performance and grab the game by the scruff of its neck. I think Bobby and Mane do that for us and are totally under valued as leaders. Either way I think this season could be the most exciting one for a very long time with it being extremely close. I don’t believe the league will be getting won by 90+ points this season.

4.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 14:41:11
I was going to do one of these as well but I think you've summed up it pretty well top be honest Davey. I think Spurs look very balanced but it is hard to look past City when you see the sheer quality, not to mention, monetary value they have from the bench. I don't think anyone can get near then in that respect but losing Kompany is significant - he was a talisman and a leader, both on and off the pitch, and they haven't replaced him at all. In the easier games it won't matter at all but, when their backs are against the wall, it might well see them crumble - time will tell.

5.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 14:55:34
Hi jk23, I think seano gave the answer I was about to give. Most games his loss won't matter but in tighter games he will be a loss. The half of the games he did play was the second half when the went on run. The defence was suspect without him. And it wasnt his talent as much as his leadership and presence at the back that they missed when he didn't play. If it's a dog fight again I take stones and rodri rather than kompany and fernandinho.

6.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 15:09:48
Davey they didn’t fold last week when we put the pressure on them and I know we missed numerous chances but the history books won’t show that. They will show City won it. However I hope you’re right and it does affect City as they are some side. But there again so are we.

7.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 16:19:24
City are a great side jk. No arguments there. I'm just saying that in central defence area, they were stronger last year. Perhaps that might cost them some points. Not a lot. Just some.

8.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 16:34:36
UTD may have added the most expensive defender ever, paid a whopping amount for Wan-Bissaka and signed James but cannot them getting out of the rut they are in. Lukaku got them 12 goals last season and was their 2nd highest scorer.

Pogba could still leave as Europe's transfer window is still open. Pogba was their highest scorer. I do not believe they have enough in the tank to improve on last season. They also do not have a player capable of getting them 20+ a season. I can see them having major problems this season.

Out of all the teams mentioned I think Arsenal will make the biggest improvement. Spurs are still reliant on Kane performing up top but they will be up there come the end of the season.

9.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 17:12:14
Jk23, City's defence is very suspect. Their midfield is top notch though.

Do not see them having it as easy as last season.

Re the Charity shield, Salah had more shots than the whole of the City team. Salah on any other day would have scored 3.

We lost the match on penalties, you ain't going to have the benifit of winning matches in the League on penalties.

And we were without Mane. Just think if he had played, and we actually played really well without him.

10.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 17:29:44
Max I agree mate that their defence is suspect and is their weakest area. I also believe that was still the same case when Kompany was in the team. Their midfield protects them a lot as it’s world class at controlling games. I also think Silva, KDB, Fernandinho, Aguero and even Sterling now are leaders for them more from their performances rather than vocally. We have plenty of leaders in our team mind. This isn’t me bad mouthing our team but I think City deserve an honest opinion on them.

11.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 17:44:45
I don't understand why many think City loosing Kompany is significant . I think its wishful thinking more than anything else . He played less than 15 games last year . Another referee and he should've been sent off against us and cost them a penalty in another game . he was very slow and disrupted their back line . great player and great leader but I think they can cope with out him . As for the charity shield, Laporte their best defender did n't play and yes Salah had more shots than the whole of City attack . but he did n't score but he was n't allowed the right angle, and when his header was clear on goal, their weakest defender came out with an amazing goal line clearance . that's determination not to loose .

As for the rest of top 6, I do expect Arsenal to be up there in the top 4 and can see Leicester and Everton challenging the likes of united and Chelsea . I also expect both united and Chelsea to finish the season with a different manager.

12.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 17:54:09
I do not see Pep stickinging around at City if they cannot win the CL. Same happened at Bayern and believe this season Pep will be found out.

13.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 18:06:38
I do not see Pep stickinging around at City if they cannot win the CL. Same happened at Bayern and believe this season Pep will be found out.
=========================
And Klopp have a history of walking out when the pressure gets too much . so pointless argument really .
I don't understand why most of you obsessed with hoping things go wrong with other teams . Have trust in our own 11, they earn it . very frustrating . I used to argue with Ed002 defending the liverpool supporters . but he is right most of you are beyond fickle.

{Ed025's Note - i have been saying it for years roy.. :)

14.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 18:14:21
Pep won the CL at Barcelona and Still left. If I had to pick a manager for Liverpool though between Pep and Klopp I would choose Klopp every time. But that doesn’t mean i can’t give others a little bit of credit where it’s deserved.

15.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 18:17:14
Beyond fickle. I was not putting bad vibes on City that Pep may pack his bags, could just be the truth when looking at his time at Bayern.

Klopp had to build Dortmund from scratch. He was very succesfull there.

Made us Champions of Europe after having to rebuild the squad Rodgers left for him.

There is a very big difference when it comes to Klopp taking over LFC and Pep taking over City. Pep did not have to rebuild.

16.) 09 Aug 2019
09 Aug 2019 19:01:25
I was in no way putting down city. I think they are a fantastic side and easily capable of making it 3 in a row. I was assessing their transfer window whereby they did not replace Kompany. That is fact. Some will think Kompany was coming to an end anyway. I personally thought he galvanised the team and played more regularly during the winning run. I don't think it was coincidence. His leadership will be missed and otamendi and stones have question marks over them. I think they've weakened in this area. Everywhere else they are as strong as ever and will be the team to beat.