Football

10 questions that need answering in remainder of Premier League season


The Premier League will enter its final quarter when it resumes this weekend following the international break.

Manchester City are set to be named champions sooner or later following a relentless second half of the season.

That is about all we know however as the race for the top four and the battle for survival remain wide open.

Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea are among those pushing for European places, but they may have to settle for the Europa League.

The remainder of the current campaign could have a huge knock on affect for next term however.

How teams and players come out of the final stretch may determine where and how they approach the summer and beyond.

We take a look at ten questions that will need answering before the season is up.



Man City have a comfortable lead at the top
Man City have a comfortable lead at the top

Are Man Utd actually building towards something?

By the end of last season there was certainly a sense that United had made huge forward strides.

This year though you don’t get the same feeling. They’ve somewhat stalled and probably haven’t build on their momentum like fans would’ve hoped.

A poor summer of recruitment didn’t help, but even their performances have often left a lot to be desired.

Results have covered up cracks and their reliance on Bruno Fernandes remains a serious issue.

A Europa League triumph could prove to be a game changer though for a side that are still yet to discover that winning feeling.



Man Utd were recently dumped out of the FA Cup
Man Utd were recently dumped out of the FA Cup

Can Leicester last the course?

Last season they spent the early part of the campaign in second before a terrible run saw them finish in fifth.

This term they look a much more rounded team as they continue to develop under Brendan Rodgers.

Wins over Liverpool in the league and United in the FA Cup also underline their evolution.

There is a sense from within the camp that they are in the top four on merit and deservedly so.

Last season’s demons will remain on their mind though, especially as things hot up.

Do Liverpool need to address their forward line?

It has been a horrid year for the Reds as they fight just to make the top four.

A season-ending injury to Virgil van Dijk has been a major issue, but their attack has been equally concerning.

Questions are now being asked as to whether the fearsome trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are actually that fearsome?

A mid-season injury to Diogo Jota was not ideal and his presence may well have changed the selection dynamics.

But teams learn how to play certain attacks, and when you consider Liverpool’s has remained the same for over three years, it is hardly surprising they are being nullified.

A new face could be the injection needed. If they go down that route the question will be who loses out.



Liverpool's strike force has struggled for goals in recent months
Liverpool’s strike force has struggled for goals in recent months

Will Chelsea challenge for next year’s title under Thomas Tuchel?

It has been an impressive few months in west London for their German manager. He is yet to taste defeat and could deliver Champions League football.

He inherited a lavishly assembled squad so a lack of quality was never going to be an issue.

Yes elements of the team need addressing, but it is no surprise Tuchel has got a tune out of this Blues side.

The gap between them and the league leaders is considerable, so can they really be expected to change that in 12 months?



Thomas Tuchel has enjoyed an excellent start to life
Thomas Tuchel has enjoyed an excellent start to life

What next for Scott Parker?

Fulham could yet pull off something of a miraculous escape.

Early on in the season, when their defence was leaking goals, Jamie Carragher declared they were going down.

A battling effort in the months since means survival is now within reach. A potentially titanic final day clash against Newcastle has long been circled in the diary.

Parker has been integral throughout and his stock has risen massively.

Should the Cottagers go down he may look to bring them back up, having already achieved promotion once before.

However, should a job become available in the top flight he could well be under consideration – and deservedly so.

Can Steve Bruce last the onslaught at Newcastle?

95 per cent of Newcastle fans want him gone, but he remains committed to the cause.

Bruce copped flack last season but ensured a comfortable finish in the end. This term is anything but comfortable though.

Newcastle are starring down the barrel of a third relegation in 12 years.

Bruce has appeared a man lacking in answers and publicised training ground friction sums up the mood within the club.

For all the turbulence though he will almost certainly keep his job should he retain top flight status



Steve Bruce is under the cosh at Newcastle
Steve Bruce is under the cosh at Newcastle

Is it time for a change at Crystal Palace?

The Eagles look to be a club content on surviving for the last couple of years.

They now find themselves at a crossroads though with Roy Hodgson’s contract up in the summer.

He has refused to entertain talk of his future, but now may be time for a change at Selhurst Park.

The apprehension will stem from how their last change in direction went. Frank de Boer’s four-game spell remains a dark and forgettable moment.

Does Harry Kane seek pastures new?

We could see some huge transfers take place this summer and a move for Kane could be one of them.

The Tottenham striker will turn 28 in the summer and faces a crucial decision.

He has given several years of service to the north London outfit and endured several near misses in the league and in cups.

Now though they appear considerably off the pace and time is running out for Kane to win trophies.

It may require Tottenham finishing in the top four and winning the Europa League to convince their striker that he should stick it out.

But even if they don’t and he decides on a new challenge, negotiating Kane’s departure with Daniel Levy is an arduous task.



Harry Kane has been linked with a move away
Harry Kane has been linked with a move away

Has Mikel Arteta made forward strides?

Arsenal finished eighth last term so anything less will appear, on the surface at least, to be a drop off.

Arteta has enjoyed the benefit of a pre-season and a first full campaign in charge.

Everyone knew the rebuild job he had in front of him, but the decisiveness with which he’s acted and the players who have come on under his leadership make for positive signs.

Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe look set to be the future of the club while players like Kieran Tierney continue to improve.

Arteta is set for another big summer with several big decisions needing to be made but a strong finish will certainly strengthen his hand.



Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have been two of Arsenal's best performers this season
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have been two of Arsenal’s best performers this season

Who will win the Golden Boot shoot out?

Kane and Salah are tied at the top of the charts on 17 meaning the race is nicely poised heading into the final quarter of the season.

Both players have claimed the award before and are each targeting it for a third time.

A strong supporting cast is looking to deny them however with Bruno Fernandes just one behind on 16.

Patrick Bamford and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have both notched 14 times, but may find the gap too much to claw back.





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