Playing for 90
Fansided

Five reasons to look forward to game week one in the Premier League

By Karl Harrington

SINGAPORE - JULY 28: Unai Emery head coach of Arsenal sits during the International Champions Cup match between Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain at the National Stadium on July 28, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC)
SINGAPORE - JULY 28: Unai Emery head coach of Arsenal sits during the International Champions Cup match between Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain at the National Stadium on July 28, 2018 in Singapore. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Sunderland at Craven Cottage on April 27, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 27: Ryan Sessegnon of Fulham during the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Sunderland at Craven Cottage on April 27, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /

2. Super Ryan Sessegnon

Ryan Sessegnon is a very special talent. Last season Fulham’s starlet was crowned Championship Player of the Year and became the first player outside the Premier League to be nominated for the Young Player of the Year award.

Sessegnon’s defining feature is pace but he is far more than just a speed demon and his overall understanding of the game bellies his tender years.

Ryan boasts excellent decision-making savvy, especially on the counter-attack, and has the intuition skills of a seasoned poacher. He is a dream team-mate and will foray up the flank all day if played in defense or offer cover and increase the chances of a turnover if fielded in attack.

His all roundedness comes from moving about positionally throughout his career. Ryan started as a striker before being pushed back to defense and more recently has featured on the wing – and he’s still only 18-years-old!

It’s unclear whether Sessegnon will be deployed at left back or left-wing for the Cottagers this Premier League season. Although manager Slaviša Jokanović got the best out of the youngster as an attacking force, he rotated between the two during preseason and new signing André Schürrle will likely occupy the left-wing position.

Regardless of where the precocious talent plays he has the ability to light up a game from anywhere. He seems destined for a prosperous career at the top and his Premier League debut will come against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

3. Mourinho rants

It’s fair to say that in the last couple of years ‘The Special One’ has provided more entertainment in media room than on the pitch. Premier League fans know this all too well.

There seems a direct correlation between Jose’s tactical irrelevance and erratic rhetoric with both heading in opposite directions.

We didn’t even have to wait for the season to begin for another tantrum. The irritable Portuguese took no prisoners after United’s 4-1 loss to Liverpool taking aim at the club’s youth products and lack of transfers. In a later interview he seemed to all but concede the title in what should have been a stress free and moral building trip to the States.

Year by year Jose is turning into a bigger caricature of the persona he created. No one or nothing is safe from his perpetual harangues: not the club’s heritage, nor the fans, and especially not young left backs with Wayne Rooney-esque physiques.

Last season he curiously ended up covered in milk and stole the headlines after his side were outclassed at home to Manchester City. The bookies already have him favorite to be sacked first and with the shadow of third season syndrome looming one must wonder how far he will go this term should the pressure start to mount.

Manchester United will get things underway against Leicester City on Friday evening. Jose already seems highly disgruntled and if United don’t get another couple of signings before then or the result doesn’t go their way then make sure to have the popcorn ready.

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