Out of the blocks

This season the template may form earlier than usual. If Man City and Liverpool begin the season in the same style as they signed off, many managers may even pick 3 players from each. If so, having the right remaining 5 starting players could be crucial to having a good start to the season.

While Marcelo Bielsa’s contract renewal was being negotiated at Leeds, I heard a pundit suggest on Talksport that perhaps the reason Leeds started strong and tailed off towards the end is the season is Bielsa has mostly managed in South America, where they have a shorter season, and maybe the players fitness levels were not up to a full EFL season.

This might be absolute twaddle and afraid I cannot attribute the quote, as I was hurtling around Sarf London in a van at the time.

Whether this is true or not, it got me thinking, maybe that is why the Brazilian Richarlison has been explosive at the start of the season two years running, and has tailed off after Christmas. He followed the same trend, both at Watford and Everton, so it was him, rather than the just the form of the club.

Last season Richarlison £6.5 (153 points, 13 goals, 1 assist) scored an incredible 23 points in his first two games and had double digit hauls in GWs 11 and 15. Everton sit at the top of the season ticker and have great fixtures for the start of the season, including two newly promoted sides in Aston Villa and Sheffield United. Crucially, they also also avoid a top six side, until they entertain Manchester City in GW7:

Everton first six: cry / WAT / avl / WOL / bou / SHU

Richarlison’s fellow Brazilian, Lucas Moura £7.0 (131 points, 10 goals, 2 assists) scored 27 points between GWs 2-4. If Kane succumbs to his traditional August drought, Moura could step up again. Spurs’ opening fixtures are a real mixed bag. The home fixtures are fairly kind, which could give them an encouraging start in their new stadium, however away, they face two top 5 sides and a resurgent Leicester.

Tottenham first six: AVL / mci / NEW / ars / CRY / lei

Argentine, Roberto Pereyra £6.0 (122 points, 6 goals, 4 assists) scored 3 goals in first two home games with 16 points in GW 1 and 8 points in GW 3. He scored two at home against Brighton, who he coincidently faces at home again in his opening fixture.

Watford first six: BHA / eve / WHU / new / ARS / mci

Other overseas fast starters included:

Spaniard Marcos Alonso £6.5 (2 goals, 8 assists) kick-started last season with 3 double digit scores and an incredible 5 assists in his first 4 games. Although he lost his place to Emerson at the end of the season, it will be interesting to see what a new manager heralds.

Chelsea first six: mun / LEI / nor / SHU / wol / LIV

Grecian set piece specialist José Holebas £4.5 (93 points, 3 goals, 7 assists) scored 13 points in GW1, and GW9 and 10 points in GWs 3 and 4 respectively.

From the Liverpool assets, Senegalese Sadio Mané £9.5 (231 points, 22 goals, 3 assists) was the quickest out of the blocks amassing 3 double digit hauls in the opening 4 GWs. You wouldn’t bet against to net at home to Norwich, on the opening weekend, especially as it’s the featured game on the Friday night.

Liverpool first six: NOR / sou / ARS / bur / NEW / che

Finally, who can forget Aguero’s hatrick in GW2 at home to Huddersfield?

Man City first six: whu / TOT / bou / BHA / nor / WAT

Good luck for the start of the season everyone.