Ahead of every weekend this season, I will give you my three thoughts on what’s going on in the Premier League. These might not always be the biggest stories, but rather my personal observations.
Rooney off to MLS
Well, it will be a rather unceremonious farewell to English football this weekend for Wayne Rooney. It appears as though Wazza is off to MLS in the summer, and that he will likely have to watch from the sidelines (he’s nursing an injury) on Sunday for Everton’s final match of the season, away to West Ham United.
It is all rather sad, but not unexpected. For all the controversies, and all the on-field brilliance, Rooney never seemed completely at ease in the spotlight. Therefore, a quiet farewell is rather appropriate.
For those who have been vocal in their criticism of Rooney for his move to D.C. United, and questioning what he has left, I’d suggest they will be quite surprised. The tank might be running near the red zone, but for a season or two I expect Rooney to be very effective in MLS.
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Kudos to Brighton
The drama on this final weekend of the season will be provided by Liverpool or Brighton & Hove Albion. Swansea City are all but relegated, and will join Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion in the Championship next season, so all that is left to fight for is fourth place.
A point will suffice for Liverpool (a loss would open the door for Chelsea to potentially finish fourth) and I can’t see them losing to Brighton at Anfield. However, Brighton should be lauded for their inaugural campaign in the Premier League.
A small club with a tiny budget, they found a way to compete throughout the campaign thanks in large part to a record transfer singing. Behind Mohamed Salah, was there any better piece of business than Pascal Gross? As for manager Chris Hughton, he was understated, but so effective. Brighton have been one of the top stories all season.
Promoted clubs arrive with hype
As it turned out, we were all wrong last August in predicting the new boys would all return to the Championship. Brighton & Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town and Newcastle United did themselves proud by staying up in the Premier League this season.
The promotion clubs will arrive for the 2018-19 campaign with far more hype. Wolves are ready to shake the Premier League’s foundations with their ambition and financial backing. Cardiff City are a solid team with a savvy manager at the helm in Neil Warnock, who is also a fantastic personality. And as for the third team? Fulham are the playoff favourites, and if they succeed, they will return to the Premier League as one or the inform teams in all of England.
The summer window will be fascinating, and if anything, these clubs can learn from last year’s promotion clubs, and go with the status quo, rather than undergo complete overhauls of their rosters.
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