Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend

Eight talking points ahead of the Premier League weekend, featuring Alexander Isak’s pursuit of a Premier League record and Manchester City’s statement renewal.

Can Isak break Vardy’s record?

Alexander Isak is one of Europe’s in-form players right now. The Newcastle forward extended his record to eight straight games scored in, after bagging a brace in the midweek win over Wolves.

He’s scored 11 goals in those eight games to move into the conversation for the Golden Boot, while only two players in history have enjoyed longer goalscoring runs in the Premier League.

Isak will have his eyes firmly set on Jamie Vardy’s 11-game record. Bournemouth are the visitors to St James’ Park this weekend, before clashes with Southampton (A) and Fulham (H). The 11th game on the run will be a trip to Manchester City, with Nottingham Forest (H) the opponents for a potentially record-breaking dozen.

Van Dijk laughs off Liverpool wobble talk – for now

Virgil van Dijk dismissed suggestions that Liverpool are suffering from a mini-crisis after the Reds dropped points at Nottingham Forest.

“So we are in a crisis now?” Van Dijk said after the draw.

“It only confirms the Premier League is a very tough league where you play against opponents who are very good. Every game is tough. We have to find a way to win and I think if we play like we did in the second half and keep fighting, keep trying, keep finding opportunities then I am very confident we will score goals as well like we have been doing all season.”

After flying out of the traps, Liverpool’s lead has been slashed to four points, though the Reds still have a game in hand. Arne Slot’s side, however, have drawn four of their last seven Premier League games. A trip to Brentford poses another banana skin, in a test of Liverpool’s championship credentials.

Will Potter persist without recognised forward?

Graham Potter has said West Ham will look to sign a striker this month with Michail Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Niclas Fullkrug all facing significant spells out. Talks are understood to have been opened for Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi. RB Leipzig striker Andre Silva is another option on the table.

Potter earned his first win as West Ham boss in midweek, with a 3-2 win over Fulham. He lined up without a recognised centre-forward as Lucas Paqueta operated as the furthest man forward. Danny Ings’ cameo from the bench offered an alternative route, ahead of Crystal Palace’s arrival at the London Stadium this weekend.

Arsenal out to avenge painful Villa defeat

Arsenal breathed new life into their title pursuit after beating Spurs in the North London derby this week. The Gunners took maximum points as rivals Nottingham Forest and Liverpool drew, reducing the gap on the latter to four points.

The current season’s title race differs from Arsenal’s near-misses of recent campaigns. Having led before faltering in each of the last two seasons, Mikel Arteta’s men are now chasing. Next up is an Aston Villa side who did more than most to damage their hopes last season. Villa won both fixtures against Arsenal in 2023/24, including a 2-0 win at the Emirates that derailed the Gunners during the run-in. Revenge is on the menu for Arsenal this weekend.

Is it time for Everton to recoup Calvert-Lewin fee?

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s toils continued in midweek as the forward wasted a glorious late chance to level for Everton against Aston Villa. It’s now 16 games and 1,212 minutes without scoring for the 27-year-old, whose Everton future remains unclear as he approaches the end of his deal.

An extension appears unlikely, so should a change be made now? Beto has failed to convince at Everton amid limited involvement but has averaged a goal every 209 minutes. Calvert-Lewin, across the same period, has returned a goal every 386 minutes.

Despite those struggles, suitors are expected for the forward as he edges towards an exit. Sanctioning his sale now, even at a knockdown fee, could provide David Moyes with much-needed funds to invest.

Can Amorim’s system deliver shut outs?

After morale-boosting performances to earn results against Liverpool and Arsenal, Manchester United suffered a reality check in midweek. Amad Diallo’s late heroics ultimately earned a win over Southampton, but for much of the contest, familiar flaws were exposed. Southampton had not scored from a corner all season but did so at Old Trafford, with United having now scored 10 goals from corners in the Premier League this season.

Manuel Ugarte’s own goal also meant its 11 straight games without a clean sheet. Battling defensive displays in recent weeks have been welcomed but there remains much work to be done.

Haaland signing a statement from the champions

Manchester City dropped a bombshell on Friday morning with the news that Erling Haaland has committed his long-term future to the club. Haaland has signed an astonishing nine-and-a-half-year deal with the Citizens, with previous release clauses removed.

It’s a seismic show of commitment from the forward, who has plundered 111 goals in 126 games since arriving at the Etihad. Amid a dearth of truly top-tier number nines, City have secured the future of arguably the best in the business.

Haaland’s new deal comes amid the backdrop of the Premier League’s war with Manchester City over alleged breaches of financial rules and is perhaps an indicator of what might be to come. City have vehemently denied any wrongdoing and a lucrative long-term deal for their star man suggests unshakeable confidence in winning that battle.

Jackson needs support as Chelsea frontman

Nicolas Jackson’s second season at Chelsea has been one of progress. A target for critics during his debut campaign, there have been notable signs of refinement from the forward.

Jackson has a respectable nine goals and four assists from 20 league appearances but has now failed to score in his last five league outings. The Senegalese striker leads the line admirably for Chelsea, but the lack of an alternative number nine means there has been an over-reliance on the 23-year-old.

Enzo Maresca does not view Christopher Nkunku as a recognised centre-forward and Jackson is at risk of burnout without reinforcements. Teenager Marc Guiu, who has six goals in the Europa Conference League, is awaiting a chance.

Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Amad, Murillo, Isak

See more – Premier League Awards: Devastating Diallo, Super Soler

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok