After years of transition and upheaval the top teams in the PL (bar Arsenal) are settling down and strong teams are emerging. Of course some of them still have some way to go and still display some weaknesses but can their strengths overcome these ?
The benefit for the PL sides especially is that by the time the KO rounds come around they will have had a chance to settle their sides and maybe even further bolster them in January (CB and maybe even Keita for us for example).
City have a great chance if they can keep Kompany fit. On form they can match any side in Europe, and have exceptional strength in depth, but are they consistent enough ?
Spurs look very good, a real team, but enough strength in depth ? With multiple injuries they still did well versus RM.
United look like an improved version of last season's team, strong in defence, though not as effective as they need to be in attack (that could hurt them in the CL). Maybe the return in 2018 of Ibrahimovic could help in this regard, an experienced player against continental sides. They should be better when Pogba returns too.
Liverpool's attack can, on it's day and when putting away the chances they create, run through most teams, our defence is still an issue but does seem to be settling down but it's that attacking flair that could seem us do well in the CL - if drawing teams that suit our style.
Chelsea are a bit of an enigma but injuries could wreck their chances, they have shown that missing 2-3 of their better players they have a soft underbelly.
RM, Barca, Bayern and PSG have all shown weaknesses this season, in some cases maybe aging teams on their last legs / teams in transition that won't be as solid and consistent as in previous seasons. If the draw goes well for the English teams I could see 3 or even 4 in the QFs and maybe then a couple in the semis (especially if we end up with all English QFs), then anything can happen. We could see an English winner this season.
The benefit for the PL sides especially is that by the time the KO rounds come around they will have had a chance to settle their sides and maybe even further bolster them in January (CB and maybe even Keita for us for example).
City have a great chance if they can keep Kompany fit. On form they can match any side in Europe, and have exceptional strength in depth, but are they consistent enough ?
Spurs look very good, a real team, but enough strength in depth ? With multiple injuries they still did well versus RM.
United look like an improved version of last season's team, strong in defence, though not as effective as they need to be in attack (that could hurt them in the CL). Maybe the return in 2018 of Ibrahimovic could help in this regard, an experienced player against continental sides. They should be better when Pogba returns too.
Liverpool's attack can, on it's day and when putting away the chances they create, run through most teams, our defence is still an issue but does seem to be settling down but it's that attacking flair that could seem us do well in the CL - if drawing teams that suit our style.
Chelsea are a bit of an enigma but injuries could wreck their chances, they have shown that missing 2-3 of their better players they have a soft underbelly.
RM, Barca, Bayern and PSG have all shown weaknesses this season, in some cases maybe aging teams on their last legs / teams in transition that won't be as solid and consistent as in previous seasons. If the draw goes well for the English teams I could see 3 or even 4 in the QFs and maybe then a couple in the semis (especially if we end up with all English QFs), then anything can happen. We could see an English winner this season.
