Top Three Biggest Surprises in the Premier League at Matchweek 14
What a start to one of the most anticipated Premier League seasons in years. A campaign that has already hit the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Reflecting on the season at matchweek 14 is early, but seems fitting all things considered. Below is the top three most surprising stories in the Premier League crusade so far.
1. Manchester United
With offseason signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Manchester United were picked finish in the top three with many thinking the title was their's. Putting that aside, Jose Mourinho's side find themselves in sixth place on the table, just one point above West Bromwich Albion. With little production from Pogba, inconsistent scoring from young talent such as Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, and a defense that is not complete, the shaky year for Manchester United only appears to get more shaky in the near future.
2. Chelsea and Conte
With the departure of Jose Mourinho and an absence of Eden Hazard last year, questions circulating Chelsea's relevance in the Premier League were raised. These questions have been drowned out, as the Blues find themselves at the top of the table with a resurgent Hazard as well as a goal creating maestro in Pedro. Hazard with 8 goals is a key player, the most important being Diego Costa. The hothead Spanish forward has 11 goals this season, and appears to be the workhorse for the successful Chelsea side. The players of course may be visual success, but the roots of Chelsea's success has been manager Antonio Conte. The Italian manager is said to be one of the hardest working managers in the world of futbol according to Arlo White. We will all be watching this exciting Premier League, especially Conte and his Blues.
3. Leicester City and their collapse
Shocking the world by winning the EPL title was one of futbol's most memorable campaigns in recent years, but the tank may be more memorable. Matchweek 14 brings Leicester City to be found at 15th place on the table. The Vardy Party is over, Mahrez is still world class, but the Foxes are deflating in a pace that no one predicted. Claudio Ranieri admitted that there is "everything going wrong" with the title defense, and moving forward the defense will not be focused on the title, but relegation. The team has collapsed as a whole. With key players Danny Drinkwater and Andy King producing a grand total of 0 goals, Leicester City is rightfully being branded as the worst title defense team of all time. Come on you foxes.