What a truly bizarre "race" for the top four...Arsenal and Man Utd are being more Spursy than Spurs. Who are themselves being pretty Spursy (injuries being a substantial factor though). Chelsea perhaps the "least worst" of the group in terms of late-season form.
Not going to bother watching the Anfield leg of the Liverpool-Barca tie. If it turns out to be a legendary upset, I'll download it and watch it later. But really, we know what's about to happen. I enjoy wathcing Messi and Suarez, but this time I can skip it.
For years now you'd be saying 100% de Gea. But now, even he is suspect. I'd argue that there isn't a single player in the Man Utd squad that can be considered safe. And of course you'd have to say the same for the manager. There is no clear foundation right now. Lots of expensive players, but no real plan or cohesion, and morale has dropped again.
Manchester United - although - individually - they have an exceptionally talented group of players at their disposal - have failed to craft a team identity and team spirit from that group (the contrast with teams such as Wolves and Leicester - to name but two who play with formidable spirit as a group - is striking).
Their lack of cohesion as a team, as has been pointed out by
@Lord Blackadder, has been very evident.
And some (overpaid) players are simply not as committed as they might have been.
Spurs are indeed, being "spursy", and have some terrific players (who do play as a team), but lack strength in depth, with injuries and end of season fatigue catching up with them.
Chelsea have some of the same issues as Spurs, along with a manager who does not seem to enjoy the full support of either the fans or senior management (who have their own issues), although his rigidity at times may have contributed to that.
Arsenal have their best players in defence (Holding and Bellerin) injured for months, meaning that the porous defence and brittle midfield both need attention, something that I daresay Emery will begin to address over the summer.
While I can understand the reasons behind the planned departure of Welbeck, and, indeed, Cech, letting Ramsay go on a free transfer, instead of renewing his contract for at least another year - the player cares and is solid in defence - strikes me as the height of folly in the absence of other options.
