Eze come Eze go, yes you've probably heard that so many times in the last week that the joke has quickly worn off. It's official though, Crystal Palace have sold one of their finest talents Eberechi Eze to Arsenal for an initial fee of £60m. The fee yet again represents one of the stronger teams getting quality at a decent price. Nothing will quite outdo Erling Haaland's £50m transfer to Manchester City while mid table sides have to pay nearly the same amount for unproven players. But we digress, and this story is about how Arsenal at the last moment came in and took Eze who looked to be heading to Arsenal's eternal rivals Tottenham. Well according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta it was Eze who called up the club at the 11th hour and asked them if they were still interested? Eze was released by Arsenal at 13, a decision that ended up costing them a hefty fee. Some players hold history and decisions against teams. Look at Alan Shearer choosing Newcastle over Manchester United and of course at United Shearer would have won a plethora of trophies, the fact that the club was his boyhood team is going to go a long way but still. Back to Eze and Tottenham fans are rather upset and let's face it, if they were going to be thwarted at the last minute by any club don't let it be Arsenal. As for the Gunners they have started in brilliant fashion beating Manchester United away and then putting 5 past Leeds. Arsenal now look to have solved gaping holes and look the real deal for the title. If one is not forthcoming this could well be Mikel Arteta's final season with them.
It's painful to see the attitude of Alexander Isak after Liverpool have come in for him. Newcastle obviously do not want to sell but Isak wants to go to the champions. There are more human ways of doing this and him upping sticks to train in Spain and refusing to return to the club is absolutely shocking. One has to wonder if a team embedded in its community who sings emotionally about never walking alone wants such a character in their team? Of course they do, business is business, emotions are only partly real at Liverpool depending on the day of the week. Of course Isak is a fantastic talent but this potential move away has exposed him. Is there a future when Real Madrid come knocking for Isak from Liverpool? Is Isak potentially the new Nicolas Anelka who seemed to have more teams on his resume than hot dinners. You have to feel sorry for Newcastle and manager Eddie Howe who only has one objective to make the club great and move them forward and now he has to deal with losing not only his best player but one of the very best in the Premier League.
Congratulations to Everton who played their very first official game at their new home. Granted Hill Dickinson Stadium is quite a name to swallow but one believes that fans will not be adopting that name. It's always a nervous affair playing your first game in new surroundings as everyone wants the win, but it did come as David Moyes' side beat Brighton 2-0 with two fine goals too. Everton were like day and night compared to their lethargic performance against Leeds on the opening weekend of the season which they lost. Fans will be hoping that the new stadium can become a fortress for points and a healthy new campaign.
For Graham Potter see Erik ten Hag. West Ham's manager is already under intense pressure after the Hammers have lost their first two games of the season. But it is the way they have lost that has people worried. 3-0 away to Sunderland was always going to be seen as a poor result and this was followed up by a 5-1 hammering at home to Chelsea after scoring first. After a poor return last season Potter looked spent and the situation looked dire. Granted the club have not been run well with some baffling decisions but the buck will always stop at the manager. There have been some poor decisions from the owners though including selling the clubs best player Mohamed Kudus to Tottenham who hasn't been replaced. In all, West Ham have only spent around £20m this summer when taking in who has left and a £20m investment does not keep you in the Premier League....
To be relegated latest odds: Burnley 1.44, Sunderland 1.62, Wolves 2.50, West Ham 2.50, Leeds 3.25
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