AFCON 2025
By Chima Azu
The Premier League table is gradually taking shape and the true contenders are already extending that gap between them and other teams in the League. Chelsea is currently topping the log with 22 points, just one point difference between the top three (Liverpool with 21 and City with 20). The team in fourth is West Ham with 17 points while Brighton are fifth with 15 but it is obvious that they are not going to compete for the title with those three already setting the pace up top. No team comes close in terms of winning consistency better than these three teams and they have all proved that both in the league and the Champions League.
Thomas Tuchel is currently the best coach in Europe with his Champions league win on his debut season with Chelsea but before that he took PSG to the Champions league final a season ago. In his two years stint in Paris, he won the league title twice and won the quadruple in his second year. Jurgen Klopp is currently one of the best in the business; he has nine trophies to his name including the Champions League and gave Liverpool the EPL title with a whopping 22 points gap in 2019/20 season the club’s first domestic title since 1990. Pep Guardiola and his team are the defending champions of the EPL, and Pep obviously stands out and his achievement speaks volume with 29 trophies to his name, that’s the highest amongst his peers. Also, he has won 3 EPL titles in 5 years.
Tuchel, Klopp and Pep are serial winners and their antecedence with their former teams is a testament to what they have achieved. One thing these coaches have in common is their in-depth tactical ability, penchant for attacking football, high pressing, tweaking of formation, possession of the game and always bringing new innovations into the way they play. That distinguishes them from their peers; little wonder why they are currently the top three on the log.
Also, obviously these coaches have the players but regardless of that, when they are missing certain players they ensure that they setup a formidable squad that can still win games. Pep for instance, has and is still proving it this season that without a recognized number 9 he can still win games. His side has scored 37 goals in all competitions so far this season; now imagine the team with a top striker like Harry Kane. Tuchel won the Champions League without a striker, he has built his squad to play more as a team and his currently grinding out results with his two strikers out injured. Chelsea this season has 16 different goal scorers, getting goals from all departments. They are currently topping the log with the best goal difference. Klopp on the other hand has the best attack in the world currently with Salah (15 goals in all compettions), Mane and Firmino. He managed to qualify his team for the Champions league without four of his recognized center defenders last season. They are currently a point behind Chelsea on the table, topping their group in the Champions League and could afford to rest Sadio Mane and still score five past United in the Premier League over the weekend.
These three teams this season has proven that they are head and shoulders above their rivals in the league. Looking at other teams in the league, no team comes close in term consistent winnings and it is hard to pin-point one team that can compete with them. Manchester United obviously has the players to compete but with Ole in charge it is clear that they are not contenders. This season’s league title is clearly between these three teams (Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City) and it is theirs to lose because of the kind of coaches they have.
