'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
A new season comes with a lot of expectations for football clubs. With new players signed and the underperforming ones moved on, football fans are always eager to witness improvements from their beloved teams each time a fresh campaign kicks off.
Every club wants to make amends for their failures in the previous season. Those who finished brilliantly also want to build upon their success. Apart from winning trophies and getting more points, teams want to play wonderful football that will be appealing to their fans.
In the 2019/2020 season, fixtures are already becoming thick, with both domestic and continental competitions taking centre stage. Clubs have started feeling the pressure of these fixtures and coaches are adjusting their teams to the rigours of the new campaign.
Considering how some of the big teams ended last season, their expectations for the new term and their performances so far, we take a look at 3 English clubs that need to step up their efforts.
#1 Manchester City
The English Champions won an unprecedented treble last season and also claimed the Community Shield to become the first club to claim all major honours in England in a single term. Despite their impressive form in the league, Pep Guardiola's men failed to win the most coveted trophy as they were defeated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League by Tottenham.
This season, the Citizens seem to have one of the most complete teams after their summer business where they signed quality players to replace their aging stars and underperforming players. However, they missed a vital piece in the puzzle by failing to sign a new center-back and that has hurt them in their title defense this season.
With Aymeric Laporte injured and backup options struggling with form and fitness, Pep Guardiola hasn't had a balanced defense this season. He's tried a number of experiments including shifting Fernandinho out of position but that hasn't produced the goods.
The reigning champions currently occupy the third position on the Premier League table. Considering the type of competition put up by Liverpool at the domestic level as well as their failures in Europe's elite tournament for the past few years, Pep Guardiola needs to find a solution to his team's issues. His men must step up and offer even more if they are to finish the season on a high.
#2 Tottenham Hotspur
Following their surprise appearance in the Champions League final last season, many hoped that Tottenham Hotspur would pick up from where they left off this term. However, the Spurs have not been able to deliver on that promise with regards to their performances both domestically and in Europe since the campaign kicked-off.
The Lilywhites currently occupy the fifth position in the Premier League, having picked up a disappointing 6 victories and 23 points from their 16 fixtures in the division so far. Even though they qualified for the knockout phase of the Champions League, they struggled enormously to get the job done.
Mauricio Pochettino was sacked amidst the run of poor results and Jose Mourinho appointed to take charge of affairs at the club. Although the tactician has produced a couple of victories - albeit not very impressively - the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United during the week suggests there's still a lot of work to do at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
#3 Manchester United
Manchester United began their first full campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 4-0 win over Chelsea that flattered to deceive. The Norwegian, after his appointment as a caretaker coach, oversaw a midseason mini-revival in the 2017/2018 campaign following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. However, the Red Devils couldn't maintain the momentum as they experienced a turn of results in the latter phase of the term.
The Premier League giants had a busy transfer window this summer, signing the likes of Aaron Wan Bisaka and Daniel James. Most importantly, they retained their midfield lynchpin, Paul Pogba, who attracted interest from many top clubs. Following their decent business during the transfer window, improvements were expected from the team this term.
Unfortunately, we are yet to witness an upturn in their campaign so far. The Red Devils have begun the season on an average note. They've recorded just 5 victories from their 15 fixtures in the Premier League so far and currently sit at the 8th position on the table. With the race for the top-four now hotter than ever, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's men must raise their efforts if they are to return to the Champions League next season.
