Talking points from the Premier League as Martinez and Lamptey flourish

Gameweek Two of the 2020/21 Premier League season saw champions Liverpool beat Chelsea, while Martinez made an early mark at Aston Villa. Here’s a review of the weekend action.

Fabinho vindicates Klopp’s decision to shuffle deck… with help from opposite number

The talking point from the team news ahead of Liverpool’s win at Chelsea was Fabinho lining up in defence for the visitors against Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. Granted, Jurgen Klopp’s side had conceded in each of their last six league games, including three against Leeds last weekend. Nonetheless, losing the Brazilian’s security in screening the back four while removing Joe Gomez’s athleticism seemed a bold move.

As events transpired, Klopp was not the manager whose defensive switch proved costly. Fabinho retained possession on eight occasions, more than any other player on the pitch, and came out on top against an energetic Werner. In contrast, Andreas Christensen’s return to the Chelsea fold this season proved short-lived after a desperate foul on Sadio Mané saw the Dane dismissed just before the break. With the Blues a man down in defence it was Havertz, whose efforts had too proved futile, that seemed the obvious figure for Frank Lampard to sacrifice.

The hosts’ deficiency also ensured that Fabinho‘s qualities in midfield weren’t missed after all, as debutant Thiago was introduced to create chances rather than focus on defensive work. Will Klopp stick to the same system for the visit of Arsenal on Monday?

Calvert-Lewin must maintain form

Adding to his opening day winner at Tottenham with Saturday’s hat-trick against West Brom, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has so far repaid the faith of Fantasy Football managers worldwide. However, both they and the Everton striker must be aware that to date his career has been one of false dawns.

The summer of 2017 saw the Sheffield United graduate net the only goal of the Under-20 World Cup final as England lifted the trophy, but three years on and he is yet to earn even a senior call-up. Immediately following Marco Silva’s dismissal last December, he scored a brace in an unlikely win over Chelsea and then began Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure with eight goals in ten league matches; this was followed by ten goalless appearances as the season came to a close.

Gareth Southgate’s squad for next summer’s European Championships is by no means set and, though Danny Ings looks a solid deputy to Harry Kane, Calvert-Lewin’s aerial prowess would offer a different threat. Whether it is a dependable one remains to be proven.

Can Martinez finally solve Villa’s goalkeeping woes?

Following a fairytale finale to his Arsenal career that saw him lift the FA Cup and Community Shield, Emiliano Martinez ended a ten-year stay in north London last week with a move to Aston Villa. Given that he was adamant on playing first-team football, it was a sensible destination.

Four different goalkeepers took to the pitch for the Villans last season, with the number one spot starting to resemble the role of drummer in Spinal Tap. Tom Heaton was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign on New Year’s Day, forcing Dean Smith’s hand in signing a replacement. Loanee Pepe Reina lost his manager’s faith after an erratic display at Leicester shortly before the break, handing Ørjan Nyland the opportunity as the season resumed. As with the ball itself, the Norwegian could keep hold of it, while Jed Steer was not trusted to make the step up from the Championship.

The early signs so far look good for the latest occupant. Martinez did not put a foot wrong in his final weeks as an Arsenal player and has carried his confidence with him. Commanding in his own area, the Argentinian marked his debut against Sheffield United with a penalty save to keep the game goalless. The Villans went on to win, with Martinez commenting:

“I follow my instincts. You study but at the end of the day, I study my instincts. All the goalies work on Sheff Utd but I follow my instincts. It's like scoring a hat-trick for me.”

His attitude has served him well so far and, at 27, he has likely not yet reached his peak. Only Norwich (75) conceded more than goals than Villa last season (67); should Martinez keep up this form, they will surely improve on that this time around.

Lamptey set to join ranks of impressive English right-backs

No sooner had Tariq Lamptey’s Chelsea career begun than it was over. The young defender made his debut for the club last December against Arsenal when, with his side trailing, he was introduced from the bench as the Blues fought back to win. One month and zero further league appearances later he had moved on to Brighton, foreseeing few opportunities with captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James ahead in the pecking order.

Having been bedded into the Seagulls side by Graham Potter in the second half of last season, Lamptey was brought into the starting XI to face his old side last Monday and retained his place for the trip to Newcastle on Sunday. Within eight minutes he had already made his mark, winning an early penalty before setting Leandro Trossard free down the right to create his side’s second goal. His contributions did not only come on the front foot, though; despite only 58 minutes on the field, he recorded a match-high four interceptions.

Lamptey is, however, just one of a particularly strong group of English right backs. To earn a senior call-up he must still overtake his uncapped former teammate James, and that is just to be within touching distance of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier. It seems that the move to the south coast for regular playing time was a wise one, though.

Dyche needs reinforcements if he is to match own high standards

The work Sean Dyche has done at Burnley upon their return to the Premier League in 2016 has been nothing short of exceptional. Responsible for two of their three promotions to the top flight in the 21st century, he has guided the Clarets to a seventh-place finish in 2017/18 and has ensured that the club have not once looked in danger of relegation.

Sunday’s 4-2 defeat at Leicester may not be a true indicator of things to come, but that run could be set to end this time around. Jeff Hendrick, Aaron Lennon and Joe Hart, all experienced internationals, left in June before last season’s end. Given that the squad at Dyche’s disposal was already so small, the fact that the Clarets did not completely crumple is testament to his ability.

According to the list on the club website, Burnley’s squad currently contains 21 senior players, of which just three are central midfielders. One of those, Josh Brownhill, has had to contend with a stop-start introduction to Premier League life following a move from Bristol City in January. Dyche can also call upon only three wingers; for a manager who has made his name with a rigid 4-4-2 formation, this lack of personnel could pose problems.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope is a solid starter but his deputies, Bailey Peacock-Farrell and loanee Will Norris, have just one top-flight appearance between them. Alongside them youngsters Bobby Thomas, Josh Benson and Anthony Driscoll-Lennon were all regulars on the bench over the summer, but none were summoned for a Premier League debut.

Make no mistake, Dyche’s men will not be the only team to lose at the King Power Stadium this season; indeed, 12 did last term, while only four managed to score twice as the Clarets did on Sunday. However, given the congested fixture schedule, Burnley will need additional troops.

Stats via WhoScored.