Premier League 2016/17: From the great to the… bizarre

As soon as the 2015/16 season ended, people were eagerly anticipating the next one and speculating that 2016/17 would be the best season in Premier League history. But from the high expectations, the Premier League is now on the verge of disappointment.

How can we not expect this season to bring together most of the world's top coaches from Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola to Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp or Claudio Ranieri, Arsene Wenger. Just hearing those names, we can imagine countless top battles on the coaching bench.

The Premier League brings together the world's top stars. Photo: Internet.

After years of being gutted by La Liga, the Premier League has now secured a world record signing in the name of Paul Pogba. Despite the controversy, Pogba's valuation of 89 million pounds, surpassing Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, has also benefited the Premier League. In addition, the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan... has also contributed to raising the level of the English league.

Many top coaches and quality stars agree that this will be the most worth-watching season of the Premier League ever, surpassing even the season when Leicester City created a miracle. The two Manchester teams will change with Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. Tottenham and Liverpool will become stronger thanks to the molding of Pochettino or Klopp. Those four teams, along with Chelsea under Conte, Arsenal or Leicester City, promise to create a fierce competition.

As well as the most talented coaches on the planet. Photo: Internet.

But until now, it seems that people are being sidelined because the Premier League is not as beautiful as it looks and is not good despite having many famous names. The most attractive tournament on the planet seems to be following the law of conservation. Everything is not getting stronger but only changing circumstances, changing from one form to another.

After all the noise and glamour, the Red Devils and the Blues are back on the ground with their poor form, even the two Manchester teams now are worse than the time of Pellegrini and Louis Van Gaal. When fans are not used to seeing top players like Joe Hart drifting to Torino, veterans Yaya Toure or Wayne Rooney sitting on the bench, the next names like Pep Guardiola, Mourinho, Pogba or Ibrahimovic all cause miserable disappointment.

Tiki-taka's magic has run out, causing Pep Guardiola to experience a 6-match winless streak for the first time, including cup competitions (the worst time he had a 5-match winless streak was in 2009 with Barcelona). Mourinho's bus is useless. Despite having De Gea, Bailly, Smalling... in his hands, he was humiliated by Chelsea with 4 goals to nil and gradually dropped down the rankings.

An aging Ibra slowly walks on the field and has not scored in 5 matches. A mediocre Pogba from the way he plays to his harmless shots with only 1 goal scored by his head up to this point. It feels like they are joining hands to 'deceive' Premier League fans.

But does it really satisfy fans of the highest league in the UK? Photo: Internet.

After all, Leicester City returned to where they deserve to be. Despite many additions, they could not fill the void left by Kante's departure and the King Power team's decline. The situation is not dire, however, the current task of the defending champions is only to compete for a ticket to stay in the league when the Foxes are only 4 points away from the relegation group.

That is not too pessimistic but a realistic view. After a series of defeats against Chelsea, Liverpool (1-4) or Man United (1-4), the legendary Leicester of last season has been deciphered because the King Power team's strongest point, defense, is no longer there.

A familiar sight over the years is Tottenham. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are still unbeaten but doubts remain about their title chances, despite Spurs being the first team to knock out a high-flying Man City. Yet they have since drawn two games against underdogs. Sharing four points in nine games is not the style of a champion. Are Tottenham always the challengers and never the favourites?

Tottenham and Liverpool are expected to be the bright UCVs for the championship, but both are having their own problems. Photo: Internet.

In that context, the vibrant image of Liverpool emerged as the team most capable of winning the championship. But even if The Kop were to win the Premier League, it would be largely thanks to the weakness of its opponents. Just like last season, Leicester City created a unique achievement, except for the relentless struggle, the failure of the "big guys" was an indispensable factor.

Although Jurgen Klopp and his team are highly appreciated after convincing performances (winning 2-1 against Chelsea and Tottenham), their "very weak" defense, conceding 11 goals in 9 matches, proves that the Reds are not perfect.

Before it started, the 2016/17 Premier League was likened to a sumptuous feast. But after the poor performances from the "expectations", the most attractive tournament on the planet was no different from a bland, disappointing appetizer. And perhaps there will be no great race at all, instead it will be a disastrous season for the world's top coaches and stars (?!).

According to Bongda