‘Is the greatness of the Premier League a myth?’: Ed Aarons answered your football questions
Rewritten in plain English from reporting by Ed Aarons (earlier) Guardian moderators (now)15d agotheguardian.com
With the Premier League back on Saturday, football writer Ed Aarons answered your questions on what the Man City verdict means, whether referees will be stricter, and whether Don’t Look Back In Anger was prophetic
4.48pm BST
That's all, folks! Thanks for all of your questions, it’s been really enjoyable – and quite taxing at the same time! Have a good weekend everyone. Cheers
4.34pm BST
Are Man City fans really surprised? CongoTP asks: It seems a lot of Man City fans are claiming to have been surprised that, for now at least, the club were found to have cheated. Do you believe them? Wasn’t the evidence right in front of our eyes all along?
TotesMcGotes asks: Why do you think we haven’t seen any organised protests or action from Man City fans against the owners who have trashed the club’s reputation?
Ed says: I have to admit that I was surprised that so many people didn’t see this coming given that much of the evidence has been out there since 2018. The German newspaper Der Spiegel revealed details of the internal memos and emails that were sent by City officials after being passed them by Rui Pinto and they were especially damning of their intention to try and cheat the system. Perhaps it was because the case rumbled on for so long after they were originally charged that people didn’t take it seriously? Or it could just be simply that they didn’t want to know what happened because of the consequences that could result? There are quite a few City fans who have held their hands up and admitted their disgust at what has happened but perhaps more will follow once the appeal has been heard.
4.25pm BST
How much are Wirtz and Gyökeres worth? aufwiedersehendepp asks: How much is Wirtz worth, how much is Gyökeres worth, in the current market?
Ed says: A good question given that neither has exactly lived up to the hype that surrounded their arrivals. Wirtz was always going to take time to settle in given the role he plays and there have been signs that he is developing a good understanding with Aleksander Isak this season. He was coveted by many of the big clubs in Europe before deciding to come to Liverpool and the price tag of almost £120m was always going to put a lot of pressure on his shoulders. But Wirtz is only 23 and has his best years ahead of him so his value has probably not dropped that much.
As for Gyökeres, Arsenal paid £64m for him last summer and he played his part in them winning the title, albeit never really convincing as the main man. He has lost his place to Kai Havertz and looked seriously lacking in confidence during the first few weeks of the season but scoring four goals for Sweden will have given him a big boost. At 28, though, his value is heading in the wrong direction.
Updated at 4.46pm BST
4.19pm BST
Was Don't Look Back in Anger prophetic? PunCrock asks: Do you think the song Don’t Look Back in Anger was prophetic?
Ed says: It must have been, although a quick Google suggests that the song was inspired by David Bowie’s 1979 song Look Back in Anger and the 1967 Bob Dylan documentary Don’t Look Back. Plus a bit of the John Osborne play Look Back in Anger that I remember studying at A-Level and stars Kenneth Branagh in the TV version.
But it would be a much better story if Noel and Liam Gallagher had written the song all those years ago with Manchester City’s demise in mind. Not sure they would agree though.
Updated at 4.21pm BST
4.10pm BST
Did that break come at a good or bad time for Aston Villa? VirgilHilts asks: Hi Ed. After an underwhelming start, Aston Villa were definitely showing signs of improvement before the international break. Did that break come at a good or bad time for them?
Ed says: I have a soft spot for Villa because my mother supports them and you have to trust in Unai Emery. It was the same last season when they made a slow start before hitting their straps and the turnover of players in the summer meant they were always likely to do that again this year. While there is a lot to be said for momentum in football and beating Spurs before the international break was a good start, being able to work with some of his squad who weren’t on international duty over the last three weeks should be hugely beneficial for Emery as he attempts to build a new team.
4.02pm BST
Will there be real consequences for Man City? What should they be? Fearandloathingpart2 asks: Given the political pressure that is inevitably going to be placed on Man City, do you think the independent regulator will take action? If they don’t, they lose any credibility but it just seems unlikely to me they’ll take serious action against the ownership. Am I being too cynical? Any thoughts?
MademoiselleK asks: Surely given the guilty verdict on City they should be suspended for the rest of the PL season pending the outcome of their appeal. Only five games in the PL could simply annul the results so far and drop to a 37 club competition. If they are allowed to play on then what happens when their appeal fails - presumably months down the line. Docking them points at that stage makes the league a joke as you will have a club whose serial cheating has already ruined the credibility of English football’s showcase competition which is watched by billions worldwide.
Ed says: I don’t think you’re being too cynical, although it must be said this is probably the biggest challenge the new Independent Football Regulator (IFR) chair David Kogan could possibly ever have faced and it has come less than a year after he was appointed to the new role… The IFR is able to re-assess the suitability of owners, directors and executives and Kogan said in a statement that “we will use these powers where appropriate, in the interests of protecting the sustainability, honesty and integrity of English football where there is clear evidence of wrongdoing by individuals.”
However, the political ramifications that were highlighted by the reaction to Andy Burnham’s comments last week that he would be “really concerned” to lose the City’s owners from Abu Dhabi were an indication that this all goes well beyond football. It puts the IFR in a tricky situation, although it is meant to be independent and Kogan will be keen to show that.
As for the credibility of this season given the verdict, I would agree that there are massive question marks that need to be answered quickly or it threatens the integrity of the competition. Unfortunately it looks like this will drag on for a while yet, or at least until midway through the season.
3.53pm BST
Are referees going to enforce stricter emphasis on grappling, holding, blocks during corner kicks? shakercoola asks: Ed, do you know if there is any indication yet that referees are getting round to enforcing stricter emphasis on grappling, holding, blocks during corner kicks? Perhaps there is a useful team example to use from last season. Ahem.
Just to clarify new key enforcements on pushing and holding: - Ignoring the ball, focusing solely on the opponent—turning their back to where the set-piece is coming from and making no attempt to play or challenge for the ball “will be penalised”. - Two-Arm Holds - Grappling restricting an attacker’s movement/goalkeeper’s ability to challenge for the ball “will result in a foul”. - Howard Webb told refs to take proactive action immediately rather than offering verbal warnings.
Ed says: There has already been an interesting case involving the team that you may be referring to in your question if my instinct serves me right?! The decision to award Sunderland a penalty against Arsenal last month enraged Mikel Arteta and his reaction was probably an attempt to try and put doubts in the officials’ minds the next time they are confronted with a similar situation. Quite clever really given how many goals Arsenal scored from corners last year… Referees are definitely on the lookout for miscreants at set pieces but actually cracking down on such chaos is not going to be easy without help from the VAR. Time will tell.
3.47pm BST
Should Piers Morgan stick his oar in? papalazaru asks: As a Saints fan, at the lowest point of the spy stuff when the season had turned very dark and bitter, I looked on YouTube, and James Corden was there, adding to the pile on. His righteous indignation about how there was no punishment large enough for us somehow didn’t galvanise me to anger, but instead gave me great comfort. Could the Man City fans who are suffering now be similarly helped by an intervention by him or by Piers Morgan, David Walliams, Simon Cowell or maybe “Prince” Andrew?
Ed says: I think that Piers Morgan is too busy being the world’s biggest sycophant to Cristiano Ronaldo to have time to worry about City and Andrew has other things on his mind as well. James Corden might be the best bet - perhaps a bit of Carpool Karaoke with Liam Gallagher to distract him from his war of words with everyone on X? And as a Saints fan you must be pinching yourself that Tonda Eckert somehow didn’t get banned? Didn’t see that one coming…
3.38pm BST
Forget the drama, are you looking forward to Palace vs Forest? AutumnMoon asks: Ooh the hostility, the bitterness, the claims and counter claims about following the rules, about ownership models, about rightful positions in competitions will no doubt produce a febrile, toxic atmosphere at the standout fixture of the week on Sunday.
Are you looking forward to Palace vs Forest?
Ed says: Yes Oliver Glasner’s homecoming should be interesting to say the least! I can still remember being in shock when I saw that he had defected to Nottingham Forest while covering England at the World Cup and woke up the next day thinking it must have been a bad dream… The Austrian couldn’t have done more for Palace in his spell in south London, ending the club’s long wait for a major trophy by winning the FA Cup and then following it up with the Community Shield and Conference League. He was always destined to depart at some stage though given his disagreements with the Palace board over the club’s lack of ambition, although like most people I didn’t think it would be to Forest.
I think the reception for him will be mixed with many fans wanting to pay their respects to perhaps Palace’s greatest-ever manager but others are sure to let him know their thoughts on joining the club that many blame for being behind their demotion from the Europa League last season.
3.29pm BST
How will Manchester City be received at away games? Hi Ed. What do you expect the reception from fans of all other teams in the PL will be when Man City come to town? I anticipate it will be much more vociferous than expected.
Ed says: Yes and it’s one of the quirks of the fixture list for which we so love football that sees City head to Anfield for their first match since the verdict was announced. I’m sure that the Liverpool supporters have something planned for Sunday afternoon, especially given their close rivalry with them over the past few years. It will be interesting to see how City’s fans respond but they are going to have to get used to being the butt of everyone’s jokes again after so many years of dominance.
3.19pm BST
What are the main tactical changes this season? trinder19 asks: Ed, great feature. What do you see as the main tactical changes in the Premier League this season? Do you see styles, tactics and approaches diverging more or less across the league?
Ed says: I think it’s a bit early to see any major changes but more generally there has been a bit of a shift away from controlling games by pure possession and a much more direct approach from many teams. Pep Guardiola’s style of play was so influential in the Premier League and beyond but even he went a bit more direct towards the end of his reign at City and lots of other teams have been trying to get the ball forward much earlier.
There’s also been even more emphasis on taking greater risks with pressing much higher up the pitch, as Brighton showed with their masterclass against Arsenal before the international break. But the arrival of so many new managers in the summer means that it will be interesting to see how the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City evolve as the weeks go on.
3.13pm BST
Is the greatness of the Premier League a myth? chymist asks: When will the myth that the Premier League is ‘the best league in the world’ be finally put to rest?
Ed says: There were only five Premier League players shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or this year and that is an indication that most of the biggest stars in world football still play overseas. While English clubs have been dominating European competitions over the past few years with Arsenal, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace all reaching finals last year, I think the attraction of playing for the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and these days Paris Saint-Germain outweighs the benefits of playing in the Premier League for many of the very best.
But there is no doubting that the overall level is far higher in England than anywhere else given the financial might of the Premier League that allows clubs to bring in and develop better players. You just have to look at results at the start of this season to see that anyone can beat almost anyone at the moment and that makes it a much better competition.
3.07pm BST
What are the implications of the Manchester City verdict for seasons prior to 2018? Battiston asks: How likely is it, in your view, that there will be further charges in the Man City case relating to the period from 2018-2026? Is there the appetite for it from within football for one thing and is there a case to be made that the successes of the latter period are a direct result of the cheating from the period already covered?
stooze asks: What are your thoughts on 2018 to the present day if City’s guilty verdict is upheld? It seems to me that when City entered the 2018/19 season, they did so on the back of all the seasons that went before - indeed 14/15 of the same major players from 2017/18 were there in 18/19, even 21/22 (I highlight those years as a Liverpool man, but any after 2018 are valid) - so I just wondered if you foresee an eventual punishment that includes stuff after 2018?
Seems to me that it would be impossible to ignore/accept, if all the years that went before were built on ‘sham’ financial foundations. Any thoughts?
Ed says: Hello everyone and it’s an interesting place to start… It’s hard to argue against the premise that City’s success since 2018 was not built on the period for which they have been found guilty of so many charges, because it obviously had an enormous impact on their ability to sign new players given the increased revenue that generated. Would they have been able to sign Erling Haaland in 2022 from Borussia Dortmund without it, for example?
But the question of whether they could face more charges in future due to what some have called the “snowball effect” would of course depend on whether there is any evidence of any new breaches of the financial regulations in that period. And there is a strong possibility that the Premier League could revisit some of those figures given that City have been found guilty of so many charges between 2009 and 2018
As for whether there is an appetite for City to be investigated for the later period as well, I think that there is. Several clubs have already indicated that they would like retrospective punishments that could include them being stripped of their titles, with some arguing that the credibility of the Premier League would be lost if City were allowed to keep the eight major trophies they won between 2009 and 2018.
3.01pm BST
Ed is live Ed is online now answering your Premier League questions.
9.08am BST
Welcome to the conversation It’s been an incredibly busy few weeks for our football reporters, but there’s only so much you can write about England’s 2-0 win in Prague …
Football writer Ed Aarons will be online at 3pm BST to answer any questions about the return of the Premier League. As well as what is likely to be a drama-filled visit to Anfield for Manchester City, Arsenal will be hoping to make up ground on City at the top of the table, while Manchester United and Spurs are hoping to kickstart their seasons.
Here are all this weekend’s games. Sign in or sign up to ask Ed a question.
Saturday (all times BST) 12:30 Arsenal v Leeds15:00 Aston Villa v Brentford15:00 Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth15:00 Ipswich v Fulham15:00 Sunderland v Brighton17:30 Man Utd v SpursSunday 14:00 Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest14:00 Hull v Everton16:30 Liverpool v Man City
Monday20:00 Coventry v Newcastle
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