They always say “this will be a Premier League season like no other” and although that statement is usually dripping in media-driven hyperbole, there is a sense this oft-quoted phrase could actually ring true over the next few months.
Because with the first six games of the new campaign now out of the way, there is a feeling that the status quo from the past few years may well be disrupted and the two-horse title race that usually plays out, might just have a few more contenders joining the fray.
While if that does prove to be the case, it is a race that could see Tottenham make strides on the outside and with a genuine squad finally being assembled in North London, Jose Mourinho may never have a better chance to return to the Premier League’s summit.
Much has been made of Tottenham possessing a quality first eleven and on their day, they are more than a match for any of the contemporaries. However, it only takes an absentee or two to then put them off their stride.
Something that was evident with injuries to both Harry Kane and Heung min-Son at the start of 2020 and with both these attacking talents being in the treatment room for so long, Spurs’ hopes of a return to the Champions League subsequently fizzled out.
Now though, the 2019 finalists of Europe’s premier club competition have bolstered their attacking ranks and although the return of Gareth Bale will undoubtedly create the most column inches, it is perhaps the arrival of Carlos Vinicius which is more important.It would be unfair to label Bale as a luxury signing, as when he returns to full fitness and Tottenham fans will be hoping that time is sooner rather than later, he will provide a further amount of flair in the wide forward positions.
With that said, it is the arrival of Vinicius from Benfica that signifies the missing piece of the striking jigsaw and with the club now looking like they have a genuine additional centre forward to call upon, it means Harry Kane can be rested for the lesser games in the schedule.
No longer do domestic cup games against lower-level opposition have to be the preserve of England forward and with the load now being lightened, it will allow the 27-year-old to be fresher for when it really matters.
This will bode well for any genuine title tilt that Tottenham hope to attempt and after a string of impressive early-season performances; BetOnline believes that they will be able to push the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City all the way.
At present, the bookmakers have Jose Mourinho’s men as 8/1 third favourites and when you look at how their two aforementioned rivals have started their own proceedings, this could constitute a fair amount of value.
For the defending Premier League champions, they must deal with defensive issues and if the long-term absence of Virgil Van Dijk is bad enough, they now must navigate the next few weeks without Fabinho as well.
This means the Merseyside outfit will certainly be susceptible at the back and although that is not necessarily something that can be said of Manchester City, they now have a bigger problem at the other end of the pitch.
For so long, Pep Guardiola has been accused of neglecting his defence and after putting that right with the arrivals of both Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias, the former Barcelona manager now must deal with a talisman who is starting to finally show signs of wear and tear.
With Sergio Aguero missing the start of the season through injury and subsequently picking up another niggle in the recent 1-1 draw at West Ham, the Etihad outfit are no longer firing on all cylinders.
Which means the Premier League giants are far from perfect and if there was ever a time to seize on such misfortune, the time is now. Time that Tottenham will hope does not subsequently pass them by.
Admittedly, the Lillywhites are not quite perfect themselves and they have shown some defensive naivety at times. However, if this little kink can be ironed out from their overall play, there is no reason why 2021 cannot finally be their year.