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When Wolverhampton Wanderers stormed into the Premier League, expectations were high that they would spend big. The club was in the market for some impressive young names, but a fantastic debut season in the Premier League has seen the club go even further in terms of ambition. They’ve picked up a very impressive number of signings. Including Jesus Vallejo of Real Madrid. Arguably the most impressive, though, is that of Patrick Cutrone of AC Milan.

What makes him so special?

Cutrone is a very interesting striker, and one who should both compliment and, when needed, replace Raul Jimenez. A player who does not slow down and who does not conserve his energy, Cutrone does not hold back whatsoever when it comes to opposition defences. He works hard, he chases down opponents, and he manages to get into good striking positions.

His passing is crisp as are his general layoffs, making him a very interesting player to watch. Wolves fans will get a committed forward who can score goals and who can get involved in the build-up play, as well as harry defences and force mistakes.

Any concerns or doubts?

Where his biggest problems lie though are in the air and when it comes to his foul rate. Cutrone gives away too many fouls, with his constant pressing often leading to mistakes and thus giving away foul when his team need to build up a head of steam. He is, though, more than young enough to get over that issue and start becoming a more consistent presence from a defensive viewpoint.

Given his small frame, too, he is not great in the air; this is where he would most likely differ from Jimenez who is a far more bullish, target-like forward. If he can continue to work on his defensive contribution, though, there is nothing to say that Cutrone could not become a regular fixture at the top end of the Premier League charts.

Despite what you read in the press regarding Mauricio Pochettino’s unhappiness at Tottenham Hotspur’s lack of transfer activity, one major signing is already in the door. The arrival of Tanguy Ndombele offers a bit of a game-changer in the middle of the pitch; a player who combes outstanding physical prowess with technical smarts far in excess of what one might expect.

What makes him so special?

The former Lyon man has enjoyed a rapid rise to the top, having exploded into his current role. Two seasons at Lyon has produced a rounded player who is excellent on the ball. His dribbling can be exceptional at times, often powering through midfield without the ability for opponents to stop him. His indefatigable style mixed in with technical prowess and an awareness of where his teammates should be makes him an excellent player to watch.

His passing, too, is brilliant at times. He spots crucial passes, takes out the opposition defence with ease, and is known for being able to open up teams. 7 assists in Ligue 1 alone last year is an example of how rounded his game is for a player who isn’t in the team for goals.

Any concerns or doubts?

Speaking of goals, that is the one major concern with Ndombele; a single goal came last year. If Spurs wanted to add more goals into the midfield, Ndombele does not do that. He will not see them score more goals in terms of directly from himself – he is, though, a good provider.

Another slight concern will be his ability to lose concentration when a game slows down a touch. In the hustle and bustle of a game he’s usually fine, but he’s had a few interesting mistakes when his mind has wandered. That, though, should improve with age and experience – especially under Pochettino.

Arsenal Football Club are, without a doubt, one of the biggest clubs in England. They are also one of the most parsimoniously run. You often hear people tell you that ‘football is a business’ – and few clubs showcase that more than the Gunners. However, one positive of the last few years is the growing number of academy kids who have grown into the squad.

Say it quietly, but the one who might be likely to make that step-up next is young Joe Willock.

What makes him so special?

Really, it’s hard to pin down one attribute with Willock. Having already played in the UEFA Europa League final, he’s got top flight experience far beyond someone of his age normally. However, he’s also made a big impression in early pre-season games for Arsenal, with the 19-year-old having already made a big impact on the USA tour.

One thing that makes him stand out is that he appears to be a rapid learner. Already, Willock looks a more rounded player than last year. His developmental rate is very impressive, and manager Unai Emery has been very quick to talk up his ability to learn and progress.

If there is one thing that should really put Willock in the spotlight, it’s that ability to improve and grow to a whole new level without much gametime. That’s an important attribute for a player who might not see huge amounts of gametime this year.

Any concerns or doubts?

Really, the doubts are with his club rather than the player himself. Arsenal have endured rather than enjoyed the summer window, and now look set to have a tough fight for UEFA Champions League qualification on his hands. Willock might find himself playing at the top-end for a club who’s struggling to justify their place at the top.

That can be tough for a youngster, so the concern is more likely to be that he could get engulfed in another negative Arsenal season rather than any specific doubts about quality.

For some time now, the Norwich City ‘dream’ has been slowly eroding into a minor nightmare. Norwich have a pretty shocking record against Manchester United, too, having lost three of the last four games to them 4-0. With a poor run of form that is now beginning to stretch far beyond what many would have expected, can the Canaries sing when they really need to get a tune?

Norwich City news

The canary is almost certainly beginning to sing down the coalmine for the Premier League’s most exciting newcomers. Poor performances are beginning to stack, and 21 goals conceded by late October makes for worrying reading. They’ve lost four of their last six, and look in pretty poor form.

Since they bested Manchester City, the club has been on a steady spiral of poor results. Six losses so far is already a concern, and Daniel Farke must quietly be getting concerned.

Manchester United News

Thankfully for Norwich, their big-name opponents aren’t in much better condition. The Red Devils are on a similar run of just one win in their last six, though they have only lost two in that time. With both teams sitting on a paltry two wins, and just 10 goals scored, United at least can say they have conceded only the 9.

For United, it’s likely to be a big change-up from the team that frustrated Liverpool so well. They will be expected to come out and play this time; can they do that, though?

Verdict

United win – but only just. Norwich simply lose too many goals and spend far too long in games under pressure. Silly mistakes and daft errors are commonplace in both teams, but we think that United will make the least crucial mistakes in this one – meaning they should get the three points.

After both teams were surprisingly promoted last year, it’s fair to say that the start to life in the Premier League has been challenging. Both Norwich City and Aston Villa have had some good results so far, but also they’ve endured some chastising defeats. It’s hard to know exactly where both teams will end up in the league, but a win here for either would be essential. Momentum is needed as we edge towards the wild festive period, so both teams could use something here to put them in position for the most demanding part of the football calendar.

Norwich City News

The injuries are fair piling up for the Canaries. Alongside two first team keepers Ralf Fahrmann and Tim Krul, other important players missing include Mario Vrancic, Timm Klose, and Onel Hernandez. The lack of numbers means that Norwich will likely stick with a similar line-up to what they have used recently; manager Daniel Farke does not really have the luxury of changes.

Michael McGovern is likely to take place in nets, with Ben Godfrey and Grant Hanley coming in.

Aston Villa News

Meanwhile, Villa are likely to be without Matt Targett, Henri Lansbury, James Chester, and Wesley. All four players have been important for them – though Chester has yet to play this year – meaning that Dean Smith has similarly limited options in some places.

Jonathan Kodija is back, though, and the big Ivorian could be an essential addition to their first team as the season begins to move towards its most extensive period in terms of fixtures.

Verdict

Hard to say for sure, but we would suspect that Norwich will have a good chance of picking up something. Villa have made a worrying habit of conceding daft goals, and with Norwich scoring at least 2 goals in each of their last 3 home games in the league, we can see them scoring a few here. Villa are winless in 3, but both sides are quite unreliable at present: a draw feels likely.