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As the 2017/18 Premier League draws to a close, the 26th edition of the English top flight league had its fair share of intriguing moments. Although most of the events, topics and controversies were discussed at great length, a few were underplayed and we take a look at 3 most the most underhyped moments in the Premier League.
5) Claude Puel's resurgence
After being sacked at the end of last season in spite of guiding the Saints to an eighth-place finish, Claude Puel was left looking for a new job. However, Leicester City came calling and appointed the Frenchman to replace the outgoing Craig Shakespeare. Needless to say, he has done an excellent job at the home of the former champions, in his first season at the club.
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While the Saints battle for a place in the top flight by currently languishing in 17th place, Puel and his Leicester side comfortably sit in 9th place. The French manager has galvanized his squad and it now oddly resembles the team that shocked the world and claimed the Premier League title.
Puel must be credited for keeping Mahrez at the club and controlling the situation to a certain degree but faces a stern task again this summer. If he manages to retain his best players and sign a few to improve the balance of the squad, Puel with Leicester could challenge for a spot in Europe.
4) Rise of young English talent
With the likes of Joe Gomez, Tom Carroll, Lewis Cook, Trent Alexander Arnold, Micheal Keane, Tammy Abraham, Reuben Loftus-Cheek to name a few all enjoying adequate game time at their respective clubs and learning their trade at the highest level of the game, the English youngsters are only going to improve.
There is a buzz in English youth football with the success of the U-20, U-19 and U-17 teams at international competitions around the world. With the youngster getting a chance at the elite level, the players developing to be the future stars could emerge very soon.
England will go into the World Cup hoping to make it into the knockout rounds and boast a talented enough squad despite the injuries. But for future competitions, there is hope of an English resurgence on the international stage to challenge for trophies. With the quality of talent coming through the ranks at various clubs the country's football future looks promising.
3) Palace's fight for survival
Crystal Palace lost their first seven games of the season under Frank de Boer and are the first team since the 1888/89 Liverpool side to survive the drop after having 0 points after the first 7 games of the season.
Frank de Boer was sacked after a dismal run of results and was replaced by former England and Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson. The Englishman has done a marvellous job at the Eagles and has secured their status as a Premier League team, with a comeback victory over Stoke City.
With injuries affecting the squad all along the season, the experienced manager has handled managed the situation superbly well and successfully steered the club from the drop.
2) Watford's sacking of Marco Silva
Watford appointed former Hull City boss, Marco Silva at the start of the season and was in flying form till October, then fifth on the table. The stunning rise coincided with Everton stunning collapse under Ronald Koeman which saw him fired from his role as Toffees manager. After months of negotiations between October and January, Watford dropped close to the relegation places but seemed like they fended off the Evertonian interest for their manager.
However, since the deal fell through as Everton appointed Sam Allardyce, Watford sacked Marco Silva and lashed out, criticising Everton for an “unwarranted approach” which they claimed derailed their season. Despite doing a good job in the first half of the season and the club five points off the relegation places, Rudi Garcia was appointed new club manager.
While Garcia has succeeded in keeping the club's Premier League status intact, Silva's sacking was a huge surprise and could have been possibly catastrophic for the club given the players were responding to the manager's tactics.
1) Quality of newly promoted teams
Newcastle United and Brighton&Hove Albion have secured their status as Premier League teams for next season. Huddersfield Town is on the brink of confirming their status as well, as they have three games left to play this season against Manchester City, Chelsea away and Arsenal at home.
With the lowest wage budget in the League, the club and manager have done a stunning job to push for safety in their first season in the English top flight. Rafa Benitez, Chris Houghton and David Wagner have all done incredible jobs at their respective teams and given other Premier League mainstay clubs a run for their money.
After a long and hard campaign with many ups and downs, the newly promoted sides have proved their worth and mantle in the English top flight.
