THIS WEEKEND sees Manchester United take on Leeds for the second time this week, Arsenal faces a sturdy Brentford, and Brighton's new Japanese star Kaoru Mitoma retakes the centre stage.
Sitting down with the Irish Post this week, Everton and Chelsea legend Pat Nevin gave up his valuable time to discuss all the latest talking points in the Premier League for Football Betting Online for part two of an exclusive interview.
Pat Nevin on Erik ten Hag's job at Manchester United this season and getting rid of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Manchester United have won 13 games in a row under Ten Hag.
"Ten Hag's done a good job," said the former Chelsea player.
He had to get rid of Ronaldo. I got hammered for saying it. I was saying, 'I know he's your top scorer, and I know he was one of the best in the world, but what he does to the team is not good."
The fact that he couldn't cope with the fact that the club is bigger than him, it should have happened before, but it did happen."
"You look at United now, and they're flourishing under Ten Hag."
They're on the cusp of building something big, and who knows, and Manchester United has a chance to be where they should be."
Pat Nevin on Arsenal title bid
Arsenal are top of the Premier League.
"Can they win it, yes?"
"I wouldn't have put them top had City and Liverpool being the City and Liverpool of the last few seasons, I would still be saying City, but those teams aren't quite there yet."
"Arsenal have nailed it with the timing. This was the year to have the great year."
"The tricky one for Arsenal, and I'm at it, and that's much more trickier than the Everton game. The reason for this is the last team you want to play now is Brentford because they are not too dissimilar to Sean Dyche and Everton with their high energy."
I think this is a monster test for Arsenal, so at the moment, I'd put Arsenal as slight favourites to win it.
"I think they're fortunate that it's at the Emirates Stadium and not at Brentford.
We will know a lot after this weekend. If Arsenal can win and get back on track, they'll still be favourites."
Pat Nevin on why he loves Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma
Kaoru Mitoma has lit up the Premier League and only cost £4M.
"When I watch Brighton, I am completely transfixed and can only watch one player. "
I was at a Brighton game, doing commentary, and after the first 20 minutes, he made three mistakes and did one decent thing. I said on the commentary, 'he's my new favourite player'.
"That player is Kaoru Mitoma."
"There's a very technical thing he does that very few players do, and if I worked in TV, I'd love to do a piece on it."
"Modern pitches don't allow the things he does, but he does it."
"It's a simple thing, where most greats from Ronaldo, Hazard and others are slalom runners. That's how they beat players."
"He doesn't do that. It's something older than previous generations used to see. He uses his sheer pace and trickery to beat people, and I'm sorry, but he totally transfixes me."
"I can't believe Chelsea didn't buy him, " said Nevin.
"His time at Brighton is limited, so fans at the Amex should enjoy it."
Stop him if you can 😤 @kaoru_mitoma | @OfficialBHAFC pic.twitter.com/84uYpPbMEb
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) February 8, 2023
