10 Premier League clubs’ biggest weaknesses

Chelsea
Straying offside

As Chelsea look to challenge for Premier League glory once more, they could well look to minimalise the amount of times they are caught offside, having strayed off on 108 occasions last season, more than any other club.

Everton
Creating chances

Averaging just 9.4 shots per game, only Swansea (8.9) recorded a lower total than Everton last season. With 44 goals from 38 games, it is an obvious area for improvement as Marco Silva prepares for his first season in charge at Goodison Park.

Manchester United
Prolificacy in front of goal

For all of United’s defensive efforts, Jose Mourinho will certainly want his side to improve in front of goal this season. It’s difficult to compare against City’s tally of 106, but United’s 68 goals scored last season was also fewer than Liverpool (84), Tottenham (74) and Arsenal (74).

Arsenal
Costly errors

Mistakes came at a price for Arsenal last season, with 15 errors leading to goals in the Premier League. That league-high total was four more than Southampton and Bournemouth, and that tally will have to reduce drastically if they are to challenge for a top-four spot.

Liverpool
Drawing after leading

No team ended up drawing more times after taking the lead than Liverpool, who shared the spoils on seven occasions. They were one of just three teams (along with Tottenham and Manchester United) not to lose after taking the lead, but seven draws equates to 14 points dropped – a clear area Jurgen Klopp can look to improve on.

Manchester City
Hitting the woodwork

The champions scored a record 106 league goals in the previous campaign, but remarkably they could have scored more. Not only did they miss the most big chances (63), but they also hit the woodwork 23 times – seven more than Arsenal in second.

Tottenham
Sharing the load

With 10 goalscorers last season, variety was not Tottenham’s strong point last season. That tally of 10 was fewer than the remaining top six, and while Heung-Min Son, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli proved valuable allies to Harry Kane up front, Mauricio Pochettino will be hoping for a greater input from the rest of his squad.

Leicester City
Discipline

Five red cards for Leicester was the most in the Premier League last season. Wilfred Ndidi was the guilty party on two of those occasions, with Ben Chilwell, Daniel Amartey and Marc Albrighton also seeing red. The Foxes managed to beat Brighton 2-0 with 10 men, mainly because Ndidi was dismissed in the 87th minute, while they also secured a valiant 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge after Chilwell was given his marching orders with 25 minutes to go.

Fulham
Errors leading to shots

There were six Sky Bet Championship clubs who made more errors leading to shots than Fulham last season, but none will be gracing the Premier League this time around. Having allowed 24 shots after making mistakes – joint with Wolves – they may not be so lucky when making blunders in the Premier League.

Bournemouth
Insufficient shut-outs

Eddie Howe’s side kept just six clean sheets in the Premier League last season, the joint-fewest along with relegated Stoke City. So the Cherries’ back line, and in particular goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, will need to improve on that defensive stat in the upcoming campaign.

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