The EPL is back but, "What's happening in London?"

Matchday 1 was an entertaining introduction to the season. 

Man utd fans couldn't have asked for more. Zirkee came off the bench to score the winner in a match that looked destined for a draw. Joshua means "God saves". You can't make this up. (smiles)

Arsenal started where they left off and Havertz with 17G/A in 14 games as the no.9 keeps shutting his doubters up. 

At Ipswitch, Liverpool couldn't turn up the switch until the second half against and once again, the EPL's greatest African does his thing.

Super Sunday was the headline. The teacher versus the student. No Rodri, no problem - Kovacic did it all. The 2-0 defeat to Chelsea didn't feel too bad. Such is the gulf between the "new project" and the 4 straight EPL champions.

My focus is on Chelsea.

My predicted XI: Jorgensen; Gusto, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Lavia, KDH, Nkunku; Noni, Sterling, Guiu.

My selection was solely based on preseason and availability. Surprisingly, the latecomers Palmer, Caceido, Enzo and Jackson all started.

Since the game, a lot of questions have been asked. Can a midfield trio of Lavia-Caceido-Enzo work? Should Enzo be so high up? Could Palmer and Nkunku have played better centrally? Why was Lavia subbed off so early? Why would Noni not even play at all? 

I wasn't bothered about all these. It's your first game and playing your former team, arguably the best team in the world would make any coach make "strange" decisions. I expected it. However, the strangest one was immediately after the match day squad was released and Raheem Sterling was missing. After the game, Sterling's camp released a statement and series of actions have spiralled down since. 

Maresca said he's only training with 21 players despite the over 40 players around. Sterling has joined the "exiled list". His no.7 was also given to Neto. In all of these, Chelsea welcomed Joao Felix (while Gallagher goes the other way).

When asked about Sterling during the pre-match press conference ahead of their Thursday Conference league game, Maresca said, "I'm not saying Raheem is not a good player, I prefer different kind of winger.... The decision wasn't just made today..."

..."Before the City game, I sat one on one with Raheem and explained to him. I've not seen Raheem after then. If he meets me today, I'd repeat the same thing I said to him before the City game because I was quite clear."

I must say that given that Maresca and Sterling both worked at City and the antecedent of Maresca having preference for pacy 1v1 wingers, I was shocked by Maresca's comments. However, These statements right here tell me few things.

1. Maresca is very focused on the kind of squad he wants despite the flood of players at the club.

2. The bloated squad is not Maresca's fault and he has to make the decisions he believes would bring success. Sterling isn't different from the other "exiled" players.

3. Maresca was fair for speaking to Sterling in person before the first game of the season meaning Sterling wasn't shocked on Sunday and for that, Sterling's release was unnecessary. 

4. However, I believe the club giving Neto his shirt number immediately was outrageous. I think things should have been handled better.

I am always an advocate of settling things internally and the way the club handled the Enzo situation and Gallagher transfer (though it lingered) was commendable. Sterling is earning over 300k per week and it'd be very difficult to get a club sign him this late. 

*Maresca's 21-man players (as at Wednesday)*

Disasi, Badiashile, Colwill, Tosin, Gusto, Cucurella, Viega, *James(absent due to injury), Caceido, Enzo, Caseidi, KDH, Lavia, Chukwuemeka, Palmer; Mudryk, Noni, Neto, Nkunku, Jackson, Guiu.

The addition of Felix means the list could still change and Maresca hasn't ruled out one or two more additions.

In the midst of all the "chaos", Chelsea fans wait eagerly for the Wolves game this weekend. Oh wait! There is Servette. (laughs)