Alan Smith’s weekend briefing: Chelsea vs Manchester United, West Ham vs Tottenham and more

Chelsea vs Manchester United

Jose’s losing his magic touch as Sarri thrills Chelsea

So much talk will inevitably focus on Jose Mourinho, comparing the inspirational figure who brought so much success to Chelsea with the beleaguered soul attempting to turn things around at Manchester United.

What has changed in the interim? Why is Mourinho so different? Why can’t he carry players with him, infuse them with desire and belief, in the way he so stunningly managed at Stamford Bridge?

I don’t suppose anyone can come up with the correct answers for those particular questions, apart from concluding that the Portuguese coach has lost his magic.

That said, one theory is that the modern-day player doesn’t respond to Mourinho’s hard-line methods. They can’t be pushed all the time, expected to constantly follow orders to the letter.

These are very powerful people with ideas of their own who demand a bit of leeway on the football pitch. Egos and bank balances are bigger than ever, making it very hard to keep everyone in line.

If that’s right, you do have to wonder how Maurizio Sarri has gone about his business at Chelsea where the twin tenets of discipline and organisation are clearly alive and well. How on earth has the Italian knocked this team so quickly into shape to get it to perform at such a high level?

Of course, Sarri will insist there is still much to do before the side functions exactly how he wants.

Managers like him are rarely satisfied, even when sitting joint-top of the table. Even so, you’ve got to admire his work so far on several fronts. Few thought, for instance, that David Luiz would thrive in Sarri’s newly assembled back four. Too erratic. Goes walkabout. Takes too many chances in dangerous areas. The Brazilian, however, has been brilliant so far, his decision-making and positioning difficult to fault.

Just ahead, a brand new midfield has swiftly been built in which N’Golo Kante’s role has surprisingly changed.

Who would have thought the little Frenchman would be released from his central holding role to storm forward more freely from the right side?

In addition, Ross Barkley now promises to finally fulfil his potential as an exciting playmaker for club and country.

As for Eden Hazard, well, he couldn’t look more impressive. The only reservation is whether the team depends too much on the brilliant Belgian.

In truth, all this contrasts sharply with United’s situation, which sees none of the players showing their best. Optimists hope the thrilling fightback against Newcastle will trigger a turnaround in fortunes to rival Mark Robins’ goal in an FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest in 1990, which many believe saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job.

That seems unlikely. Mourinho’s best days lie in the past. Sarri must hope his are yet to come.

West Ham vs Tottenham

Spurs’ England heroes can cause more woe for West Ham after starring in Spain

International breaks can go one of two ways. Players either return on a high after excelling for their countries or return down in the dumps following a bad time. Club managers must gauge how to treat both scenarios.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has been fairly lucky, since Kieran Trippier, Eric Dier, Harry Winks and Harry Kane must have been flying on returning from England’s barnstorming win in Spain, where they all played their part.

For Winks, in particular, it was an important step that takes his reputation to the next level. The midfielder may already have played in some big Champions League games but there is still nothing quite like excelling for your country.

Marko Arnautovic has done that plenty of times for Switzerland, and he scored the winner against Northern Ireland last week. Even better news for West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini is the fact Arnautovic, troubled by a knee injury, has been passed fit for tomorrow’s match. The striker, after all, has become vital to the Hammers. Without him, the team lacks class and presence in the final third.

At the other end of the pitch, I’d be surprised if Arthur Masuaku, who made his debut for DR Congo in the week, kept his place for this one after a shocking piece of defending that gifted Brighton the win last time out.

The left-back could clearly see Glenn Murray totally free in front of goal yet scandalously failed to get anywhere near. It was like he couldn’t be bothered to put himself out. With that in mind, Aaron Cresswell must surely stand a chance of getting a game, having mostly watched from the bench up until now. With Tottenham tails up, West Ham can’t afford to switch off again.

Cardiff City vs Fulham

Get ready for Cardiff air show

There’s a bit of previous here after Cardiff pipped Fulham to an automatic promotion place last season.

So much has happened since, mainly down by the Thames where the money spent on signings dwarfs the modest sums spent in south Wales.

In terms of results, Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic doesn’t have a great deal to show for that heavy investment. Only three points above bottom-placed Cardiff, Fulham have conceded four more goals during a difficult start, culminating in that 5-1 thrashing by Arsenal. Injuries at the back certainly haven’t helped as Jokanovic chops and changes in search of the right mix.

In his favour, it will be more difficult to predict the visiting line-up than Neil Warnock’s functional side. But whoever plays in defence for Fulham should be ready for an aerial bombardment from long throws, set pieces and general play.

Not one for the purists perhaps. But with Bournemouth and Huddersfield up next, a point or three for Fulham could kickstart a decent run.

Wolves vs Watford

Hornets are having fun but it’s time to go back to basics

“I think he knows life is short and football is short and he says we have to enjoy every day.”

Etienne Capoue said that this week about Javi Gracia, the understated character in charge of a Watford side attempting to recover from a home mauling by Bournemouth.

That won’t be easy against a Wolves team embracing all the Premier League has to offer. With four wins and two draws from their last six, Nuno Espirito Santo has forged a resilient side that knows how to defend as well as attack through the clever feet of Joao Moutinho and Ruben Neves.

Come January, it might be quite tricky keeping hold of Neves, not to mention a few others if the good results continue. Capoue (below) sees similarities between Watford’s newly promoted team three years ago and tomorrow’s lively opponents, who, along with their love for expansive football, are no strangers this term to 1-0 wins.

Watford need to rediscover that kind of discipline.

With no clean sheets since the opening day, they need to go back to basics if they are to avoid a third defeat on the trot.

Gracia is definitely right in insisting you should enjoy every day, especially in football where careers pass by so quickly. But nobody enjoys losing.

The Spaniard’s positive philosophy will be much easier to follow with success at Molineux.

Everton vs Crystal Palace

Palace need to find their cutting edge before tough stuff begins

The good news is that Palace are four points better off than at this stage last season when they lost their first seven without scoring and still comfortably survived.

The bad news is they’ve only scored five in their first eight league games and, after this one, face Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United.

For Roy Hodgson, the international break must have felt like a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you can do plenty of work on the training ground, at least with those who haven’t disappeared. On the other, it would have felt like an awfully long time following that home defeat to Wolves.

When talking about Palace, it’s practically impossible to avoid the subject of Wilfried Zaha (below), who has given Hodgson another headache after returning early from international duty, apparently with a thigh injury.

He doesn’t look at all happy just now. That might, of course, be purely down to results. Alternatively, there could be something more significant troubling the attacker.

His mood certainly won’t be helped by another defeat at the hands of an Everton side getting things together. For Zaha, read Richarlison in blue, an exciting young forward full of pacy intent. For Palace, it could be a while before things improve.