None of the promoted teams have gone crazy trying to upgrade their squad to premier league level. Getting relegated isn’t a death sentence as long as they keep their finances reasonable and it seems like all 3 teams have come into this season with very realistic expectations.
If they get relegated they can strengthen even more and look to come back even stronger in 2 years.
Keeping possession is a big reason teams stop playing long ball as much. Defending is harder then it used to be with how fast the game is played and VAR usually penalising defenders over helping them. If you have the ball you can’t concede etc.
Also some teams still use a good long ball, look at Liverpools Champions League and Prem winning teams, yes they were good in passing plays but they also utilised a deadly diagonal to Mane or Salah all the time.
Anton Ferdinand for West Ham v Fulham. Not a bad player but just an average Championship/Prem CB, then scores a swivelling Drogba-esque volley in his first ever premiership season
Ryan Taylor for Newcastle and Wigan, decent but fairly average right footed left back. BUT every goal he scored was class, outside the box volleys against Everton and Newcastle plus a few nice free kicks
Definitely not bang average even by prem standards. Was very good for Everton to the point of being their young player of the season and then player of the season the next year
Constant midweek flights to europe can’t help the recovery period either
Tbf Saudi vs Argentina was pretty incredible. It was like a full on war for the Saudi’s, especially when that guy took a knee to the head and the goalie was stuck between helping him and protecting the goal
I watched most of the U19 Euros this year, Italy’s team was really good to watch and always kept pushing to score. From that team I really liked Kayode the right back who played so well they put him at right wing instead, great cross on him.
Also the 2 Delavalle’s at CB were great, very mature defenders. They kept a clean sheet against Portugal who I thought were the best team at the tourney.