There is a danger inherent into reading too much into a small sample size, be that in football or any walk of life. Whatever a player or club is doing in the first few matches of a new season, for good or bad, may not be representative of what they are capable in the long term.
If that sounds like terms and conditions or a warning in the small print, that’s because it is. Many transfers have been made on the back of a brief hot streak (especially when it occurs in an international tournament) and that burst of form never presents itself with the new team.
Liverpool are being linked with a move for Villarreal’s Alejandro ‘Alex’ Baena, and according to Spanish outlet Sport the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are interested in signing him too. The 21-year-old has made an excellent start to 2022/23 but is he the real deal?
