Claude Puel is one of the best managers in the Premier League – that is the view of Southampton defender Sam McQueen.

The 21-year-old academy graduate has made six appearances to date this season and was full of praise for the Frenchman.

Puel signed a three-year deal at St Mary’s in the summer filling the void left by Ronald Koeman who departed for Everton.

“I think he has to be up there with some of the best managers in the Premier League,” said McQueen.

“He’s worked fantastically to create a squad that can compete at the level that we want.

“He’s different to other mangers I’ve had in the past and I’ve enjoyed working with him and he is a really nice man too.

(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

“We can dominate matches, which is impressive. He has brought a lot of positive things and the more we buy into his philosophy, the better things will be.”

McQueen added that his loan move to Southend United was key to his development and ability to shine this season.

“I know a lot of people say a loan shows you’re not needed at the club you’re at but I learnt a lot about first-team football, what I should and shouldn’t be doing,” he added.

“There are so many talented players in academies but first-team level is different and so I’ve surprised myself with how I managed to deal with it but ability wise and technically wise I’ve always been confident in myself.”

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew insists he won’t be quick to change his style of play – despite watching his side lose their last four games in the Premier League.

The Eagles slipped to a last-gasp 3-2 defeat against Burnley on Saturday, the 11th goal conceded in their past four games, a run which leaves Palace sitting just one point above the relegation zone.

But Pardew has warned Palace fans not to expect many changes to follow, insisting the entertainment factor is something the fans can appreciate at Selhurst Park, citing the 4-2 defeat to Liverpool as a case in point.

(Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

“Anyone who knows the way I manage, I like my teams to be on the front foot and score goals, so clean sheets have never been the top of my priority,” he said.

“But, of course, they are important and I have been looking for one, because it will give us the foundation to win a game.

“I want my team to play; I want my team to entertain. Certain Palace fans are focusing on that part of our game (keeping clean sheets), then that’s understandable – but I am not going to change the way we play.

“I want us to play and entertain. I felt the game against Liverpool, poised at 3-2, was an unbelievably great game for anyone watching.

“Our Palace fans should be enjoying the fact we were having a go at Liverpool and not sitting back, looking to just stop them. So, that’s how I am and that’s how it is.”

Victor Wanyama admits taking part in his first Tottenham-Arsenal clash was an enjoyable experience, even if it doesn’t quite compare to the Old Firm derby.

Wanyama got his maiden taste of North London derby action over the weekend as he played 90 minutes in Spurs’ 1-1 draw at Arsenal.

The Gunners went ahead just before half-time through Kevin Wimmer’s own goal but Harry Kane’s early second-half penalty, on his first game back from injury, ensured it was honours even at the Emirates Stadium.

Wanyama joined Spurs from Southampton for £11million over the summer but before his spell at St Mary’s, spent two years north of the border with Celtic.

Photo credit: Getty Images

The Kenyan midfielder played in three Old Firm derbies against Rangers during that time – earning himself a red card in one – and claims they are contests like no other.

“Celtic-Rangers is a one-off game really but this derby is good as well,” said Wanyama. “It’s great to play in. I’m just pleased we showed what we can do and we were really strong as a team.

“We needed to come back strong after Leverkusen, we needed to fight, we needed to show our character and we did that.

“We were 1-0 down but our goal gave us the belief to go on and try to win the game. I thought we were in control for long periods and deserved to win.”

Eden Hazard admits the added freedom of Chelsea’s new formation under Antonio Conte has been key to his revival in form.

The Belgian forward already has seven goals this term after the Italian manager introduced a 3-4-3 system that gives him less defensive responsibility.

The Blues’ fine recent form has catapulted them up the table to where they currently sit in second and a reinvigorated Hazard has been a key catalyst.

“I just have a little bit more freedom with and without the ball,” he said.

“I don’t have to defend on the right-back because Alonso is there, I just have to stay in my position. When I get the ball I have more freedom and I can go where I want to go.

“People tell me I don’t shoot enough so now I try to do it more because if you don’t shoot you don’t score. I don’t know if the ball will go in but I have more chance if I shoot.”

(Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

Currently the top five in the league table are only separated by five points and with an international break coming up, Hazard knows how important it is for the Blues to not miss a step.

“We are in good form and we want to stay like this,” he added. “We are near the top of the league, a good place, where Chelsea has to be.

“We are enjoying our football and playing very well. We are creating a lot of chances and we haven’t conceded any goals for a few games now.”

West Ham fans have waited all season for a run of form befitting of their big move to the London Stadium – and defender Angelo Ogbonna is confident their time will come when the Premier League returns.

The Hammers signed off before the international break with another dispiriting result as, despite dominating large periods of the game against Stoke, Bojan’s late goal saw the Potters come away with a 1-1 draw.

Taking only the Premier League into account, West Ham have won just two games at the London Stadium since waving goodbye to Upton Park over the summer.

 (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

That record has put them a perilous 17th in the table but Ogbonna believes they can remedy that run once their campaign recommences away to Tottenham on November 19.

“We are preparing for after the international break, and it is important that we didn’t lose in our stadium on Saturday,” he said.

“We are positive, we are optimistic, and we are waiting [for the next game] to improve our form.

“It was definitely two points lost on Saturday. We were so disappointed about the result, because we need to win.

“We need to stay compact and stay together. We can talk about everything, but the most important thing is to get back winning.”

Charlie Adam has had to bide his time for a chance at Stoke City this season, and Mark Hughes insists he is in great shape after winning his place back in the starting 11.

The 30-year-old rarely completes 90 minutes, with Hughes preferring to use the Scot’s undoubted abilities from the bench as an impact substitute.

But Giannelli Imbula’s loss of form and an injury to Geoff Cameron has opened the door for the midfielder in the last two games against Swansea and West Ham.

And Hughes has been impressed with Adam’s attitude and calibre of performances, especially in the 3-1 victory over Swansea – where he hit the post twice.

Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images

“He’s in good physical condition at the moment. That’s really encouraging for him and for us,” said Hughes.

“In the past, Charlie will admit himself that, in games, to keep the intensity he plays at and the energy that he shows, he has found it difficult to complete 90 minutes on occasions.

“It’s difficult when you’re out of the side. You have to keep your focus and Charlie has been able to do that.”

Tom Davies is targeting more game time at Everton after establishing himself amongst Ronald Koeman’s first-team squad.

The 18-year-old has regularly found himself on the substitutes, bench so far this season making his third appearance of the season in Saturday’s 5-0 defeat to Chelsea.

Everton had already conceded five goals prior to Davies introduction on 66 minutes but the midfielder insists Koeman was happy to give him freedom to perform.

“I’m feeling a part of the senior squad now – I’m with them through the week,” he said.

“It is now just a case of getting game time. I got on against Chelsea and hopefully I can get some more minutes under my belt.

(Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)

“The manager told me to just go out there and play. There felt like there was less pressure because the score was what it was.

“I still didn’t want us to concede or make things any worse. It was a hard game to come on in but I tried my best.

“It might be a good break to get away from it and try and forget about it. It’s a chance to go away with our international sides or have a break, come back and go again.”

Boss Jurgen Klopp is calling on his Liverpool side to put their own names in the history books after reaching the top of the Premier League for the first time under his tenure.

A 6-1 victory over Watford on Sunday saw the Reds hit the summit thanks to draws for Manchester City and Arsenal, with their performance heralded by some as the best at Anfield this season.

With 23 points from the last 27 available in the Premier League, optimism is inevitably high for a side who haven’t tasted top flight glory since 1990.

But in spite of a heart-breaking second-place finish behind Manchester City in 2013-14, Klopp believes Liverpool’s history – which also includes six league titles in the 1980s – is not something that should be in the mind in his current squad.

(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“It’s a really good moment and I know that everybody compares with the past, especially at Liverpool,” he said.

“Three years ago, five, ten, 25 years ago – but this team is new, we are new. Our story started a few months ago so you cannot compare us with anyone else.

“You cannot carry the history on our backs; we should feel free for creating something in the near future.

“If everybody wants to say ‘we wait now for 20-something years for silverware’ or whatever, we can say ‘OK, we [have] tried, actually, only since a year!’

“So that gives us the freedom to look in the future quite optimistically.”

Leroy Sane has had an up-and-down start to his Manchester City career but German compatriot Ilkay Gundogan claims the winger is still settling into life in the Premier League.

The pair joined City in the summer, and Gundogan has made a better impression so far – scoring twice against Barcelona in their 3-1 Champions League win last week and netting five times in total this term.

Sane, a £37m signing from Schalke, has struggled to force his way into Pep Guardiola’s team with the likes of Nolito, Raheem Sterling and Jesus Navas seemingly ahead in the pecking order.

But Gundogan says the 20-year-old will show what he is capable of this season and admits it is tough to adjust to the Premier League.

Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

“It is only normal that Leroy is still finding his feet at Manchester City,” said Gundogan.

“I think Leroy has the character and personality to cope with this situation. He is confident and is well aware of his own qualities.

“You can see that he is still a bit shy, but he is still only 20. I went through a similar situation when I joined Dortmund from Nurnberg, so I know how he feels.

“He will do his own thing and he will do so here at Manchester City as well. I am giving him all the support he needs.”

Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is confident that Manchester United have all the ingredients for a successful season under new boss Jose Mourinho.

With big things expected of the club after the signing of the Swedish striker and the world record purchase of midfielder Paul Pogba it has been an underwhelming start to the season at Old Trafford.

They sit sixth in the Premier League with five wins and three draws from their opening 11 games but Ibrahimovic believes United’s fortunes will transform over time.

“We have a mix of ages – experienced players, young players, the quality is there,” he said.

(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

“I think we can achieve big things. I said after the Liverpool game and I said it before that we just need to find the ‘click’ where we find each other.

“Every day that goes by, the more you get to know each other and it becomes like a family.

“You know what you need – I know what I need to do to get the maximum out of my team-mates and the same thing on the other side, they know what they need to bring that out of me.

“The pieces are there, we just need to put the puzzle together.”