The season is officially over so that can mean only one thing: it’s time for the rampant transfer speculation to begin.
We’re getting a headstart on the pack by taking a look at where each Premier League team needs to improve – and who exactly fits the bill.
1. Chelsea
Striker: Porto’s Columbian striker Jackson Martinez has been linked with enough Premier League clubs over the last few seasons for us to imagine Jose Mourinho raiding his old club for him.
Christian Benteke seems like an ideal fit for Chelsea, but would Jose Mourinho be willing to discard his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation in order to accommodate both Benteke and Diego Costa? Other options might include Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi, young Turkish striker Enes Unal or, a less likely one, Edin Dzeko.
Left-back: Filipe Luis hasn’t gotten much playing time this season after joining from Atletico Madrid last summer, and Cesar Azpilicueta would probably be expected to retain that position as first choice next season. An able deputy would still be needed though, and Ben Davies from Tottenham could provide cover. He’s had few chances this season but proved over a couple of seasons with Swansea that he’s good enough.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech is expected to leave for first-team football this summer, and Chelsea will struggle to find a better number two than him. Wayne Hennessey from Crystal Palace could be a good shout, as could Rob Green from QPR.
2. Manchester City
Centre-back: They might even need two of these, and top-level ones are in short supply. Jose Gimenez from Atletico Madrid looks to have a very promising career ahead of him, and Raphael Varane certainly does – but will City be able to prise them away?
Centre-mid: Paul Pogba. With Yaya Toure expected to go, and Fernando and Fernandinho enjoying less than impressive seasons, Pogba could change City’s fortunes next season – but it will be a tough fight to get him.
Striker: Sergio Aguero’s juice is going to run out eventually, and they’ve looked lost when he’s been injured this season. Dzeko and Steven Jovetic look to be on their way, and although Wilfried Bony’s best City days are in front of him, whoever their manager is will probably be looking to strengthen this area. Could Javier Hernandez do the unthinkable and swap the United bench for the City one?
3. Arsenal
Striker: Olivier Giroud’s strengths and weaknesses were highlighted perfectly in Arsenal’s draw against United. The Frenchman’s hold-up play was superb, as was his first touch and awareness of midfield runners around him – but any ball played down the side of the centre-backs proved too much for him, with his lack of pace effectively meaning he offers no threat in behind.
Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon sounds just like what the doctor ordered – but he’s another who will be on a few lists this summer.
Gonzalo Higuain is a name that’s been bandied around with Arsenal the last few summers, and he’s certainly got the pedigree. A less expensive option might be Saido Berahino.
Centre-back: Gabriel Paulista will likely replace Per Mertesacker in Arsenal’s first-team next season, but cover would still be needed to avoid the situations this year which saw Nacho Monreal and Calum Chambers filling in at times. Toby Alderweireld has had a year’s experience in the Premier League now, on loan from Atletico Madrid to Southampton, and could be a solid signing for Arsenal.
Failing that, Tony Adams.
Centre-midfield: Paul Pogba will be wanted by everyone and given Wenger’s record in the transfer market, we can’t see him going to Arsenal. Less glamorous but definitely solid enough back-ups could include Granit Xhaka and Geoffrey Kondogbia.
Goalkeeper: Petr Cech. A world-class goalie is needed and if that means signing Chelsea’s number two, so be it.
4. Manchester United
Striker: Harry Kane is being linked with United, and he’s the type of player who historically fits United’s buying profile – young, English and capable of leading the line by himself.
Goalkeeper: David De Gea is widely expected to be leaving Old Trafford this summer, and with a shortage of world class goalkeepers at the moment, Asmir Begovic could be brought in from Stoke to compete with Victor Valdes for the number one shirt at United. Or maybe even Hugo Lloris, if Daniel Levy feels like doing business.
Centre-back: It’s quite unbelievable that United have managed to get through the season with a combination of Jonny Evans, Chris Smalling, and Phil Jones, and while the latter two have improved as the campaign’s gone one, cover is definitely needed. Thomas Vermaelan hasn’t played a minute for Barcelona this season, and there are still rumours of Nemanja Vidic returning to the club he once captained.
5. Tottenham
Defence: Hector Moreno. He’s from Espanyol, where he was signed by Mauricio Pochettino, and is a much-needed defensive reinforcement.
Striker: Tottenham’s last Spanish striker didn’t work out so well but Carlos Bacca has been impressive in La Liga this season, scoring 20 league goals for Sevilla. Tottenham will face similar problems as Liverpool in being unable to sign Champions League quality players, but that will matter a lot less if they manage to hold on to Kane.
6. Liverpool
Striker: Danny Ings has been linked with the Reds this season, and while 10 goals in his maiden campaign was impressive, Liverpool will need a lot more than that if they want to get to where they’re hoping. They’re another club said to be in for Alexandre Lacazette, but a lack of Champions League football might hamper that.
Nicklas Bendtner, anyone?
Midfield: With Steven Gerrard leaving and a squad that includes Joe Allen, midfield cover will be vitally needed. It would be nice to see Emre Can moved up to his preferred position after a good season spent at centre-half, and that could be complimented by a move for Miralem Pjanic.
7. Southampton
Striker: A born and bred Southampton boy, who’s soon to be on a free, looks like the perfect option for Southampton who need another attacking option. His name is Danny Ings.
8. Swansea
Striker: Swansea coped admirably with the loss of Bony in January, with Bafetimbi Gomis stepping in and doing well. We reckon they’ll still need to sign at least one more striker next season though to make it as comfortable as possible for them. Aleksandar Mitrovic from Anderlecht is someone whose been linked with the club.
9. Stoke
Striker: Franco Di Santo has had a few seasons’ exodus from the Premier League, and we reckon it’s about time he came back. Stoke could do with something extra up top, and Di Santo can play there or behind the striker, with plenty of energy and skill.
10. Crystal Palace
Striker: Glenn Murray probably wouldn’t mind Palace signing a striker to take some of the pressure off him, and Rudy Gestede could be a wild card from Blackburn in the league below. If the owner decides he’s got some money to throw around, we’re sure Alan Pardew would have no trouble convincing Saido Berahino that the club is going places.
11. Everton
Striker: If there comes a point in Javier Hernandez‘s career where he decides he wants to be a first-choice striker at a top flight club rather than third or fourth choice at the league’s best club, Everton is where he should head.
Romelu Lukaku’s stock has fallen massively this season, and he might bounce back next, but this is still an area which Roberto Martinez will be expected to look at if he’s to improve on this season’s mid-table finish.
12. West Ham
Striker: Can we take it for granted that Andy Carroll won’t be fit for any worthwhile amount of time next season? Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia have both done a good job up top for the Hammers this year, but no doubt whoever is in charge will be looking for a more traditional striker. Charlie Austin could be a good fit, as would Danny Ings.
Midfield Our Hammers reporter reckons they should sign Joey Barton, though we’re not sure how that would go down with the fans. Kevin Nolan had an unusually indifferent season, and it’s not yet clear whether Alex Song will be in east London again next season – so if not Barton another midfielder is definitely needed.
Newcastle’s Jack Colback, aka the Ginger Pirlo, could be an option.
13. West Brom
Left-back: Martin Olsson has spent a season exiled from the Premier League with Norwich, but if he doesn’t come back up in the play-offs, he could find a place in Albion’s starting XI.
Striker: We’ll assume, for a moment, that Saido Berahino’s leaving West Brom. Tony Pulis would definitely want someone able to partner either Victor Anichibe or Brown Ideye up front – could another Kenwyne Jones-Pulis reunion be on?
14. Leicester
Striker: Leicester maintained their top flight status this season with a collection of strikers, but even then things came close. Bakary Sako from Wolves can play up front or a bit deeper, and will undoubtedly work hard for the team. If the owners feel like splashing out a bit extra, Michiel Kramer has had a good season in the Eredivisie with ADO Den Haag.
15. Newcastle
Striker: Ayoze Perez is an exciting prospect we expect to improve again next season, while Papiss Cisse has been very hit and miss since his explosive start in the league. Do Newcastle need someone consistent in between? We’d suggest Charlie Austin – and we imagine the fans wouldn’t be too averse to seeing Austin with the number nine on his back either.
16. Sunderland
Centre-back: If there’s one thing people will remember about Sunderland in 2014/15 it’s calamitous defending ending up in own goals. A good, young defender is needed alongside the experience of John O’Shea and co and Celtic’s Virgil van Dijk seems like a good option.
17. Aston Villa
Striker: Tim Sherwood’s had a massive impact on Christian Benteke, but the area still needs strengthening for Villa – albeit not by much if the midfield start chipping in with goals. Patrick Bamford could be an interesting signing on loan from Chelsea.
18. Hull
Striker: Hull seemed to have signed a lot of strikers over the past few seasons, who always seem to end up crocked. A few of them will surely be jumping ship now. We reckon Kyle Lafferty, currently on loan in Turkey from Norwich, would suit them down to a tee.
He’s been banging them in for Northern Ireland but wants to come home, and Hull could definitely use his Championship experience.
19. Burnley
Right-back: Kieran Trippier has had a brilliant season with Burnley, but he’s surely on the radar of a few Premier League clubs. Cyrus Christie from Derby would be a good replacement.
20. QPR
Striker: The R’s won’t be in the top division next season, and that’ll likely mean they won’t enjoy the services of Charlie Austin either – especially after all the clubs we’ve just linked him with – so a striker will be desperately needed if they hope to get back out of the Championship.
Jordan Rhodes seems like a shout, the only question will be if QPR will be allowed to spend the money it’ll take to prise him away from Blackburn.
Midfield: Derby’s England Under-21 midfielder Will Hughes was suggested by our QPR reporter, but will he leave his hometown club, where he’s just won a clean sweep in end-of-season awards, for a team that isn’t in the Premier League?
Source: SNAPPA
