As the season comes to an end and all the teams start plotting their summer transfer targets, the top 6 of the English Premier League have positions to strengthen for holding their positions or getting above in the ladder. Even though most of the teams have more than one weak link in their team, we would discuss one player that might be able to turn the fortunes around for the teams if signed.
Manchester City
City, even though Premier League champions were knocked out from UCL in the Quarters itself. They conquered the domestic circuit winning the FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield. Even though they were wonderful this season the problem that they faced was in the left back position even though they have quality reinforcements in every section.
First choice LB, Benjamin Mendy was out for most of the season due to injuries and Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabian Delph played most of the matches as LB. With Mendy being out for most of the season and injury woes getting worse day by day, Pep should look for a better option.
The best option right now would undoubtedly be David Alaba, the Bayern Munich left-back who has been satisfactory the last season. A left back with strong through ball and long shot efficiency and still some years left in his prime, this is the best option Pep can get at this moment. David Alaba can also dribble the ball around which can be used as a weapon by Pep as well.
Liverpool
Liverpool had a very successful season winning the Champions League after 14 long years and deserved to be so for the type of football they have played throughout the season. They missed out on the Premier League by a point but they have a set team as of now which can take the team forward for the upcoming years if managed well.
The main problem they have at this time is finding a regular Centre-Back partner for Virgil Van Dijk, who has been one of the main performers for Liverpool this season. Klopp couldn’t get a perfect partner for him and have tried the likes of Joe Gomez, Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and even Fabinho but with no help.
With Matthijs de Ligt changing clubs this summer Klopp should try to secure his services as he is one of the best talents now. De Ligt, made 55 appearances in all competitions for the team in 18/19 season and has impressive stats like 4 clearances, 0.7 fouls, 1 block, 0.4 key passes, 67 passes per game and 89% pass success for a defender.
Chelsea
A pretty good season for Chelsea. Started on a high note with Sarri, stooped to a low in the middle only to rise like a phoenix from the ashes. They won the Europa League from a position where it was unlikely, they would make the top 4. Sarri’s first title came at a time where he wasn’t expecting it and it couldn’t be better.
Even though they lost the services of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, Callum Hudson Odoi can be a good replacement for him. Where the real problem stands are in the full back section. Neither Cezar Azpilicueta, Emerson or Marcos Alonso have been good this season even though Azpi and Alonso have got numbers in terms of minutes played.
A good LB the likes of Ferland Mendy will be good for Chelsea. The 24-year-old made 44 starts last year for Lyon where he raked in a good average of 1.5 clearances in a game, 1.3 tackles a game, and about 84% pass accuracy with 50+ passes in each game. Mendy is also known for his dribbling and his passing which can act as a boon for Chelsea with Jorginho in good form.
Tottenham Hotspurs
Playing the UEFA Champion’s League Final for the first time in the club’s history is something to be proud about, and that too with a bent and broken squad and literally no big signings in the last window, brilliance. Mauricio Pochettino showed his brilliance that a manager can do the unbelievable without a $400m transfer window purse. Even though their main striker, Harry Kane was unavailable for quite some time due to injuries, Poch went on to play UCL finals after beating Manchester City and Ajax in the Quarters and the Semis.
The main problem they still have in their squad is they haven’t been able to replace Moussa Dembele who has moved to China. Neither Eric Dier, Victor Wanyama or Harry Winks are playing or are just up to Dembele’s mark.
A player like Arthur of Barcelona could make the Spurs steady for the seasons to follow. A versatile player with a pass accuracy off 90+% and about 50+ passes in a match he is a good option to feed the correct balls to the forward line of Harry Kane and co.
Arsenal
Not a pretty good first season for Unai Emery finishing 5th with Arsenal, one spot below their expected place and also losing in the UEL final against Chelsea. Even though Arsenal won 11 games in a row in this season and was unbeaten for 22 games, the highest since 2007 but lost the games they should have performed better and stuttered along the way.
With Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan underperforming the team was hitting low ends throughout the league before getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United. At this point of time, the team needs an attacking midfielder who can dictate the play as well put the ball in the box as well when required by the striker.
Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen seems to be the missing key for Arsenal. 20 goals and 6 assists in 40 appearances are commendable for a 20-year old. 87% pass accuracy and 45+ passes in a match are the qualities that can help Arsenal compose their team and try for glories again the upcoming season.
Manchester United
In most cases, a change of head coaches mid-season affects the team’s performances for the worst. It was the same case for Manchester United. United wasn’t playing well under Jose Mourinho and after losing to Liverpool, he was replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who started well and was offered the position of full time in March. The performances started to dip and the team got knocked out of Champion’s league, FA Cup, Top 4 etc.
Manchester United has many dead woods in the team but certainly, one position that needs a star player after the recent signing of Daniel James is the Centre Midfield. With Ander Herrera, the workhorse leaving the team is in danger from getting run over by opposition defences. Fred wasn’t good at all in his first season.
This is where Nicolo Barella comes into the equation. The 22-year-old Italian plays for Cagliari in the Serie A and is already a well-established player. With a pass accuracy of 82% and high work rate coupled with technicality seems like a deadly combination.
