Today is one of the two days when everyone pays attention to which players can be bought, loaned or sold by clubs in a last-minute dash to make their teams ready for the new season. With each team at least 2 games into their respective seasons, each of them knows where they have to strengthen and where they have to trim the unnecessary fat.
Here, FootballFriendsOnline will take a look at the top clubs in the Premier League, the places they need to strengthen or trim, and also the current transfer rumours.
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Manchester City:
Strengthen: Their team seems to be well-balanced as of now. With at least two players available to fill each position, their team doesn’t need too many reinforcements. The problem would be keeping everyone happy, by ensuring that there is constant rotation and that everyone gets chances to play, or else people will want to leave in the January transfer window.
Trim: There is news that Alfredo Negredo is unhappy and wants to leave, which is why City were lining up Falcao as a replacement. This move might not work out, but if it does, City cannot help but play Agüero and Falcao if both are fit, which will reduce the number of chances available to the others. Micah Richards could also be on his way out, as he has not got too many minutes in the last two years and clearly doesn’t fit into the scheme of things. Boyata and Sinclair might end up going out on loan.
Arsenal:
Strengthen: Striker, Defensive Midfielder/Defender – Arsenal desperately need a striker, and need to sign someone experienced, who can torment opposition defences. Yaya Sanogo, in last night’s game against Leicester looked out of his depth in the Premier League and it will be suicidal to Arsenal’s hopes of winning the League if they rely on Sanogo in Giroud’s absence. Wenger’s team has lacked an option in defence, who can make exceptional tackles and win back possession. A good central defender or a defensive midfielder is a necessity. With few options available in the transfer market now that the bargain buys have been made, Wenger will be expected to pull a rabbit out of the hat and make the right move, two years in a row. They are currently linked with a move for Carlos Bacca from Sevilla.
Trims: None. Even if Arsenal seem to have too many options in attacking midfield, injuries, losses in form and many other issues trouble Arsenal midway through the season, due to which they haven’t been able to sustain their form over the course of an entire season for a long time. One possible trim could be Zelalem or Akpom or Gnabry who could go out on loan to get more match-time.
Liverpool:
Strengthen: Liverpool have strengthened in all the right places. Rodgers deserves credit for using the windfall from Suarez’s sale to increase Liverpool’s squad depth in numerous areas so as to increase competition among players to push themselves to be first-team choices.
Trims: Fabio Borini. With Mario Balotelli now in the scheme of things, Borini should be sold when his transfer value is still in double-digit-millions, so that Liverpool are not forced into selling him on the cheap next year. Suso could also go out on loan to get more first-team minutes.
Chelsea:
Strengthen: Chelsea have strengthened in almost all their key areas and have got three strikers, who are all capable of putting in match-winning performances. Jose cannot grumble this year, if he doesn’t win, as his team is strong enough to challenge for trophies on all fronts. They have enough depth in terms of their keepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards and do not need to buy or sell today.
Trims: Petr Cech wants to leave if he is not going to be the first choice keeper. Chelsea need to keep a replacement ready, if Cech forces his way out on the transfer deadline day, so as to provide backup to Courtois over the course of the season. One of the midfielders, hopefully John Obi Mikel, needs to be offloaded today.
Manchester United:
Strengthen: Defensive midfielder, Defender, Attacking midfielder – Manchester United are an unbalanced team, with too many players to play in a particular position and hardly any players to play in other positions. A defensive midfielder is essential if united want to catapult themselves into the top-4. Most of their poor results can be down to the fact that they have been unable to control the opposition from launching attacks, by making tackles and winning back possession. Ander Herrera will need time to adjust to the Premier League, and the pursuit of Arturo Vidal is on. Even though this transfer will be tough to pull off with less time left in the window, he will be a stunning addition to the squad if they somehow manage to seal the deal. United also require another defender to provide them with enough squad depth to get through the season, owing to the injury-prone nature of most of their defenders. An attacking midfielder is also of utmost importance, with both Nani and Kagawa departing the club. Another top-class attacking midfielder could be a useful addition.
Trim: They need to get rid of one of their strikers, who clearly isn’t going to get enough time. Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck are linked with Real Madrid and Tottenham respectively, which could be bad for the club, as there will be just two strikers to shoulder the burden of the entire season. A young midfielder between Lingard and Powell could be sent out on loan, to get more game time. Anderson and Cleverley have to be offloaded, while Fellaini could be persisted with, as he could be of use to the club in the midfield.