One player every club needs to complete their line up this season.
So far this summer most Premier League club’s have been active in a transfer market that has been boosted (or inflated) by the World Cup. Many have already equipped their sides with exactly what they need, whilst others continue to search for the perfect addition to their sides. Below is a list of players that each Premier League club (Side’s A-L anyway) need to sign to help complete their assault on a league that is growing ever more difficult.
Arsenal
What They Need:
A strong presence to occupy a deeper midfield role. Arguably, the Gunners are in desperate need of a striker too, but for all of Olivier Giroud’s faults last term he managed considerably well given the circumstances, and Arsene Wenger will no doubt fill the gaps up front. However, the Gunners have suffered in the absence of an out-and-out defensive midfielder. Someone like Sami Khedira would be perfect, though the confusion over whether he is staying or leaving Real Madrid could force the club to turn elsewhere.
Ideal Man:
Sami Khedira. Classy, assured and an astute performer that will effectively distribute possession as well as chip in with a few goals here and there.
Who they’ve been linked with:
Sami Khedira – Real Madrid
Lars Bender – Bayer Leverkusen
Aston Villa
What They Need:
An attacking midfielder that can cause havoc around the box and help the side penetrate opposition defences. Once Christian Benteke was sidelined through injury Villa lost their outlet in attack and their lack of a creative force in behind the strikers was telling as they were made to adapt their style of play. Goals were in short supply, and that cannot happen again this time around.
Ideal Man:
Ashley young. The England star’s best years were at Villa Park, and if rumours are to be believed than he will likely be made available again this summer. Villa are on a tight budget, but Young knows the club and its culture – his acquisition would be a real coup.
Who they’ve been linked with:
Ashley Young – Manchester United
Ki Sung-Yeung – Swansea City
Burnley
What They Need: Experience. This season will be all about survival, and if the club’s recent signings are anything to go by they are still lacking. The club will not have a lot of money, but it would be worth trying to persuade ageing stars that this could be there last chance to feature in the Premier League before hanging up their boots.
Ideal Man:
Brede Hangeland. The Norwegian international has bags of experience in the top flight, is of a quality that would shadow anyone else they have and provide a threat from set pieces. Furthermore, he’s out of contract so would cost the club nothing to bring in.
Who they’ve been linked with:
Nicklas Bendtner
Craig Dawson – West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea
What They Need:
Quite simply; another striker. Last season’s output from their forwards was not good enough and was the main reason why their title challenge fell away in the latter stages of the season.
Ideal Man:
Ezequiel Lavezzi. His dynamic style of play suits the Premier League and his versatility means he can be deployed either through the middle or from a wider position.
Who they’ve been linked with:
Crystal Palace
What They Need:
A classy central midfielder with bags of energy that will suit Tony Pulis’ style of play as well as chip in with a few goals from out of nowhere.
Ideal Man: Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icelandic star has proved that he is Premier League quality despite not being able to establish himself at White Heart Lane and his presence alone would add untold confidence to a midfield that can sometimes look slightly haphazard.
Who they’ve been linked with:
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Nicklas Bendtner
Everton
What They Need:
Like Chelsea, they need a striker. Romelu Lukaku filled a gap last season that hadn’t been occupied for a very long time and they looked more threatening than ever once they had a proven goalscorer leading the line.
Ideal Man: Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian thrived under Roberto Martinez, and it is clear that he is not wanted at Stamford Bridge, though whether the club will be able to meet Chelsea’s demands still remains to be seen.
Who they’ve been linked with:
Hull City
What They Need: A strong and commanding centre-back. Hull surprised everybody last season with their threatening attacking ability, but let themselves down with a flaky and unsteady defence.
Ideal Man:
Michael Dawson. The Spurs man enjoyed a slight renaissance last season, but the thinking is he may be made available by new coach Mauricio Pochettino in favour of players he knows and likes. His experience ensure that he would not have a problem marshalling the Hull back line and his leadership qualities would likely win points on his own.
Who they’ve been linked with:
Michael Dawson
Nicklas Bendtner
Leicester City
What They Need: A commanding central midfielder that will take no prisoners and roll his sleeves up to drive the team forward.
Ideal Man: Gareth Barru would have been ideal. A crafty schemer capable of keeping the ball and creating plenty of chances with experience at leading teams in the top flight. However, he has joined Everton so their search must continue.
Who they’ve been linked with:
Liverpool
What They Need: A striker. The club has just lost its most prized asset and he needs replacing immediately.
Ideal Man: It depends on whether they want someone that is value for money or a star name that may carry a risk. Should they decide on the former then Swansea’s Wilfried Bony would be perfect, whereas if they opted for the latter then Radamel Falcao would be a name to get the fans excited.
Who they’ve been linked with: