Seven England based defenders that could be making moves in the January transfer window.
A number of clubs are in desperate need for some defensive reinforcement in the new year. Teams like Manchester United and Arsenal sold themselves short over the summer by moving for too many attacking players and sacrificed strengthening their back lines to their detriment. Both have been tipped to make headway into the transfer market in the year, but instead of paying through the nose for hyped up talent from overseas, there are a number of players right here in the Premier League that would be more than capable of doing a standup job for what would likely be half the cost.
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7. Craig Dawson – West Bromwich Albion
WhoScored rating: 7.17
Valuation: £1.3m
Who he would suit: Liverpool
The 24-year-old has been one of Albion’s quieter stand out performers so far this season and what he lacks in the tackle he makes up for in anticipation and interceptions. Liverpool are desperate for a more intelligent defender to shore up their back line, as Skrtel and Toure are the braun, whilst Mamadou Sakho is far too injury prone to rely on regularly. Brendan Rodgers likes taking gambles on lesser known players, but this one will cost them far less and comes with an already strong understanding of the English top flight.
6. Jose Fonte – Southampton
WhoScored rating: 7.14
Valuation: £3m
Who he would suit: Arsenal
Fonte is another player that more predatory clubs overlooked when stripping the Saints of their assets this summer. Fonte, who is 30 now, would suit Arsenal down to the ground as he would provide some strong back up to their usual pairing of Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker. Strong in the tackle and with an eye for a pass, his low fee could tempt Wenger into springing into action before others start getting more interested.
5. Erik Pieters – Stoke City
WhoScored rating: 7.11
Valuation: £3m
Who he would suit: Tottenham
Spurs may have signed Ben Davies over the summer, but as of yet he’s not been able to make an impact, making way for the predominantly right-sided Danny Rose. Spurs have looked unbalanced as a result and have failed to push on under Mauricio Pochettino. For a left-back, Pieters certainly knows how to tackle, and plays a key role in getting his body on the line to block the crosses that come in from his flank.
4. John Stones – Everton
WhoScored rating: 7.14
Valuation: £6m
Who he would suit: Manchester United
Stones has exploded onto Merseyside as the next great hope for English defending. However, as Everton fans will already know, keeping hold of their best players that have come through the youth system isn’t always an easy task, and Stones, at some point, will likely make his own exit from Goodison Park. United are in the process of building for the future, and as such may look to the starlet as the ideal man to grow into a role in the heart of the Old Trafford defence.
3. Nathaniel Clyne – Southampton
WhoScored rating: 7.33
Valuation: £6.6m
Who he would suit: Liverpool
With Glen Johnson coming to the end of the line at Anfield, the Reds will be on the lookout for somebody to replace him. And who better than the new England international? A speedy, marauding full-back who will get forward at every opportunity and won’t sacrifice his tracking back for a lung busting bomb forward either. He is a Brendan Rodgers type player in every way and it would be no surprise to see the Reds boss make his move in the new year despite having raided the south coast club over the summer.
2. Ryan Shawcross – Stoke City
WhoScored rating: 7.31
Valuation: £7.9m
Who he would suit: Manchester United
The one-cap England international still has time to add to his haul, but it’ll probably be away from Stoke. A former Manchester United academy graduate, he has been linked with a return recently, and with good cause. He has performed admirably over his seven year stint at the Britannia and he would definitely add some grit and leadership in the heart of the Red Devils back-line.
1. Ron Vlaar – Aston Villa
WhoScored rating: 6.65
Valuation: £6m
Who he would suit: Arsenal/Man United
It looks almost certain that Vlaar will leave Villa in the near future. Whether it be for the £12m that Villa want in the new year, or for free next summer, he will likely be heading to either Arsenal or Man United. Both sides are in need of new centre-backs and the Dutch international would provide some solidity and stability to their squads. Vlaar is capable of doing it all, though frequently had to keep an eye on the inexperienced player alongside him.
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