Is that time in the year for players to make their dream move to clubs, fans all around the globe expecting their various clubs to strengthen their squad. I will be discussing top six Premier League clubs and Champions League clubs transfer.
Premier League Clubs;
Manchester City
First, we all need to understand that when you are a top club, winning the league back-to-back and it is the transfer window time, you’re careful not to upset your team. In the case of City, they have the first team squad and the squad depth. They need to strengthen the squad with a Striker, Defensive Midfielder and a left back defender.
In my opinion without Kun Aguero Manchester City is doomed as Gabriel Jesus is both unreliable and inconsistent. City need another striker to push Jesus as Pep will need to manage Aguero as the EPL can be very demanding and City are still involved in other competitions.
City has signed Rodri, this is a good move as Ferdnadinho is not getting any younger but is still a well of experience, Rodri will need to drink from Ferdnadinho’s well to understand City’s way of playing.
City urgently needs a left back defender as Benjamin Mendy was in and out of the squad all of last season. This was a concern for Pep as he tried different players to fill Mendy’s position but still doesn’t have a perfect fit. Pep needs to fix it now before it becomes a problem.
Liverpool
Liverpool won UEFA Champions League, they were title contenders for EPL, so it’s easy for many people to think they do not need to strengthen their squad. On the contrary, Klopp’s team does not have the squad depth that Manchester City does. They will need a winger, attacking midfielder (10), striker and a central defender.
Mid last season, M.Salah had difficulties finding the back of the net for some reason. This season, Klopp need a winger to support Salah and Mane. Speculations around Liverpool and Nicholas Pepe of Lille definitely is a good idea, N.Pepe will be a Klopp and Liverpool kind of player.
Liverpool does not have an “out to out” Attacking Midfielder at the moment. This is a concern as a lot of teams will try to stop this Liverpool team. Last season, Klopp tried to sign Fekir but did not materialize. He cannot relax now, if he still cant get Fekir then they need someone else with good experience, a specialist. If Countinho decides to come back then that’s perfect, Countinho understands the team and will take the squad to a new level.
Firmino is the only striker in this squad. Although Origi made a statement last season, a club like Liverpool needs another strikers in the caliber of Firmino. I do not see Origi fighting Firmino for his shirt.
Aside Virgil Van Dijk, which central back player in Liverpool is up to Virgil Van Dijk’s standard? No one! However ,Van Dijk needs a partner who can stop opponents from penetrating the defense. Klopp should look for a young lad around the world, who he can pair with Van Dijk.
Chelsea
With the standing transfer ban Chelsea cannot sign any new players but the players who were on loan last season. Lampard decided to make Mateo Kovacic’s deal permanent, that was a very good decision.
Frank Lampard’s claim to not need any new signings this season is laughable because even that decision was not his to make. What he needs to focus on now is getting acquainted with his squad, understand their strengths & weaknesses and maximize it.
We all saw Chelsea lacking in midfield, attack (striker) & central defense last season. With the current transfer ban these are the positions they need to strengthen. First, on some occasions Sarri benched Giroud, Higuain & played Hazard as a false nine. Lampard played with some deadly strikers in his time, now I do not see any striker or player in Chelsea’s attack that can give him 20 goals and above this season.
Chelsea’s defense is dicey as the only player I can single out is Azpilicueta. It will take Lampard time to discover the right pairing if he is to make due with what he has. This is also a time for the young players like Zouma and Christensen to prove themselves and fight for first team spots.
Christian Pulisic will need time to settle in and fans should not be in a haste to see him outperform. However, Pulisic cannot pass as a replacement for Hazard, they are clearly not on the same level.
Tottenham
Last season was a great season for Spurs in EPL and Champions League, they were contenders with City and Liverpool for some time but suddenly dropped along the way. You could say that without Kane they struggle, even when Moura & Son are used as false nine.
Pochettino needs a striker, right back defender, central defender and defensive midfielder.
Kane is a proven striker and lethal, but needs to be managed properly.
We are yet to see Spurs replacement for the right back defender position after Tripper’s transfer.
Spur’s Central defense is still uncertain with Toby, they need to make a statement with their transfer and not wait until after Toby leaves.
Dembele left Spurs, Dier & Wanyama have been in and out of injury, leaving Sissoko as the only notable Defensive Midfielder. A signing needs to be made for this position, someone to help the team.
Tanguy Ndombele is a box-to-box midfielder and not a DM, Tanguy is a wonderful signing in the right direction.
Arsenal
Arsenal are living in past glory and it is such a pity, the last time they won a major trophy was with the Indivisible. In this present squad, the only position that seem lethal is the striking position, with Lacazette and Aubameyang at their best.
Arsenal do not have an out to out winger on both flanks, defense is a big problem, defensive midfielder and central midfielder.
Iwobi & Mkhitaryan are attacking midfielders, they are not wingers, so there’s only little they can do in that position. There are speculations about Zaha, Everton, Malcom joining the club but until these deals are completed Unai Emery needs at least two wingers to help Ozil and the strikers.
Arsenal’s defense needs a complete overhaul. I can only think of just two good defenders in Arsenal,but not first team standard. Until this is done Arsenal will always concede.
Last season Torreira was signed as a defensive midfielder, but he needs a solid partner(s). Unfortunately this position is not a concern for Unai right now.
With Aaron leaving to Juventus & Unai linked with Real Madrid Dani Ceballos, fans can only hope for the best. However, the clock is ticking and the fans are weary of all the speculations. Unai needs to get some deals over the line and have these players blend in with the team.
Unai needs to close the deal with Kieran of Celtic, even after two failed bids as his help is needed in the left back defense. Also, Dani Alves is another player who has been linked with Arsenal. At 36, Alves can help the team as he is a fit player and has worked with Unai before.
Arsenal needs to start signing deals as against mere speculations.
Manchester United
This case is similar to Arsenal. but in this case, I see individual players who are still learning to play as a team.
Ole needs a blend of young and experienced players. Positions that needs to be strengthened are; striker, wingers on both flanks, attacking midfielder, defensive midfielder and central defender.
Victor and Eric have not been excellent in the central defense but Ole needs a quality defender like Van Dijk to support them. Many fans complain about De Gea but quick to forget he was at his best when he had Ferdinard and Vidic. Until Ole gets his central defender paired correctly, De Gea will remain the scapegoat.
Matic seem the only Defensive Midfielder. Fred has not been able to stake a claim for first team position and Paul Pogba is not a DM but a “box-to-box” central midfielder. Matic needs help as he can not play all matches.
For some reason Mata has been used on the flank, I do not know why. Lingard is a squad player, Ole basically needs a proven attacking midfielder to bring out the best in his team.
David James is a player for the future. What happened to Alexis Snachez?. Ole needs a proven winger on the right flank.
Is Romelu Lukaku staying or leaving? this needs to be sorted out. United have always had lethal striker, Ole needs to sign a lethal striker to get to the next level.
In general, this is not to say if any of these clubs do not sign, they will not perform. Last season Spurs did not make any new signings but had a good season in Champions League, but one can say Arsenal and Manchester United did not capitalize on Spurs lack of signing.
Most definitely a team will slip but I think United and Arsenal need to take this transfer window serious and take the game to City and Liverpool.
Champions League Club
I will like to talk about a few Champions League Clubs based on their signings so far;
Barcelona, Juventus, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona
Over the years, Barcelona has signed several players and managers, what seem to be the actual problem?, what is their goal as a club?.
First, with the caliber of players at Barcelona one will think they should win Uefa Champions League as that is their goal. However, since Pep left Barcelona the club has had issues in Europe, They have signed many players and under utilized them. In my opinion Ernesto Valverde needs to sit up.
Barcelona needs to sort out their management issues as they have signed Neto, De Jong, Griezmann this summer but they are still in the market.
Ernesto Valverde has to get it right this season, else he will be out searching for a new club.
Juventus
Juventus has won the Serie A league back-to-back for several years. However, this season Inter has Conte who had won the league with Juventus. It will be a very interesting league.
Lets talk about Sarri and the club signings this summer.
Juventus have signed Buffon, Ramsey, Rabiot, Demiral, De Ligt and this just confirms their focus on European glory. However, just like Barcelona, Juventus needs a good team manager.
Can Sarri deliver the much awaited trophy the club wants?. Can he manage this caliber of player and lead them to European glory? I guess these are questions in our minds. He has made some good signings but I still do not feel Sarri is the man to deliver the Uefa Champions League to this great Italian club.
Real Madrid
Zinedine Zidane is back to the club after a brief time away and has made some good signings like Eder Militao, Luka Jovic, Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy and the transfer window is still open. I believe Zidane is still in the market as he needs to trade a few players who are not in his big plan.
Ronaldo was a great player at Madrid, they’ll forever miss him.
Is Zidane ready to lift a trophy this season?
Atletico Madrid
Atletico has made some great signings like Hermoso, Trippier, Morata, Herrera, Felix and Llorente. These players are amazing!!
Diego Simeone in my opinion is ready for this season, with these new signings and his amazing management skills. Will he be able to bring the trophy home?
Anthony Kay Writes from Abuja
@Kachithonio