Last summer saw the Premier League gain an increased amount of true World Class players. For example, Arsenal bought in distinct quality in the name of Alexis Sanchez, the Chilean has had a remarkable season for them, scoring 20 goals and contributing on the assists front as well. Then there was Manchester United's recruits in Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera, whom both arrived from La Liga. Di Maria has had a good season overall, managing 10 assists and 4 goals, not a bad tally for a first season in the Premier League, and not forgetting he has only made 24 appearances! But now the focus has to switch onto who needs to be brought in for the likes of Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal and Manchester United. What do these above clubs need to improve their already decent squads?
I will start with Chelsea. It's been a pretty good season for the blue half of London. Without doubt they will be champions come the end of the season, and out of all the squad's they look like the most complete for me. I think however they do need a striker, Diego Costa has had a wonderful first season in the Premier League and proven quite a few doubters wrong, and scoring 20 goals in his first season. But apart from the class of Costa they are limited in strikers for me. Loic Remy picks up far to many injuries, and I'm not sure he is top top player or good enough for a top 4 side. Then there is Chelsea Legend Didier Drogba, one of the deadliest strikers on his day, but for me he has lost a huge amount of pace and his days as up, I expect him to leave on a free at the end of the season. The striker market in Europe at the moment is full of top talent, with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain, Alex Lacazette and Karmin Benzema all possible targets for the near Premier League Champions. I think the answer for Chelsea could be Gonzalo Higuain, the Argentine has notched an impressive 27 goals this season for Napoli, his most impressive season tally. He is at the peak of his powers and I think this is the sort of player Mourinho should go for. His value will be between £20 and £30 Million, and would provide great cover for Diego Costa if he again becomes injured in the next campaign.
Arsenal, for me need a few recruits this summer, and like Chelsea a top striker is definitely one of them. I am a big fan of Olivier Giroud, however he is not quite world class, and I feel for any team to be successful you need a world class marksman in your side. Arsenal have been linked with names such as Alex Lacazette, Edison Cavani, and Mattia Destro, all prolific hit-men this season. For me its all about finding balance in your team, Arsenal have many French players within their squad including Debucy, Giroud, and Coquelin, and another Frenchman by the name of Alex Lacazette would be an excellent addition to the squad. This season he has been prolific in a hard fought Ligue 1 season for Lyon, scoring an impressive 30 goals in 30 games, one of the most lethal goals to games ratio in the world. He would cost between £25 and £40 Million, but with that record and the fact he will be adding to the chemistry, he would be worth it and would improve the Arsenal team. Another weak area in the Arsenal side is in the Centre Back position, Metresacker isn't bad, and he hasn't had an awful season, but I feel with the addition of another world class center back they can be more solid at the back and concede far fewer goals. But who is available? Well with Arsenal's current contingency I think a good signing would be Diego Godin from Atletico Madrid. The Uruguayan has had another fine season for the Madrid side, and had played a huge contribution to winning the La Liga for them last season, scoring 8 goals as well as being a rock in defense. We all know Wenger doesn't like to spend huge amounts of money and I don't see this player costing loads. His contract is up in 2 years and I think he would cost Arsenal between £12 and £20 Million, and would be a very intelligent signing as he would provide huge experience in a very young side, and help the young defended minded players such as Debucy, Coquelin and Chambers to learn and improve.
Manchester City, for me seem like a very ageing squad. However I don't think Vincent Kompany's top drawer days are over at all, we must remember that form is temporary and class is permanent, and that he has been arguably the best defender in the league for a while. He is only 29 and defenders can go on well into the 30s. I don't feel that city need any defensive additions, with Mangala getting used to the pace of the league and Zabeleta and Sagna and Clichy they are safe in that department. They do need a centre midfielder though, a world class powerhouse. Yaya toure for a couple of years now has looked uninterested, very much like his last season when he was playing for Barcelona. Fernandinho isn't good enough and I doubt he will ever become world class, and of course Lampard is off to the MLS. The market is full of defensive midfielders at the moment, with the likes of Marco Veratti, Paul Pogba and Sami Khedira looking like potential availability's. City have the financial power for sure, but they must sell a few before they bring in a marquee signing, to comply with the financial fair play rules. So who would suit them? It pains for me to say it but I think Paul Pogba fits perfectly. There is a French contingency at the club with Patrick Viera involved in the youth teams, and the squad is littered with French players such as; Sagna, Clichy and Nasri, and Pogba would fit in perfectly with the team. He won't come cheap though, I think he will cost between £50 and £70million, but he is 100% worth it. He possesses a combative tacking persona, but also a huge goal threat further up the pitch. If city get there man, they will be a danger next season.
Last and probably the side who need the most recruits this summer we have Manchester United. Defensively gutless, the United defenders have yet again let the side down this year, Chris Smalling for me the only player who has had a good season in the defense. United need a right back and a leader of men in the center back position. Mats Hummels is a name who has been linked with the red side of Manchester all season, and I think he will choose United over other premier league rivals. Why? He will have champions league football, something Dortmund won't achieve this year, and his father is reportedly very close friends with Louis Van Gaal, a perfect situation for both parties. He would cost about £30million and he would bring a huge amount of leadership, stability and class to the defensive side of the team. The right back option is difficult, it's a position at the moment that is hard to fill, and the market is lacking in right backs. There has been huge speculation that Southampton right back, Nathaniel Clyne has already verbally agreed a move to either Arsenal or Manchester United, and if he goes to United I think he would do very well. Van Gaal loves players who are from the country in which he manages, it's part of his successful philosophy and I think Clyne has the potential to be truly world class with the training from Louis Van Gaal. His fee will be around the £15-£20million mark. I would discuss the defensive midfield problem but there's no doubt that llkay Gundogan will play in the famous United shirt next season, and he will be a great prospect after an injury free and decent season for Dortmund. To be honest I would have preferred Marco Veratti from PSG. I think he is one of the best midfielders in world football at the moment, but I highly doubt PSG will let him go. Finally I think United need another striker, someone youthful, with a lot of potential. I'm a huge fan of Alexandre Lacazette and he would be my first choice, as discussed above his goals to games ratio is outstanding and I think he will be one of the best strikers on the planet with 2 years. But Saido Berahino has been spotted twice at Old Trafford this season with his agent and I don't think this is coincidental. He has bags of talent, speed and a great finish in him. He destroyed United at old Trafford last season, scoring 2 In one of his first games for the club, and of course he is English and I think Van Gaal could improve him even more as a player. His contract is up next summer, and I think for this reason he will go for around the £20million mark.
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