The transfer window has only two weeks remaining before the closure. The top six Premier League clubs still have key areas to strengthen. We take a look at the arrivals and expected new names.
Arsenal
Arsenal has already signed five players strengthening all the areas which needed attention. The new boss Unai Emery looks ready for the new campaign. The defence is well-stocked, Lucas Torreira could be the holding player they’ve needed for the last decade, and Petr Cech will face stiff competition for his place from Bernd Leno.
Despite having a forward containing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Lucas Perez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Gunners needs proven wingers. Alex Iwobi and Danny Welbeck have failed to bring the much-needed pace on the wings.
Chelsea
Chelsea acquired a new coach Maurizio Sarri, followed by the arrival of Jorginho. Having a new boss, the Blues needs rebuilding and try to be back to Champions League football after finishing fifth last season. Eden Hazard, Willian, and Thibaut Courtois could be on their way out though nothing is formal as per now.
Chelsea’s greatest struggle has been their frontline. Alvaro Morata, who joined the Stamford Bridge last season from Real Madrid has failed to replace Diego Costa who reunited with Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window. Can Olivier Giroud lead the attack for the upcoming season or they will have to recall Mitchy Batshauyi who is on loan from Dortmund?
Liverpool
Liverpool has also been active in the transfer market, bringing in good players. The likes of Naby Keita, Alisson, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Fabinho have all joined the Reds. However, Liverpool’s defence is yet to be solved fully despite the arrival of Virgil van Dijk during the January transfer window. Jurgen Klopp’s men still need a
center-half
. Dejan Lovren has not lived to the expectation while Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have become injury prone to rely on.
They’ve had a tremendous summer, clearly, but it’s too obvious a weakness for it not to be addressed.
Manchester City
The defending champions still have all the squad required to defend the title. They have a glut of dynamic, impactful playmaker, a pile of
influential
winger, and two of the best forwards in Europe. With Benjamin Mendy
fit
again, they also possess the best full-back tandem in the country (with Kyle Walker) and are well-stocked at centre-back too.
Pep Guardiola missed out on Jorginho, who ended up joining Chelsea but the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss landed a winger Riyad Mahrez. The Citizens need perhaps a central midfield reinforcement before the season begins. Fabian Delph provides a certain level of cover, but as things stand, an injury to Fernandinho would potentially be catastrophic.
Manchester United
With Jose Mourinho demanding for more money to spend, you could think he needs another 11 players. However, the Red Devils need to solve their defence more than any other area. The two signings United have made this summer (Fred and Diogo Dalot) has not been termed as super.
A deal for Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld seems a possibility, but only if United are willing to pay through the nose for a player who Daniel Levy seems intent on squeezing every last penny from. Alderweireld or otherwise, they need something in that area.
Tottenham
Nothing has changed – literally. No one in, no one out. Spurs haven’t quite sat on their hands, but they look like they’ve been astonishingly complacent so far. Toby Alderweireld is still at the club and outgoing deals for Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele are yet to be concluded.
On the positive side, while this squad did need to improve, its actual issues are few and far between. A second forward to back up Harry Kane remains important, so too a credible alternative to Christian Eriksen. Failure to add either will almost certainly prove costly at some point.