Premier League Transfer Guide – Part One
Written by Rik SharmaArsenal
What do they need?
For several years the world and its dog have known Arsenal need strengthening in a few key areas. However, for the sake of doing a thorough job, we’ll take a look.
A solid, reliable goalkeeper is essential. Their troubles with Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski are well documented, and although Wojciech Szczesny appeared relatively solid towards the end of last season, any side with title aspirations would do well to get a more experienced stopper between the sticks.
Arsenal’s defensive frailties continue in the centre-back department, and signing a centre-half who can dominate aerially is crucial. Furthermore, with Marouane Chamakh fading away in 2011 after a decent beginning to his Arsenal career, Arsene Wenger will be on the look-out for potential support for the brittle Robin van Persie.
It could be an interesting summer for Gunners’ fans, because Wenger has finally admitted that his squad needs strengthening, and highlighted a weakness in his side. He said: “We need to improve the size of our squad. We need a bigger variety in the height of our players.”
Something else Arsenal need to do is hold on to two key players – artisans Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri – who have been touted as possible signings for other high-profile clubs, including Barcelona.
How fat is their wallet?
Reports suggest around £25m, but this would be supplemented with player sales. If Gael Clichy moves to Italy, it should provide extra funds to work with, and if either of the aforementioned playmakers bids farewell to the Emirates Stadium, then Wenger will have plenty of financial backing to scope a replacement.
Who have they been linked with?
Will Mamadou Sakho be in Arsenal colours next season? Image courtesy of Liondartois
Versatile Blackburn defender Phil Jones, however Manchester United pounced before Arsenal and signed him for approx. £17million. Mamadou Sakho is an option, as is Jones’ former captain at Blackburn, Christopher Samba. The latter could be the best option for Arsenal, as an established and widely admired Premier League player. Gary Cahill falls into this category too, and would satisfy the fans’ lust for a ‘good old-fashioned English centre-back’.
It would have been wise to snatch up departing Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel on a free transfer, but Wenger favours younger players, and North London rivals Tottenham got there first. Wenger could come to regret that as the 2011-12 season unfolds. Shay Given is an option, but he has been for the last few years and Wenger has not opted for the Irishman.
Dream Scenario
Barcelona buzz off, and Samba enters the Emirates, along with a new number one.
Aston Villa
What do they need?
After a very disappointing 2010-11 season, and a raft of senior players axed, including Nigel Reo-Coker, John Carew, Brad Friedel and Robert Pires, expect to see a different looking Villa squad next term. The first thing they need is a new manager. There’s no use blowing their budget before the new boss comes in, because it would make the position much less attractive.
After that, they need all-round strengthening. A goalkeeper to vie with Brad Guzan for the number one spot, full-backs as the dynamic Kyle Walker was on loan from Tottenham, centre-backs and a mobile central midfielder, and a striker to give Darren Bent a break. Oh, and a winger to replace Ashley Young, should his move to Manchester United go through. And… breathe.
How fat is their wallet?
Having hacked massive chunks of their wage bill away by releasing players, they do have room to manoeuvre. Selling Young would also bolster their budget significantly, but an adequate replacement for him will not come cheaply. Estimates put their budget at around £15m, but if Young goes, expect them to spend that, plus any proceeds.
Who have they been linked with?
Fernando Gago in action for Real Madrid. Image courtesy of Alejandro Ramos.
Again, the lack of manager is hindering prospective transfer deals, but Kevin Nolan – who will not be renewing his Newcastle contract – could be joining. He will provide an antidote to the controlled lethargy of Stiliyan Petrov in midfield, and will support Bent by chipping in with a fair share of goals. Real Madrid’s Fernando Gago has also been mentioned as another option to bolster Villa’s central options.
Rumours are that Ben Foster will make the short trip from St. Andrews to Villa Park to stay in the Premier League, and after a solid showing last season will be welcomed by the Villans. Robert Green is another option, but his arrival would be greeted with a mixed reaction, rather akin to his mixed performances.
Charles N’Zogbia would be a suitable Young replacement, and Bolton’s Gary Cahill would prove popular to strengthen the central defence, but a lot of clubs will have their eye on Cahill and Villa aren’t among the likely front-runners. Certain incoming managers will have the ability to procure potential players that others wouldn’t; if Owen Coyle comes, Cahill becomes more accessible. If Rafael Benitez takes the reins, expect a Spanish influx. What Villa fans hope though, is that whatever the players’ nationality, they are of sufficient quality to power the side back up the table to climes more familiar.
Dream Scenario
Cash from Young’s sale is reinvested to improve the team as a whole, and the new manager uses his connections to lure players who otherwise might not have been interested in moving to the Midlands.
BlackburnWhat do they need?
What do they need?
After last day survival, they certainly need a freshening up. It seems like Indian owners Venky’s are willing to front manager Steve Kean with a not-inconsiderable amount of cash to allow him to solidify a squad that has lost a gem to Manchester United and may yet lose another to Arsenal. With Phil Jones departing and Christopher Samba’s status uncertain, the centre-back department will need reinforcing.
Their ageing squad needs to have new blood added, but it seems like veterans like Michel Salgado will be retained, while they may struggle to keep precocious breakthrough talent Junior Hoilett.
How fat is their wallet?
Kean said: “It’s going to be a fantastic budget we’ve got to work with,” which is estimated to be between £20m-25m, plus any extra funds raised through selling players. El-Hadji Diouf is likely heading for the exit, with new West Ham manager Sam Allardyce interested in acquiring the volatile attacker.
Who have they been linked with?
Will Demba Ba swap London for Lancashire? Image courtesy of Egghead06
Italian centre-back Leonardo Bonucci would be a reasonable replacement for a departing defender, and Blackburn are rumoured to be in talks with the player’s club, Juventus. Rovers need a new striker, with the misfiring Nikola Kalinic near the exit, and Jason Roberts and Benjani not offering much strength in depth. Kean will be interested in offering Demba Ba a fast-track route back to the Premier League, and may also be tempted by Carlton Cole.
They may pick up Jermaine Jones, who enjoyed a reasonable loan spell from Schalke, and another midfielder who might prove useful is Birmingham’s Sebastian Larsson, who will be available on a free transfer. Between Larsson and Morten Gamst Pedersen, Blackburn would possess one of the most dangerous set-piece delivery teams in the league. They would just have to make sure they have the right personnel to get on the end of them.
Dream Scenario
Venky’s give Kean the backing to grab from the transfer bobbing bowl, including a big-name signing which might make Lancashire more attractive to other players, while contributing to the team.
Bolton
What do they need?
Having lost a few senior players like Johan Elmander, Tamir Cohen, and Joey O’Brien, as well as waving goodbye to starlet Daniel Sturridge after his loan spell expired, Bolton need bolstering. If they lose commanding centre-back Gary Cahill, doubly so. It’s important too that they keep hold of manager Owen Coyle, who has been linked with the Aston Villa job. They’re looking for a striker and a winger on top of any defensive replacements.
Gary Cahill in the England squad. Image courtesy of p_a_h
How fat is their wallet?
They are living in fear that Cahill will be taken from them, but if he does go it will mean the coffers will be in good health. Expected to fetch a fee close to £20m, they will be allowed to reinvest it. If he doesn’t go, there’s not much to play with. Elmander’s exit will free up some cash; as Bolton’s record signing, he was on a hefty weekly wage.
Who have they been linked with?
One of the more interesting names is Shaun Wright-Phillips, although his acquisition would mean their star player last season, Lee Chung-Yong will be displaced, possibly to the left-hand side. Ex-Wanderers midfielder, Newcastle’s Kevin Nolan, has also been linked with a return. Swansea’s Darren Pratley is reportedly arriving, and though he won’t get Bolton tongues wagging, he could be a useful squad member.
Cameron Jerome has also been touted as a possible striking option, but his skill-set is more akin to Bolton’s older style as opposed to the flowing football Coyle has them playing. If Kevin Davies calls time on his career at the Reebok, Jerome could be a good second option. Speaking of flowing football, Coyle will attempt to wrest Sturridge from Chelsea’s grip again, even on a temporary basis, but will find it much harder this time around after the astonishing impact he had last season. But if the likes of Neymar and Romelu Lukaku arrive at Stamford Bridge, perhaps it’s not so unlikely after all.
Dream Scenario
Cahill stays, and Chelsea decide that possessing Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou, and any potential reinforcements is enough to allow Sturridge a return to the Reebok.
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