We take a look at what the ‘Top 6’ Clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspurs will need for the coming season.

Arsenal

Current Team

  • GK: Leno, Alex Runarsson
  • Def: Bellerin, Tierney, Gabriel, Holding, Soares, Chambers, Pablo Mari, Kolasinac, Tavares
  • Mid: Saka, Partey, Elneny, Emile Smith rowe, Xhaka, Ainsley Maitland-niles, Willock, Torreira,
  • Atk: Lacazette, Willian, Aubameyang, Pepe, Nelson, Nketiah, Martinelli

Arsenal are rumoured to be purchasing Aaron Ramsdale and James Maddison. At £32 million and £60 million it, the acquisition of the 2 players would be close to £100 million and one suspects it could be better spent elsewhere, especially Ramsdale which would be a costly purchase. Whilst not yet consistent in style and steel, Arteta seems to be wanting to follow in the footsteps of Guardiola and Wenger. To do so, Arsenal would need a partner for Gabriel as well as a more experienced midfielder. That Smith Rowe was given the no 10 jersey seems to signal that the playmaking role will go towards the youngster, but to challenge, Arsenal would need more steel in midfield.

Area to purchase: A box to box midfielder.

Chelsea

  • GK: Mendy, Kepa,
  • Def: Rudiger, Alonso, Christensen, Silva, Zouma, Chillwell, James, Azpilicueta, Emersonm Zappacosta, Ampadu, Malang Saar
  • Mid: Jorginho, Kante, Pulisic, Kovacic, Mount, Ziyech, Havertz, Drinkwater. (Bakayoko, Barkley, Lotfus-cheek on loan)
  • Atk: Abraham, Wener, Hudson-Odoi (Batshuayi on loan)

Chelsea’s squad are filled with talented youngster from back to front. What they seem to be missing is a few key additions to the team. Rumoured to be interested in Robert Lewadownski and Haaland, Marina Granovskaia – Director of Chelsea seems to already be working on the possibility of getting the 2 players into the team and resolve their need for a number 9. Werner, Abraham and Batshuayi have all auditioned for the role, but none has made it their own. Abraham seemed to be doing well whilst under Lampard but has not get a shout in since Tuchel took over. Instead Werner and Havertz have been entrusted with that role. Other than that, a suitable replacement for Kante would be needed.

Areas to purchase: Defensive Midfield & A number 9.

Liverpool

  • GK: Alisson, Adrian, Karius
  • Def: Van Dijk, Gomez, Tsimikas, Robertson, Ben Davies, Matip, Rhys Williams, Philips, Alexander-Arnold, Neco Williams, Konate
  • Mid: Fabinho, Thiago, Milner, Keita, Henderson, Chamberlain, Jones, Shaqiri, Elliot
  • Atk: Firmino, Mane, Salah, Jota, Origi (minamino on loan)

Liverpool’s title defence crumbled before it even began due to the massive bodies being languished to the treatment room. A make shift defence of Milner and Fabinho or even Henderson highlighted the severity of the injuries their players picked up due to the massive amount of games they have had to play. The purchase of Ibrahima Konate would certainly strengthen the back line. But in the adversity they faced, fringe players like Rhys Williams, Neco Williams and Nat Phillips were able to pick up key experience that will certainly allow Liverpool to rotate better. With Henderson & Jota, returning back to fitness and Shaqiri having an excellent Euro Tournament, Liverpool are equipped with a squad that can once again challenge for the title. A lack of good understudy for the front 3, especially Firmino, might haunt them in the near future.

Areas to purchase: An understudy to Firmino

Manchester City

  • GK: Ederson, Steffen, Carson
  • Def: Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Zinchenko, Laporte, Mendy, Cancelo
  • Mid: Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Fernandinho, Foden,
  • Atk: Sterling, Jesus, Torres, Mahrez

The Champions are stacked in talent all over the field and not much is needed for them to fine tune their squad. The loss of their record goalscorer Sergio Aguero is the key concern for Pep Guardiola. A summer spent chasing Harry Kane from Tottenham may provide the perfect final piece of the puzzle for Guardiola to get the elusive Champions League on top of being title challengers. The ageing fernandinho needs replacement, but it is not as pressing as getting a number 9. City create lots of chaces – what they need most direly – is someone to finish it.

Areas to purchase: Goal laden forward. Harry Kane/Robert Lewandonski will do perfectly.

Manchester United

  • GK: De Gea, Henderson, Heaton, Grant
  • Def: Lindelof, Bailly, Jones, Maguire, Shaw, Telles, Wan Bissaka, Williams, Tuanzebe, Dalot
  • Mid: Pogba, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, James, Matic, Van De Beek, McTominay, Lingard, Pereira, Mata, Pellistri, Garner
  • Atk: Cavani, Martial, Rashford, Greenwood, Amad Diallo, Shoretire

Getting 2nd place last season has built expectations that Manchester United are ready to challenge the title with the likes of City, Liverpool and Chelsea. The rumours surrounding them are also making it exciting for the club. Sancho (who is close to arriving), Varane and Trippier are 3 names closely linked to the club this transfer window. Acquiring all 3 will definitely improve the team in 3 critical areas. But as with other teams, what Manchester United lack at the moment as well is a goal scoring forward. Whilst Mason Greenwood is the most natural finisher at the club, he is still a young striker learning his trade in the box. With time, he will develop into that striker. Cavani is an aged star. While he showed he can still perform, relying on him in a COVID strapped calendar would not be possible. To challenge for a title, United need a scorer now. Getting a defensive midfield specialist would allow for the more creative players to have license moving forward, but that is about it for this team to at least be challenging for a trophy.

Areas to purchase: Defensive midfielder & Striker. Central defence would be a good boost as well.

Tottenham Hotspurs

  • GK: Lloris, Hart, Whiteman
  • Def: Doherty, Reguilon, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rodon, Aurier, Ben Davies,
  • Mid: Hojbjerg, Winks, Lamela (rumored to be swapped with Bryan Gil), Dier, Sissoko, Lo Celso, Alli, Ndombele, Sessegnon,  
  • Atk: Son Heung min, Kane, Bergwijn, Moura, Parrott

Spurs are starting out a new era with the very much heralded Nuno Espirito Santos. But there is much work to do as their squad is maturing. Hugo Lloris is 34, Alderweireld is 32, whilst the rest of the team is in the mid to late 20s. Key players in Moura, Son and Kane are all in their late 20s and in the peak of their powers. The rumoured wantaway centrepiece that is Harry Kane will strike a gigantic blow to spurs. With the tight wallet of Daniel Levy, acquiring players that can push the team forward will be hard to come by.

At present only Gollini, a Goalkeeper from Atlanta, is in line to be signed. Spurs are rumoured to be targeting Danish youngster Damsgaard but will need more than that if Harry Kane leaves. With Kane’s transfer rumoured to be £160m, using some of that to purchase a forward like Isak should put the money to good use.

Areas to purchase: Striker, a number 10 and a central defender.

Written by: Baz