Chelsea and Manchester United: Struggling In Transfer Market?

It is the last week of June and that means about one month has passed since the season ended. So far, the transfer market has seen Real Madrid and Manchester City dominate.

With the way things have turned out, Liverpool and Arsenal have also managed to hold onto their key players and have managed to sign Glen Johnson and Thomas Vermaelen respectively.

So the real teams that are presently said to be struggling happen to be English heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester United. Though that is what it seems like, it isn't totally true.

Manchester United

Problem (As it Appears)

United have lost Ronaldo to Real Madrid, their European rivals. Real look to be building a team fit to win even the Champions League, having signed Kaka and Raul Albiol. Ronaldo was last term also a key figure to United's Premier League triumph.

Carlos Tevez's two-year loan deal has ended and he has rejected United's offer to re-sign. He has managed to net 15 times for United in 51 appearances last season, even though nearly 70 percent of those appearances were as a substitute.

With Berbatov staying on at Manchester this season, it's only a matter of time till Tevez confirms his move to Manchester City.

Losing two forwards means that United may have to splash the cash to rebuild the forward line.

Earlier, stories were emerging that Nemanja Vidic was looking to move to Catalan giants Barcelona. Those rumors have now died down.

Realistic Situation and Solution

Bidding farewell to Ronaldo can't have hurt that much if you get 80 million pounds in return. United now have enough cash to not only to replace him, they have more than enough to replace even Tevez.

Other areas of the pitch can be further strengthened, too. United have managed to hold onto all key players in defense and midfield.

Also, United have just signed Antonio Valencia. I was expecting Ferguson to make two signings this summer and he has made one of them.

Fergie prefers to go for young blood, and that is why I definitely think he will go for Karim Benzema. United have the cash and Ferguson has the reputation to convince Benzema and Lyon. If they don't get him, they will try for Huntelaar.

I expect Wayne Rooney to play the Ronaldo role, given his newfound freedom.

So, at Old Trafford, I see things still fine.

Chelsea

Problem (So-Called)

Even a month into the summer transfer market and the big-spending Roman Abramovich has yet to buy a new player. He is believed to have sanctioned money for any big-name signing, but Chelsea are reportedly struggling to convince these big names to join.

People feel that Chelsea's failure to capture Robinho in last summer's transfer market has meant a decline in the Blues' strength and position in the market.

A host of names, especially Carlo Ancelotti's players from his time at Milan, have been linked to Stamford Brigde, but have yet to materialise into a move.

Though Chelsea haven't lost key names like the Red Devils, their squad's average age is high and fans have expressed their hope for seeing young talent, who would be the future of the Stamford Brigde outfit.

Many Chelsea fans don't know if Andrea Pirlo is wanted at Chelsea or not, since he is on the wrong side of 30.

Realistic Situation and Solution

Carlo Ancelotti has only been one day into his job, so I think signings can only happen when a coach has a plan outlined, and has trained with the players. Only when Ancelotti has done this will he know who he wants at the club and who he doesn't. Once that happens, he can decide who to bid for.

So, I think signings will follow in another week or so. Chelsea's defense and midfield aren't what actually needs to be changed. It is our forward line.

Up front, they need only one signing. Ribery, Ibrahimovich, Villa, Zhirkov, Aguero, Pato, Sturridge, Tevez, and Ashley Young are some of the more-often heard names linked to the Bridge.

With Joe Cole returning and Florent Malouda signing a two-year contract extension, I think Ancelotti will go for a new striker. I would say the best choice would be David Villa, but this means a rat-race with Real.

It would be good to get a striker who has Premiership experience, and can cope with the pace of the league.

As for other signings, Andrea Pirlo's move is looking really possible. I'd rather have a young midfield player who can fight the seniors for a place in the squad such as Rafael Van Der Vaart.

Many see Pirlo as a potential "Deco" at Chelsea, but, as some on Bleacher Report have already pointed out, he is still at his best, whereas Deco was way off his best at Barca before coming to West London. Thus, I think he, too, would be good at Chelsea.

Therefore, I think both Man United and Chelsea are in a better shape for next season than people think they are.

Readers, do let me know what you think. Comments are always welcome, and so are POTDs.