January Transfer Window: Who Needs What?

as always are linked with a hundred players every time the window opens. In reality, although they might sign one or two, again high-profile signings are likely to be the exception rather than the rule. Another forward to back up Anelka and Drogba or a wide player to force Malouda to up his game seem a possibility, but expect no 30-million signings this winter to arrive at the Bridge.

Everton are a team desperately in need of attacking reinforcements. With Saha, Yakubu, Anichebe, and Vaughan all out injured, they have relied on Tim Cahill playing a front role in recent games, and though he is capable of getting important goals they certainly need to bolster their ranks.

Linked with the likes of Jo from Manchester City and Love from CSKA, the Toffees seemingly have money to spend and will surely be looking at someone to come in and net regularly.

Fulham seem to have found a good defensive balance this season; indeed only Manchester United and Chelsea have conceded more goals. However—anyone noticing the pattern yet? Only 16 goals scored in 17 games, and only two away from home, says it all about where Fulham need to improve. If there were 20 strikers going cheap in January the Premiership would be a happy place.

Hull City confuse me—I've seen plenty of their games recently and I don't think they are playing particularly well, yet because of the continual slip ups of teams below them they are still flying high in sixth position.

If any of the supposed top-half teams get their act together in terms of consistency then I still predict a fall for Hull, I don't think their squad is strong enough to sustain an entire season of surprises.

Zayatte has been a great signing and has forged a good partnership with Turner at the back, but a creative midfielder would certainly not go amiss to mix it with the likes of Ashbee and Marney in their workaholic midfield. Full marks to Mendy though for his performances this season on the right.

Liverpool are top of the table at the halfway stage on merit, and still plenty of people doubt their ability to stay there. This is not without reason; the Reds have gone so long without winning the league many supporters have never witnessed it.

The second half of the season will see Liverpool needing to improve on their home record if they are to stay at the top, and a creative wide player would go a long way towards solving the problems they have had there. Expect the likes of Lennon, Schweinsteiger, and Błaszczykowski to be linked again, but little other activity to trouble the Anfield cheque-signers.

Manchester City. Aaaah, where to begin, 40m, 50m, 100m, 200m? Nobody seems to know how much they've got to spend and who they will begin spending it on, but that doesn't stop the papers playing guess the signing whenever they are bored. Villa, Torres, Cesc, Ronaldo, and Buffon have all been linked but none will sign.

Expect City to make second-tier signings, the likes of (but perhaps not the exact names of) Podolski, Santa Cruz, Bridge, Warnock, or Valencia.

Manchester United

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