2 Positions Every Premier League Club Needs to Address Before 2015/16 Season
Premier League football is over for another season, so now we can get on with the transfers.
Wish lists are being drawn up and agents are being contacted as the summer shopping is about to begin, but which positions do teams need to strengthen off the back of their performances in 2014/15?
Here we take a look at just where all 20 clubs should be focussing their recruitment efforts. If you were in charge, who would you sign?
Arsenal: Goalkeeper and Defensive Midfield
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Goalkeeper: David Ospina has done very well for the Gunners since he came in to replace Wojciech Szczesny in January (Arsene Wenger faces a tricky choice over who to select for the FA Cup final this weekend), but is the stopper really of the required quality for a club that should be starting the season with title ambitions?
Upgrades are out there, and Wenger should be monitoring them if he doesn’t trust Szczesny anymore.
Defensive Midfield: In a similar story, Francis Coquelin’s important role at the heart of the Gunners midfield was a development that no one would have expected at the start of the season. And while the Frenchman deserves to keep his place, he could do with a similar player to come in and act as competition.
Should Coquelin get injured next season, Wenger will be relying on Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini in the position, and neither of those two offer the ball-winning tenacity that Coquelin does.
Aston Villa: Left-Back and Right-Back
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Left-back: Aly Cissokho started the season in the Aston Villa side but hasn’t played a minute for the club since late February, while the likes of Kieran Richardson and Charles N’Zogbia have been pressed into the position despite their talents' lying further forward.
If Tim Sherwood can bring in a recognised full-back to play in the left-hand side, it would certainly improve the Villa defence, which despite securing Premier League safety did still have its moments of uncertainty—six of them coming in a heavy defeat at Southampton.
Right-back: It’s a similar story on the other side of the back four, too, where Leandro Bacuna is often stationed despite being more at home going forward.
There is Alan Hutton, who enjoyed an unexpected renaissance when brought into the side under Paul Lambert at the beginning of the season, and Nathan Baker can also play there, but if Sherwood can find a recognised right-back, he should look to bring him in.
Bournemouth: Goalkeeper and Centre-Forward
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Goalkeeper: The veteran Polish stopper Artur Boruc was a key ingredient of Bournemouth’s promotion as he helped them out at the back with key saves and a sense of calm. With the 35-year-old out of contract at Southampton in the summer, a permanent move could be on the cards.
Boruc’s experience would be hugely welcomed by Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe, who might see this as a perfect first signing of the summer.
Centre-Forward: Bournemouth scored a league-high 98 goals as they won the Championship crown, with the likes of Callum Wilson, Matt Ritchie, Yann Kermorgant and Brett Pitman all finding the net regularly, but Howe will know that they’ll need more in the Premier League.
Kenwyne Jones joined on loan at the back end of the season, but Howe might now be shopping a little higher up the ladder as he bids to secure what would be a remarkable achievement: staying up.
Chelsea: Defensive Midfield and Centre-Forward
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Defensive Midfield: How do you improve the champions? It’s difficult, but upgrading on one of their longest-serving squad players might be a good start.
Of course, Nemanja Matic is one of the first names on the teamsheet when he’s fit, but his understudy John Obi Mikel has stalled somewhat during this season. Chelsea fans will hope that the youngster Ruben Loftus-Cheek continues his rapid development and nails down a place in the squad, but Jose Mourinho is bound to cast his eye around for another specialist.
Centre-Forward: The second coming of Didier Drogba at Chelsea was always going to be a brief one. With his departure and the fitness issues surrounding Diego Costa, Chelsea will be looking for a forward so that they won’t be left a little short up top.
Loic Remy has done well whenever called upon, and it could be that whoever comes in plays third fiddle to both the Frenchman and Costa, with the youngster Patrick Bamford perhaps getting his chance after impressing on loan at Middlesbrough.
Crystal Palace: Central Midfield and Centre-Forward
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Central Midfield: Given his impressive performances, there is a danger that Crystal Palace might lose Mile Jedinak in the summer, but they could do with some backup for him in central midfield if—as seems more likely—he ends up staying at Selhurst Park.
James McArthur has had a very good season for the Eagles but isn’t the physical presence that Jedinak is, and so an addition in that area could help should the Australian get injured or suspended.
Centre-Forward: Presuming that they keep hold of the lively Wilfried Zaha, Jason Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie, Crystal Palace’s main issue next season will be getting a mobile forward up top.
Glenn Murray has perhaps surprisingly been the best at doing that of late, but neither he, Fraizer Campbell or Marouane Chamakh are manager Alan Pardew’s players, and following a mightily impressive 10th-place finish in the table, the Eagles boss might want to bring in his own man to score the goals.
Everton: Centre-Back and Centre-Forward
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Centre-Back: The ageing Sylvain Distin brought his six-year Everton career to a close on the final day of the season, and with Phil Jagielka and John Stones now established as the Blues’ first-choice central-defensive pairing, Roberto Martinez could do with some backup at the position.
It is tough to bring in players who will know they're set to play second fiddle to others, but the recruitment of an experienced head able to slot into the back four would be a welcome boost for the Merseysiders, who endured a forgettable season in 2014/15.
Centre-Forward: Romelu Lukaku is undoubtedly Everton’s first-choice centre-forward, but at times the big Belgian looked a little tired over his first campaign as a permanent Everton signing and could have done with some stronger backup.
Arouna Kone tried his hardest, and Steven Naismith was very good at times, but with doubts over the quality of the former Wigan forward and the Scot perhaps better suited to playing a little deeper, the arrival of a reliable goalscorer could give Martinez’s team an extra edge and perhaps allow Lukaku to have a partner from time to time.
Leicester: Centre-Back and Defensive Midfield
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Centre-Back: Leicester’s remarkable and record-breaking turnaround from a team which spent 140 days at the bottom of the table to one which survived relegation was partly down to the excellent performances of Robert Huth at centre-back.
The German arrived on loan from Stoke in January and should be the first permanent addition to Nigel Pearson’s side this summer.
Defensive Midfield: Given the circumstances of their great escape, it is easy to forget that Leicester struggled for the vast majority of the season, with various midfield combinations often overrun by stronger, more physical teams.
Esteban Cambiasso brought a welcome touch of class in among the energy of Danny Drinkwater, Matty James and Andy King, but a big, powerful defensive-midfield addition for 2015/16 would give the Foxes something they lacked in this campaign.
Liverpool: Right-Back and Centre-Forward
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Right-Back: With Glen Johnson leaving the club on a free transfer, Jon Flanagan out with another long-term injury and Javier Manquillo seemingly vanishing from view in the latter months of the season, right-back quickly became a problem position for Liverpool in what was a season of problems.
Playing Emre Can there certainly isn’t the answer, so the arrival of a proven right-back should be high on Liverpool’s agenda once the uncertainty over everything else at Anfield goes away—if it ever does.
Centre-Forward: Liverpool’s goalscoring deficiencies were laid bare throughout a season of struggle which was in marked contrast to 2013/14, and the addition of guaranteed goals is crucial if they are to get anywhere near the elite level again.
Divock Origi will arrive back on loan from Lille, but much more than that is needed for a side still pining for Luis Suarez, unable to rely on the fitness of Daniel Sturridge and perhaps losing all of Raheem Sterling, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini this summer.
Manchester City: Left-Back and Winger
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Left-Back: Aleksandar Kolarov has various qualities and has undoubtedly been a good player for Manchester City, but both he and Gael Clichy could do with being upgraded upon as City attempt to try and keep up their recent record of winning the Premier League every other season in 2015/16.
A younger, more dynamic full-back would provide that competition and shake up Manuel Pellegrini’s squad ahead of the many challenges to come.
Winger: In truth, the same thing is true further forward in Pellegrini’s team, too.
An ageing City often looked leggy during their 2014/15 season, especially in Europe, and a welcome dash of youth in the wide-attacking areas would help to shake up their side and provide an extra cutting edge that the likes of Sergio Aguero will thrive upon.
Manchester United: Centre-Back and Centre-Forward
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Centre-Back: Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo have improved since coming under the tutelage of Louis van Gaal, but there remains a belief that Manchester United need to bring in another central defender this summer.
That could mean that Jonny Evans ends up being the one who misses out at Old Trafford, but with money to spend and a return to the Champions League on the horizon, United should be able to attract a big-name signing to the club to plug a nagging hole in their side that many have felt they’ve needed to do for a while.
Centre-Forward: Further forward, Radamel Falcao has already departed from Old Trafford and there are question marks over Robin van Persie’s long-term form and fitness, leaving at least one vacancy in attack for a United side that can’t just rely on Wayne Rooney up there.
Whether Van Gaal opts to go for an out-and-out forward or a player who can play wide in a front three remains to be seen, but with Memphis Depay already added to play in the latter position, an experienced goal-getter could be a clever addition.
Newcastle: Centre-Back and Centre-Forward
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Centre-Back: Having become more of a club spokesman than a top-class defender these days, Fabricio Coloccini could do with a younger defender to come in alongside him if Newcastle are to avoid another relegation scrap in the coming season.
With Steven Taylor clearly injury-prone and Mike Williamson just not up to snuff, the arrival of a younger, ball-playing defender could help solidify things for the Magpies regardless of who they end up with as manager.
Centre-Forward: Ayoze Perez did well during what was a debut season for the young forward in England, while Papiss Cisse still chipped in with important goals during what was a stop-start campaign for him. But with players such as the underwhelming Emmanuel Riviere on board, Newcastle are still lacking upfront.
The recruitment of a recognised No. 9 whom fans can get behind and who can guarantee goals should be a prerequisite for whoever becomes the Magpies manager, with a player such as QPR’s Charlie Austin surely a target.
Norwich: Attacking Midfield and Centre-Forward
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Attacking Midfield: Ten of the 11 players who started the Championship Playoff final victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley had played for Norwich in the Premier League in 2013/14, and it was that experience which ultimately helped them to a convincing victory at the national stadium.
Graham Dorrans, on loan from West Brom, came on as substitute at Wembley, and his addition could be a good one for his fellow Scot Alex Neil, whose own unfamiliarity with the English top flight certainly isn’t matched by that of his squad.
Centre-Forward: Cameron Jerome was the only member of that Norwich XI at Wembley not to feature for the club in the Premier League, but the forward’s previous experience of the top flight might indicate that the Canaries need to bring in another forward for 2015/16.
Jerome’s four previous seasons at that level resulted in goal tallies of three, four, three and two, and although he wasn’t always a regular starter back then, Neil will need to go into battle with more than just him to call upon.
Southampton: Goalkeeper and Centre-Back
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Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster was one of the best goalkeepers of the season during Southampton’s terrific 2014/15 campaign, but his injury during the 2-0 win over Burnley in March is likely to see him miss a significant chunk of the next campaign.
Kelvin Davis and Paulo Gazzaniga covered for the England international in his absence, but Ronald Koeman could do with a more reliable stopper—perhaps on a loan deal.
Centre-Back: One of the first pieces of business that Koeman will be looking to do will surely be to secure Toby Alderweireld on a permanent contract following his impressive loan deal from Atletico Madrid.
If Alderweireld’s displays have ensured that he moves on to a so-called “bigger” club, then Koeman will have to cast his eye elsewhere, but his club have become a much more attractive proposition in the past year.
Stoke: Central Midfield and Winger
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Central Midfield: Stoke had a quietly successful season (until their final-day hammering of Liverpool anyway), but there is little doubt that they could do with some fresh legs in midfield, where Glenn Whelan is ageing and the move for Steve Sidwell hasn’t quite worked out.
Steven N’Zonzi is an all-action type who loves to stride up and down the pitch but could perhaps do with a more creative partner to increase the options in Mark Hughes’ impressive squad.
Winger: A permanent move for Victor Moses should also be high on Hughes’ agenda following an impressive loan spell in the Potteries for the Nigerian winger, though one which was ultimately cut short by injury.
After struggling for game time at Chelsea and during a loan spell with Liverpool, Moses seemed to be revitalised at the Britannia Stadium. This should be a move that both the player and club want to make happen.
Sunderland: Centre-Back and Winger
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Centre-Back: The arrival of Dick Advocaat at Sunderland was a huge boost for on-loan defender Sebastian Coates, with the Uruguayan turning in the type of performances he wasn’t able to produce under fellow countryman Gus Poyet.
With little sign that the centre-back has a future at parent club Liverpool, perhaps a permanent switch to Wearside could be on the cards in order for his career to stay fresh.
Winger: Adam Johnson’s troubles have been well-documented of late, but even away from that the wide areas remain an area in which Sunderland need major surgery.
The failures of the likes of Emanuele Giaccherini and Ricky Alvarez mean that the likes of Jermain Defoe and Connor Wickham have been pressed into service out wide. A proven winger must surely be a given for whoever takes the full-time job at the Stadium of Light.
Swansea: Central Midfield and Centre-Forward
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Central Midfield: Ki Sung-yueng and Jonjo Shelvey had fantastic seasons in what has become a mightily impressive Swansea City team which often relied on their goals from midfield, but a more defensive option in there might also do the Swans some good.
Manager Garry Monk continues to do a very good job, but the decline of former teammate Leon Britton leaves the Swans without a player to just keep it simple, and Monk might be looking for exactly that type.
Centre-Forward: Swansea still haven’t really replaced Wilfried Bony after selling him to Manchester City in January, and although Bafetimbi Gomis got better the longer his season went on, they could still do with another body up there.
On-loan forward Nelson Oliveira hasn’t really worked out, and with both the Bony money and the Premier League cash gained from a top-half finish to spend, Monk could shop at the expensive end of the market.
Tottenham: Centre-Back and Centre-Forward
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Centre-Back: Jan Vertonghen has undoubted qualities, but the likes of Federico Fazio, Eric Dier, Younes Kaboul and Vlad Chiriches never really convince on a consistent basis, and you get the feeling that pretty much all of them can be upgraded.
Whether Mauricio Pochettino feels the same way remains to be seen, but a new addition back there could be needed if Tottenham are to again make an attempt to reach the top four.
Centre-Forward: Roberto Soldado’s time at Tottenham became a running joke a long time ago, and with Emmanuel Adebayor’s troubles both on and off the pitch, Spurs were thanking their lucky stars for the emergence of Harry Kane.
Recruiting a forward who can play both with and alongside Kane should be a priority this summer, but with the England forward undoubtedly established as the No. 1 choice upfront, recruiting someone who is happy to play second fiddle might be a difficult task.
Watford: Central Midfield and Centre-Forward
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Central Midfield: Reinforcing midfield might be a key task for Watford boss Slavisa Jokanovic over the summer, with some of the inexperienced heads in there perhaps needing the influence of some older ones.
The likes of Daniel Tozser and Almen Abdi will be up for the fight and will certainly not lack energy levels as they try to match up with the country’s best, but some calmer influences might be needed as the club get set for what could be a very long season.
Centre-Forward: Just as with the other promoted clubs, the addition of goals will be crucial if Watford are to have any hope of surviving.
The excellent Troy Deeney will be the main man at Vicarage Road, and Odion Ighalo could also be set for an interesting season after netting 20 times in 2014/15, but Jokanovic will already be on the lookout for even more goals to add to his team.
West Brom: Goalkeeper and Attacking Midfield
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Goalkeeper: A knee injury to Ben Foster in March meant that Boaz Myhill was thrust into the West Brom team by manager Tony Pulis and produced some fantastic displays, including a virtuoso one in the win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Welsh international is out of contract this summer, and having sat on the bench for much of the campaign, he might wish to move on to pastures new—meaning that Pulis will need to look elsewhere as Foster recovers.
Attacking Midfield: Stephane Sessegnon doesn’t quite have the same zip any more and suffered from injuries in 2014/15, meaning that the Baggies were missing a goalscorer from midfield and had to rely on the occasional contributions of James Morrison and Craig Gardner.
Pulis’ teams are often criticised for their apparent lack of creativity, but the Welshman is a much better manager than many give him credit for and will be seeking to add goals to his team in the summer.
West Ham: Right-Back and Attacking Midfield
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Right-Back: Persuading lifelong Arsenal fan Carl Jenkinson that he doesn’t have a future at the Gunners might be one of the first tasks for the new manager at West Ham, but if he doesn’t fancy the on-loan right-back, someone else will have to be targeted.
Given the success of Aaron Cresswell following his switch from Ipswich, the new man might be persuaded to shop in the Championship, but either way this remains a key position for the Hammers to nail down.
Attacking Midfield: Kevin Nolan only scored once throughout the entirety of 2014/15, and with Sam Allardyce gone the longtime favourite of the former Hammers boss might find his position at Upton Park under threat.
West Ham recruited very impressively in attacking positions last summer with Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia but could just need to bring in a little more creativity behind them following an underwhelming ending to the campaign.
