What the Top 4 EPL Teams Need to Do This Summer
The 2010/2011 Season of English Premier League is coming to a close after a year of drama and excitement. While there has been lots of great play by the underdogs, this season hasn't been the best for the top teams.
The EPL always includes matches with unpredictable results, but this season has been much crazier. After Manchester City's win against Tottenham two nights ago, we know that the top four will be Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal (not in order of standings). These teams haven't played particularly well this year but have done better than the rest of the Premier League.
Now it's the resting period between two seasons and these clubs will want to do whatever they can to ensure a prosperous year in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Here are a few things that each club can do:
Manchester United
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Manchester United have the 2010/2011 EPL season all but sealed. They have done enough to deserve it, but that might not be enough next season if their rivals don't slip up like they did this year. Of course, Man U won't be worried about next season until they finish this season; they still need one point from their two next EPL games and they have a Champions League final waiting for them. I'm still going to preview their potential summer transfers.
Man U need a keeper. Edwin Van Der Sar has been great this season, but it seems that he will be quitting in the next two years. There are a number of great goalkeepers out there to choose from. How about Manuel Neuer? He seems like the perfect fit as he already helped Man U score a few goals in the Champions League second leg with his blunders. Still, Neuer would be a great keeper to have. Same thing goes for Hugo Lloris and Pepe Reina.
In addition, the right-back position isn't solid right now. Rafael, O'Shea, and Fabio seem to switch off; none of them seem to be good enough. A good defender would strengthen Manchester United's defense and offense tremendously.
Chelsea
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Chelsea have had an extremely strange summer. They started off as a powerhouse team scoring goals in abundance like Real Madrid. The only difference between Chelsea and Madrid is that the Spaniards never stopped scoring. Chelsea have only scored 67 goals in the league this season, compared to Real's 91.
I don't think that Chelsea's weakness is their attack; not at all. Drogba, Torres, Anelka, Malouda, and Kalou all in your team is certainly enough to score goals. And looking at the other parts of the their squad, their aren't that many weak spots. It's just that Chelsea aren't able to combine these different positions into an unstoppable force.
Chelsea need to get a midfielder who controls the game. Right now, they have Essien, Lampard, Mikel, and Ramires. They are all good players but there needs to be that one player who can keep the passes flowing no matter how much pressure there is and who can pop in to score a few goals.
Lampard has been that man for the past few seasons but his age stands in the way with his fitness and passing accuracy. I believe that Ramires has been great this season and is an integral part in the Chelsea lineup. Essien hasn't been amazing, neither has Mikel. It's time for someone like Kaka, Pjanic, or Hamsik to join the Blues.
Manchester City
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On paper, Manchester City don't really need anyone else. There squad numbers are almost exceeding the maximum and they have so many solid players on loan right now. Still, there is loads of room to improve. The main area is attack.
Right now, Manchester City's attackers include Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli, Edin Dzeko, and Emmanuel Adebayor. Even with these great forwards, it hasn't really clicked. I think Tevez and Adebayor will be leaving the club this summer, prompting a need for another striker. But this time, Man City needs to actually think about who they are going to buy before making a decision. Which striker will actually work perfectly with a team like City? Will it be Neymar, Rossi, Drogba, or Eto'o? Or is it a better idea to keep Tevez and Adebayor to integrate them with Balotelli and Dzeko? Whatever they choose to do, they have to make changes to their attack this summer.
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Arsenal
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What to say about Arsenal. For the last few years, there has been constant pressure by fans and critics to reform the team. Most of it has been around getting a keeper, but I don't think that is what's needed anymore. Szczesny has developed into a promising, young shot-stopper. I think that there is work to be done in the other three departments of Arsenal's team. Just five months ago, people were talking about an amazing Arsenal side that could win the treble. This all disappeared in three weeks.
In defense, it is obvious that a center back is needed. Why not just go buy Cahill from Bolton?! Or Subotic from Borussia Dortmund? This is a huge problem in the Arsenal team and it is seen in almost all Arsenal matches.
In midfield, the core is great, but this often breaks apart because of injuries. Players like Alexandre Song and Cesc Fabregas make their midfield great, but there is always one person who cannot play for whatever reason. This is where everything self-destructs. Just look at Arsenal's performance against Manchester United two weeks ago. Song was magnificent and Ramsey was great.
If Arsenal would always play like that, they would be indestructible. Arsenal just need one new midfielder who will cover for the injured players; this new signing could be Scott Parker or Charlie Adam, who could both be playing for clubs in the Championship League next season.
In attack, Van Persie, Arshavin, and Walcott make up a strong attack, but there is no cover for them (except for Chamakh). In addition, Arshavin is fairly inconsistent and should be a substitute on Arsenal. Edin Hazard of Lille should be the starter. There is no doubt that a player like Hazard, Gervinho, or Rodallega would boost Arsenal's attack.
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