You’ve read part one, Welcome to part two.
We have already gone into detail about what the first seven Premier League teams in alphabetical order need to do in order to strengthen in this summer’s transfer market and now we are scrutinising the next six.
Here is what the clubs from Liverpool to Southampton have, what they need and what they’ll get.
Liverpool
What they have
Statistically, they had the seventh best attack in the league last year and the eighth best defence. That might be the sort of ranking that Brendan Rodgers would say illustrates ‘great character’, but it’s not good enough for a team that has top four ambitions.
For the second season running Liverpool have been the busiest Premier League side in the transfer market. They’ve yet to ship out last season’s deadwood, but the additions of Christian Benteke, James Milner, Danny Ings, Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez, Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Bogdan have Liverpool fans (cautiously) optimistic again.
Raheem Sterling has left for Manchester City, and at this stage you’ll be hard pushed to find a fan shedding a tear about that. But Rodgers will be praying that Sturridge can overcome the injuries that ruined his last league campaign and be the goal threat that he was in 2013-14.
What they need
Goals for one, and Benteke’s arrival may provide just that, despite the £32 million move generating a mixed reaction among Liverpool fans.
The strikeforce of Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Sturridge was tragic last season, and Sturridge is the only one worth keeping. While Divock Origi and Ings will provide a better calibre option from the bench than Rodgers had at any stage last season.
Another central midfielder is also an option for Rodgers, with Newcastle’s Moussa Sissoko reportedly under consideration.
What they’ll get
Possibly Sissoko and then they’d be wise not to push their luck any further. And the best part is that the sale of Sterling to Manchester City has paid for the bulk of their summer spending.
Manchester City
What they have
A glorious attack, with Sergio Aguero leading the Premier League in goals last season, and David Silva excelling in the playmaking role. Wilfried Bony should be better next year after an extended run in the team.
But… there are some weaknesses.
Not to sound too much like Eamon Dunphy, but Yaya Toure did have a poor season after the 20-goal campaign of 2013/2014. City also bought badly last summer. Fernando was fairly ineffectual while expensive signing Eliaquim Mangala was a complete flop, a liability at the back and should be made wear a bell so his fellow defenders know when he is around and liable to make a mistake.
Worryingly, captain Vincent Kompany declined noticeably last season and became more error-prone as the campaign progressed.
What they need
City have such a deep squad that there is no area where they really NEED anyone, but they are a little light in midfield, where Fernando and Fernandinho sometimes go missing. Also, another defender to take some of the pressure off Kompany should be high on Manuel Pellegrini’s shopping list. A few more English players would also will help them meet the Premier League’s homegrown quota.
What they’ll get
Raheem Sterling is done, and should go straight into the team ahead of Jesus Navas. While Fabian Delph, when fit, could surprise some fans and start ahead of one of City’s Brazilian midfielders.
Mega-money moves for Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne have also been mooted, with the Wolfsburg winger the more likely of those two to arrive at the Etihad.
Manchester United
What they have
Louis van Gaal has assembled one of the most expensive squads in the world but they are still a good bit away from a title challenge.
They currently have one of the league’s best goalkeepers, but the David De Gea to Real Madrid saga continues to rumble. Their array of attacking talent is almost unmatched but some of those forwards underperformed last season.
Last season there was an over reliance on Michael Carrick in midfield.
What they need
Another top striker to replace the departed Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie and a top class centre-half. So, not much to ask for.
What they’ll get
They’ve already got some new midfielders in the form of but Morgan Schniderlein and Bastian Schweinsteiger, while Sergio Romero has arrived back-up/potential replacement for De Gea.
It seems increasingly unlikely that a new striker will arrive in this window though, with Wayne Rooney likely to lead the line, while the pursuit of Sergio Ramos appears to have reached a dead end with Van Gaal indicating that he’s unlikely to pursue any other centre back.
Newcastle
What they have
Problems and plenty of them but John Carver’s absence next season will be like a new signing in itself.
The squad at Steve McClaren’s disposal isn’t as terrible as last season’s campaign might have you thinking with Moussa Sissoko, Papiss Cisse and Remy Cabella all decent Premier League players.
A number of players, though, would lead you to believe that they’ve been signed after Mike Ashley spent an evening playing Football Manager with a can of Brown Ale and more long-term investment is needed in the team.
What they need
More than any specific player, Newcastle need a change in mentality and they can’t simply continue to sign players on a whim as has become customary at St. James’ Park in recent years. The lethargy in the Magpies’ legs last season was a worrying sign as the players lacked the passion that was once customary on Tyneside.
Young, energetic talent needs to be injected and McLaren could do a lot worse than looking to former club Derby for just that. Midfielder Will Hughes and striker Chris Martin would be sensible buys, and you’d think the pair would jump at the chance to have a crack at the Premier League.
What they’ll get
Holland international Georginio Wijnaldum can bring some much-needed experience to the centre of the park, especially if Moussa Sissoko does decide that he’s had enough of life under Mike Ashley’s reign.
The Magpies have been linked with a sensational move for Mario Balotelli which, you’d think, would be the worst thing possible for the club because he’s the epitome of the laziness shown by the starting XI throughout the second half of last season.
Aleksandar Mitrovic – described as ‘a five-year-old trapped in a monster’s body – has signed from Anderlecht for £13 million, where he scored 23 goals in 44 appearances last season. The 20-year-old was rumoured to be the shortlist of a number of European clubs, and could prove to be a transfer coup for the Magpies.
Chancel Mbemba could also be joining Newcastle from Anderlecht, subject to the fullback obtaining a work permit.
Norwich
What they have
One element of Norwich City that will play a vital role in their survival bid next season is the fact that they are managed by one of the most exciting young bosses in world football.
Alex Neil’s appointment in January saw the Canaries go on a run of 17 wins out of 25 games, with some sparkling football making them new fans along the way.
The Scot has an underestimated squad on his hands and has gotten the best out of creative players like Nathan Redmond, Wes Hoolahan and Bradley Johnson as well as the powerful Cameron Jerome.
They’ve already made Graham Dorrans’ loan move a permanent one and with over 150 Premier League games under his belt, the former West Brom player’s experience could pay dividends.
What they need
Norwich need to find the perfect balance of youth and experience. The squad is largely similar to the one that was relegated from the Premier League last year so it’s clear that they weren’t quite good enough for life in the top flight.
They ought to avail of some players that are too good for the Championship, with the likes of Ben Mee and Michael Dawson capable of shoring up the defence of any team whose goal will be Premier League survival.
Going forward there are no glaring issues for Norwich, who scored the most goals of any side in the Championship last season, but new signing Youssouf Mulumbu, playing as a holding midfielder to partner Alex Tettey, could be an intelligent pursuit for those games against the more midfield-driven threats of the Premier League big boys.
A proven Premier League striker would be a God-send, as Jerome’s isn’t the most prolific top flight striker around.
What they’ll get
Robbie Brady has arrived from Hull City for €10 million and the Dubliner’s set-piece deliveries alone could prove vital in the Canaries’ relegation fight.
The loan market must be exploited by the promoted sides and Norwich could look to someone along the lines of Manchester United’s Tyler Blackett for a helping hand.
Southampton
What they have
Saints have one of the most complete attacking forces in the league with Graziano Pelle, Sadio Mane, Shane Long and the returning Jay Rodriguez to choose from up front.
Their defence was resolute last season, having conceded fewer goals than any side apart from eventual champions Chelsea but that could change with their loss of Nathaniel Clyne and end to Toby Alderweireld’s loan deal.
They also have Ronald Koeman at the helm, who quickly shut up Saints naysayers who claimed Southampton could go down last summer thanks to the departures of Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Rickie Lambert.
What they need
Replacements, simple as. Morgan Schneiderlin, Clyne and Alderweireld are huge losses for Koeman, and he’ll surely have his targets set out.
In reality, Southampton could do with two or three reinforcements in midfield and new signing Jordy Clasie is a good place to start.
They ought to sign an established centre-half to partner Jose Fonte at the back but Koeman’s proclivity for fostering young talent means that they may not go down that route.
What they’ll get
A move for Anderlecht’s attacking midfielder Dennis Praet looks to be very much on the cards but Southampton will face stiff competition from Everton.
A loan deal for Real Madrid youngster Marco Asensio is also on the mind of Koeman and it’s going to be up to new boss Rafa Benitez to decide whether or not the Spain U21 international figures in his plans for the upcoming season.
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