With the days and hours ticking rapidly down until the end of the transfer window (and the meltdown of Sky Sports News) CollinsBeans has taken a good hard look at each of the Premier League clubs and tried to assess just what each of them needs to do to thrive and/or survive this season. Part one features two Champions League contenders, two relegation candidates and even more excitingly; Aston Villa
1. Arsenal
What they need
Insert cliché about goalkeeper, big commanding ‘British’ centre half and tough tackling holding midfielder here...however recent performances, where they don’t seem to be able to keep the ball anymore and aren’t half as dynamic as they used to be have shown that Arsenal’s squad has more holes in it than you might think. At fullback they are desperately weak, with the players they have out injured in those positions (outside of Sagna) being largely rubbish anyway. A player who knows how to close out a game with some tactical know how might help to.
Whisper it quietly but they could also do with another striker to supplement Robin Van Persie that’s not 34, that won’t be at the African Nations and who isn’t Marouane Chamakh.
The ideal signing
Leighton Baines would be a perfect fit for left fullback, being energetic, adept at going forward as well as being defensively sound. Up top, how about Manchester United benchwarmer Dimitar Berbatov? Not only does he have the touch and class to play for Arsenal and would give them an additional option they haven’t had since Dennis Bergkamp it would also have the added bonus of winding up Spurs fans.
Who they’ll end up with
Given Baines would be too expensive and Sir Alex would be unlikely to sell a player to his old friend Arsene, a more likely arrival, given recent transfer strategy should see former Arsenal trainee Ryan Smith arriving on loan from MLS side Chivas USA anytime soon. (Matt Snelling)
2. Aston Villa
What they need
Where do you start? The obvious answer is a creative playmaker and a decent wide man. But if you look beneath the surface, it’s actually clear Villa also need some new defenders. James Collins and Richard Dunne are pretty much guaranteed to do one of the following each game: give away a penalty/get sent off/score an own goal. Often it’s all three. Also, the most nondescript fullback in the whole league (that’s you Stephen Warnock) is becoming more unreliable than unremarkable.
The ideal signing
If Stephen Ireland really is “close to his best” then it could save Villa a few quid, but is it only me who wouldn’t really want to rely on the Irishman? Robbie Keane might work, but it’s a temporary solution at best. The real problem for Villa is that they don’t have the ability to lure top players from England or abroad, so it’s a case of scratching around. Steven Pienaar from Tottenham is the sort of player Alex McLeish is realistically looking at, and he would provide some much needed energy and creativity in midfield. Alex from Chelsea would provide a welcome shake-up to the Dunne/Collins defensive axis.
Who they’ll end up with
Nobody is probably the safest bet. Robbie Keane might be the only new face Villa fans see this transfer window. And I’m not sure that’s going to appease supporters who are not exactly thrilled with McLeish’s reign already. (James Platt)
3. Blackburn Rovers
What they need
It’s hard to answer exactly what Blackburn need in terms of players without saying that they probably need a new Board, a new manager and the fans to actually want to support the team...but as this about what they need in the January transfer window we’ll try to limit it to the pitch.
What they need then is to keep Christopher Samba. I know that if they get big money and don’t want an unhappy player on the books they might be tempted to cash in, but Samba is the team’s rock and a monster at the back. Furthermore he is just the sort of player needed for a relegation scrap in which your own fans hate you, prepared to throw himself in front of anything and everything. In fact it could be argued that in an ideal world Rovers would be adding to a defence in which Ryan Nelsen has been sorely missed not to mention Scott Dann suffering the kind of injury that would make grown men everywhere weep.
The ideal signing
Some decent fullbacks would be a good place to start, given that Morten Gamst Pedersen has been filling in there and they seemingly can’t afford to play Michel Salgado, so one’s that would also come somewhat cheap. Joe Bennett (21) has been impressing many at left back for Middlesbrough this term players that come from the much respected ‘Boro academy are usually worth a punt. If you wanted someone a little bit more proven at the level, given not everyone wants to throw untried youngsters into a relegation dog fight then Liam Ridgewell of Birmingham, whose been touted for a move to a Premiership struggler would bring experience and a presence to a defence... Personally I think he’s rubbish, but then if it flies in the face of conventional wisdom then it’s far more likely that Blackburn will do it.
Who they’ll end up with
BREAKING NEWS! (TM Jim White) Bordeaux striker Anthony Modeste has arrived on loan. We don’t know much about him either but he seems to have a decent reputation in France and Yakubu does need some support up top. In terms of other arrivals, they are likely to be a) cheap b) low key and c) totally random, so not too easy to guess really. (MS)
4. Bolton Wanderers
What they need
A new back four, Three or four midfield players. A couple of strikers. It’s not looking good for Bolton and you feel they need more than one addition if they’re going to stay up this year. With Gary Cahill gone, a central defender is urgently needed. I don’t think Zat Knight and David Wheater inspire anyone with much confidence, and that’s the polite way of putting it. I also heard someone say at the start of the season: “Whatever the question, Nigel Reo-Coker and Darren Pratley are not the answer”. A valid point. Unless the question is “what does an awful central midfield look like” of course. Scoring goals is also a massive issue, and Owen Coyle desperately needs someone a bit dynamic at the business end of the pitch.
The ideal signing
In the perfect world, Bolton would join the race for Chris Samba and Alex, and get at least one of them to shore up the defence. Seems a bit far-fetched though. In terms of midfield, Charles N’Zgobia hasn’t really settled at Villa and his pace and direct running is something Bolton could use. A cheeky loan bid maybe? Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace would provide much needed skill and creativity up top, but bigger names than Bolton are keen on the forward. It would be a risk, but Billy Sharp from Doncaster might be able to settle quickly and bag a few goals. How Coyle must wish Daniel Sturridge was available on loan again. Also, having Stuart Holden back from injury would be a huge bonus.
Who they’ll end up with
The rumour mill hasn’t really got going when it comes to Bolton so it’s hard to know who exactly might join, although it seems certain they will be reasonably busy this January. Tim Ream is set to arrive from the US (rather than Essex) and Tottenham flop Giovani Dos Santos has been linked; if he finds some sort of form he could be what Bolton are looking for. (JP)
5. Chelsea
What they need
A right back. For all the media talk about Fernando Torres not scoring and Frank Lampard not playing, right back is the main concern for all Chelsea fans. Centre back is also a problem, but that has been addressed with the signing of Gary Cahill.
Branislav Ivanovic has struggled a bit this term with injuries and loss of form, and Jose Boswinga simply can’t defend. And while I personally love Paulo Ferreira for looking like the most polite, well mannered man in football, his best days are quite clearly behind him. Why Boswinga was ever considered a full back is not clear. He is quick, agile and great on the ball, but he wouldn’t know a tackle if it two-footed him at knee height. Also, on the other side, there is no real back up to Ashley Cole, so another option is needed there.
The ideal signing
Not an easy one to answer, as high quality right backs are quite a rare breed. Bacary Sagna is one of the better ones around, but that transfer is not likely to happen anytime soon. Nathaniel Clyne from Crystal Palace would be an exciting option, but would obviously carry some risk too and with performances faltering, Andre Villas-Boas probably doesn’t have the time to nurture a young talent. Cesar Azpilicueta from Marseille has been mooted, and all the reports suggest he’s an exciting player.
Who they’ll end up with
Alvaro Pereira has been constantly linked to Stamford Bridge, and would be a good signing, providing another option on the left. With Cahill already secured, and the two major transfers (Torres and David Luiz) from last January still to convince, it’s likely that could be it for Villas-Boas. (JP)
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