January transfer window: What players do the big 6 need to buy in January in order to achieve their respective objectives this season?
Besides Liverpool and Chelsea, the other 4 clubs in the big 6 spent large sums of money strengthening their squad. Ironically, all 4 of these sides are some distance from their targets. Liverpool and Chelsea on the other hand, are well on their way of clearing their objectives. Although, the Blues have fallen by the wayside as off late.
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Liverpool have already made the first purchase out of all the clubs in Takumi Minamino and with Chelsea’s transfer ban lifted it is all but assured that Frank Lampard’s side will also dip his feet in the transfer market next month.
Pep Guardiola will also have to make a few additions to his squad as Manchester City chase a 3rd consecutive Premier League title. Mikel Arteta, who has left Guardiola’s tutelage to become Arsenal’s new manager will also look to bring in a few names as he begins Arsenal’s rebuilding project.
While Jose Mourinho has publicly stated that he doesn’t need to bring in any new names in January, there are a few positions that Spurs could do with. Manchester United on the other hand have long spoken of the need to bring in players in January. With that out of the way, let us now look at the players, the big 6 need to buy in the January Transfer window.
Tottenham
Jose Mourinho took over a side that was struggling in the league and turned their fortunes around. He has registered 4 wins in 5 Premier League matches. In the process, he has taken them from the bottom half of the table to 5th place. However, despite Mourinho’s praise for the squad, he knows that this side is far from complete.
Spurs have conceded a lot of goals but have been found opposition nets more times. The Portuguese knows that, that will not always be the case. This January, his priority will be to boost his side defensively to give his attacking players more freedom.
He will aim to bring in a new pair of fullbacks, another centreback and one defensive midfielder. Mourinho has reported to be interested in bringing in Issa Diop from West Ham. However, Hammer’s asking price of £60m may turn off Daniel Levy; who is not known to be very lose with his purse strings.
Manchester City
The current Premier League champions actually have a lot of problematic areas in the squad right now despite spending millions to build it. The most pressing of these is their back line. The absence of Aymeric Laporte has seen Pep Guardiola use Fernandinho in Central defence despite the Brazilian having played as a midfielder all his life.
Guardiola has already said that Manchester City will not make any purchases this January; unless they turn out to be long term purchases. However, if Guardiola intends to use Fernandinho as his primary centre back, he will still need someone in to back Rodri at the defensive midfielder position.
The injury to Leroy Sane and David Silva’s departure next summer could see Guardiola also line up for a new winger and a central attacking midfielder. City have been linked with Jadon Sancho, who could be an ideal replacement for Sane. However, it is unlikely that the teenager will want to return to the Etihad.
RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano could be considered as one for the future and would fit Guardiola’s long-term purchase plan. Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz, who City have a buy back option on, could also be considered as an ideal back up to Rodri. Phil Foden on the other hand, could be developed as Silva’s replacement.
Arsenal
Considering Arsenal have only won one Premier League match in almost 2 months, the squad needs a complete overhaul. With Unai Emery spending heavily in the summer, it is likely that new boss Mikel Arteta may not be given too much to work with in January though.
It is currently unknown what formation, Arteta will play. However, assuming that he plays a 4-2-3-1 to fit Ozil in his line up, Aubameyang and Pepe could be playing on the sides with Lacazette playing in the centre. Arteta’s immediate concern then, would be to fix the centre back and central midfielder position.
RB Liepzig’s Dayot Upamecano could be an option for them to consider. Villareal’s Pau Torres could be another player for them to have a look at. Borrusia Mongchengladbach midfielder Denis Zakaria and Lyon Midfielder Houssem Aouar could be considered as their midfield options in January.
Liverpool
Liverpool are the only team that do not need to bring in anybody. Minamino already looks like a great buy despite not having played yet. With the team on the cusp of Premier League glory and a Champions league defence on the line, they may look to bring in a few squad players to cover for their strong starting line-up.
The positions that Jurgen Klopp should look to fill should be the full backs. While Joe Gomez has been covering for Trent Alexander-Arnold, he is primarily a central defender. With Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren out, he may want to look at bringing someone in centre as well. Although Klopp has already said that he will not bring in any defensive player in the January transfer window.
The Reds decided against purchasing any players in the summer. By the looks of it, they are already done with their purchase for the winter as well. Considering the swift manner in which they approached Minamino’s signing, if the club wanted anyone in January, they would have already done so.
Chelsea
Chelsea were banned from making any signings in the summer. However, with the embargo now revoked, Chelsea now have the option to strengthen their side as they chase a top 4 finish. Frank Lampard’s side fared extremely well earlier in the season. Off late however, they have struggled with their results.
The Blues have been linked with a high profile signing off Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in January. Bringing in the teenager could help them with their problem on right wing with both their options, Pedro and Willian nearing the end of their careers.
The Blues, like most other teams on this list, will also look to improve their defence. Poor form, inexperience and injuries has cost the side this season and Lampard will look to add to his options. Nathan Ake from Bournemouth could be an option that could be seriously considered at Stamford Bridge.
Ake has a buy back clause on Nathan Ake that expires this coming January transfer window. Another position that would need a lot of talk would be the left back. Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell is the name that has been linked heavily with the blues. However, with Leicester performing as well as they have, it is highly unlikely that he will jump ship in the middle of the season. In this situation, Jose Gaya could prove to be an ideal buy for the Blues.
Manchester United
Manchester United like Arsenal, need a lot of purchases to fix their line-up. However, they will primarily be looking at a striker. It has been widely reported that RB Leipzig striker Erling Haaland could be on his way to Old Trafford this January transfer window.
Other positions include the midfield and the number 10 position. Leicester City’s James Maddison has been touted as an option for the number 10 position. However, like Ben Chilwell, it is unlikely that he will join Manchester United in the middle of the season.
Sancho is another name that has been discussed but it is likely that he will join Chelsea instead. Christian Eriksean, Saul Nigez and Ivan Rakitic are other names that have been linked with the club. However, neither of them looks like they would join Manchester United. At least, considering the state that their own respective clubs and Manchester United themselves are in.
There is also the case for Bruno Fernandes who would be a welcome addition to the club considering Jessie Lingard’s form in the Premier League. In the midfield, Sergez Milinkovic Savic looks like a realistic signing that could join them in January.
The midfielder who was linked with Manchester United in the summer will immediately add quality to the side. He will definitely be a much better option than the likes of Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Fred; all of whom are already past their best or in the case of Fred, have not performed to their potential consistently.
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