Premier League gains: who the big four must sign to improve
Central defender. Central or defensive midfielder. Raheem Sterling?
This time last year Manuel Pellegrini’s side returned to pre- season training full of confidence after securing a second Premier League title - 12 months on and it’s a different mood at the Etihad Campus.
Earlier this week, City captain Vincent Kompany admitted that his side made it too easy for Chelsea to win the league last campaign.
So, what can be done in order to avoid a repeat?
Easing the midfield burden on Yaya Toure (whose form fluctuated last season) and finding a reliable defender to partner Kompany should be a priority.
Fabien Delph has been mentioned for the midfield role as has the expensive Paul Pogba. Rumours of a £50million deal for Raheem Sterling refuse to go away too, but is he really what City need?
Defence is another concern and although Everton fans might not agree, a move for youngster John Stones could prove to be a masterstroke.
The England under-21 captain endured a torrid tournament for Gareth Southgate’s side last month but a year or two next to Kompany and in front of England ‘keeper Joe Hart could see him blossom for club and country.
The big question for City fans is whether the names linked with a move to the club in the coming months will be good enough to help wrestle the title away from Jose Mourinho and Chelsea.
More quality and depth in defence and midfield.
Mourinho moved quickly to secure Monaco striker Radamel Falcao on loan after Didier Drogba left the club for a second time in May. Given the Colombian’s form for Manchester United and in Chile during the 2015 Copa America it’s hard to see him starting ahead of the prolific Diego Costa.
Strengthening a side that won the Premier League and League Cup so convincingly is easier said than done though. What will concern Mourinho is how easily 10-man Paris Saint Germain got the better of them at Stamford Bridge in March and knocked them out of the Champions League.
Surprisingly that night, the likes of John Terry and Nemanja Matic looked tired and with a lack of similar quality to call upon from the bench, Mourinho must act smartly between now and the start of the season if he is to avoid similar problems.
But finding players of equal ability, at the peak of their powers, who are happy to be juggled in a squad rotation system, is challenging, to say the least. Falcao is different because it was a role he was used to at United.
One option could be to place some trust in youngsters such as the impressive Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Patrick Bamford and throw them in against top level competition, regularly. As it stands though and with Mourinho’s desire to compete at the highest level for trophies burning as intently as ever, this method would appear unlikely.
Chelsea will quite rightly start as title favourites in August, but Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich do have some tough decisions to make if they are to progress further in the Champions League in 2015/16.
Striker. Central defender.
Is this their year? Arsenal’s patient fans have been crying out for a genuine title challenge for the best part of a decade.
Arsene Wenger’s approach to the transfer market is changing though and the addition of Alexis Sanchez in 2014 and Petr Cech from London rivals Chelsea this summer means that the Arsenal supporters can quite rightly look ahead with excitement.
Olivier Giroud was a canny Wenger signing but someone with the class of Sergio Aguero or Diego Costa will need to be brought in if they are to improve on recent showings.
Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain is one name that springs to mind and although not quite at the same level as his Argentinian teammate and Costa, he would certainly be regarded as an improvement.
Christian Benteke has been linked with a move in England and while he might not be the popular choice, he does have a proved record of scoring goals in the Premier League in a far weaker Aston Villa team.
Part of the reason why Arsenal haven’t won a league title for so long is Wenger’s failure to secure a commanding leader in the mould of Tony Adams, Martin Keown or Sol Campbell.
Chris Smalling always seemed like a bizarre choice whenever he was mentioned but the United defender has recently committed his future to Louis Van Gaal’s side until 2019.
Whatever happens between now and September 1, you get the impression that the Arsenal board will have to spend big if they want to see their manager lift the Premier League trophy for the first time since 2004.
: Striker. Central midfielder. Central defender.
It’s proving increasingly difficult to predict who might arrive at Old Trafford especially after Matteo Darmian’s expected move (subject to a medical) this week.
Ryan Giggs has said that the spine is one area of the team United is looking to strengthen and Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin should join Darmian at the club before Monday.
Louis Van Gaal and Giggs might have to add a goalkeeper to their list if, as expected, David De Gea eventually moves to Real Madrid before the season starts as well.
What will be fascinating is who comes the other way. Will it be a sizeable fee for Spainish international Sergio Ramos? If the former Sevilla player does join Van Gaal’s revolution he’d certainly fit the bill in the centre of defence.
Elsewhere, Robin Van Persie is expected to follow Nani to Fenerbahce before the weekend so at least one striker will arrive before September 1.
Alexandre Lacazette, Harry Kane and Benteke are all reportedly on Van Gaal’s wanted list but as with the proposed Darmian transfer United fans might just see one or two surprises come through the door instead.
@FootballMcD
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