So, I’ve finally found a bit of time out of my studies to write for My Ignorant Opinion. Happy New Year to My Ignorant Opinion’s readers – this is my first post for the site so be gentle!
Without further ado, here are my thoughts on what all 20 Premier League teams require in January’s transfer window. Let’s start with the league leaders.
Arsenal
The back-to-back FA Cup winners are this year’s team to beat after consistently gaining points where their competitors have failed. Due to Manchester City’s inconsistency, Chelsea’s collapse, Manchester United’s issues and Liverpool’s transitional phase, Arsenal are the favourites to lift their first Barclays Premier League title in twelve years.
They are set to seal the deal for FC Basel’s Egyptian holding midfielder Mohamed Elneny as cover for the injured Francis Coquelin and because Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky are all out of contract in July and may not be re-signed by Arsene Wenger. Plus, injuries to Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla have necessitated the importance of buying a new central midfielder.
How can they improve?
Elneny is a start, but a world-class striker would not only help boost domestic glory, but elevate Arsenal as a force in the UEFA Champions League. A club with such success in England ought to be more competitive in Europe and someone like a Karim Benzema, Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang or Zlatan Ibrahimovic would certainly alert the powerhouses of national and continental football.
Aston Villa
The league’s basement club are in serious risk of matching Derby County and Sunderland’s record for the lowest points total in Premier League history. There is obvious talent; Micah Richards, Adama Troare, Jack Grealish, Scott Sinclair and Jordan Ayew spring to mind. However, it just hasn’t happened for Remi Garde and his squad.
How can they improve?
Well, everywhere. Randy Lerner must spend more than he is prepared to in order to even think about securing Aston Villa’s top flight status. This, more pivotal than any season to stay afloat, in view of next season’s £5.1 billion TV deal between Sky Sports and BT Sport giving the 20 Premier League clubs a large proportion of the pot. Loic Remy is earmarked as a top target and I think this would be a sensible move, albeit expensive. His experience with QPR and Chelsea, in addition to being French of course, will help Garde in his fight to avoid the drop. They could also do with a dependable option at right-back, someone young and hungry like Dominic Iorfa at fellow Midlanders’ Wolves or Sam Byram, out of contract at Leeds.
Bournemouth
One of three promoted clubs, Bournemouth have exceeded expectations with wins over Manchester United, and then Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, no less. More of the same please.
How can they improve?
They confirmed the signing of Juan Iturbe on loan from Roma yesterday, a quite stunning move considering his parent club and potential as a player. He can add plenty to this Bournemouth side who love to play the ball and attack at will. Iturbe has considerable talent but will English football prove too physical as it has for other world ‘wonderkids’. Also, a centre-back is much needed as full-back Simon Francis is currently infilling in that role. Perhaps a loan signing just to seal the gap.
Chelsea
Well, what can I say. Champions in May, 16th by the end of the year. Jose Mourinho has fallen out with the club doctor and, rumour has it, a couple of his players resulting in his dismissal. The new target for the club will be to finish as high-up the table as possible and to progress as far as they can in the knockout stage of the Champions League, the one positive in an otherwise bleak season.
How can they improve?
This is a difficult one as obviously, the talent is there, but it just isn’t performing for whatever reason. Turning to youth is an option, but looking in the transfer market for form players (yes, Jamie Vardy, I am looking at you), might be the way Chelsea go. One would think that any lone striker with a midfield five of Fabregas, Matic, Willian, Oscar and Hazard behind him will eventually score a minimum of 15-20 goals.
Crystal Palace
Palace have a lot of squad players which will require a big clear-out before buying anyone. Now they are not fighting relegation and instead on the cusp of Europa League football, their board must respond in tune by replacing players who were on board in the Championship with ones of a similar calibre to Yohan Cabaye, an outstanding addition to the Palace midfield. Three good goalkeepers, defensively sound, flying wingers, the Eagles have everything else bar a top-half centre-forward.
How can they improve?
Buy a striker. Battling Aston Villa for Loic Remy would be one suggestion as they are a more attractive proposition. For Remy, a striker fighting for a place in his home nation’s Euro 2016 squad, playing regularly for a club inside the top six will help more than a club doomed for Championship football come May. Patrick Bamford was under-utilised by Alan Pardew, arguably his only questionable decision so far as Palace manager.
Everton
Not much to add for Everton, but Steven Naismith is set to join Norwich for £8 million and there are rumours of moves for Aiden McGeady and Kevin Mirallas who are both lacking game time. Both are wingers of proven quality and losing either one or both would be a risk.
How can they improve?
Everton have struggled defensively in recent weeks and have shown an inability to see out matches, so a short-term centre-back might be something to consider for Roberto Martinez. Phil Jagielka is a big miss alongside John Stones and his absence is damaging to the club’s hopes of the top six. A back-up striker in case Romelu Lukaku is injured or suspended wouldn’t go amiss either.
Leicester
Fantastic all-round. Despite faltering over the festive period, they were top for so long and are still in second, just behind Arsenal. Quite a juxtaposition from a year ago, when they were bottom of the table. Holding onto Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante would represent a successful transfer window for Leicester.
How can they improve?
Add a couple of squad players. No more, no less. Nice and simple.
Liverpool
An alright season by new standards, but a poor one by those set by new manager Jürgen Klopp. The German may tap into his Bundesliga contacts by signing Joel Matip, the tall Cameroon international defender from Schalke who is out of contract in the summer.
How can they improve?
Twitter went crazy yesterday after certain media reported a move for Barcelona understudy Marc-André ter Stegen and Klopp’s compatriot would definitely improve Liverpool’s defence. A centre-half is an area to look at, so paying up front and signing Matip this month might be beneficial rather than signing him on a pre-contract and waiting until July for his services.
Manchester City
Inconsistency has ruined Manchester City’s chances of leading the summit at the halfway mark, thanks duly to Vincent Kompany and Sergio Agüero’s absence. Wilfried Bony hasn’t stepped up and neither have Nicolas Otamendi or Eliaquim Mangala. Kevin De Bruyne has been a revelation, however.
How can they improve?
The print media claim John Stones from Everton and German prospect Leroy Sané from Schalke are said to be targets. Isco from Real Madrid would add something, but City are already crowded in that area.
Manchester United
Louis Van Gaal’s military regime has so far been rendered useless after early season promise. His determined attitude, some may say arrogant attitude, has divided opinion amongst supporters who feel the Dutchman is not the right man and are calling for Ryan Giggs, Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola.
How can they improve?
Entering Doctor Who’s Tardis, turning back time, before making the decisions to sell Javier Hernandez, Darren Fletcher, Jonny Evans, Robin Van Persie, Nani, Danny Welbeck, Rafael, along with predecessor David Moyes letting go of Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, the Red Devils simply haven’t recovered from these losses in the following two seasons and chairman Ed Woodward will need to deliver another war-chest of gold. Signing a world-class striker like Arsenal would be a huge boost. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund would top any shortlist.
Newcastle
Newcastle need a few additions but the question is how will recruitment respond? We know Mike Ashley does not splash the cash often so Steve McClaren might see his options limited.
How can they improve?
A winger, Andros Townsend of Tottenham has been mentioned. Could improve defensively, too.
Norwich
The Canaries are on the rise after two wins on the bounce and are increasing the gap between themselves and the bottom three. Norwich do require defensive and attacking amendments, mindful of the fact Matt Jarvis has completed a permanent transfer from West Ham and Steven Naismith is set to move from Everton to bolster the attacking lineup. Loic Remy has been linked but are City missing a link in Northern Irish marksman, Kyle Lafferty? Nathan Redmond, Wes Hoolahan and Robbie Brady are forces to be reckoned with.
How can they improve?
Linked with signing Andrea Ranocchia from Inter, Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli and Ivo Pinto from Zagreb, Norwich are set to have a busy start to the year following the appointment of former Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ed Balls as Chairman. Should stay up.
Southampton
A solid club with good foundations, the Saints haven’t matched the success set over the last three years so far this season, but they will comfortably stay up and have a slice of the £5.1 billion cake that every Premier League club and top-tier Championship club are all scrapping for. Keeping Sadio Mané and Victor Wanyama will be the key goal in January.
How can they improve?
Nursing Jay Rodriguez back to health as soon as possible would be as good as any signing for Southampton. A striker is required but Rodriguez fits the bill and Graziano Pelle is returning soon, so they should expect to see a rise up the table.
Stoke
Stoke are no longer the ‘long ball’ team of the past and the days of the Rory Delap throw have been replaced by intricate football led by Xherdan Shaqiri, Ibrahim Afellay, Marko Arnautovic and Bojan, the Potters are destined to leap into Europe under the guidance of Mark Hughes.
How can they improve?
A classy defensive midfielder to shield the back four and kickstart the transition from defence to offence.
Sunderland
Sunderland are another club in trouble, but ‘Big Sam’ has never experienced relegation. Will this be the first time? Sunderland are asking potential targets to take a 50% salary cut if the club is relegated, never a good sign.
How can they improve?
By signing defenders. Lots, and lots of them.
Swansea
The Welsh outfit have exceeded themselves since winning promotion in 2011. However, for the first time since, they look in real danger of being relegated after the sacking of Garry Monk and the decline in form of Andre Ayew, Bafetimbi Gomis and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
How can they improve?
However having said that, they do need another striker to help Gomis’ workload and have been using Sigurdsson and Ayew as a ‘false number 9’ in recent matches. If Swansea are as busy as they were last January, the fans are in for a ride.
Tottenham
Tottenham are looking very strong with just two defeats to their name. Last January, the club signed Dele Alli and Spurs would do well to replicate that this time around.
How can they improve?
Buying a striker to aid Harry Kane and Clinton N’jie. Saido Berahino is still unsettled at West Brom and he has been a longtime target of the North London club. It might just happen.
Watford
Watford have been sensational. They currently lie inside the top 8 of the Premier League at halfway. I predicted that all three promoted sides would stay up and I see no reason to change this opinion otherwise, especially based on Watford’s display thus far.
How can they improve?
Maybe adding an out-and-out winger would help widen their play as they can be particularly narrow at times. Aiden McGeady is available. Andros Townsend likewise.
West Brom
Comparatively with Sam Allardyce, Tony Pulis has never been relegated either and isn’t likely to be this season anyway. Saido Berahino is set to leave and West Brom need to sell in order to buy neverthless, so expect movement on the flanks with Andros Townsend long admired by Pulis.
How can they improve?
They could do with a left-back, with left-winger Chris Brunt filling in the position at the moment.
West Ham
West Ham are looking strong contenders to surprise bookmakers’ odds and finish in the top six. However, injuries are weakening their resolve as demonstrated by James Tomkins playing at full-back during the festive period. Dimitri Payet’s return from injury is well-timed due to Manuel Lanzini limping off in their earlier 2-0 win against Liverpool at lunchtime.
How can they improve?
Signing a substitute full-back and attacking midfielder to help the void left by Kevin Nolan’s release, alongside Lanzini’s injury and Payet’s gradual return to fitness.
my ignorant opinion 
Thanks for this
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