Missing Links in Premier League Teams

So, the transfer window ended a few days ago and there wasn’t that much of the deadline day drama from the top teams in English football. Most of the teams have failed to address deficiencies in a certain area of the pitch and would be hoping that a temporary remedy becomes available in the winter transfer window, where the best talent is usually not available.

Arsenal – Striker

Arsenal finally addressed one chronic problem in their squad, a world class keeper. Petr Cech has been the man they added and that gives them some stability in their back and a strong person between the sticks. However, they still lack a talented world class forward up front. Having been linked to Higuain and Benzema in the summer, if either one of them was landed, Arsenal would have a strong squad to challenge for the elusive premier league.

Giroud is a good striker but he is not enough and Arsenal just do not have the adequate firepower for when it will really count. Walcott is not that great as a striker, so Wenger might either have to utilize their youth players more in desperate times or have a panicked striker hunt in January.

Manchester United – Striker

United are really short up front now. Van Persie, Falcao and Hernandez have all left and they signed young Anthony Martial from Monaco on the deadline day for a huge sum. Now, while this might pay in the long run, its not necessary that it will and he has not been an out and out goalscorer in the Ligue 1.

With just 2 first choice strikers and the youth player James Wilson, they are short up front and an injury to one of them could leave them short of firepower during the season.

  Manchester City- No position

The only English giant that looks complete. They still have a 100% winning record in the premier league so far. They have even proved that they can outmuscle and outperform an English giant (seen with their 3-0 win over Chelsea). With their summer acquisitions, they have a solid CB option as well as depth in their midfield, and the player exits in the summer saw those who were not performing leave.

They really are the team to beat this term and if they can keep their players healthy, there seems nothing capable of stopping them now.

Chelsea – Defence

Chelsea’s defence was their key to success in the premier league in the latter half of 2014/15. However, their defence which has hardly changed is really fragile this term. Terry is ageing, and Ivanvoic is so prone that a lot of attacks come from his side of the pitch.

While Kurt Zumoa might be the future, they haven’t addressed the Ivanvoic issue, which is even compounded by the sale of Felipe Luis. Chelsea were linked to Everton’s John Stones but will have to now wait, as the Toffee’s are reluctant to sell him.

The winter transfer window might just get backup options for the team at the very best, but if they really need to secure their defence in the long run, they need to plan for the summer window of 2016 right away.

Liverpool- Defence

For the second consecutive season, Liverpool have undergone a major squad overhaul. Although while the transfers seem better planned out this time compared to last season, there are still a lot of issues the anfield side needs to address.

However while the flanks have been reinforced, Liverpool are fragile in the centre and its an issue that has persisted since the 2013/14 season. So, this is one area that Liverpool need to now seriously take time and identify and lure possible CBs of good quality, that can fit into the system run by rogers. The winter transfer however, offers no long term options who are likely to be available, so the team has to plan right away for the summer.