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The One Signing They Should Make Part One : The Top Six

Published by Ian John on January 15, 2010

With the transfer window being open, let’s take a look at the needs for each Premier League team and then identify the name of one player that each team would be significantly improved by and would have a realistic chance of signing during this transfer window (or the Summer window at a pinch!)

1. CHELSEA : Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t need much after his good start and he’ll only be without his African stars for two more weeks at the most. Despite that Chelsea are not getting any younger and there have been a few defensive problems in recent games that teams like Everton have taken advantage of. SIGNING TO MAKE : Simon Kjaer (Palermo) He’s young, Danish and very talented and already on the radar of several big clubs. He would be an excellent defensive addition and would provide John Terry with a new, long term partner in defence.

2. MANCHESTER UNITED : Sir Alex will have already recognised where his side is lacking this season and it is quite obvious. While they may not miss Ronaldo the person, they do miss Ronaldo the slayer of smaller teams. That permanent threat has gone from United at the moment and they need it back. SIGNING TO MAKE : Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich) He’d cost a fortune, but he’d be worth it. Outside of Ronaldo and Messi he is the next best player to play the wide right midfield role and United need someone like him.

3. ARSENAL : Arsene Wenger has two real needs. Defence and attack. Sol Campbell may provide experienced short term cover defensively so Arsene would be best advised making a move for a striker who can score goals and provide the goal threat they’ve missed since Adebayor left for Eastlands. SIGNING TO MAKE : Lacina Traore (Univ Cluj) He’d me Adebayor Mark II or Kanu Mark III. A tall, powerful striker who can be the effective target and goal threat Arsenal need to complete the attacking make up of their team.

4. MANCHESTER CITY : Roberto Mancini probably has a list as long as his arm of potential targets, but where is City’s real need? It’s certainly not in attack, or midfield. Defensively they have been rocky though and Bridge and Lescott have not really worked out as signings so far. SIGNING TO MAKE : Maicon (Inter Milan) A top quality full back equally adroit at defending and attacking would be a real benefit to City and Mancini will know Maicon well from his time at Inter Milan. Rumours are that Inter would be willing to sell too.

5. TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS : Harry Redknapp has already admitted that he needs to sell before buying, so that taken into consideration and assuming Pavlyuchenko and Bentley are the ones who will be leaving, you’d think a striker or midfielder? Right? SIGNING TO MAKE : Ryan Shawcross (Stoke City) A very tall, powerful defender would be a boon to Spurs given the fitness worries over King and Woodgate long term. Shawcross is a former Man Utd trainee who has made a huge impression at Stoke and would be a solid performer for Spurs.

6. ASTON VILLA : Martin O’Neill has a strong squad and several excellent young players and of all the top teams, it is arguably Villa who don’t need to move in the market at the moment. However the Villains have shown a few weaknesses of late and it may be prudent to address this if O’Neill can find the right player. SIGNING TO MAKE : Ruud Van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid) to me, the only thing Villa are lacking is a 20+ a season striker. Van Nistelrooy on a 6 month loan would be a good option, provided his wage demands were not too large.

Join us over the weekend for the final two parts of which one player each Premier League team should buy.

Image Courtesy of ***vidrean*** at Flickr.com

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