The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
- Daniel Austin-Chukwu
- Jul 30, 2022
- 4 min read
The anticipation ahead of the new season is slowly building. Fans are making their early season predictions and managers are making those final tweaks to their squads. I’ve been keeping an eye on all the transfer activity in the Premier League, and I feel some clubs still need to address certain weak areas to be more competitive. Let’s see what those areas are for some of those teams shall we?
Manchester City: Left Back
City’s squad is probably the best in Europe, stacked in all areas apart from one: left back. Cancelo has been great in that position for the last two years, but it’s not his natural position. Even before Zinchenko left for Arsenal (I’m not even going to reference that other guy), left back was an area that they needed to improve. Their interest in Marc Cucurella from Brighton only confirms this. If City get their man (which I suspect they will), it’ll be hard to stop them from 3-peating.
Liverpool: Right Back
I know what you’re thinking: “Daniel, Liverpool already have the best right back in the world in Trent Alexander-Arnold”. Well, der. You don’t think I know that? Liverpool don’t need to replace him, they just need an extra body in that position, someone who can provide a bit of cover if TAA gets injured. Joe Gomez can do a decent job there but the drop off is huge. Given the fact that they’ve recently sold Neco Williams to Forest, getting a good quality replacement is paramount.
Chelsea: Centre Back
Like City, Chelsea have a very good squad on paper, blessed with quality in all areas. If there was one position where I think they could do with some reinforcements, it would probably be at the back. Rüdiger and Christensen departed for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, meaning they’re a couple of bodies light. They’ve just recently brought in Koulibaly from Napoli (an underrated signing by the way). But, since Tuchel likes to play three at the back, it couldn’t hurt to have extra cover.
Spurs: N/A
I’ve been impressed with Spurs’ transfer business this window. So much so that I don’t think they really have any missing pieces left to fill. Not saying that they’ve got a squad to win the league, nothing like that. I believe through all their signings they’ve made thus far; they’ve addressed all their weaker positions in their squad. They could maybe do with someone to play left or right wingback, but if we’re being real, both roles are tailor-made for Ivan Perišić.
Arsenal: Right Back
We’re onto our fifth team now and there’s a bit of a theme isn’t there. In all seriousness, Arsenal have made some good signings this summer and look to be building a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. Arsenal fans that I know rave about how good Tomiyasu is. What last season showed was that, when he was injured, that right-hand side looked shaky. Soares and Bellerin simply don’t cut the mustard anymore. Maybe they need to bring in a bit more of an attacking right back to counter the more defensive-minded Tomiyasu.
Manchester United: Holding Midfielder
I’m a firm believer that only one player is needed to do the McFred role. People that know me well know I can’t stand Fred, and I don’t think McTominay is that much better in all honesty. We’ve been crying out for a good one for years now but still we’ve not found that missing piece. We seem to be involved in another drawn out transfer saga with Frenkie De Jong, but even if we get him, he’s not your traditional no.6. Who knows if we’ll address that area this window, for my sake I hope so.
West Ham: Holding Midfielder
My original choice was centre forward, given West Ham’s inability to be clinical in the final third last campaign. However, with the recent signing of Gianluca Scamacca from Sassuolo, improving their midfield is now essential. They’ve got two good ones in Soucek and Rice but if either of them gets injured, it’s curtains for them. They’re the only recognised centre midfielders currently at the club. I’d be a bit nervous as a Hammers fan if they didn’t make a signing in the middle of the park.
Leicester City: Centre Back
I didn’t even realise that out of all the top 10 clubs in 2021/22, Leicester conceded the most goals with 58. I’ve got to say, I’m not surprised by that. Jonny Evans ain’t getting any younger. Söyüncü isn’t the same defender that he used to be, Vestergaard isn’t exactly the greatest thing since sliced bread and Wesley Fofana is still recovering for a long-term injury. The market for centre backs isn’t great, so it may be tricky for Leicester to find the right one at the right price.
Brighton: Holding Midfielder
I think this one is an obvious pick. Having just let go of their best player in Bissouma to Spurs, they need to bring in a replacement asap. That’s easier said than done mind you. Quality holding midfielders are a rarity in the game today, so finding someone of a similar calibre to Bissouma is going to be really difficult, especially given the fact that Brighton aren’t the most clamorous club, despite the fantastic job Graham Potter is doing.
Wolves: Centre Midfielder
Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho have been superb for Wolves as a midfield pair. That being said, a shake-up in the middle of the park is needed. Neves has always been the subject of transfer rumours each summer and Moutinho is 35. What Wolves are lacking is a midfielder with dynamism, energy, and the ability to get up and down the pitch with ease. If they were to get a player that fit that description, it could be a game changer for them.
This Week’s Hot Take
The transfer window should close the day before the season starts. Players being able to move clubs (specially to rival clubs) once the campaign has already begun leads to unnecessary disruptions and clubs scrambling to find replacements. This could all be avoided if clubs made sure they completed their transfer business in good time, instead of leaving it to the last minute and risk missing out on key players.
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