BY ERIK LAGERWEIJ
The January transfer window is a frantic time for all clubs. Whether they are fighting for a place in the Champions League or hoping to survive relegation, January is a month of opportunity. It offers respite to underperforming clubs and it offers continuity to teams that are vastly outperforming expectations.
It is usually a letdown for those fans that get way too excited and expect their board to submit a 100 million pound bid for Dusan Vlahovic, when in reality, they'll probably sign a backup centerback and appoint a new set-piece coach. But, on those rare occasions when a team actually splashes the cash, everybody gets excited.
No matter where your club rests, it is important to pursue at least one addition to the squad. Some teams need to do much more than others, though it would be wise for everybody to at least ask around and submit a bid for a top target.
So, to feed into that hype, I decided to find one player that all 20 English Premier League clubs should pursue in the next four weeks.
Arsenal
ST Alexander Isak (Real Sociedad/LaLiga)
Arsenal's striker woes are well-documented. The disciplinary issues of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, coupled with the expiring contracts of Alexandre Lacazette and Edward Nketiah means that if Mikel Arteta truly wants his side to get back to their glory days, a striker must be targeted in January.
Swedish forward Alexander Isak would be a very smart buy. At just 22 years of age, he has a lot of room to grow and fit into Arteta's 4-2-3-1 system. After an impressive performance at the Euros, he may well have convinced the Gunners that he is their striker of the future.
Aston Villa
CM Oriol Romeu (Southampton/Premier League)
Aston Villa's need for a destroyer at the heart of their midfield has risen with the injury to Marvelous Nakamba. Though Glen Kamara from Rangers would be a smart signing, as manager Steven Gerrard knows him very well, it may be difficult to convince Rangers to sell the Finland international.
Thus, Villa could pivot to James Ward-Prowse's midfield partner, Oriol Romeu. One must only look at his jaw-dropping tackle on Raphinha against Leeds United last year to see his defensive ability.
He averages 1.4 successful tackles and 1.3 interceptions per match. Romeu would be a good fit at the heart of Villa's midfield.
Brentford
RW Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest/Championship)
Brentford have been doing their best to unlock the obvious talents of their star striker Ivan Toney this season to little avail. The 20-year old Brennan Johnson could be just the player that the Bees need to make a push for a top-10 position. They've been linked with the winger previously, and with 10 goal contributions for Nottingham Forest this season, it's a matter of time before bigger clubs start sniffing around. It would be wise to snap him up.
Brighton & Hove Albion
CM Kacper Kozlowski (Pogon Szczecin/Ekstraklasa)
Attentive football fans may recall Kozlowski's name from this summer. It is, after all, not a common last name. During an appearance for Poland, the then 17-year old became the youngest player ever to appear in a Euros match.
He can play all over the midfield, but typically he strides forward in a more advanced role.
"The Polish Pogba" has huge potential, and if Graham Potter can snap him up for Brighton, it will be a matter of if, not when, he sells Kozlowski for a major profit.
Burnley
CM Lewis O'Brien (Huddersfield Town/Championship)
Burnley are stuck in a ferocious relegation battle. With just 16 goals through 17 matches, it is evident that the Clarets need some creativity. Chris Wood and Maxwel Cornet are both very good players, while Sean Dyche trusts his three backup strikers to do the job, so a forward may be off the table.
In that case, a creative midfielder would do wonders for this team. Huddersfield's Lewis O'Brien was already getting linked with a Premier League move months ago, but now that he has established himself as a key member of a club fighting for promotion, he'll be even more in demand.
O'Brien is responsible defensively, while he can pick out a very clean through ball, something which would benefit Burnley's current strikers immensely. He'd be a smart addition to Burnley's midfield two for years to come.
Chelsea
LB Lucas Digne (Everton/Premier League)
French international Lucas Digne has had a major falling-out with new Everton boss Rafa Benitez this season. Allegedly, he's available for 20 million pounds, which would be a bargain for a player of his quality.
The attacking fullback would be a capable replacement to the injured Ben Chilwell and add some flair down the left that incumbent wingback Marcos Alonso can't produce on a consistent basis. His ability in the air would also be a tremendous asset to Thomas Tuchel's side.
Crystal Palace
RB Benno Schmitz (FC Koln/Bundesliga)
Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace are vastly outperforming all expectations of them this season. However, they must not get complacent and be quiet in the transfer window. Koln's Benno Schmitz's contract expires this summer and Palace could take advantage of the situation.
He'd be available on the cheap, and he would add some attacking threat that Joel Ward doesn't bring.
Another benefit is that Schmitz can also play on the left flank. With Tyrick Mitchell's future in doubt amid an impressive campaign, Schmitz would be a capable deputy to the young Englishman until a big club swoops in for Mitchell this summer.
Everton
CM Guus Til (Feyenoord/Eredivisie)
Everton have already splashed the cash on two new transfers in the first few days of the January window. After spending nearly 40 million pounds combined on Ukrainian leftback Vitalii Mykolenko and Scottish rightback Nathan Patterson, another move is unlikely. However, they could still look to spice up their midfield. A good option would be to ring up Spartak Moscow about Guus Til. Currently on loan at Feyenoord, the Toffees would need to convince both Moscow and Feyenoord to part ways with Til. However, if they can manage that, they would get a talented midfielder who would fit into the 3-4-2-1 system that Benitez employed somewhat effectively against Chelsea.
Leeds United
Leeds are suffering from a major injury crisis after a stunning campaign last year. Though it may seem hard to swallow, Marcelo Bielsa's side are undoubtedly in the midst of a relegation scrap. The team needs reinforcements all over the pitch, though an attacking midfielder may be the first priority.
Reading's John Swift is having an excellent individual season with 8 goals and 9 assists from midfield. However, he could easily be tempted into a Premier League move. His expiring contract paired with a poor season from his teammates could force Reading into accepting a reasonable bid from the Whites. His wand of a right foot would be a key asset.
Leicester City
CB Abdul Mumin (Vitoria de Guimaraes/Liga Portugal)
Wesley Fofana's injury has hit Leicester City harder than Brendan Rodgers expected. Thus, it makes sense that the Foxes would go in for a highly rated young centerback. The Ghanaian has exhibited impressive strength and tackling ability in the Portuguese league this season. He is clearly held in high esteem by Leicester, as they have been sniffing around the player for months.
Rather than putting midfielder Wilfred Ndidi into an unfamiliar position in a back four, Leicester City should sign Mumin for about 15 million pounds.
Liverpool
CM Denis Zakaria (Borussia Monchengladbach/Bundesliga)
Any major moves seem unlikely for the Reds during this transfer window, as it seems like they will tackle the impossible task of replacing Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah internally. However, this may be a good opportunity for Jurgen Klopp's side to chase after a longtime target.
Swiss midfielder Denis Zakaria has announced that he will not return to Monchengladbach after his contract expires this summer. Liverpool would be smart to pounce on that opportunity and sign Zakaria on a cut-price deal.
He would add both calmness and ball-carrying ability to Liverpool's midfield and he could possibly be Jordan Henderson's long-term successor.
Manchester City
It is very unlikely that Manchester City will make any additions to their starting XI this month. They have something special going on right now and they shouldn't disrupt that. However, if they had to make one signing, Vlahovic would be a great one. At just 21 years of age, he has shown that he is incredibly clinical in front of goal. He has a bright future, whether it be for Manchester City or elsewhere.
Manchester United
CM Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig/Bundesliga)
Midfield is a massive weakness for the Red Devils. Despite their obvious star power, if they persist with Fred and Scott McTominay at the base of their midfield, a top-4 finish will be difficult to achieve.
Tyler Adams seems like a player that would be adored at Old Trafford. Manager Ralf Rangnick's assistant, Chris Armas, is Adams' biggest fan, having coached him at New York Red Bulls. Being American would appeal to the Glazer family, the owners of the club.
On the pitch, he would also be a very beneficial signing. Despite predominantly playing in midfield, he could play at right-back, which has emerged as a position of weakness for United, following Aaron Wan-Bissaka's form falling off a cliff. His metronomic passing and experience as a shielding midfielder for Leipzig would be valuable for United.
Newcastle
CB Sven Botman (Lille/Ligue 1)
Now that Newcastle have become the richest club in the world, they can finally start spending money. In fact, of all fanbases, Magpies fans are probably the most justifiably excited about the January window.
First on the list of needs is a young centerback to sort out their defense. They have been heavily linked with Lille's young star Sven Botman. The Dutchman has been pursued by AC Milan extensively, but Newcastle are reportedly still leading the race. He would be a great signing as a defender with lots of room to grow.
Norwich City
ST Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin/Bundesliga)
The Canaries seem as if they have already accepted relegation this year. In that case, it is time to start loading up for another successful campaign in the Championship. Though Teemu Pukki is far from the problem at Norwich, another young striker would hardly be a waste of money.
Union Berlin's 24-year old forward Taiwo Awoniyi would fit the bill. He is lethal in front of goal and he is progressing with each passing season. By signing him now, Awoniyi could familiarize himself with Dean Smith's formation and grow to become a Premier League-quality striker when Norwich are inevitably promoted next year.
Southampton
CM Amadou Diawara (Roma/Serie A)
If the irreplaceable Oriol Romeu does end up leaving in the near future, Diawara seems like a very Southampton-esque signing. He started the Europa League semifinal for Roma in 2021 and at 24, he still can grow into a fine player. He has fallen out of favour with new boss Jose Mourinho, making just 4 appearances in Serie A this season.
However, for Ralph Hasenhuttl's side, he would be a good partner to their captain James Ward-Prowse in midfield. He is a good passer of the ball and provides good athleticism to a midfield.
Tottenham Hotspur
The appointment of Antonio Conte has completely changed Tottenham's outlook. Their future now looks very bright. The underrated aspect of Conte's hiring was his tremendous pull in the transfer market. Though Tottenham are never usually a serious consideration for any big-name signings, players will now be attracted to the club due to Conte's influence. AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie could be one of those players.
Out of contract in the summer, Tottenham are free to discuss terms with Kessie this month. He seems reluctant to stay in Milan and Tottenham will back Conte in the transfer window.
The multidimensional midfielder is good on both sides of the ball and would form a scintillating midfield partner for the impressive Oliver Skipp.
Watford
CB Domagoj Vida (Besiktas/Super Lig)
Watford's defensive record has been the reason why they are floundering near the bottom of the table. They are clearly on the lookout for some new defenders and they have recently been linked with a veteran centerback. Domagoj Vida, who has been capped nearly 100 times by Croatia, would provide a steady hand to help Watford stay up this season. Besiktas are not against selling him, so he could be obtained on the cheap.
With a 2 million pound bid, the Hornets could pick up a strong defender with Champions League experience. Not too bad.
West Ham
CB Flavius Daniliuc (Nice/Ligue 1)
The injury to Angelo Ogbonna, West Ham's starting center back, has obviously hit them hard. After a poor December, manager David Moyes will be looking to fill the void left by Ogbonna's cruciate ligament tear. Former Bayern Munich academy prospect Flavius Daniliuc has been very impressive in Ligue 1 this season with Nice. At 20 years old, he has a bright future ahead and West Ham have targeted the Austrian in the past.
He is very comfortable under pressure for somebody of his age and he has been rapidly improving since his move from Bayern. It's only a matter of time before Daniliuc is a full-time Austrian international and West Ham should snap him up now that they have the chance.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Under manager Bruno Lage, Wolves have been very pragmatic and solid at the back. However, their finishing woes are quickly becoming worrisome. Raul Jimenez has lost his finishing touch after a freak head injury in November 2020. Hwang Hee Chan has been a solid addition to their forward corps this year, but he isn't known for his finishing ability. Former PSV youth prospect Piroe would be a clever signing for Wolves. He has quickly been establishing himself in England with 11 goals for Swansea already. They would be reluctant to part ways with him, but Wolves should fork out the cash for a clinical striker to replace Raul Jimenez.
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very well written! learned lots very informative!
ReplyDeleteExtremely well written. Good job!
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