This past year has offered up some monumental moments, on and off the field. From Liverpool trouncing Manchester United 5-0 at Old Trafford to Chelsea being sanctioned, and owner Roman Abramovic being forced to sell off the club that he’s built up to be European giants over the past two decades. And though the pantomime of events during the 38 game season will always be the most exciting time of the year, the summer transfer window never fails to bring excitement and trepidation to fans.
All 20 Premier League sides will look to build on what they already have, in order to compete with the best of the best next term. And with the lucrative tv deals providing clubs with a wealth of riches, it would be wise for owners and managers to make on that investment and strengthen their squads, to ensure that they can still receive those payments, and hopefully in turn, make their team the best it can be. With all this money circulating around the league, we have already seen the competitive nature that it has brought about. Teams struggling towards the foot of the table would often be shot straight down to the Championship because they can’t compete financially with some of England’s elite clubs. But in recent years we have seen teams capitalise on their new found wealth and spend big on players in order for them to be able to compete. It has also allowed them to rival the big sides for players once deemed unattainable for sides in the bottom half of the table. It’s been noted that in he past few years that we’ve seen some of the most balanced football across the league and regularly we have seen displays where relegation threatened sides have been able to beat the likes of title challengers and perennial winners.
With that being said, today we are going to look at one player each Premier League side could sign this summer. Though we have come accustom to teams splashing big money on multiple targets during windows, I’m going to solely focus on one player that I feel could improve their side as a whole. I’ll take into consideration both team positional needs and how the player themselves could improve the side, and hopefully elevate them to the next level.
Another key point to make is that I won’t be picking a player from the current roster of 20 league teams. At time of writing (11th May) both Watford and Norwich have had their fates decided, and will drop back down a division next term. Whereas Fulham and Bournemouth have both confirmed their spots with seats and the table in the countries top division. So i will be including these teams instead. And as for the order in which I pick players, I will simply go off league position at time of writing. So don’t look too much into it. So let’s gets started with the best of the best!
Manchester City- Theo Hernández (AC Milan) (24 y/o)
We start with the reigning champions and current league leaders Manchester City. The obvious choice here would be Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland, but his deal to The Sky Blues seems almost a certainty, so I thought it would make for a boring pick. That’s why I’ve gone for AC Milan star Theo Hernández. The young French fullback has been outstanding this past term for the Rossoneri. The youngster who has 5 international caps to his name has been one of the star players in Italy this past term. Playing out on the left hand side of defence, Theo marauds up and down the wing and contributes to all phases of the game. Though his traditional defending numbers are solid, where he really stands out from his peers is in the attacking side of his game. He’s great on the ball and can carry the ball with his feet, but can also play nice passes and can deliver a deadly cross into the box. His attacking displays have earned him a strong statistical output as he’s scored 4 goals and assisted a further 6 in 30 Serie A games this term. These performances have earned him a 7.10 Whoscored rating, which is higher than City fullbacks Kyle Walker and Zinchenko.
But where would he fit into Pep Guardiola’s side? Well, he’d fit in pretty seamlessly. Kyle Walker has shown City 5 years of exemplary service, but its been pretty clear this year that his body is slowly giving way and his play is regressing. Although he still often displays the lighting fast quickness that has seen him be a squad favourite for Guardiola, at nearly 32, you wouldn’t imagine that it’ll last forever. Plus the Englishman has never been the most technical player, so maybe a swap up would bring a breath of fresh air to the serial winners. Another player thriving in Pep’s system is Portuguese fullback Joao Cancelo, who has really broken out this year as one of the best fullbacks in the world. He offers everything. From defensive awareness to attacking output he has it all on the left flank. But he plays more naturally on the right, so should he make the switch back to right back then Hernández can slot nicely on the left.
The fullback position is vital to how Man City play. They need to be good on the ball and play as an extra man in the midfield when building up attacks, but they also need to be functionally sound defensively and not shy away from their primary responsibilities. That’s why I think Cancelo and Hernández is a league winning duo. And the thought of Theo delivering in crosses to Haaland is mouthwatering. It’s a good thing that City have the funds to get a deal like this done. Because he won’t come cheap !
Liverpool- Aurélien Tchouaméni (Monaco) (22 y/o)
Jordan Henderson has been the heart and soul of Liverpool football club for the past decade. He has embodied everything the club stands for, from his passion on and off the pitch to stellar performances night after night. In the past three years alone he has captained his side to a Champions League and Premier League title. But coming up to his 32nd year, I don’t know how much longer he can play at the level manager Jürgen Klopp requires in his fast paced, high intensity system. Though he can probably still perform at a high level as a starter for the next two or three years, it would be wise to start looking for the captains successor in midfield. And the young Frenchman Aurélien Tchouaméni would be perfect man to replicate Henderson’s success.
The 22 year old Monaco standout has gone above and beyond expectations in a surprisingly strong side this term. The 8 time capped France international broke out last season, but has really pushed on and strived for excellence this year. Last year he performed at an average rating of 7.16, which in its own right is exemplary. But this season he has skyrocketed and averaged a rating of 7.33, which is amongst Europe’s best for the position. He’s a difference maker in the midfield and can do it all. But where he really shines is when he’s called on to defend. He makes 5.4 tackles and interceptions per game as well as winning 2.3 aerial duels. He is a physical presence in the middle of the park and has the athleticism to cover ground very quickly. Pair his natural ability with his game IQ and it makes for a great all round midfielder. You notice he has great anticipation when he plays, and he’s often in the right positions to make the tackle or clear the ball.
He is remarkable as a defensive acquisition, but Liverpool already have Fabinho to occupy that midfield screening role. Yet, Tchouaméni is talented enough to play slightly further forward. In his earlier years he had the pleasure in working under the tutelage of one of the finest passers the game has ever seen, Cesc Fàbregas. This education has gained him the ability to be able to make passes all over the pitch. And for a deeper lying player, he has good creative numbers. He is also very assured on the ball and can progress the ball safely with his feet, another skill Klopp looks for in his players. The Liverpool board have done a great job the past few years signing savvy acquisitions, so now they’d be well to splash the cash on Tchouaméni. It’s reported that £60million should be enough to get the deal done.
Chelsea- Rafael Leão (AC Milan) (22 y/o)
After spending over an eye watering £300 million over the course of the past two summer transfer windows, it’s still apparent that there are a lot of holes to fill in this Chelsea squad. Players that have been instrumental to the Blues Champions League success last season such as Antonio Rüdiger and Cesar Azpilicueta are set to leave, and other positions such as holding midfielder and wingback lack any real depth. But one area that has really shown to be a weakness in the past few months is in their attacking positions. Goals have been hard to come by consistently for some of their star players, who were brought in for the purpose of creating a fluid attack. But to this date, manager Thomas Tuchel has struggled to find the correct formula. If we look at the Chelsea squads attacking options, you can see straight away that some of the players aren’t pulling their weight in the stats department. Only Englishmen Mason Mount and Reece James have contributed to more than 10 goals and assist this term in the league. A stat even more shocking when you consider neither are true out and out attackers. So something needs to change, and possibly fresh legs brought in.
That’s where Rafael Leão comes in. The 22 year old Portuguese attacker has been a major part in Milan’s Renaissance this season, which at time of writing has seen them climb to the top of the Serie A table. In 32 games, Leão has scored 10 goals and provided a further 6 assists. Most of these coming primarily out from the left wing position. The youngster is a tall (6ft2), yet stocky player who uses his size well, but can move impressively fast despite his frame. To go alongside his athletic prowess, he’s immensely talented with the ball at his feet and likes to run at defenders. He completes 8.59 progressive carries per game and 3.15 dribbles, which demonstrates just how comfortable he is on the ball. And at 22 the goals are starting to emerge into his game. Because of this he has earned some comparisons from the media between himself and his countryman, a young Cristiano Ronaldo. Now that’s quite some compliment! And his average rating has backed these claims up, as he’s averaged 7.32 whoscored rating across this term. Which is elite numbers to hit consistently.
If the new board were to bring him in, it would definitely be viewed as a statement signing, a reported fee of £60-70 million should be enough to see a deal across the line. But he would make for a great acquisition for Tuchel. He offers great flexibility as he played as a striker in the earlier days of his career before finding a home on the wing. And it’s not hard to draw up further comparisons between him and Chelsea legend Didier Drogba. Both were very strong and quick, both good on the ball, and both were great finishers. If Rafael was brought to Stamford Bridge, he’d send fans racing back through the years to a time when Chelsea were on top of the world. And Leão has the potential to put them back there!
Arsenal- Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City) (25 y/o)
It’s been a great year for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. Though there have been some ups and downs, it’s quite clear that he’s finally got his team playing the brand of football that he wants. With a core of young talents at his disposal, he just needs a few more pieces to fill the puzzle and finally push for a title charge. I’ve recently seen a stat that over 70% of Arsenals league goals this term have been either scored or assisted by players aged 23 or under. This just highlights how good of a nucleus of young players the Spaniard has at his disposal. They may not challenge for honours next year, but should he keep hold of his young stars, then maybe the Gunners may find their way back to their former glory.
One way to start this is by bringing in a new healthy striker who can bag them goals. French veteran Alexander Lacazette has underwhelmed this year with just 4 league goals, so it’s come apparent that the forward position is in urgent need of attention. And as he nears 31, it does look like his time at the Emirates is coming to an end. One player who also looks like they are set to leave their club in the summer is Brazilian and Manchester City frontman Gabriel Jesus. Jesus has done well this year, scoring 8 and assisting 8 more in a City side that doesn’t rely on a forward. But with the Citizens looking to bring in both Erling Haaland and Julian Álvarez in the summer, the 25 year old will likely leave to find game time elsewhere. So it really does look like a match made in heaven. And Jesus’ agent Marcelo Pettinati has confirmed he has already held talks with the reds.
But how would he fit into Arteta’s system? Well he would be the perfect linkup man for the front line. He’s incredibly technically gifted and has spent time out on the wing, therefore the movement between the attackers should be fluid and quick. Pairing him up with Saka and Martinelli, with Ødegaard in behind, it could make for one of the most potent attacks in the Premier League for the next decade. But Jesus doesn’t just excel in build up play, he also knows how to find the back of the net, and create chances for others to score. This season he’s averaged 0.48 goals per 90 and 0.40 assists per 90, which are elite numbers, even for this high flying City side. It’s rumoured that a deal could be struck for as little as £35million, so it’s a no brainier really. As previously mentioned, it’s a match made in heaven. And I think as a teams primary number 9, Jesus’ goal output will likely dramatically increase.
Tottenham- Adama Traoré (Wolves) (26 y/o)
Now I was tempted to just put Dejan Kulusevski as an option for Spurs. Since his loan move from Juventus in January, the Swedish winger has been nothing short of a revelation. At time of writing, he’s scored 3 goals and provided 8 assists in just 15 league games. It’s quite apparent that he works very well in Conte’s system, and they should do everything they can to retain him. But I’ve chosen to go a different route with this one. Spurs manager Antonio Conte has shown interest in Adama Traore since his days at Chelsea. And now there’s a real chance Daniel Levy could bring him in on a cheap deal from Wolves. Traoré moved to Barcelona in January on a loan deal, and quickly impressed. However, in recent weeks he has fallen out of favour with Xavi and has struggled to get minutes at the Nou Camp.
But I feel he’d make for a great acquisition for Spurs. Tottenham have adjusted to a back 5 system, and therefore need athletic wingbacks who can get up and down the field. Adama fits the profile well. He’s incredibly fast, arguably the fastest player in England, and he’s also very strong on the ball. The Spanish international completes an average of 5.3 dribbles per game, which is amongst the top 2% of players across Europe. Another strength of Adama is his literal strength. He’s built like a rugby player, and it’s near impossible to get the ball of him when he’s running at pace.
It wouldn’t be fair to highlight Traoré’s strengths without mentioning his weaknesses. At 26 years old, he hasn’t found his scoring form yet, and has a terrible output in front of goal. He has contributed to 22 goals and assists in 160 Premier League games, which is far from elite. However, he’d be primarily played out as a wingback in the Italian managers system, therefore his setbacks would be better covered and his strengths can be greater utilised. So for a fee between £20-30 million, it may be worth the risk as his upside is still huge (not as big as his arms). And surely Spurs fans don’t want to see Emerson Royal starting in the lineup much longer!
Manchester United- Pau Torres (Villarreal) (25 y/o)
Erik Ten Hag is coming into Old Trafford with a lot of work to do. From a poor run of form which needs to be turned around quick, to out of control egos, this United side is a mess. And considering the team splashed the cash on Sancho, Varane and Ronaldo last summer, you’d have expected them to have done better this year. Yet with the new additions last summer, this United side still needs a cosmetic surgery done. The midfield and attack both need bolstering, but I feel that the centre back position needs an upgrade.
The Red Devil’s captain Harry Maguire has wholly underperformed since joining the side for a record £80million fee from Leicester back in 2019. The England international has been massively mistake prone and has been a liability at the back, which has led many fans to lose patience with their star centre back. Not only has Maguire been a disappointment but United have struggled to recruit a good defender for a while (outside of Varane who has also underwhelmed). Players such as Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and to an extent Victor Lindelöf haven’t been “United standard”. That’s why they need to bring in a sure fire player who can perform in Europe’s toughest league.
Pau Torres is a 17 time capped Spain international who has performed at the highest level. From great games against Liverpool in the Champions League final to a Europa League win against Manchester United last season. Torres is a lanky centre back who has great defensive instincts and natural tackling ability. He’s not the most physical player but uses his IQ to make great plays on the ball. Not only is he tactically aware but he’s also strong on the ball and can spray passes all across the field. Which is a skill this United team has lacked for years. Torres won’t be able to turn this team around on his own, but he’ll add some solidity to the team and a fighting spirit, something this United team drastically lacks. At £50 million, it’s a smart deal to make.
West Ham- Ivan Toney (Brentford) (26 y/o)
The number one priority for David Moyes and the West Ham board this summer will be to keep hold of Declan Rice. This past week reports have circulated that the London club are looking to offer the England international an 8 year, 200k a week contract. Looking at the face of it, this shows serious intent on the Hammers part, in that they want to stay competing for European places. But should they keep hold of their future captain, who should they look to bring in to help bolster their already battle hardened squad?
Well I’ve suggested Brentford’s clinical striker Ivan Toney. Current Hammers mainstay striker, and West Ham record Premier League goal scorer Michail Antonio is 32 years of age, and though he has had a solid campaign this year, he’s not likely to perform like this forever. That’s why I’ve suggested the new guy on the block Ivan Toney. Toney has had a fantastic year with Brentford in their maiden season in the league. He has scored 12 goals and assisted a further 5 more in a side that sit slap bang in the middle of the table for goals. Toney started his Premier League career up at Newcastle where he struggled to get any real form of foothold in the side before moving to Brentford. It is in West London where Toney really found his feet. In the Championship last year he broke the record for league goals in a season with 33 (which has now been broken by Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrović, who has scored 43 in 44 games). And this term he has capitalised on his success by being instrumental in Brentford’s season where they’ve reached the highs of 12th place.
Toney plays as an excellent modern day Premier League striker. He is fantastic on the ball with great technical ability but he knows how to find the back of the net. And his chance conversion numbers are very high. Though many of his 12 goals this term have come via penalty, he’s still impactful on the game, and his work in attacking buildup is elite. His play this season has earned him a wide array of plaudits, and he’s received 5 man of the match awards. Pair this with his average whoscored rating of 7.33 and you can see he’s ready to make the step up to European competition. The only question is would he want to leave a side in which he’s doing so well at? But if the Hammers can offer the Bees over £30million, then surely the club and the player will have to consider.
Wolverhampton- Breel Embolo (Mönchengladbach) (25 y/o)
Wolves manager Bruno Lage has done well in his first season in charge at the Molineux. Taking the team to 8th place has been a small achievement considering the bad start to the campaign they suffered. However, it’s been clear that their defensive shape and strict tactical setup has gotten them this high up in the table. The midlands side have only scored a goal per game this year, and their top goal scorer Raul Jimenez has scored 6 goals, which isn’t good enough for a team with European aspirations. Since his devastating head injury last term, the Mexican striker has struggled to recreate the form he had back in the 19/20 season. And at 31 years old, it’s not clear whether he will ever be able to reach those heights again. It may be worth the Wolves board investing in a new number 9 who can bang the goals in.
Switzerland’s Breed Embolo may just be that man. The 25 year old burst onto the scene with Basel way back in 2015. Since then he has bounced around the German top flight, displaying snippets of excellence, but mostly going under the radar. This year has been one of the best in his career so far. He has grabbed 10 goal contributions in 27 Bundesliga games and has excelled with Switzerland during their World Cup qualifying campaign, where he scored 3 and assisted a further 3 more in 4 games. Embolo is a stocky forward who uses his size to his advantage as he can shrug defenders away from him. He is also very good with the ball at his feet and likes to run at defenders, and often draws in fouls. With this ability, he can also be utilised out on the wing. But I feel his style of play is suited to the Premier League. He may not be a 20 goal a season striker just yet, but he is still young and is only just now playing the best football of his career.
As for the financial side of this deal, it should be very achievable for the Black Country side. Embolo’s contract is due to expire with Gladbach in 2023 and as of today, there have been no concrete talks of him extending his stay. Therefore Wolves could grab him on a cheap. And if you can pick up a potential starting number 9 for under £20 million, then you have to take the risk.
Brighton- Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal) (22 y/o)
Graham Potter has been nothing short of a sensation at Brighton since he’s come into the club in 2019. With a limited transfer budget and a small squad of players, he’s really got the best out of his players. He’s turned guys such as Bissouma and Trossard into vital players for the South East side. Plus the teams recruitment has been exemplary, low fee signings such as Tariq Lamptey and Marc Cucurella have been standouts.
This past season has shown however, that they could be even better should they have a consistent striker. Current #9s Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck have had some impressive moments, but as a whole they don’t quite cut the mustard. So bringing in Nketiah really supports the ethos and direction the club is going in. Not only is Eddie a promising youngster, but he would also be available on a free. The England youth international currently doesn’t have intentions to stay with the Gunners despite Mikel Arteta’s desire for him to stay. So should Brighton offer him a decent deal and the opportunity for game time then he’ll likely entertain it.
Despite his limited game time at the Emirates this year, he has had his strongest season to date. He’s scored 9 goals and provided a further assist in just 903 minutes of action. Which is a goal contribution every game. Along with his goal scoring prowess, his style of play suits the Seagulls system. He is very comfortable on the ball and has enough pace to play effectively on the counter. I can envision his linkup play with Trossard and Alexis Mac Allister would provide an Arsenal like vibe. Considering he wouldn’t cost a penny, its a smart move considering it would improve the side.
Crystal Palace- Conor Gallagher (Chelsea) (22 y/o)
Considering Gallagher has lit up the Premier League this season playing for Palace, it would be wise for owner Steve Parish to resign the Chelsea youngster on a permanent deal. Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieirinha has done an outstanding job pulling he team from perennial relegation candidates to a mid table consistent side. Players such as the aforementioned Gallagher, Zaha, Olise and Eze have all been outstanding. And the London side would likely drop off drastically without the England youth player in the heart of the midfield.
Gallagher has been so important to the Eagles that by he time the PFA team of the season comes around, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was selected. Conor has gathered 4 man of the match awards and also a whoscored rating of 7.10. He’s scored 8 goals and assisted a further 3 and has played a big part in Palace picking up points this year. Not only has he been a standout individually, but he’s also been a fantastic team player in Vieira’s system. Although primarily an attacking midfielder, he works tirelessly in the centre of the park and provides the most pressures on the pitch. He’s also not afraid to put a foot in and averages over 3 tackles and interceptions per 90 in the league. Despite his ability to be pragmatic and robust, he also provides a bit of flair to his game that you become accustomed to seeing with these modern day English midfield talents. He has the knack of making a sublime pass but can also spin defenders inside out before slotting the ball into the back of the net. And at only 22 years old, he’s already becoming a complete midfielder. Surely it’s only a matter of time before he gets consistent England call ups.
But with these eye catching displays, he’s also caught the attention of parent club Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who is said to be a massive admirer of the youngster. And with the Blues looking a little short in the centre of the park, it may have to take a massive offer to prize him away from Stamford Bridge. If the Palace hierarchy really are serious about pushing on and making he club stronger, then they’ll at least have to consider putting down an offer of £50 million + on the table.
Aston Villa- Jonathan David (Lille) (22 y/o)
Aston Villa and ex manager Dean Smith had a rocky start to the season. But as the years progressed, new manager Steven Gerrard has appeared to have steadied the ship and got the Villains playing some pretty flashy and expansive football. New permanent acquisition Phillipe Coutinho has definitely helped the transition across to the more attacking football. And star players such as Matty Cash and Jacob Ramsey have really improved under new management. But as we’ve seen from Villa’s spending the past few seasons, they clearly have ambitions to push for European competition places. That’s why I think they’ll look to improve positions that they are already relatively settled in. Good clubs aren’t ever afraid to get better! This is why I’ve suggested Canadian international Jonathan David from Lille, despite Villa spending big on strikers Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins over the past two years.
The aforementioned David has shown real footballing abilities at only 22 years of age. Playing in the French top flight for the past two years, the youngster has contributed to 28 goals for Les Dogues. He has great natural ability on the ball and is very comfortable with the ball at his feet. pair his technical skill with his dominant speed, he would give Steven Gerrard the ability to utilise him in a number of fronts. He can be put out on the wing and still perform, or he can be used as a primary striker who is best suited to run in behind the defence. And his finishing ability makes you confident that he’ll finish off his one on one opportunities. David has displayed this time and time again this term as he’s had the best statistical season of his career. He’s scored 13 goals in Ligue Un as well as scoring 3 goals in the Champions League, which demonstrates he can do it against the continents best.
If Villa really are serious about regaining their European pedigree, they need to be willing to splash on proven players with high upside. And David fills that profile, and work wonders in Stevie Gs attacking system.
Brentford- DJed Spence (Middlesbrough) (21 y/o)
Playing on loan at Nottingham Forest this year from Middlesbrough, DJed Spence has proven to be one of the best young talents in the whole of the division. The right back has been instrumental in Forests push for Premier League promotion, and he really stole the show in his teams knockout cup run in the FA Cup. Spence really stepped up against elite competition in this run, where he was a standout player against both Spurs and Man Utd. These performances prompted experts and pundits to suggest that the young wingback prospect should really be plying his trade in England’s top flight next year.
Spence offers everything you look for in a wingback. He possesses a large frame but controls his body very well. For his size, he has great agility and can turn on a dime, but he can also muscle you off the ball if needed. Pair that with his great burst of pace and you’ve got a top prospect at only 21 years of age. For a youngster in the Championship it can be a baptism of fire. The league is very physical and is full of experienced veterans who are astute at letting you know what they’re about. But DJed has taken to the league very well, and has arguably been the best full back out of the lot. For a youngster, he doesn’t shy away from his defensive duties and is great at making last ditch tackles and interceptions. Though he primarily does his best work with his back to goal , he is also very composed on the ball and is great at progressing play with his feet, a skill in which he outshines even most natural wingers.
Brentford have been a real breath of fresh air this year under Thomas Frank. They’ve come in to the league and at first time of asking have played some really beautiful football and have earned some eye catching results (2-0 at home to Arsenal and 4-1 away to Chelsea standout). Though they have some players who possess real individual quality, what the Danish manager has been able to do is get them to play as a team. And a big part in how the team play is down to their wingbacks. Rico Henry has been a sensation this year, but they have lacked quality at times down the right flank. That’s why I feel Spence would be the perfect solution to Frank’s issues. And at £15 million, they’re at the very least getting someone who they’ll be able to flip in a few years time for a big profit!
Newcastle- Kalvin Phillips (Leeds) (26 y/o)
Now, I had hundreds of options to pick from for Newcastle here. Like a kid in a sweet shop, there was almost too much choice. And now with cash rich owners, the potential for world class acquisitions for the Toon have become a reality. We’ve already seen their spending power during the winter transfer window, as they managed to transform their relegation threatened side, to a team that is a struggle for any team to play against. Players such as Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimarães have been real difference makers for the Geordie side. But despite their fruitful spending, Eddie Howe’s side still needs some work. Newcastle’s new owners have Champions League aspirations, therefore they can’t afford to keep starting players like Jonjo Shelvey and Jacob Murphy.
Where Newcastle have massively improved over the course of the season, last years surprise team Leeds have massively faltered. Sitting towards the bottom of the table, there is a real chance they don’t survive the drop come the end of the month. Leeds may have struggled this term, and the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa hasn’t helped, but they still have some real quality in their squad. And one player who will grab many teams attentions should they be relegated is England international Kalvin Phillips. Phillips has been hit and Miss this season as his form has dropped due to consistent injuries. But on his day, he can be a real force in the middle of the park. He’s a tenacious defender with an engine that doesn’t stop running for the whole 90 minutes. He’s a player that can be placed into the heart of your team and will put out 7/10 performances on the regular. He has a real leader spirit with the qualities to match. And I feel it wouldn’t take long for him to endear himself with the Newcastle faithful.
If Leeds were to get relegated, it’s reported the 26 year old would be available for around £30 million, which is chump change to Newcastle’s new owners. And pairing him in a midfield win the enigmatic Guimarães would make for a rock solid tandem that would be very hard for opposing teams to play around. And if Newcastle truly do want to be successful, then they’d be smart to sort out he spine of their side ASAP.
Leicester- Emmanuel Dennis (Watford) (24 y/o)
Coming into the season it would have been hard to envision just how far Leicester would have fallen. Only last May Leicester were crowned FA Cup winners and narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification. Now sitting in 13th place, it’s no secret that Brendan Rodgers and his squad of stars have massively underperformed. From the back line to the attacking unit, they’ve all been complacent. New striker Patson Daka has struggled to cement his place in the Fox’s side and Jamie Vardy has seen lengthy spells on the sideline. And at 35 you’d imagine his career with Leicester is slowly drawing to an end. But this does mean that if manager Rogers wants to compete again next season, then they need to bring in a prolific frontman.
Watford felt they had grabbed a bargain when they signed Nigerian international Emmanuel Dennis from Club Brugge for less than £5million back last summer. The forward got off to a lightning fast start in the Premier League as he hit double digit figures for g/a in 10 games. However, the synergy between Watford’s drop in form and Dennis’ has been drastic for the Hornets. Now confirmed to be dropping out of the Premier League next year, the London side may be looking to sell on their assets while they still have the most value. And at 24 with great versatility, Watford may be able to recoup 20-30 million for the player. And for Leicester he’d be a great signing. Dennis can be a game changer in attack. He’s deceptively quick and very good on the ball. A player possessing these attributes is suited to play on the wing, but Dennis has the finishing ability to play as a teams primary #9. 10 goals and 6 assists for a relegation side is a great return, and playing in a more progressive side, he should be able to replicate or potentially even improve on those numbers.
Dennis does not solely rely on his end product and is a great team player. He is a relentless presser and would work great in Brendan Rodgers system. And pair him up with Harvey Barnes and Patson Daka with James Maddison in behind, it would make for a great counter attacking side with enough quality to play through deep lying defences. Give it 2-3 years and I truly believe Dennis could be a top attacker in the league. So Leicester should strike while they can still grab a bargain.
Southampton- Dean Henderson (Manchester Utd) (25 y/o)
Despite a number of good results, Saints manager Ralph Hasenhüttl won’t be happy that his side currently linger at 15th place in the table. For large parts of the season his side have seen disjointed and overall they just lack any real quality. Their defence has been leaky and the attack has struggled to put away their chances. Captain James Ward-Prowse has been a shining light for the Saints and loanee Armando Broja has sporadically performed, but overall it’s been disappointing. One area that Ralph and the board will need to address in the summer is the goalkeeper position. Fraser Forster has had some incredible displays his year but even he is out of contract in the summer, and it’s not likely he will re-sign. Plus keepers Willy Caballero and Alex McCarthy don’t quite cut the mustard.
That’s why they need to be willing to splash a bit of cash and bring in a proven Premier League shot stopper. And they don’t come much better than England international Dean Henderson. Henderson had his best season with Sheffield United back in 19/20. He persistently showed that he can be a teams number one. He showed great reflexes and real elite shot stopping ability. He lacks great ability on he ball like an Alisson or an Emerson , but his ability to keep the ball out of the back of the net makes up for that. He’s struggled to find game time at his parent club Manchester Utd these past two years behind David De Gea, so he may be looking to go elsewhere to find more game time. And considering he’s now 25, you’d imagine it’s the right choice for his career.
If Ralph Hasenhüttl wants to improve his team and work their way out of the hole they’ve dug themselves, then they should look to build back up that defence. And that includes the goalkeeper. I think this deal works out best for all parties involved.
Everton- James Tarkowski (Burnley) (29 y/o)
It’s pretty safe to say that it’s all gone wrong for Everton this season. The writing appeared to be on the wall when Toffee’s hierarchy decided to bring in controversial ex Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. A poor slew of results followed after he struggled to get them playing any form of football conducive to Premier League quality, and he was hastily shown the door. The former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard took over the reins in late January and has struggled to steady the ship. At time of writing, the Blues are in a battle for relegation, and should they survive the drop, they should thank their lucky stars. The whole squad has massively underperformed this year and despite heavy investment from the owners, have struggled to gel into a ticking team. A real lack of ownership and leadership in the team has been apparent, responsibility and blame have been left at others feet and it’s an area that largely needs addressing.
Bringing in current Burnley captain James Tarkowski would go a long way into solving Everton’s problems. The two time capped England international is an ever present player in the Clarets back line and has been a consistent and reliable performer for the past 5 years. Tarkowski is a no nonsense centre back who has a great defensive awareness. Standing at 6ft2, he’s a monster at the back with great aerially ability, and he has the strength to outmuscle even the more physical of attackers. Playing for a relegation threatened side himself, it comes at quite a surprise just how good his individual numbers have been this year. He has performed at an average whoscored rating of 6.99 and his defensive contribution numbers have been off the charts (less surprising considering how much Burnley sit back). He makes 7.2 tackles and clearances a game, which is amongst the highest in the league. And it just highlights his willingness to get stuck in and take charge.
However, in recent years we’ve seen that experience English centre halves have come at a premium. Harry Maguire was sold for £80 million to Manchester United, and even Brighton’s Lewis Dunk had a £50 million asking price put on him. But where this deal would differ is that the Burnley captains contract is set to expire in the summer, meaning he’d be available on a free transfer. This would be quite the coup for the Toffee’s considering they’d be able to save money on an area of need and be able to spend big elsewhere considering they have many holes to fill, to bridge the gap between them and their rivals.
Burnley- Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) (20 y/o)
As the season ticks towards its definitive end, it’s looking more and more likely that Burnley are going to be dropping down to the Championship next term. Although sacking Sean Dyche with a handful of games remaining did give the Clarets a little boost in for, it looks as though it’s not enough to survive the drop. If caretaker manager Mike Jackson can pull off a miracle and keep them up, then the board seriously need to work on turning Burnley into a more attractive side. For years we’ve seen the Lancashire side scrap survival, but a change in mindset could do the trick. And a good way to start off the post Dyche era would be by bringing in young talents with great potential.
One player who fits this profile is young Nottingham Forest winger Brennan Johnson. Johnson has been nothing short of a sensation in Forests run to the Championship playoffs this term. In 47 league games he has found the net a whopping 17 times as well as providing 10 assists for his teammates. And considering he’s only just about to turn 21, the Welshman has had elite output for a player of his age. Johnson is a versatile winger with great straight line speed and the ability to run rings around defenders. As well as being an electric winger who can impact the game on either flank, his scoring ability has shown that he can also impact the game playing down the middle, which will provide the future Burnley manager with a wealth of schemes to put him in. And considering the Clarets are the second joint lowest scorers in the league this season , adding in someone who can find the back of the net will be pivotal.
Adding in a young player like Johnson who is still yet to reach his peak will likely work wonders for their Burnley attack. With his great speed and movement, he should create a great partnership with new winter signing Wout Weghorst. Also adding him alongside fellow wingers such as Maxwell Cornet and Dwight McNeil will add great versatility across the frontline and will create nightmares for defenders with their trickery. Should Burnley avoid the drop, they should consider splashing 20-30 million on a player I’d imagine they could flip for double in 3 or 4 years.
Leeds- Nat Phillips (Liverpool) (25 y/o)
It remains to be seen whether Leeds survive the drop come the end of the season. Despite a squad full of talented players such as Raphinha, Kalvin Phillips and Rodrigo they’ve struggled to hit the highs they reached last term when they ended the 20/21 season in 9th place. The dismissal of Marcelo Bielsa half way through the season has caused serious disruption to the squad, but his replacement, American Jesse Marsch has done everything he can to keep The Whites afloat. But should they stay up, there’s one position that above all else needs addressing. That position is the centre back spot. The Yorkshire team have an abundance of players in the position, such as Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch, but it’s abundantly clear that they’re lacking any real quality.
Nat Phillips had a great breakout season with Liverpool last year, as the Anfield side saw crucial injuries to key players Van Dijk and Joel Matip. Phillips stepped into the side and played 17 league games as he helped his side gain a top 4 place despite the injury crisis. Phillips really improved under Klopp, and he showed that he can play in a tactical and possession based system. His passing range is good for a player at his position and he is also comfortable on the ball, and is rarely flustered. Despite his past seasons heroics, he struggled to regain his starting spot this term and therefore found his way out of the club on loan, and ended up down south with Championship side Bournemouth. Again, this year Phillips impressed. He was one of the main characters in the Cherries push towards Premier League promotion as he helped keep 7 clean sheets in 17 games. At 6ft3 Phillips is an enforcer at the back and would likely add a calming and experienced presence at the back for this shaky Leeds defence .Given more game time, I can only see Phillips getting better.
At 25 years of age Phillips has a lot more to give, and considering Liverpool have put a £15 million price tag on his head, he becomes a very reasonable option to help fix their defence. Coming in to the squad, he’ll already demand a starting spot.
Fulham- Jesse Lingard (Manchester United) (29 y/o)
Manager Marco Silva and his Fulham team have been nothing short of sensational this year. Their attacking football has been free flowing and electric as the Cottagers scored over 100 league goals. This was mainly in part due to inform Serbian striker Alkesandar Mitrović who has combined for 50 goals and assists, which unsurprisingly is a league record. One other player who has shone for Fulham his term is Portuguese youngster Fábio Carvalho who has had 18 goal contributions. Despite his importance, the 19 year old is set to join Liverpool in the summer, which will create a huge cavern in the middle of the park for the whites.
One player who could fill that void would be Manchester United veteran Jesse Lingard. Lingard has struggled to make an impact this term as he’s only participated in 16 games for the Red Devil’s. Yet he is a year removed from having a standout loan spell with West Ham. He scored 9 goals and assisted 4 more in 16 games under David Moyes’ Hammers side. on his day Lingard can be a game changer. He is very comfortable on the ball, and has an eye for a goal as well as a pass. He has a whole wealth of experience with both United and England, and that could prove vital for a team that has had a history of being promoted and then yo-yoing back down into the Championship. And still only 29 years of age, he has 3-4 more years of top football in him.
This transfer would make for some very savvy business for Marco Silva’s side. With his contract due to expire in July, he’ll be available on a free transfer. I envision his wages may prove to be a stumbling block for the two sides, but a player of his qualities would be quite the coup for a newly promoted side. Pair him up with Mitrovic and Harry Wilson and I think they’ll have an attack that is potent enough to keep them in the division.
Bournemouth- Jason Denayer (Lyon) (26 y/o)
Bournemouth have done well to fight their way back up into the Premier League. Manager Scott Parker has done a great job at getting the Cherries playing good, winning football. Players such as Dominic Solanke and Ryan Christie have been the standouts, but when looking at their defence, it does bring cause for concern. Lloyd Kelly has been decent but I can’t see him being strong enough to be a teams #1 centre back in the Premier League. Whereas their other defenders Gary Cahill (who is too old/slow) and Nat Phillips (a loanee) won’t be playing at Dean Court next year.
So it really is imperative for Scott Parker and the board to fill in the position. Jason Denayer can come in and provide a decent level of composed play across from Kelly. Denayer is a 35 time capped Belgium international who has plied his trade all over Europe, playing alongside some of the best players on the continent. At only 26, he’ll provide a wealth of experience and can provide very athletic cover across the back. Despite this, admittedly he has had a poor season in France. Starting only 11 games isn’t good enough considering where he is in his career. But he has shown historically that he can outperform these numbers.
Similarly to many other players chosen on this list, Denayer’s contract is set to expire this summer, meaning that he’ll be available on a free transfer. This will be key for the Dorset side, as historically they haven’t been big spenders, and should they stay up, they’ll need to be savvy with their money and improve their squad for as little as possible. Denayer offers a lot of upside for a player who will cost nothing.
Forgotten Footballers 