Written by: Adrian Addai
Chelsea have really taken a stranglehold on the Premier League this season and have left the chasing pack in the distance. With the amount of money being spent last year in the closed season, I highly anticipate this summer more transfer records being broken and more money being spent generally around the Premier League. The rest of the top six will be competing to get closer to Chelsea and will flex their financial muscles undoubtedly to bridge the gap and maybe compete for the Premier League crown.
Anthony Onifade and I will be previewing possible transfer targets for the top six and where they may need to strengthen and improve to realistically have a real title challenge for the 2017/2018 season.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s big problem before they can build is sorting out the futures of Arsene Wenger, Ozil and Sanchez. The latter two I think will be pivotal in attracting world-class talent to improve this stagnant squad. The areas of concern for Arsenal will be to bring in an 20-25 goals a season striker as well as a dominant figure in the centre of midfield. Wenger has recently put his faith questionably in Francis Coquelin but if they hope to get to the latter stages of the Champions League and potentially win the Premier League their going to need more quality and experience in that department.
Potential transfer targets:
Idrissa Gueye (Everton) Gueye has a solid season for Everton and has been sounded out as the new N’golo Kante, hence why Everton paid for him in the summer of 2016. Potentially he could add some much-needed quality to the Arsenal midfield.
Alexandre Lacazette (Olympique Lyon) The French striker is impressively second in the Ligue 1 scoring charts only behind Cavani and stands with 23 goals in 24 games. He would add a different dimension to Arsenal’s attack in comparison to Giroud.
Benjamin Mendy (AS Monaco) The marauding 22-year-old left back has had an impressive season with Monaco showing his defensive and attacking capabilities throughout the campaign. I recall the 2nd leg match against Manchester City where he created a superb assist for Fabinho to put them on course for the Champions League quarter-final. He terrorised Mans City defence all night and many scouts from big European clubs will definately have their eyes on him this summer.
Chelsea
How do you improve a team that looks to be winning the league at a canter? Well Antonio Conte will not be resting on his laurels and will look to improve this dominant Chelsea side for next season where they will be in more competitions and will want to compete in the Champions League. Conte will look to replace Terry who does not look like he will be signing a new contract in the summer. Also, on his list will be cover for Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso as they get through a lot of work as wing backs and with more games next season they will need cover in a demanding season.
Potential transfer targets:
Alessio Romagnoli(AC Milan) Romagnoli is the future of Italian football and at only 21 years old he may have a big future ahead of him. It is rumoured that Chelsea had a bid rejected for him last summer, but I am sure they will test their resolve again by coming in with another bid.
Tiemoue Bakayoko(AS Monaco) If we are to believe the rumours Bakayoko has agreed personal terms with Chelsea and all that needs to be sorted is the transfer fee. If this transfer does go through Chelsea will be acquiring one of hottest young prospects in the game today and would a formidable midfield partnership with N’golo Kante and Nemanja Matic.
Romelu Lukaku(Everton) Lukaku has been rumoured to be on Chelsea radar as a potential replacement for Diego Costa.Costa was unsettled in January and could potentially looking for a summer move, which would pave the way for the return of Lukaku, who has stated that he wants to play at the highest level in Champions League. Chelsea could indeed make that a reality if their offer proves too good to turn to down for Everton.
Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp will be pretty happy with the way his attacking players have performed this season, especially the relationship between Sadio Mane, Roberto Firminho and Phillipe Coutinho. Where his problems lie is in defence where they have conceded more than any of the top six teams and he will be looking to rectify that so they can really put a strong challenge for the title next year. I think his priority will be getting a new goalkeeper in between the sticks and an experienced centre back to partner Dejan Lovren. Also, I think they might be in for a striker too as Klopp does not trust Daniel Sturridge to be the number one striker.
Potential transfer targets:
Joe Hart (Manchester City,) Joe Hart has recently admitted that ‘something may have to give’ this summer as he prepares to have showdown talks with Pep Guardiola. Hart seems resigned, knowing that Guardiola does not see him in his first team plans and that he may have to move from the Etihad permanently to get first team football. Liverpool have well documented struggles with their goalkeeping position all season and I feel Klopp may just test the waters to see if City will be willing to sell to another top six club. If they do Klopp will be getting a previous title winner and a very experienced one at that too. I think it is a no brainer for them if Joe Hart does become available in the summer transfer market.
Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund) Having failed with a bid for the 18-year-old American last summer, there is a lot of reports that Liverpool will be back for the teenager this summer. Klopp is thought to be an admirer of the young American and noticed him in Dortmund’s academy during his stay at the club, he previously became Dortmunds youngest goalscorer in the Champions League with a goal and assist against Benfica in the round of 16. However, any deal to sign Pulisic will most likely come with a hefty price tag as he has just recently signed a deal to stay at Dortmund till 2020. If they do manage to secure his services he will add to Liverpool’s attacking strength in-depth and provide competition for places with the likes of Coutinho, Firminho and Lallana.
Steve Gibson (Middlesbrough) This may come as a surprise target for Liverpool, however Steve Gibson has been attracting a lot of attention from top half clubs and with Middlesbrough in a scrap to survive relegation this season he may just be looking for pastures new next season. Although, Middlesborough find themselves in the wrong of the table they still maintain the best defensive record apart from the top seven in the league. This can be largely down to Steve Gibson being a rock at the back for Middlesborough which has coincided with his first senior England call up. If the rumours are believed to be true, Liverpool would be getting a very good prospect for the future with experience of playing in Premier League and would go some way to improving their defensive frailties having conceded fifteen more goals than the current top side Chelsea.
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