With a little less than a week until the summer transfer window shuts, every Premier League team could use at least one more piece to make their team better. We at 32 Flags figure out what each team needs if they want to make themselves a better team this season, starting with Manchester United to West Ham.
Manchester United
What They Need: True Defensive Midfielder
Manchester United may have bought big this summer, but they are still lacking steel in the midfield. Many thought that Morgan Schneiderlin was going to be that player, but he has ahd a mixed time at the Manchester club. Now they need a player that can replace what Michael Carrick does for the team, acting as a metronome for possession, while also being capable of protecting the back line. Despite all of the money they threw at signing Paul Pogba, that may have been a better signing.
Middlesbrough
What They Need: A Center Back
Middlesbrough have assembled a good team, but they need a foundation to build off of. The fact is that Antonio Barragan is a fullback and Emilio Nsue is a pretty attacking fullback, since he can play anywhere on the right. If they signed a center back and moved Barragan to the right
Southampton
What They Need: Midfield General
Southampton have plenty of potential in their team that can turn in great performances on their day. What they need is somebody who can come in and boss the midfield. This player would most likely take Steven Davis’ spot on the field, next to Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Oriol Romeu. This player will give them the control in the midfield that they need to feed their attacking players and give them a boost after having been picked through by the rest of the league again.
LILLE, FRANCE – JUNE 19: Xherdan Shaqiri of Switzerland in ction during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group A match between Switzerland and France at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on June 19, 2016 in Lille, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Stoke City
What They Need: A Striker
What a long way Stoke have come under Mark Hughes. The phrase “Stokelona” used to be thrown around in jest, but they have evolved into a team that can play some really nice soccer. Now, they just need a committed striker. Just look at the team that this player would have behind him. Bojan, Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri, Joe Allen, and Giannelli Imbula. There’s plenty of quality there that could serve up a goal on a silver platter. Why this hasn’t been a priority this summer confuses me.
Sunderland
What They Need: Learn from the Mistakes of Last Year
Sunderland need to play the entire season as though they are in a relegation scrap already. Last season, they didn’t really kick on until all hope seemed lost and they brought in Sam Allardyce. This year, they are starting off with a proven Premier League manager and need to play like they did at the end of last season. Honestly, it’s the only way they’ll stay up.
Swansea
What They Need: Time
Swansea have let go of a big player in Ashely Williams. That said, they still have a pretty solid team to work with. If their new signings, particularly Fernando Llorente, get the time to bed in and begin working, they should be okay this season.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 13: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Everton and Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison Park on August 13, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Tottenham
What They Need: Depth
This was difficult because Tottenham have one of the most rounded squads in the league. They have a great first team, and with the signing of Vincent Janssen, a back up and Plan B to Harry Kane. Now, they just need some depth to back up the rest of their team. As they continue to grow as a team, it wouldn’t be shocking to consider them in the title race this year and in years to come.
Watford
What They Need: Left Winger
Watford have started fine, considering they played Southampton and Chelsea in their first two games. The one thing you could argue that they are missing for a club in their situation is a left winger to match Nordin Amrabat and Etienne Capoue in the midfield. They definitely need somebody with that x-factor to give them a bit of life on the left side of the pitch.
West Brom
What They Need: A New Manager with Ambition
West Brom are doing fine this season so far. One win, one loss. Not too bad. They will never get farther than this, however, with Tony Pulis in charge. I hate advocating for the sacking of a manager, and Pulis has been a great servant to the club. Without him, they probably would have been relegated a few times. His problem is that he is built to work a certain way, and if West Brom want to improve, they need someone who can bring them something else. Sorry, Tony, but your team needs to try for more than survival.
West Ham
What They Need: A Striker
West Ham have a great conglomerate of midfielders and defenders. You can’t say the same about their stable of strikers. Much like Stoke, the team behind the striker is in good shape, but they need a consistent goal scorer. Andy Carroll recently argued that he can be a 15+ goal-a-season striker, but his injury woes will almost certainly keep that from becoming a reality. Their move for Alexandre Lacazette was an inspired one and certainly the type they should be aiming for.
