The Barclays Premier League

The Barclays Premier League
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Wednesday, 2 June 2010

Premier League Summer Wish List

Whilst the World is gearing up to the World Cup in South Africa which kicks off in just ten days, Premier League managers will be preparing to meet their respective Chairmen to plead for a transfer kitty to bring in players of their choice. But what in particular do each club need?

Arsenal

Another striker was a necessity as Nicklas Bendtner failed to adequately fill in whilst Robin Van Persie was injured for a large proportion of the season. However Arsene Wenger realised this as he swooped early to secure free scoring Morrocan Marouane Chamakh on a free transfer from Bordeaux. However captain Cesc Fabregas is being relentlessly pursued by Spanish champions Barcelona as they look to add to their already irresistible midfield. This means that a large gap will need to be filled, and one possible candidate is Yoann Gourcuff who is tipped to star in the World Cup with France. He could follow Chamakh in making the trip to North London. Whilst Joe Cole could make the short trip across London to sign for the Gunners.



Aston Villa

Aston Villa are desperate for Champions League football but under current manager Marton O'Neill they have tailed away at the back end of the last 2 seasons and finished in 6th place. Villa's main object over the transfer window will be to secure the futures of O'Neill and England international James Milner. If Milner does leave Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun could be a replacement. However another striker who could score 20 goals a season wouldn't go amiss and Robbie Keane is one who has been earmarked by the Villa management.




Birmingham City

Birmingham will be looking to cement their place as a mid-table side next season following on from their tremendous 9th place finish last time out. They have already brought in giant Serbian striker Nikola Zigic who signed last month, and Alex Mcleish will be hoping that he can forge a partnership with last season's top scorer Cameron Jerome. With the large transfer kitty that Alex Mcleish is reported to have, expect a lot of ins and outs at St Andrews. What the Blues really need is a quality wide man to supply Zigic and Jerome. Bids have already been rejected for Charles N'Zogbia whilst Peter Whittingham is also an option.




Blackburn Rovers

Sam Allardyce is desperate to help Blackburn push up the table and challenge the top 10 and to do so he wants to bring in a top quality striker to fire them there. David Dunn finished top scorer last season with 10 goals, but Allardyce wants to secure a frontman to take the pressure off the midfielder. Blackburn have been linked with optimistic moves for Real Madrid legend Raúl however a more realistic target may be Steven Fletcher or Frederic Piquionne.



Blackpool

Following Blackpool's remarkable promotion which earned them a reported £90 million and Ian Holloway is desperate to add some defensive and midfield quality to help the seasiders in their bid to avoid relegation. Gavin McCann has been targeted by Holloway whilst Paul Scharner remains an option having signalled his intent to leave Wigan and DJ Campbell is hoping to make the permanent move from Leicester to Blackpool. Kirk Broadfoot could make the move from Scottish Champions Rangers whilst Steven Caldwell could also be in line to make the move.



Bolton Wanderers

Bolton boss Owen Coyle has made Jack Wilshere his main transfer target this summer with Coyle determined to capture the Arsenal player on a year long loan deal, having impressed since joining the club in January for a spell on loan. Johan Elmander again failed to impress last season, so Coyle could move to bring in another striker to partner Kevin Davies, with Steven Fletcher an option. However Bolton's main objective this summer will be to keep hold of Gary Cahill who has been linked with moves to Arsenal and Liverpool.



Chelsea

Following Chelsea's title win, Carlo Ancelotti is determined to spend money in order to mount a real challenge for next season's Champions League. With Joe Cole looking likely to leave on a free, a new winger who is capable of playing off the front two is a main target for the Blues. Athletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero seemingly fits the bill and has recently spoken of his admiration for the Premier League champions. A big money move may be on the cards.




Everton

Having secured former Leeds man Jermaine Beckford on a free transfer, Everton manager David Moyes has to once again work with a limited budget however he is hoping to bring in another midfield player, with Inter's Sulley Muntari a possible option. However Yakubu is apparently ready to leave the club so a new striker would be a neccesity. Standard Liege striker Dieumerci Mbokani could be the man to replace the Yak especially when considering he is good friends with Marouane Fellaini.



Fulham

Roy Hodgson has worked wonders at Craven Cottage since taking over and has identified a number of positions which he hopes to strengthen. John Carew has been earmarked as a possible option up front, Steve Sidwell could also join, whilst another Aston Villa player, Curtis Davies has been linked with a move to the heart of Fulham's defence.



Liverpool

It promises to be an interesting summer for the Anfield club, as manager Rafa Benitez has been handed what seems to be a small transfer fund. His main objective will be keeping talismanic players Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, who have been linked with monumental moves. Whilst Javier Mascherano could also be on his way out, with Barcelona possible takers for the Argentina captain. Joe Cole could be an option on a free transfer whilst Steven Ireland has reportedly been targeted, suggesting Benitez wants to add creativity to his midfield.




Manchester City

The world's richest club will once again delve into the transfer market to bring in some big players in order to secure Champions League football next season. A striker is the top priority for Roberto Mancini, who was unimpressed by Emmanuel Adebayor last campaign, and has therefore identified Wolfsburg frontman Edin Dzeko as a possible replacement. Fernando Torres and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are also possible targets. The Sky Blues are also trying to secure Real Madrid pair Fernando Gago, which could signal the end of Steven Ireland's stay at Eastlands, and Gonzalo Higúain. Jerome Boateng has also been in talks with City and is reported to be ready to sign.




Manchester United

Alex Ferguson, who has already secured Chris Smalling and Mexican Javier Hernandez, has hinted at only one major signing. The Red Devils are determined to win back the Premier League title and one major signing may be enough to do that. Fergie seems to want strikers to help Wayne Rooney lead their charge in next season's campaign. Long term target Karim Benzema and lethal Ajax frontman Luis Suarez have both been linked with moves to Old Trafford but it seems that Fergie wants to bring in a winger. Ángel Di María seems to be a primary target as he is seen as the man to take the left wing mantle from Ryan Giggs, and he is widely expected to be a leading light at the World Cup.



Newcastle United

Newcastle return to the Premier League next season and are determined to stay there which will mean new signings are needed, however bizarrely the club came out and stated that there are no plans afoot to spend any money on new players. What happens remains to be seen, but the toon continue to be linked with a host of names including Jimmy Bullard and Jamie O'Hara, but what they need the most is a reliable front man who knows how to find the net. Kris Boyd certainly fits that bill, having scored 164 times in the SPL.



Stoke City

Stoke finished in an impressive 12th place last year and Tony Pulis wants to bring in the players to finish in the top 10, Mark Noble and Joe Ledley are supposed to be targets, and if a top ten finish is going to be achieved the potters need a quality centre forward to get them there. Stoke's current strike force managed just 15 goals between them last campaign and Carlton Cole is one who could make the switch to the Brittania stadium.



Sunderland

Steve Bruce has already moved quickly to sign Paraguayan central midfielder Cristian Riveros but it's defensively that the Black Cats need new blood. John Mensah and Alan Hutton are heading back to Lyon and Tottenham after successful loan spells. And while Bruce is trying to sort permanent deals for both, fees are proving a problem forcing Bruce to use his extensive South American scouting network. Estudiantes right back Marcos Angeleri appears to be close to signing, but a creative midfielder is a necessity and Stephen Ireland is the man Bruce wants to fit that bill.




Tottenham Hotspur

As Tottenham Hotspur prepare for their first season in the Champions League next season Harry Redknapp is looking to bring in new faces to improve the squad. Most importantly they have secured the future of Luka Modric by persuading the Croat to sign a new contract. But Spurs still want extra midfielders, with Joe Cole and Steven Pienaar possible options. However Spurs really need a top quality striker who is proven at the top level and Luis Fabiano is the man Redknapp wants. The Brazilian is expected to star at the world cup so any transfer would need a large fee.



West Bromwich Albion

West Brom have already fought off interest for midfield key man Graham Dorrans and they will be hoping they can add quality to their defence if they are to survive in the Premier League next campaign. Sunderland's Phil Bardsley has been linked and he would add much needed steel to the West Brom back line.



West Ham United

It will be an entertaining summer at Upton Park this year as the new owners have reportedley placed everyone apart from Scott Parker on the transfer list. However you can't say the new owners are not ambitious as they have publicly stated their intent to make moves for David Beckham and Thierry Henry. However more realistic targets would be Kevin Prince Boateng and Yakubu. Meanwhile the Hammers intend to add much needed guile to the midfield, with the acquisition of Jamie O'Hara who stood out in a struggling Portsmouth side last season.



Wigan Athletic

Wigan's main problem last season was a lack of consistency which resulted in a disappointing Premier League finish. The Latics also struggled to get goals which explains why Roberto Martinez is attempting to bring in a new striker in the shape of Argentine Mauro Boselli.



Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves will be hoping manager Mick McCarthy can bring in some quality signings to help the Wolves push on to mid table after a relatively simple first season back in the Premiership. McCarthy has already secured Belgian international Jelle Van Damme to help sure up the defence and he will now turn his attention to finding a suitable partner for Kevin Doyle. Robbie Keane and Scunthorpe's Gary Hooper have been linked, but it appears as if Burnley's Stephen Fletcher is the principal target and a move to Molineux could be on the cards.



As usual it will be an extremely interesting transfer window in England's top league, but expect one or two surprises before the window slams shut on August 31st.

Paul Seed.

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