A Problem Per Club - One Position Each PL Club Needs To Address This January Transfer Window

A Problem Per Club - One Position Each PL Club Needs To Address This January Transfer Window

The January transfer window, whilst never quite as active as the summer, does always provide clubs with the opportunity to strengthen areas of their squad at a crucial time of the season. Signings made in the winter window can often be the catalyst in helping teams achieve their goals for the campaign, whether it’s staying up, pushing for promotion or Europe or being the missing piece in a title fight.

Clubs across the Premier League will be looking around for names, and this is every position we feel each club needs to address the most.

1. Arsenal: Central Midfielder

The league leaders Arsenal had a strong summer, addressing several areas of a squad which was in need of more depth. However, one position which still lacks in significant cover is in central midfield, in particular in Mikel Arteta’s left-sided box-to-box role.

Declan Rice has proved to be one of the best in the world in that area, but Arsenal lack someone who can at least somewhat match what he brings to the Gunners side.

Mikel Merino is more than a solid option, but the Spaniard lacks the sheer dynamism and legs to get up and down the pitch, which was seen in the transitional threat provided by Aston Villa when Rice was missing with a knee injury. Finding someone who does would go a long way to helping the Gunners' title ambitions.

2. Manchester City: Striker

Similar to Arsenal, Manchester City may have the best striker in the league; however, they have no one to back up Erling Haaland in case the Premier League top scorer were to sustain a significant injury.

Almost no one can match the Norwegian’s scoring ability but finding a natural centre forward who can make sure the goals aren’t only coming from Haaland would remove the risk of an overreliance on the number nine.

With Antoine Semenyo on the brink of joining the Citizens, perhaps there is a view for the Ghanaian to potentially play in that position.

3. Aston Villa: Winger

It’s hard to pinpoint an area where Villa need to strengthen this month, considering Unai Emery’s team have won 11 of their last 12 matches, but perhaps a concerning area for the Villains is on the flanks.

Morgan Rogers is one of the stars of the side, and Ollie Watkins continues to be a reliable source of goals, but outside of the two England internationals, there has not been much of a goalscoring threat from Villa’s attack, with summer signings Jadon Sancho and Evann Guessand so far failing to deliver.

4. Liverpool: Winger

Considering the money and talent bought in the summer, few would have thought Liverpool needed anything in the winter window, but despite improved form in recent weeks, Arne Slot is still very much under pressure at Anfield.

With Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo out of form, and Alexander Isak seemingly out for the majority of the season with a fractured leg, if Liverpool are to dip back into the market this month, the attack has to be the priority once more. Particularly in the wide areas where goals have been hard to come by so far.

5. Chelsea: Centre Back

Chelsea love a January transfer window; in fact, they love the transfer window as a whole. And the Blues are surely going to spend money once again this month.

For all their money spent, however, Chelsea still have areas to improve, particularly at the back, where a reliable centre-back partnership is still yet to be found. A strong, dependable centre-back to bring solidity to the backline is what they need the most.

6. Manchester United: Wing-Back

The signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and Benjamin Sesko have helped elevate Utd’s attack; however, for the Ruben Amorim system to work, it requires top-quality wing-backs to provide threat out wide, which Utd still lack.

The likes of Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot are solid options, but for Utd to get closer to where they want to be upgrades are required.

7. Sunderland: Central Midfielder

The only club on the list that perhaps should be in no rush to sign anyone, its hard to say an area Sunderland need when they have arguably been the story of the season so far.

However, a central midfielder to either provide depth or partner Granit Xhaka could be needed, especially with six players out due to AFCON.

8. Everton: Striker

Another side that could do with more goals coming from the attack is Everton; despite sitting strong in 8th, they have only found the net 20 times this season in the Premier League.

Thierno Barry and Beto have not been bringing the goals for David Moyes, finding someone who can could see European football return for Everton.

9. Brentford: Full-Back

Another team that is hard to nail down a needed position to sign, Brentford have continued to defy the odds in the Premier League this season.

Goals have been going in from Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade, however more cover could be brought in at full-back with Aaron Hickey the only recognised full-back alongside the usual starters of Rico Henry and Michael Kayode.

10. Crystal Palace: Centre-Back

Crystal Palace are a side that need reinforcements this month as a squad that are struggling with the extra demands of European football.

With Brennan Johnson incoming from Tottenham, the central defence can do with more cover, especially with centre-back Chris Richards potentially out long-term as Glasner continues to play with a three-at-the-back formation.

11. Fulham: Winger

With Adama Traore on his way out to West Ham, the winger’s departure leaves Brazilian Kevin as the only attacker for the Cottagers with electric pace.

A pacy winger to replace Traore is a must for Marco Silva this month to provide a spark in the final third.

12. Tottenham: Striker

Under Thomas Frank this season Spurs have been another side struggling in the final third. Summer signing Mohammed Kudus has looked bright but aside from the Ghanaian, few have looked dangerous in attack.

With Dominic Solanke continuing to struggle with injuries and Randal Kolo Muani not firing, a centre forward has to be the priority for Frank and Tottenham as they look to improve their position with the Danish coach under pressure.

13. Newcastle United: Winger

Another side potentially in need of an attacking spark, the £50 million signing of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest from the summer window has not worked out, with the Swede failing to score for the Tyneside club so far.

And with Antony Gordon on the other wing also struggling for form, another winger to help support the goals of Yohan Wissa and Nick Woltemade could be necessary to help Newcastle climb up the table.

14. Brighton and Hove Albion: Striker

The departure of Joao Pedro to Chelsea left a gap in Brighton’s attack, with the replacement chosen by Brighton being 18-year-old Charalampos Kostoulas from Olympiacos.

A talented young player, sure, but the young Greek is not someone to properly replace Pedro in the short term.

A more experienced striker is a must for Fabian Hurzeler in order to take the burden off 36-year-old Danny Welbeck as the main source of goals for the Seagulls.

15. AFC Bournemouth: Winger

An obvious choice for Andoni Iraola and AFC Bournemouth, with star forward Antoine Semenyo set to join Manchester City, a replacement for the Ghanaian is vital as Bournemouth look to get back to form.

Semenyo leaves a big hole in the Cherries' attack, which has struggled for goals of late, with Bournemouth not tasting victory in the league since late October.

16. Leeds United: Centre-Back

Daniel Farke and Leeds have found strong form in recent weeks and are currently seven clear of the relegation zone and unbeaten in six. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin firing in seven goals during that time, the attack has been strong.

With that in mind, extra reinforcements at the back could be needed to boost chances of survival for Leeds, particularly at centre-back, in order to stop leaking goals.

17. Nottingham Forest: Left-Back

Ola Aina may be returning from injury; however, with Oleksandr Zinchenko not being a stereotypical Sean Dyche defender, another left-back could be needed in January as Forest look to escape away from the drop zone.

Forest have been in poor form with four losses from their last five and will be in need of signings this month.

18. West Ham United: Striker

West Ham are again in need of a striker, with Niclas Füllkrug moving to AC Milan after just three goals for the Irons.

And it appears that they have been quick to try and rectify the issue of goals, with Lazio striker Taty Castellanos seemingly close to moving to the London Stadium.

19. Burnley: Central Midfielder

Burnley face a tough fight to stay up; however, the one position they mainly need this month is a new central midfielder.

Captain Josh Cullen sustained a cruciate ligament injury in Burnley’s match versus Everton, and a replacement is surely needed for the Irishman to help Scott Parker’s side’s chances.

20. Wolves: Striker

Considering their season so far, there isn’t much Wolves don’t need.

With them as good as down already, focus must be turning to a quick return to the top flight after a season in the Championship. And with striker Jorgen Strand Larsen surely out the door, a replacement striker for the Norwegian is key.