As the end of the transfer window approaches, Premier League clubs have spent close to a billion pounds in transfer fees.
Manchester United also became the latest club to shatter the world record for a transfer fee, paying £89 million pounds to secure the services of Paul Pogba, who they had let go to Juventus for next to nothing.
United may have opted for the marquee signing, but it is Pep Guardiola at Manchester City who has shelled out top dollar (or pound) for big signings – Leroy Sane, John Stones, Nolito, Ilkay Gundogan and Claudio Bravo.
Arsenal have seen a late surge in their transfer activity as well – the twin captures of Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez from the La Liga has seen Arsene Wenger plugging the two biggest holes in his squad.
As the clock winds down towards the end of the summer window, there are those who still need to reinforce or take a look at some key positions.
Leicester City: Defensive midfielder
Let’s face it, replacing N’Golo Kante was always going to be a huge ask for anybody, not just Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri. The blue, tireless ball of energy that was Kante, had allowed Leicester to play with verve and recklessness on their way to an unlikely title triumph.
Ranieri has bought Nampalys Mendy, but he offers a different option in the same position – the man from Nice is more of a passer and a dribbler than a tackler or an expert in intercepting balls. Ranieri’s response to Kante’s departure has been a rather mixed one – Andy King has tried and failed, and does not look like he is remotely good enough to play at this level.
Chelsea: Centre-back
Antonio Conte, a widely-regarded master of defensive organisation, would have hoped to resolve Chelsea’s problems in defence before the end of the window. Three out of the starting quartet of defenders – Gary Cahill, John Terry and Branislav Ivanonic – are on the wrong side of 30.
A lack of pace in defence could hamper any aspirations that Chelsea have this season and reinforcements are definitely required, even more so if Conte wants to play his favoured 3-5-2 formation. Moves for Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli and Alessio Romagnoli of AC Milan have broken down and Conte better get moving to get that defence sorted out, at least till Kurt Zouma makes his return from injury.
Liverpool: Left-back
Teams visiting Anfield this season have a simple job to do if Alberto Moreno continues as manager Jurgen Klopp’s chosen left-back for the remainder of this season: watch Moreno dribble high up the wing, wait for him to be out of position and pounce.
Klopp’s faith in Moreno continues to surprise many, including the Kop faithful. James Milner is an alternative at left-back and an useful utility man but is not a full-back by trade and will struggle if played out of position regularly.
Combine a shaky left-back with a slightly erratic goalkeeper and you have a recipe for disaster. Over to you, Mr Klopp.
Tottenham Hotspur: Pacy winger
Last season’s third-place finishers seem to be off the pace at the moment, a touch slower than what we are used to seeing from teams managed by Mauricio Pochettino.
With Harry Kane looking a bit sluggish, Dele Alli struggling to replicate his form last season, the attacking burden falls on Christian Eriksen playing through the middle of the park. Tottenham’s squad depth has shrunk with Nacer Chadli leaving and Pochettino needs a pacy, direct winger to act as his Plan B.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou is on the verge of signing on the dotted line and the 21-year old Marseille player would be a welcome addition to the attack.
Manchester United: Centre-back
United may have multiple options for that centre-back position, but Jose Mourinho would like to have an experienced, dependable addition to those list of options for various reasons.
Eric Bailly looks the real deal, but will still need time to settle down. Daley Blind is a reconverted central defender and should be ideally used as back-up, not first choice as he has been for the first three matches of United’s league campaign.
Chris Smalling, the defence’s leader, could struggle to get game time under Mourinho whereas Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones, inconsistent and injury-prone respectively, could be on their way out of Manchester soon.
Smalling, even if he starts, will need an experienced back-up as the domestic and the Europa League campaign progress.
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