By Theo Gardner
As the World Cup has drawn to a close, we look to the restart of the Premier League to provide our footballing entertainment. At this point in the season, we can see the league table truly beginning to take place and realise which outcomes seem realistic for each respective club come the end of the season. Below, I delve into a player each team should attempt to sign which, in my opinion will give them the best chance of achieving these goals – whether that be winning the league, securing European qualification, or avoiding the drop.
Arsenal – Mykhailo Mudryk
Mudryk came through as a senior Shaktar player last season under Roberto De Zerbi (the man who has now taken charge at Brighton and Hove Albion), but it was this season that he really gained widespread recognition with 8 goals in just 13 league appearances, alongside 3 Champions League goals.
A direct player, Mudryk looks to always drive forward and attack the goal – providing another option for Arteta compared to Martinelli who more often looks to beat defenders through tricky dribbling. Mudryk also provides cover for the injured Gabriel Jesus as his abilities on the left would allow Martinelli to play inside as a striker, sharing the positional workload with Eddie Nketiah.
As we approach the second half of the season, Mudryk has the potential to be a really key signing for Arsenal. Depth will become more important as the league leaders try to contend with the wealth of options Manchester City boast, and the focus Newcastle can place on league football – not having to consider European matches in their plans.
Aston Villa FC – Arnaut Danjuma
When considering which area Aston Villa most need to improve to make the step up the table, the mind instantly goes to the defence. However, the return of Diego Carlos should provide a higher level of solidity at the back. I therefore instead suggest that Unai Emery should look back at his previous club – Villarreal, to bring in Arnaut Danjuma.
Danjuma has exploded since leaving Bournemouth in 2021, performing particularly well in Villarreal’s 2021/22 Champions League run – which saw them reach the semi-finals of the competition. Danjuma was his side’s top scorer in this competition with 6 goals. Villarreal currently sit 7th in the La Liga table and it seems very possible that reuniting with his old coach could be an appealing move.
Danjuma would provide something that Villa do not have currently in a true left winger (as opposed to Buendia who prefers to cut inside and play in the half space), and therefore feels like a natural move for the Birmingham club.
Bournemouth AFC – Michael Keane
Bournemouth is a side who – in my opinion – should definitely be looking at their defence in the January transfer window. They have conceded the most goals in the league and while they sit in 15th now, they are only 2 points off the drop zone.
In a bid to stay up, I believe they should look for a loan move for one of the divisions ‘out of favour’ centre backs. The names that spring to mind are Jannik Vestergaard and Michael Keane.
Keane has proven before that he has the ability to be a great centre back, previously being in the England reckoning and being nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award during his time with Burnley. At only 29 it seems perfectly plausible that Keane could regain his form and be instrumental in the Bournemouth defence with both his leadership, and his defensive ability.
Brentford – Ben Bereton Diaz
After, Ivan Toney was stretchered off the pitch against West Ham, it looked like Brentford would have to invest in a striker in the transfer window. Thankfully, that injury looks to be better than first thought, and Toney should return to the fold soon. The fact however remains that Brentford could use another top quality striker to both provide competition and to play alongside Toney in their two-striker formation.
Brentford’s transfer history implies they will look towards the Championship, and one man who has been smashing it for Blackburn Rovers is Ben Bereton Diaz. He bagged 22 goals in the league last season and already has 9 to his name this time around. The Stoke-born striker made his debut for Chile in 2021 and has since played for them in both the World Cup qualifiers and the Copa America.
It seems inevitable that Diaz will take the step up to Premier League football in the near future and now could be the perfect time for Brentford to snap him up and provide themselves with another quality forward option.
Brighton and Hove Albion – Viktor Gyokeres
Despite an extremely impressive start to the season, Brighton still seem to lack a quality striker, recently they have been forced to play Leandro Trossard up front to cover for the injured Danny Welbeck. I suggest they look to Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres. Despite being a slightly embarrassing move for the club, going back in for a player they let go, he does seem like the natural signing.
Currently second in the Championship scoring charts, Gyokeres has bagged 12 goals in 25 appearances this season and shows no signs of slowing down.
Gyokeres could fill a hole in the Brighton team which takes them to that next level and helps them attain European qualification this year, alongside his age Brighton could gain a top striker for the future in this move and I believe they should take him back to the club now, before his value increases any more.
Chelsea – Tammy Abraham
The big discussion right now for Chelsea is around Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez. Fernandez has been fantastic for Benfica this season and deservedly won the World Cup’s Young Player of the Tournament award, and while I do think he deserves a big move and Chelsea should undoubtedly look at him, he does not answer Chelsea’s biggest problem right now – the need for an out-and-out striker.
The Aubameyang signing has not worked out, and while Kai Havertz does a decent job in this position, there is no denying that it is not his most natural role. I therefore think Chelsea should exercise their £40 million buy-back clause for Tammy Abraham.
Abraham has grown as a player at Roma, been coached by one of the all-time greats in Jose Mourinho and is now ready to become a first-choice striker at a top Premier League club – especially his boyhood club which is in desperate need of a true striker to lead the line.
Crystal Palace – Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Wan-Bissaka’s recent performances for Manchester United have made me slightly second guess this decision, however I have decided to stick with it because I do believe Ten Hag sees him as nothing more than a backup player in the long term. Wan-Bissaka is clearly a very defensively solid fullback, however I have my doubts if he can ever fully fulfil the necessary attacking role needed from a wide defender in Ten-Hag’s system.
I therefore think Crystal Palace should look to move for their ex-Player of the Season to replace the ageing Nathaniel Clyne.
Whether it be a transfer or a loan move, Wan-Bissaka would undoubtedly bolster the Crystal Palace defence and at only 25, he has a lot of time to recover the form that earned him that £50 million transfer in 2019.
Everton FC – Anthony Elanga
Another United player that could find success in a loan move to a Premier League club is Anthony Elanga. It is undeniable that Everton desperately need to attain some more attacking talent. Calvert-Lewin has been plagued with injury problems and a huge hole remains in the team from Richarlison’s departure.
With the attacking talent Manchester United currently have at their disposal, it seems unlikely that Elanga will truly get a look-in. Rashford is in top form, Antony has made the right-wing position his own, even Garnacho has jumped above Elanga in the pecking order.
This therefore seems like the ideal move for the Swede as he picks up more Premier League first team minutes, and Everton add more attacking talent which they so desperately need.
Fulham – Jairo Riedewald
Despite a great few months with Crystal Palace in the 2020/21 season, since the appointment of Patrick Vieira in 2021 Riedewald has fallen out of first team contention, making only 4 appearances this season.
With Fulham currently sat 8th in this table, Riedewald could provide depth for the side as they enter the latter half of the season – while also giving the player a revival and a return to consistent Premier League football.
A versatile player, Riedewald has the ability to play in midfield, and in defence either in the middle or on the left. This provides cover both for the defensive midfielders in Fulham’s side and, for Antonee Robinson at left back. Most importantly however, this would give Fulham another option in the middle of their defence as ageing club-captain Tim Ream potentially nears the latter stages of his Premier League career.
Leeds United – Djed Spence
Leeds sit 14th in the table, just two points above the drop zone. If Jesse Marsch is going to avoid another relegation battle this year, Leeds need to move to solidify their defence. A loan move for Tottenham’s Djed Spence could be a great move for them.
A key player in Nottingham Forest’s promotion last season, Spence has not been in favour at Tottenham this season, only making 4 league appearances thus far – falling behind both Matt Doherty and Emerson Royal in the pecking order.
A loan move would be valuable to Spence at this stage as he is desperately lacking first team minutes this season and Leeds seems the perfect club to offer him that in their bid to stay in the Premier League next season.
Leicester City FC – Dominik Livakovic
Only Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Southampton have conceded more than Leicester this season, and it has become clear across the season that Danny Ward has been unsuccessful in filling the hole left by Kasper Schmeichel in the Leicester City goal.
After playing second-fiddle to Forest’s second-choice keeper at the World Cup, it seems the time has come for Leicester to move for a new goalkeeper – and who better than Croatia’s World Cup hero Dominik Livakovic?
At only 27, Livakovic has at least 5 more years in him at the top level and after the form he showcased in the World Cup (and that he’s been showcasing for Dinamo Zagreb for the last 5 years) he could be the answer to Leicester’s goalkeeping woes.
Liverpool FC – Enzo Fernandez
It is clear that Liverpool need a midfielder. The conversation is all about Jude Bellingham right now, however this seems too unlikely and therefore a cop-out option to go for here. Dortmund do not want to sell in January and even then, Real Madrid and Manchester City are both very keen on also attaining Bellingham.
I instead suggest that the best move for Liverpool would be to go up against Chelsea for Enzo Fernandez’s signature. It seems far more likely that Fernandez will be allowed to move within this transfer window and his performances both domestically and internationally this season showcase he is ready for a move to an elite European club.
At only 21, Fernandez provides a long-term solution to Liverpool’s midfield issues and could be the difference to drive them up the table after a disappointing start this season.
Manchester City FC – Raphael Guerriero
Do Manchester City even need to sign anybody? There is not a single position on the pitch where they are weak and they look set to have another top season.
The position where they have the least depth would be the full back position, with 18 year old Rico Lewis being featured often on the right recently. However with the likes of Ake, Cancelo and, Walker it would be an over exaggeration to say they have to sign a fullback this season.
My suggestion would be Dortmund’s Raphael Guerriero. Guerriero is strong both in defence, and when his team have the ball – he would fit into Pep’s system well. However, this would be an unnecessary signing and there is absolutely no need for City to sign anyone this window.
Manchester United FC – Youssef En-Nesyri
The obvious hole in Manchester United’s team lies at the striker position after Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure. An affordable replacement option lies with Youssef En-Nesyri.
The Morocco and Sevilla striker could provide competition for Anthony Martial and his experience could prove important as United enter the knockout stages of the Europa League, having previously won the competition himself.
With Sevilla sitting 18th in the La Liga table, this could be the perfect opportunity for En-Nesyri to leave the club and for Manchester United to fill the gap in their squad at the striker position.
Newcastle United – James Maddison
Despite Leicester’s sub-par start to the season, Maddison has still shown his quality throughout and even earned himself a call-up to England’s World Cup squad.
In contrast to Leicester, Newcastle have had a fantastic start to the season and should look to add quality and depth as they prepare for the run-in to the end of the season. Maddison is a great option, and there is no doubt whether their owners could afford a player of his calibre.
It feels like it is time for Maddison to leave Leicester and with Newcastle looking set for a bright future, this could be the perfect next step for the 26 year old.
Nottingham Forest – Nobody
Nottingham Forest made 21 signings in the summer transfer window and it feels like even now they do not know their best system to suit all of these players. I would suggest that signing more players would actually be detrimental to the side and they would do much better to work with what they have rather than spending more on even more players.
Southampton – Ryan Kent
Southampton sit bottom of the Premier League and could desperately use some attacking reinforcements to turn their luck around and make a bid for Premier League survival.
Rangers’ Ryan Kent seems like a good move for the Saints. Kent can play on either flank, and behind the striker. His directness, dribbling and pace could prove useful for Southampton and after a successful time at Rangers, Kent could look to make a return to English football.
This deal is also an extremely affordable one for Southampton due to the fact that Kent’s contract runs out in the summer. This means Southampton could get him for less than his true value as Rangers won’t want to risk losing him for nothing at the end of the season.
Tottenham Hotspur FC – Denzel Dumfries
Antonio Conte reuniting with Denzel Dumfries could be a fantastic move for Spurs in January. Dumfries is clearly a top player and after a great World Cup, Spurs should consider going in for the Dutchman.
Dumfries is already adept in a Conte system and his strength both in attack and in defence could massively help Tottenham as they enter the latter half of the season.
West Ham United – Sofyan Amrabat
West Ham have significantly struggled this season, only winning four games at the time of writing. Soucek is not the player he used to be and West Ham should look to find a new partner for Declan Rice in the January window.
There have been suggestions of Mohammed Kudus or Sasa Lukic, however, in my opinion the best option for West Ham would be to go for Sofyan Amrabat.
Amrabat has been solid in the Serie A this season and after a fantastic World Cup, West Ham should look to make a move. Naturally this is a move that potentially feels a bit out of their reach, however, the Hammers showcased their pull-power by signing Lucas Paqueta in the summer despite major European interest and I therefore see no reason why they couldn’t do the same with Amrabat.
Wolverhampton Wanderers – Craig Dawson
Initially it felt most potent for Wolves to pursue attacking reinforcements, however the signing of Matheus Cunha means instead Wolves should now look to improve defensively.
My suggestion is West Ham’s Craig Dawson. Dawson was impressive in West Ham’s 2021/22 Europa League run, however the signing of Thilo Kehrer this summer has limited his minutes.
A move for Dawson could prove important to Wolves’ survival hopes and with his contract expiring in the summer, West Ham could be keen to sell before losing him on a free.
