January Transfer Window analysis: Which transfers/sales should every PL club make in this window? Part 1

Welcome back to my blog, and today we will be looking at what transfers or sales 5 PL clubs should be making in the coming transfer window.

Manchester City

Sell/Loan: Nathan Ake, Riyad Mahrez

Buy: Vlahovic/Haaland/Felix

Manchester City don’t have to tamper much with their squad, given that they are currently top of the table, but they still really need a striker. The three strikers mentioned above are young, talented strikers who would suit city’s style of play, with Felix the only ‘risky’ transfer out of the 3.

Meanwhile, Nathan Ake and Riyad Mahrez are two sellable players, with Mahrez’s contract expiring soon, and Ake having minimal game time. The Dutch left back/centre back has been linked with a reunion with former boss Eddie Howe at Newcastle, and should secure a loan or permanent move away from the Etihad to further his career.

Liverpool

Sell/Loan: Loris Karius,Nat Phillips, Neco Williams

Buy: Gavi/Tolisso, Adeyemi and/or Luis Diaz

Like Man City, Liverpool’s squad is almost perfect. The Scousers could clear out some deadweight, however, with Nat Phillips and Loris Karius both eyeing January exits, while Neco Williams could use with a loan for more game time. Meanwhile, they could strengthen their midfield, with Barca and Spain star Gavi available for 50 million euros, while Tolisso could be a cheaper option at just 15–20 million euros. Adeyemi from RB Salzburg and/or Luis Diaz from Porto could also be signed for the long term, with Mane,Salah and Firmino all approaching 30. The two players could also be useful in the short term as well, with Salah and Mane both heading to AFCON for at least a month in January.

Chelsea

Sell/Loan: Saul Niguez, Lewis Baker, Rudiger, Loftus-Cheek/Barkley, Christensen/Azpilicueta (if they don’t sign a contract), Ziyech/Pulisic Malang Sarr and Kepa

Buy: Lucas Digne, Ruben Neves/Declan Rice/Tolisso, Tchouameni, Coman and Kounde

Honestly, while Chelsea’s squad is stacked, most of the non first-11 players are pretty expendable. Poor Saul Niguez and Lewis Baker have barely had a sniff of game time this season, with Saul looking more like a last ditch effort to just sign a midfielder, rather than an actually useful deadline day signing. Rudiger,Christensen and Azpilicueta could all be sold given that their contracts are ending soon, with Rudiger’s departure virtually confirmed, while the other two CBs ponder their future at Stamford Bridge. Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek have both shown signs of improvement this year, but honestly both are replaceable, with Loftus-Cheek the only player worth keeping based on potential alone. Meanwhile, Ziyech or Pulisic could be sold for a minor profit (or loss given current form), to make way for a new forward, or just to save Chelsea some money on the wage bill. Finally, the fringe players like Malang Sarr and Kepa could both leave on loan in search of game time. On the other hand, a top class and potentially bargain back-up left back like Lucas Digne would be welcome, while a classy midfielder like Neves, Rice, Tchouameni or Tolisso would increase the chances of a title win exponentially. Finally, if they sell a forward or centre-back, Kingsley Coman and Kounde could be top class replacement.

Arsenal

Sell/Loan: Eddie Nketiah, PE Aubameyang, Nicholas Pepe, Lacazette, Bernd Leno, Pablo Mari and Kolasinac

Buy: DCL/Watkins, Trippier, Tolisso/Rafinha/Vidal, Icardi, Isco/Wijnaldum and Szalai

Arsenal could be in for a massive reshuffle, with many players unhappy with their situation, while other need to be upgraded soon. The attack in particular will have to be reassembled, with Aubameyang set to leave due to disciplinary issues, Lacazette due to contract uncertainty and Eddie Nketiah and Nicholas Pepe both leaving due to lack of game time. Meanwhile, Kolasinac and Pablo Mari could both make way at the Emirates for younger replacements, with both defenders unsettled at Arsenal due to a lack of game time. Finally, Bernd Leno should be on the move after losing his first team spot to Aaron Ramsdale.

Meanwhile, there are plenty of suitable replacements available this window, from the English striker duo DCL and Ollie Watkins, to potential cheap buys Tolisso and Vidal. I’m not going to list all the benefits of each player, as there are a variety of players linked with the Gunners, but the above-mentioned players all are quality players who will help to fill the gaps in the Arsenal squad. All in all, expect some massive movement within the Emirates in 2022.

West Ham United

Sell/Loan: N.A

Buy: Nat Phillips, Johnathan David/Castellanos, Darryl Dike, Adnan Januzaj, Jesse Lingard/Dele Alli and Tarkowski

West Ham don’t really need much outgoings right now, given their injury crisis, but they could use with a couple of reinforcements. Nathaniel Phillips (Liverpool) or James Tarkowski (Burnley) are both decent replacements for Kurt Zouma and Ogbonna, and will help to solidify a West Ham backline which is struggling currently without their two star CBs. Meanwhile, a striker would be more than welcome, with either Johnathan David (Lille), Castellanos (NYCFC) and Darryl Dike (Orlando FC) all solid targets the Hammers can aim to sign this January. David Moyes’ former star boy Adnan Januzaj could also be targeted, and with his contract expiring soon, he could even be bought on the cheap too. Finally, a CAM like Lingard or Dele Alli would also be a dream buy, with both eyeing exits due to a lack of game time.

So, that’s all for this article. I hope you liked my in-depth analysis of the transfer needs of the current top 5 in the PL, and do look out for my next article on the teams placed 6–10th in the table. Till then, adios!