Transfer Analysis Part 4

Welcome back to part 4 of the Transfer Analysis, and today we will be entering tougher territory (for me) as we look at what needs to be done during the transfer window by Crystal Palace, Southampton, Newcastle United and Brighton.

Crystal Palace

Need to Buy: Muani/ Mbaye Diagne(Nantes/Galatasaray), Max Aarons (Norwich City), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Siriki Dembele (Petersbourough) and Daniel James (Manchester United)

Need to Sell: Mamadou Sakho

Need to Keep: Eberechi Eze, Wilifred Zaha, Andros Townsend and Mateta

The Eagles do not need much sales this summer, since quite a lot of the first team players’ contracts are expiring. However, they need a LOT of replacements, with the above mentioned players both cheap and valuable players to have. Ryan Bertrand is once again mentioned, and he would definitely fit in to Palace given the impending departure of Van Aanholt. One player whose contract isn’t expiring but needs to be sold is Sakho, who has found game time scarce, due to his haphazard defending. Finally, the Eagles should try to keep Eze and Mateta, as well as convince Zaha and Townsend to sign new contracts given their importance to the squad.

Southampton

Need to Buy: Adam Armstrong/ Alexander Mitrovic (Blackburn/Fulham), Brandon Williams (Manchester United), Alphonse Areola/Ramsdale (Fulham/Sheffield United),Mason Holgate (Everton), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Conor Townsend (West Brom) and Anguissa(Fulham)

Need to Sell: Obafemi, Shane Long, William Smallbone, Jack Stephen, either one of Fraser Forster and McCarthy

Need to Keep: Danny Ings, Che Adams, Stuart Armstrong, Theo Walcott and Nathan Tella

Frankly, the Saints need a major revamp this summer, but due to the financial climate, even their top man Hassenhuttl has admitted that it will be hard to get big money signings this summer. Nevertheless, I have mentioned a couple of talented (and young) players they can target in order for the Saints to progress. They haven’t had the best season, despite their Austrian Manager having improved the style of play due to their often frustrating tendency to concede goals despite dominating opposition. They urgently need a left-back, a Central Midfielder and a top class striker, but could also use two back-up full backs, another versatile midfielder like Stuart Armstrong and a back up striker too. To do this, they should get rid of squad players like Stephen and Smallbone, who have had scarce chances to prove their worth. Finally, they should aim to retain Danny Ings, Adams, Armstrong and Tella, while also permanently signing Walcott, all of whom have been stand out performers this season.

Newcastle United

Need to Buy: Yan Valery (Southampton), Joe Willock (Arsenal), Rob Dickie (QPR), Soumare (Lille), Lemina (Southampton) and Brandon Williams (Manchester United)

Need to Keep: ASM, Callum Wilson, Jonjo Shelvey and Jamal Lewis

Need to Sell: Matty Longstaff, Christian Atsu, Manquillo, Paul Dummett and Henry Saivet

The Magpies don’t really need much squad improvement, given that their team is pretty decent, and the fact that they won’t get a chance to, with Mike Ashley reluctant to spend pretty much every season. They just need to add a few players to fix weak spots like full-back, centre-back and midfield, and they have a chance for top 10. They will definitely need to sell some players in order to spend, and players like Paul Dummett and Longstaff sadly haven’t done enough to be entirely safe from being the ones sold. Finally, the Black and Whites will need to put more effort in retaining players like Allan Saint-Maximin(ASM) and Callum Wilson, who are being eyed by top clubs as replacements for their own departures.

Brighton Hove & Albion

Need to Buy: Ivan Toney (Brentford), Joe Bryan/Conor Townsend (Fulham/West Brom), Alioski (Leeds united), Sander Berge (Sheffield United), Matty Longstaff (Newcastle United) and Harry Wilson (Liverpool)

Need to Keep: Ben White, Lewis Dunk, Danny Welbeck, Tariq Lamptey, Yves Bissouma and Leandro Trossard

Need to Sell: Mat Ryan, Izquierdo, Zeqiri, Jakub Moder, Neal Maupay (maybe) and Shane Duffy

Before we start, can I just say Brighton are probably the winners of unluckiest football club this season? Honestly, the Seagulls have played European competition worthy football, but they just can’t seem to get the results, with a range of factors affecting them, from injuries, to VAR and to hitting the goal posts so many times. This is why one of their first signings this summer should be Ivan Toney from Brentford. The former Peterborough talent has shone for the Bees in the Championship scoring an astonishing 32 goals, and may want to move to a bigger club regardless of whether the Bees make it to the PL. To do this, Brighton may have to sell a former Bees player, Neal Maupay. He has been quite decent, but is not really a consistent goal-scorer like Toney is, which is something Graham Potter’s team needs to succeed. They will also aim to capture a left-back or left wing back, and Townsend or Bryan are young, English talents with huge potential, while Alioski is a valuable veteran. Harry Wilson will be an affordable and valuable option at right wing. Finally, they will need a box-to-box midfielder if Yves Bissouma leaves, and Sander Berge or Matty Longstaff will be more than apt replacements for the Malian. To complete these transfers, some squad players will have to be let go by Brighton, which will not be the issue given how little contribution the above players have contributed to the squad.

So that’s all for this part of the Transfer Analysis, do look out to the next part of the series. Till then, adios!