Despite the doom and gloom of the COVID-19 outbreak ending the beautiful game for the foreseeable future, there is one silver lining to this catastrophe… Players will become cheaper. We’ve already seen it in the prem, with Sterling, Salah and De Bruyne decreasing by 20%. Although this may seem like a bad thing, clubs in the premier league can capitalise on this and get some bargains when the transfer market is open. So today I am going to go over the highest priority player that each premier league club should buy.
AFC Bournemouth - Santiago Arias - RB - 28 years old - 12 career goals
Santiago Arias could be a saving grace for Bournemouth’s defensive troubles this season, seen with their -18 goal difference and lack of reliable right backs. This is where Arias could be a serious game changer. Not only has he fallen behind Trippier in the pecking order for Atletico Madrid, but he has also had very limited impact on the team, and perhaps a change of environment would be ideal for the 28 year old.
Arsenal - Ibrahima Konate - CB - 20 years old - 4 career goals
It’s no secret that Arsenal's defence is inconsistent to say the least, sitting at 9th in the table and a defence that falls apart easier than a cadbury’s twirl bar. This is where Konate could be a great signing, standing at 6’4 and proving himself to be a reliable player in a competitive league, he could be the answer to their disappointing defensive record.
Aston Villa - Timo Horn - GK - 27 years old - 77 clean sheets
Although this may be an aspirational signing for Aston Villa, it would also make a lot of sense for them to go for Horn. Like Konate, he is proven in a league of gifted strikers, and is the first Bundesliga goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet for the first 4 games of the season with FC Koln. It’s time for villa to stop changing keepers and start making offers for big players like Horn.
Brighton - Justin Kluivert - 20 years old - RW/LW - 21 career goals
Kluivert may be another ambitious signing but it would solve their right wing depth issue. As of today, there is only 1 competent right winger playing for the club, so the signing of Kluivert would help their troubles. Furthermore, he has much room for improvement and would thrive in the premier league in a team with a similarly gifted striker (Maupay) and left winger (Trossard).
Burnley - Eberechi Eze - 21 years old - CAM/ CM - 23 career goals
At this moment in time, Burnley have no central attacking midfielders. That means that they have to rely on their slower centre midfielders to create good chances, although these have the tendency to fall through. Eze would be an exceptional signing for Burnley as he is fast, skillful and technically gifted, meaning they can have more chances created for their forwards.
Chelsea - Andre Onana - 24 years old - GK - 63 clean sheets
Kepa Arrizibalaga’s form in between the sticks for Chelsea have been, like Arsenal's defence, inconsistent, to the point where (in the champions league) there was a 50% chance that when a player took a shot on target, kepa would concede. This is where Onana comes in. In the champions league, he has an 83% save rate. He is the 12th best defensive player in the world. And most importantly, he would surely be enticed to join not only a historic team, but also the team that fellow Ajax player, Hakim Ziyech, is joining from the next season.
Crystal Palace - Max Aarons - 20 years old - RB/LB - 2 career goals
Crystal Palace (my team) have been having some defensive troubles for a while now, however this was further worsened after the sale of AWB, especially since we didn’t invest in a promising replacement RB, sticking with Ward and Kelly, who are partially responsible for our -6 goal difference. However, with the injection of pace that Aarons and Van Aanholt would be able to bring to the team would prove to be a dominating defensive combination.
Everton - Hakan Calhanoglu - 26 years old - CAM/ LW - 74 career goals
Everton have made it clear that their forwards are a force to reckon with, however they lack serious threat in the attacking midfield area. Although Sigurdsson may be a talented player, he has also passed his peak, meaning that a replacement will be inevitable. Hakan is a fast and clinical finisher that can dish out impressive passes, meaning that a link between him, Calvert Lewin and richarlison in a 4-2-3-1 would be a dominant force.
Leicester City - Odsonne Edouard - 22 years old - ST - 87 career goals
Now, before I get slaughtered for suggesting the purchase of a new striker, we must remember that vardy is 33 and will soon be hanging his boots up. Edouard would be the ideal replacement for Vardy as he is fast, but also a towering striker and would pose a threat for shorter defenders or goalkeepers that are unsuspecting of his powerful shot.
Liverpool - Luka Jovic - 22 years old - ST - 79 career goals
Liverpool undoubtedly have a very impressive front three, however their depth in the position is limited so the signing of a striker who would benefit from Klopp’s approachable coaching style is wise. Jovic has had an underwhelming season with Real Madrid, scoring only 2 goals in 15 apps, so a fresh start whilst his value is lower would be advisable for the reds.
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