Transfer Predictions-Part 1

Transfer Predictions - Part I 

Arsenal

Budget: £70million

What's been said and done:

So far Arsenal have been all talk and very little action. They have brought in Wenger's token French summer signing, Yaya Sanogo who does possess raw talent. He is a mixture of strength and electric quickness. He possesses a lot of characteristics similiar to Giroud, Henry and Benteke. Whilst a promising prospect he does not significantly strengthen what they already have and he has been dogged with injury over the last 2 years. Arsenal have strangely made it public knowledge that they have a war chest this summer after prudently balancing the books as a result of their fantastic new ground. This knowledge has placed an expectancy among the Arsenal faithful. They expect signings and big signings at that. So far Arsenal have been a lot of talk and very little action.

What they need:

After getting on their knees and dragging themselves just over the 'Top Four' line it is time for Arsenal to pay back their fan's loyalty by winning a trophy. For Arsenal to have a go this year they need to keep hold of their prized assets. Big name players linked with a move away include Santi, Sagna and Kolsienly. Of those names no one would be too upset to see Sagna leave but it is very important he is replaced for squad strength. Arsenal need to sign a back up goalkeeper, midfielder, wide man and a world class striker I feel to push onto the next level. If there is any money left in the bank a move for Sakho is a must. Bids have been placed for Higuain and Suarez and there is still a possibility of these transfers although the latter looks considerably more likely. In midfield Arsenal need a deep lying player to partner Wilshere and Santi Cazorla with Arteta, Rosicky and Ramsey adding strength in depth.

Who are they linked with?

Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Marouane Fellaini (Everton), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Julio Cesar (QPR), Etienne Capoue (Toulouse), Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Ilkay Gundogan (Borussia Dortmund), Lorenzo Melgarejo (Benfica), Odil Akhmedov (Anzhi), Gilbert Imbula (Guingamp), Asier Illarramendi (Real Sociedad), Dimitri Payet (Lille), Tin Jedvaj (Dynamo Zagreb), Ashley Williams (Swansea), Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke), Connor Hunte (Chelsea), Clement Grenier (Lyon), Serge Aurier (Toulouse), Maxime Gonalons (Lyon), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Geoffrey Kondogbia (Sevilla), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Salvio (Benfica).Sakho (PSG)Bernard(Ath.Mineiro)

What they'll end up with :

After all is said and done, a lot more will have been said than done I reckon. As I write this Higuain conducts his medical at Napoli so let's consider that deal complete, Arsenal were outpriced. Suarez is in talks with Arsenal via a clause in his contract but Liverpool have rejected the 40,000,001 pound bid. I see Suarez signing for 45 million doubling Liverpools investment and getting a strike who is a lot of trouble off their books representing very good business for the Merseyside club. I think the ever impressive Bernard will join and give Arsenal great options on the flanks.  I expect Arsenal to somehow manage to clear out the dead wood of Gervinho (Roma) , Chamack and Bendtner (anyone who will take them) . An August move for Fellaini to be foiled by Moyes' United although this depends on Man United's own midfield hunt. Instead they will settle for a 4 million Gareth Barry which isn't the terrible signing Arsenal fans would have you believe. I would be surprised to not see Ashley Williams in an Arsenal jersey come September although at 12 million there is much better value in Sakho from PSG who would be more expensive but is a far superior player who also offers cover as a left back.  

Predicted Starting VI

Schezney, Jenkinson, Williams, Kolsliencly, Gibbs, Wilshere, Barry, Santi , Walcott, Bernard, Suarez. 

Aston Villa

Budget: £6 – £10 Million

What's been said and done:

Was no one willing to pay 25million?

Arguably Villa and Lambert's biggest achievement of this transfer window is convincing Benteke to withdraw his transfer request and sign on for another four years with no minimum fee release clause!  They have been busy bringing in a couple of young internationals keeping with their shrewd transfer policy. Spending 6.5 million on young internationals Okore(aggresive defender with great pace and strength) and Tonev. Of the 6 players Villa have brought in, Tonev at 23 is the oldest, there is a clear emphasis on young talent from Europe here and there is a lot of potential in the transfer business they have so far conducted. They have gone about their business quitely so far and very effectiveley. 

What they need:

Villa have been quite active now and have added a lot of strength and depth. If there is anywhere else they need to look at perhaps another central midfielder or centre back would be ideal. However unless signifcant money is spent there is very little left to do for Aston Villa. Should Darren Bent leave the club they might add an extra striker onto the books.

Who are they linked with?

Elliott Bennett (Norwich), Stephane Mbia (QPR), Gareth Barry (Man City), Abdoulaye Ba (Porto), Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nuremberg), Demba Ba (Chelsea)

What they'll end up with :

Darren Bent will leave making this very much Lambert's team. Very few players that Lambert inherited have remained in the team and after a year we are very much seeing his blueprints.. I think what they have now is very much what they will start the season with, I can't see many more comings and goings except for Bent as Lambert looks to mould his squad into a mid table team with a strong backbone of Guzan-Vlaar-Sylla-Benteke before adding to the squad next year and trying to push onto the next level.

Predicted Starting VI

Guzan-Lowton-Luna-Vlaar-Okore-N'Zogbia-Westwood-Sylla-Bacuna-Agbonlahor-Benteke

Cardiff City

Budget:  £  25 Million

What's been said and done:

Cardiff sure are ambitious and they've set out their stall by already breaking their transfer fee record by bringing in young Danish centre forward, Andreas Cornelius and word is they may break it again trying to bring in the impressive Etienne Capoue. They were snubbed earlier by Tom Ince after the clubs had agreed a fee. Of all the promoted clubs, Cardiff certainly have the biggest budget.

What they need:

They need squad depth and premier league experience and both must be quality. A central midfielder like Scott Parker would be ideal and could also contribute 5 goals a season as well as settling those around him. Bennett from Norwich should help out at that back but another defender or two wouldn't go amiss.

Who are they linked with?

: Carlton Cole (unattached), Albert Adomah (Bristol City), Salomon Kalou (Lille), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce), Mike Williamson (Newcastle), Virgil van Dijk (FC Groningen), Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon), Lex Immers (Feyenoord), Tom Ince (Blackpool), Oscar Cardozo (Benfica), Wes Morgan (Leicester), Nelson Oliveira (Benfica). Etienne Capoue (Toulouse)

What they'll end up with :

Their interest in Capoue is very real and would be a signigant sign of their ambition. However I just feel this player will stay at Toulouse or move to a bigger club so only time will tell. I think Parker and Bennett will be wise acquistions. Come late August with the squad looking a bit thread bare I see a few last minute loan moves and audacious bids being thrown in. Cardiff would be wise to strengthen now and avoid a last minute panic.

Predicted Starting VI

Marshall-Connolly-Turner-Hudson-Taylor-Gunnarson-Parker-Kim Bo Kyung-Mutch-Cornelius-Bellamy

Chelsea

Budget: £ 100 million

What's been said and done:

Chelsea have thus far made four signings, Schurrle (£18m, Bayer Leverkusen), Marco van Ginkel (£8m, Vitesse Arnhem), Mark Schwarzer (free, Fulham), Cristian Cuevas  and are heavily linked with Wayne Rooney. Mourinho has made his intentions clear publicly speaking of Rooney ever since taking over making all the right moves. He has said it's Rooney or bust but I wouldn't read too much into this, should the Rooney bid fail expect Chelsea to be on the lookout for another striker. 

Rooney on holidays

What they need:

They need a striker simple as. Right now I believe they're strongest striker is Lukaku and I am a big fan however he has never lead a team on four fronts and that is a lot of pressure to put on his shoulders, a midfielder would be a great addition but not a neccesity. I can see a move for Daniele De Rossi or Sami Khedira.

Who are they linked with?

Hulk (Zenit Saint Petersburg), Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Luka Modric, Mezut Ozil, Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Eliaquim Mangala (Porto), Nemanja Matic (Benfica), Burak Yilmaz (Galatasaray), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Geoffrey Kondogbia (Sevilla), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan), John Ruddy (Norwich), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Tiago Ilori (Sporting Lisbon), Didier Drogba (Galatasaray).

What they'll end up with :

I expect Chelsea to ship out a few more squad players on loan and maybe cut Torres/Ba loose. I think their persistence will reap rewards in the rather large round shape of Wayne Rooney. I can see Jose returning to Perez in Madrid asking for his favorite German Sami Khedira and if a fair fee can be agreed for both sides Sami will line out for Chelsea. Expect a big spend in January if everything not going Jose's way.

Predicted Starting VI

Cech-Ivanovic-Terry-Luiz-Cole-Ramires-Khedira-Oscar-Mata-Hazard-Rooney

Crystal Palace

Budget:£ 10-15 million

What's been said and done:

They have signed a young English striker so therefore he is....! Isn't great when we can finish each others sentences (overpriced incase you couldn't). At 6 million pounds I just don't see the value striking 6 goals in 20 appearances last season for Peterbrough. Thomas is a good signing with EPL experience and Campana looks promising. Palace will not be splashing money around as the hierarchy has made it clear they are looking to build a sustainable prudent model.

What they need:

They need a magic genie cause Ian Holloway's Championship team do not have a chance of staying in the premier league next season. Palace's owners say they would like to build on prudent financial management but they are better off looking at Southampton's model perhaps of spending a considerable amount of money on young upcoming quality players. There is value out there rather than looking at the likes of Carlton Cole and signing Dwight Gayle for 6 million pounds. Asides from fictional characters Palace need a new starting eleven. Aside's from Williams and Thomas I don't see players good enough to play at the top level.

Who are they linked with?

 Matt Phillips, Tom Ince (Blackpool), Chris McCann (Burnley), Amido Balde (Guimaraes), Lucas Piazon (Chelsea), Peter Odemwingie (West Brom), Steven Reid (West Brom), Yohan Mollo (Nancy), Joe Walsh (Crawley), Sam Byram (Leeds), Luke Moore (Swansea), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon), Jose Campana (Sevilla), Yannick Sagbo (Evian).

What they'll end up with :

They'll most likely get Carlton Cole and a few other journey men like former Arsenal man Quincy. Maybe bring in one or two on loan and you have yourself a side doomed for relegation and I actually like Palace (not Holloway though) and I hope I am proved wrong.

Predicted Starting VI 

Speroni-Parr-McCarthy-Jedinak-Ward-Campana-Williams-Dobbie- Bolasie-Thomas-Gayle/Murray/Cole