The end of the 2016/17 campaign of football saw a mixed bag of conclusions for the top six sides in the English Premier League. The same top six sides who were all backed to compete in the Premier League this season.
This is the beauty of the game, where a sixth place team in the league can end up having a better season than the second place team, the first place team can be defeated by the fifth place team in a cup final, while the 3rd place team already begins its transfer activities.
While the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have won 4 major trophies between them, the other three top teams, Tottenham Hotspurs, Manchester City and Liverpool despite having finished above the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
With Manchester United winning the Europa League trophy which also comes with an automatic Champions League qualification, the Premier League will possibly represented by 5 teams in the next season of the prestige European competition.
That said, each and every team in that group will have to improve to compete in the highest order and make English sides get back to the times when they dominated European football.
So here are the analysis of every position in the Top 6 English Clubs in the Champions League and where they need to improve.
Chelsea
Goalkeepers:
Having already sold their second choice keeper, Asmir Begovic, to Bournmouth, the Blues will be looking to recruit in a new number 2 behind their first choice keeper Thibaut Courtois who has already pledged his services for Chelsea for the upcoming season and disregarded the rumors linking him to Real Madrid.
Possible Recruit(s): Alphonse Areola (Paris-Saint Germain)
Defenders:
Chelsea’s defense has almost been the most resilient this season, only Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United beating them in conceding the least goals this season. Rumors going around that Conte will be looking for a right and left wingback in order to bolster his options more than just Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso.
Now that Chelsea are back in the Champions League, their Italian manager will be looking to increase their squad depth. Recent reports also suggest that Conte will look to loan out of favor Centre-back Kurt Zouma in order to accommodate for a new, more experienced centre back.
Possible Recruit(s): Alex Sandro (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus)
Midfielders:
Since establishing a permanent change in formation into a 3-4-3 the Chelsea midfield always consisted of the two defensive wingbacks and two central midfielders. Over the course of the season the fans are used to seeing the partnership of Matic and Kante, with Cesc Fabregas occasionally making appearances off the bench.
However it looks like in order to bolster the squad Conte wants to add on more to this position, especially the one which Matic holds. Matic has been the only proper holding midfielder in the team since John Obi Mikels’s departure last season, and hence it looks like Conte will be looking to add in another holding midfielder.
However, with speculations that Cesc Fabregas is not happy with his role at the club, the gaffer will be forced to replace him too, come the start of the new season.
Possible Recruit(s): Tiemoué Bakayoko (AS Monaco)
Attackers:
Despite a rather weak squad depth when compared to its other title winning squads in the past, it is safe to say that Chelsea probably had one of the more deadlier attacks over the course of the season including of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Pedro, and Willian.
However, with Costa’s future on hold as he hints on a return to Atletico Madrid, Chelsea will be looking for an out-an-out striker regardless of Costa’s decision, as the club looks to part ways with flop Michy Batshuayi.
Now that Eden Hazard is confirmed for being out till the start of next season, Chelsea have given up on their pursuit for James Rodriguez from Real Madrid.
Possible Recruit(s); Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Andrea Belotti (Torino), Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid)
Tottenham Hotspurs:
Goalkeepers:
Spurs seem to be all okay in this department despite a few speculations regarding second-choice keeper Michel Vorm. Looks like both, the Frenchman, Lloris and the Dutch will be Tottenham Hotspur’s No.1 and No.2 respectively, at the start of next season.
Defenders:
Almost all if not all of Spur’s main defenders are linked to a move away from the club. Especially Kyle Walker, who is all but confirmed to be a Manchester City player by the start of next season, while left-back Danny Rose also poised to leave the club soon. However, manager Pochettino has shown faith in second choice full backs, Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies. Even former Tottenham full-back, Adam Smith, has ruled out a return to the club.
Possible Recruit(s): Matthius Ginter (Borrussia Dortmund).
Midfielders:
Spur’s own midfield maestro recently hinting an exit from the club by saying that if an offer does come from Barcelona, he “can’t say no”. Hence Pochettino may already be on the works of a suitable replacement for the Danish player, preferring to look at attack-minded midfielders. With that Pochettino is also reportedly looking for wingers due to the inevitable departures of Erik Lamela and Moussa Sissoka
Possible Recruit(s): Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Lemar (AS Monaco)
Attackers:
Despite having rejuvenated Heung-Min Song back to his Leverkusen days, Pochettino wil be looking to increasing his options in the Spurs attack as they will be looking to better their chances in European football. After Vincent Jansenn wasn’t deemed good enough, the manager is looking for other options in the market, and is looking for a striker similar to Harry Kane’s playing style.
Possible Recruit(s): Sebastian Driussi (River Plate), Andrea Belotti (Torino), Alexander Lacazette (Olympique Lyon)
Manchester City:
Goalkeepers:
Having one of the worst seasons in his career, Claudio Bravo looks to be demoted as the second choice keeper under Pep Guardiola. Now that even Joe Hart looks set to be sold once he returns from loan, Pep has already made a deal with Portugese side Benfica in roping in their Brazilian keeper Ederson for £40 million, making him the most expensive keeper in football.
Confirmed recruit(s): Ederson (Benfica)
Defenders:
Pep Guardiola is a manager who certainly wants things his way. With the departure of the fullbacks Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, Pep Guardiola has found his new right-back and left-back in Kyle Walker and Bertrand Traore respectively. As well as bringing full-backs, Guardiola is keen on removing problems at the centre back position by adding more options in the side.
Confirmed Recruit(s): Kyle Walker (Tottenham Spurs), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton)
Possible Recruit(s): Ben Gibson (Middlesbrough), Benjamin Mendy (AS Monaco)
Midfielders:
The squad depth in Manchester City’s midfield is quite impressive and immense for the club’s ambitions under the Basque manager. However, the board is insisting on the manager to add in more English talents to the side, to at least fill in the much needed quota. Hence, Pep would probably look to crowd the central midfield with homegrown players.
Possible Recruit(s): Jack Wilshere (Arsenal), Alex Oxlaide-Chaimberlain (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid)
Attackers:
Adding Gabriel Jesus to the squad in January turned out to be a smart move the for Manchester City as they look to add even more attackers in the team, preferably a versatile attacker who can play anywhere behind the striker. With an aging duo in David Silva and Yaya Toure, and departing players such as Samir Nasri, Jesus Navas and Nolito, Pep would like to get more than just one attacking midfielder or winger, after signing Bernardo Silva from Monaco for £50 Million.
Confirmed Recruit(s): Bernardo Silva (AS Monaco)
Possible Recruit(s): Alexander Lacazette (Olympique Lyon), Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace), Mousa Dembele (Celtic)
Liverpool:
Goalkeepers:
Despite a rather shaky, and weak position both the goalkeepers set for themselves, it looks as if Jurgen Klopp won be looking for a keeper unless of a dire need. However considering that Englishman Joe Hart is unwanted at Manchester City, certain reports do suggest that the club from Merseyside may go after him.
Potential Recruit(s): Joe Hart (Manchester City) , Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)
Defenders:
Recently Sky Sources had confirmed that Liverpool and Southampton had agreed upon a £50 million deal for Dutch centre back Virgil Van Dijk until the negotiations stopped after Southampton charged Liverpool of illegal approach towards the player. This not only stopped the negotiations between the two clubs but also ruled out the transfer during this transfer window. Having said that, Liverpool will also be looking to sign a new left back as former Sevilla defender Alberto Moreno hasn’t yet lived up to his position while James Milner is not considered a natural right back.
Potential Recruit(s): Andrew Robertson (Hull City), Riza Durmisi (Real Betis), Stefan de Vrij (Lazio)
Midfielders:
Liverpool’s midfield has been one of the more satisfactory this season considering the fact that the first choice midfield trio were initially written off. Klopp over the course of the season had the tendency to use Jordan Henderson as his central defensive midfielder with Georginio Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana sitting right in front of him. During the ending games of the seaoson, due to fitness constrains the fans saw Emre Can geta chance into that midfield and the young German didn’t fail to impress. Hence, Liverpool by the looks of it, are perfectly fine with their midfield, however this does not mean that Klopp won’t be looking to increase his squad depth.
Attackers:
Klopp tends to be one of those personalities who believes in the idea of attack being the best defence, having scored one of the most goals in the league last season, Liverpool won’t be shy of welcoming new offense additions to the side, especially a couple of wingers and a out-an-out striker.
Potential Recruit(s): Gelson Martins (Sporting Lisbon), Mohammad Salah (AS Roma) Alexander Lacazette (Olympique Lyon)
Manchester United:
Goalkeepers:
Over the last two transfer windows, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has been in amidst speculation over his future to an extent that he was close to joining Real Madrid 2 years ago. However, courtesy to a fax machine that day still hasn’t come and by the looks of the reports in Spain, it won’t come this Transfer Window either, as according to them, Real Madrid have called off their pursuit in the Manchester United No. 1.
Defenders:
Despite being 6th in the league, and highly relying on Zlatan Imbrahimovic on the goals, Mourinho’s Manchester United were quite impressive at the other end at not letting the goals in. They were the second-best defensive team in the league, only behind Tottenham.
Bailly’s addition to the squad, along with Antonio Valencia consistency was the key to this. However while Bailly will be needing a partner, Valencia won’t be at his best forever after having been at the wrong side of 30. Add to that the dilemma that is Luke Shaw who now prone to injuries, Manchester United should be looking for a left back, centre back, and a right back each.
Potential Recruit(s): Victor Lindelof (Benfica), Nelson Semedo (Benfica), Benjamin Mendy (AS Monaco), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspurs)
Midfielders:
Having broken the transfer record for Central Midfielder Paul Pogba and also witnessing one of the most consistent and strong midfield displays by Ander Herrera one would think that Manchester United won’t be looking too much in this regard, however that seems to be untrue as Jose Mourinho seems to be after a proper holding midfielder who can sit behind while Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera show their creativity.
Potential Recruit(s): Nemanja Matic(Chelsea), Tiemoué Bakayoko (AS Monaco)
Attackers:
A problem Jose Mourinho will be looking to solve this season would be Manchester United’s doomed attack. It has been confirmed by Sky Sports that United won’t be offering a new contract for their talisman of last season, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as his ligament tear will keep him out till January. Therefore, their pursuit for a replacement at the striker position is imminent. However, replacing the Swedish man won’t be enough, and hence it looks like the Red side of Manchester will probably splash the cash on a central attacking midfielder to partner the striker, and a traditional winger. Due to Atletico’s transfer ban, Manchester United ended their pursuit on Antione Griezmann, which only opened the doors to other options.
Potential Recruit(s): Alvaro Morata (Real Madrid), Ivan Peresic (Inter Milan), James Rodriguez (Real Madrid), Filipe Anderson( Lazio), Romelu Lukaku (Everton)