By Tony Alvarez

A we are around midway into the January transfer window we decided to look into what types of players each club needs, I will also put forward my opinion of the ideal players to fulfil the roles and how likely it is to happen.

Arsenal- Arsenal are a few players away from being truly great, this may be a bit biased as an Arsenal fan so I may rate us a little higher than other readers. It is blindingly obvious we need a centre back and some would say a keeper. From sources inside the club Wenger is so scared of losing Szczeny that we will not sign anyone that will push him down the pecking order.

 As Wenger has openly admitted he will try and sign a centre back who has Premiership experience it narrows down his targets immensely, I cannot see him spending the money needed to get Cahill or Jagielka and personally although I will get a lot of stick for this I think we could do a lot worse than Chris Samba. Its not a necessity but I wouldn’t mind bids for Connor Wickham and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to be made.

Aston Villa- although they have a lot of promising youth coming through in Barry Bannan, Ciaran Clark and Marc Albrigton Villa still look light in most areas to me, keeping Agbonlahor fit will be massive for them as he can lead a line.

 I think starting 11 the Villa side is not bad but the gap between squad players and the starters is huge.

Its hard to put your finger on names as I think they need players in most areas of decent quality, they are looking at Charlie Adam along with a few other clubs I think he would be a very good signing for Villa.

If they can some how get Stephen Ireland back to his City best that will be like a hue new signing for them.

Birmingham- The club have taken a huge step today in signing David Bentley for me he is an upgrade on Sebastian Larsson, although on paper their back five has no big names they are a decent unit and don’t need anyone brought in. I think the biggest problem is upfront there Is a lack of goals in the side, although Jerome got a few last season I think he played above himself, I think given a run of games Zigic could get a few goals but is frustrating as you can only play one way with him in the side. There are rumours that Birmingham are trying to sign Robbie Keane which I think could be a good move for them.

Blackburn- They have been linked with massive names such as Beckham and Ronaldinho but for me these are not the types of players they need, especially not Ronaldinho. Blackburn are a team of hard workers who play as a unit and make it very difficult for the team playing them. Again name for name they are not the greatest but are a unit. A loan bit for some one like Darren Gibson could be the type of player they need tough but creative and could add a few goals. 

Blackpool- for me if Blackpool hang onto the players they have they will of done well. Its well known that they have very little cash and can only really afford to buy from the lower leagues, with Holloway’s man management skills I think he could get the best out of many players its just finding someone who fits in with the teams spirit, I cant name a player specifically but personality will be as important as ability. 

Bolton-Owen Coyle has turned Bolton into a free flowing Footballing side, rumour has it that Bolton are favourites to take Carlos Vela on loan.

As an Arsenal fan I really do not rate the guy an don’t think he should get into the Bolton side ahead of Elmander or Kevin Davies but would be an excellent 3rd choice striker for them, however I doubt Wenger will let him go to sit on a bench. For me Paul Robinson is one of the worst left backs in the Premier League, if I was Coyle I would have looked to sign Wayne Bridge when he was available.

Chelsea- ask me this question two months ago I would of said no one is needed on present form they need a new squad, with a balanced view I don’t think they ever replaced Ricardo Carvalho, another centre back even just to sit on the bench. Another replacement that wasn’t made was Michael Ballack, Ramieres so far hasn’t shown the physical strength to play in the Premier League a bullish central midfielder is needed. The final piece of the jigsaw I believe is a striker, there is nothing wrong with Drogba but when he is out of the side there is no goals in the team Sturridge does not cut it as effectively a second choice striker as if Drogba is out Anelka moves into the middle and Sturridge finds himself in the team.

Everton – Everton have had the same problem year on year for what seems like forever. They always start the season poorly and struggle for goals. Tim Cahill is their top scorer and is not a striker although he has been playing there.

Beckford is either not of Premiership class or just not settled yet. Again Robbie Keane would be worth a look, even an attempt to get Jo back could be worth a shout, he isn’t the greatest player but will get 5-10 goals between now and the end of the season which isn’t too bad. A more audacious bid would be a loan signing of Adebayor although I doubt Moyes would put up with his laziness and attitude although it does come with a quality footballer when he wants to be.

Fulham- Yet again they have a lack of goals in the side especially since Bobby Zamora’s injury Andy Johnson has a few goals in him but hasn’t really found full fitness.

It’s a tough one because if someone is brought in it holds back the likes of Zamora, Johnson and Dembelle when they get back to full fitness but they need someone who can get them goals until then.

A short term loan deal maybe even a month would be ideal but it is difficult to find a player for just a month as selling clubs will not be able to do anything with them once the window shuts.

Liverpool- Where o you start, a whole host of players are needed to get them back to the level they were 3 years ago but I believe that is unrealistic. They are decently placed along the back line except at left back where neither Konchesky or Aurelio are up to the task, again I am shocked Wayne Bridge was not looked at for the short term.

 In the middle I think is the main problem, Lucas has improved but is still not good enough for a club the size of Liverpool, they are very weak on the left wing as well, its fair to say they do not have a player in their squad who you would say the primary position is left midfielder.

 A player that I always thought would suit them is Shaun Wright Phillips although he is awful on the left I think Kuyt could put in a shift where ever he plays so he could be moved over there.

These are just the changes I think are needed to their starting line up I also think a host of decent quality squad players are needed. Benitez was traditionally good at signing squad players but tended to use them as first team regulars.

Let me know if you agree with my opinions or if you disagree who you would sign for your club or any of the clubs I have mentioned?

Teams from M to Z will be online in the next few days most likely on Saturday morning.

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