CHALLENGERS LOOK TO STRENGTHEN FOR NEXT SEASON.
The 2014/15 season comes to a climax this weekend, Chelsea already crowned champions and the top four spots determined, we can all gear up for two and half months or season without competitive football. We still do have the FA cup and Champions League final to look forward to, if you are an Arsenal, Villa, Barcelona and Juventus fan.
For the coming weeks I'll be digging in to all the transfer rumors and completed deals but for now I'll be taking a look at next seasons challengers, Manchester city, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and maybe Southampton or Everton. How should they approach the transfer market and which players should they add and get rid of to mount a serious challenge next season.
United and Arsenal are the teams on focus today. The battle at Old Trafford was rather stale and disappointing to some extent. Both sides have already secured Champions League football for next season, so there wasn't really much to play for. A victory for United would have lifted them a point above Arsenal who do have a game in hand though, while a victory for Arsenal would have put them in prime position for 2nd spot.
A draw was a fair result given the balance of play, United dominated the 1st half, the second 45 minutes belonged to Arsenal.
MANCHESTER UNITED
United have had an up and down season and a relatively lucky to have achieved Champions League football for next season. The Red Devils fans will have loads of thanks to goalkeeper David De Gea as his heroics in numerous matches have them where they are now.
Performances have been flat and have lacked a killer edge, defense to shaky and star players Di Maria and RVP seem lost in the theater of dreams. Shuffling formation week in hasn't helped either.
So what do United really need to be taken more serious next season? Memphis Depay has already signed from PSV, I see this as very unnecessary. Mata, Di Maria, Young, Januzaj and Valencia can all operate in a similar position, unless it means one will be departing.
Defense is the major problem at United, definitely there is need for at least two world class defenders and there is no surprise they have been constantly linked with Mat Hummels. The midfield looks okay but no world class, Carrick is too injury prone, Di Maria as I said looks completely lost, Mata is world class but inconsistent for me and Daley Blind is an average player at best. The forward line is another problem, Rooney aside, RVP's days are numbered and with consistent injury problems he looks done for, and the on-loan man Falcao has been a disappointment.
Ins;
Mat Hummels - The German center back will definitely be available this season and with a host of clubs chasing his signature, Louis Van Gaal will have to act quick. He'll definitely bring some assurance and leadership that United lack in the back.
Dante - The Brazilian has found himself warming the bench at the Allianz ever since the arrival of Benatia and will probably be looking for a move away. If Bayern make him available United should pounce. Whether he'll be willing to move to United is another story, but he is a way better defender than what United have at the moment.
Petr Cech/Asmir Begovic - United will have huge problems if David De Gea leaves for Madrid. Top keepers are hard to find, but in Cech you get a wolrd class keeper who is heading for the exit door at Chelsea. No chance Mourinho is letting him join a rival club. Begovic has been outstanding for Stoke and it's about time he got a move to a bigger club.
Ilkay Gundogan - Another Dortmund player on several clubs radar. His injury record may stop teams signing the talented German, who once tore apart Manchester City's defense with sleek top draw passing. I doubt LVG will be after the German though.
Jackson Martinez/Gareth Bale/Charlie Austin/Harry Kane/Danny Ings - United are in desperate need of a proven goalscorer. So much talk of Bale joining the red half of Manchester but it's a move I don't see happening unless De Gea goes the opposite direction which to me doesn't look like happening. Harry Kane would be the obvious pick from the remaining names, not that he is better than Martinez, no, no, no, he's just more proven to play in England. Do I see it happening? No. Austin or Ings could be good back to Rooney, either would fit in and at a cheap price.
Outs;
Robin Van Persie - The flying dutchman's performances have dropped remarkably this season and coupled with his injury worries and age, RVP is heading for the exit at Old Trafford. He has failed miserably this season and would probably be heading back to Netherlands or a much lower level team.
Radamael Falcao - An unsuccessful loan spell will see the Colombian head back to Monaco. Just like RVP, he has failed to impress and has constant knee problems. I don't see Van Gaal keeping him at United permanently.
Rafael - Injury has kept him out for a while, and with Valencia cementing the right back position and at least two defenders coming in, it will be hard for the Brazilian to get back in the team and he is the most likely option to depart.
Adnan Januzaj - The young Belgian is full of talent, but is being wasted by LVG. The signing of Depay means more competition in that position. Perhaps a loan spell away for next season will be the best option.
4-2-3-1: De Gea; Valencia, Hummels, Rojo, Shaw; Carrick, Herrera; Depay, Fellaini, Young; Rooney.
Bench: Valdes, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Mata, Di Maria, Austin.
Squad rating out of 10: 7.0
The bench doesn't look to fancy to be honest with only Mata and Di Maria stand out names and the starting 11 still just doesn't look like it has enough to mount a serious challenge. With this squad United will probably be fighting for 4th spot with Liverpool if they sign well and Spurs.
ARSENAL
The Gunners have had a fantastic second half of the season, and will be looking to strengthen a few areas before the start of next season. The first half of the season was too inconsistent, and at that point is when they surrendered the title to Chelsea.
As Mourinho put it, Arsenal aren't too far from challenging Chelsea, a couple of signings will do the trick for Wenger.
On their game they are absolutely breathtaking and tantalizing. The up for Arsenal will be the rise in form of Mesut Ozil. He's been a joy to watch and he seems to have a good understanding with Sanchez and Cazorla.
So what do Arsenal need to be regarded as challengers next season? Ospina hasn't been bad but he isn't in the level of De Gea, Courtois or Hart. The back line seems to be a bit shaky at times, a replacement for Mertesacker would probably tighten the defense. A defensive midfielder to provide competition for the impressive Coquelin would also help matters and a different kind of striker to compete with Giroud.
Ins;
Asmir Begovic/Steve Mandanda - Petr Cech will be available but we all know Mourinho won't sell him to a rival club. Between Begovic and Mandanda, I would go for the Marseille stopper. He was recently named in the Ligue 1 team of the year and has proven himself time and time again.
Mat Hummels/Benedikt Howedes - Wenger will have to compete with a host of clubs for Hummels signature, if he losses out option B should be Hummels German teammate Howedes. With a strong German link at the Emirates, persuading either of the two shouldn't be that hard. Hummels link to Manchester United seems to be stronger and stronger each day, so Howedes would be the more likely.
Morgan Schniederlin/Ilkay Gundogan/William Carvalho - Arsenal need a holding midfielder just to provide some competition and back up to Coquelin. I don't see Gundogan as being a holding midfielder so I'll dismiss him. Schniederlin is the best fit for Arsenal and he has Premier League experience. Carvalho is a good option but I'd stick with Morgan.
Jackson Martinez/Antonio Lacazette - Arsenal need a different kind of striker to Giroud. Giroud has been impressive but doesn't have back-up or competition for his place. Welbeck doesn't seem to be an out and out striker and Walcott is more explosive out on the wing. Martinez has the pace that Giroud lacks, he also has a physical presence. Lacazette won Ligue 1 player of the year but he just seems like another Walcott and Welbeck, he posses pace just like the two Englishmen but lacks in physicality.
Pedro/Marco Reus - Rumors of Pedro to Arsenal have been gathering steam and it looks almost likely he'll be at the Emirates next season, and with the right wing position up for grabs he'll surely make a case to grab it by the neck. Marco Reus the man I'd love to see in an Arsenal jersey. It looks very unlikely as he signed a new contract but with Klopp gone you never know.
Outs;
Mikel Arteta - Arteta has served his time at the Emirates and it would be best for him to move on. With an array of talent in central midfield, Arteta is down the pecking order.
Mathieu Flamini - He'll surely be departing if Wenger brings in another holding midfielder, he's played his part but just like Arteta, game time should be a problem if additions are made at the Emirates.
Wojiech Szczesny - He's had a disappointing season and may see himself as third choice if a new world class keeper is brought in. He's probably too good to be a third choice keeper so moving on would do him good for his international place as Lukas Fabianski has been outstanding for Swansea.
Abou Diaby - Sad to say, but it's about time Wenger gave up on Diaby. He does have the talent and is a personal favorite of mine when fit and on his game.
4-2-3-1: Mandanda; Bellerin/Debuchy, Howedes, Koscielny, Monreal; Schniederlin/Coquelin, Cazorla; Pedro, Ozil, Sanchez; Martinez.
Bench:Ospina, Mertesacker, Wilshere, Ramsey, Chamberlain, Walcott, Giroud.
Squad rating out of 10: 8
The squad looks complete and the depth on the bench is outstanding. With a squad like this Wenger should surely be battling with Chelsea and Manchester City next season for the title.
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