WHO SHOULD LIVERPOOL AND CITY BRING IN AND GET RID OFF TO CHALLENGE NEXT SEASON?
Both Liverpool and Manchester City had rather subdued campaigns, mostly Liverpool. Going from the highs of the Suarez era that saw the Reds finish 2nd to a miserable 6th place finish really sums it up. For City, inconsistency and poor results away from home was their undoing.
Both sides will definitely strengthen, but will they get their signings right? Brendan Rodgers will definitely be more cautious as he digs into the transfer market as a majority of his signings last summer were below average. Pellegrini will be looking to do away with dead wood and invite some fresh young talent into an aging City line up.
So who should both teams be looking at and who should they get rid of?
MANCHESTER CITY
Manuel Pellegrini has a lot of work to do in the transfer window. His aging squad need some fresh young blood and a replacement for the departing Yaya Toure who to be fair has looked a shadow of the player he was the previous seasons.
City's problem area is their backline, when Vincent Kompany is out or playing when not fully fit as he did against Manchester United, City struggle badly. Eliaquim Mangala has been disappointing, once the most talked about upcoming stars in his time at Porto now looks like a defender who can't tell his right from left. Martin Demichelis is aging and getting slower. The midfield looks good but with the departure of Toure, a replacement is needed, Fernando or Fernandinho are far away from being the dominant force Toure is. The forward line is fantastic, with Aguero, Bony, Dzeko, Jovetic and the returning Negredo all options.
Ins;
Mats Hummels/ Nicolas Otamendi/ Benedikt Howedes - All these three options should be a major upgrade to Mangala, no offense. Pellegrini should try get two central defenders in this summer. Hummels looks to be the defender on demand this summer with a host of English clubs after the German and with City's financial power they would definitely be top dogs in securing his signature.
Marco Reus - Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri haven't really sparkled this season, although I like Nasri, I think his time at Manchester is coming to an end. Lack of game time doesn't go down well with the French man. Pellegrini should attempt a player plus cash deal for Reus, Nasri/Navas plus about 15million pounds may land him the German international.
Isco - David Silva needs some competition for his place, and Isco looks a fine option to push Silva all the way. City at the moment lack creative midfielders with Silva the only one capable of shredding the ball through the hole of a needle 9/10 times of asking. Isco can be a back up or even a starter.
Moussa Sissoko - Who better to replace Yaya Toure than Sissoko. He's big, powerful, fast and is able to produce a Yaya Toure esque wrecking ball run if called upon. Sissoko's talent is at waste in Newcastle, it's about time he moved to a top 4 side.
Outs;
Martin Demichelis - His age is the main reason City have to do away with him and clear up some space in the roster and be in terms with the FFP rules.
Yaya Toure - The Ivorian has already made it clear he'll be leaving the Etihad this summer with Inter Milan chasing for his signature. His last campaign wasn't as spectacular as his previous seasons in the sky blue shirt. The city fans will definitely miss him.
Samir Nasri/ Jesus Navas - Navas hasn't really caught my eye at all this season and even in his past seasons with Sevilla. He is too predictable and doesn't have the trickery to go past players, his pace is a plus though. Nasri is great on his day but with lack of matches you wonder if he'll ever rekindle the form he had in Arsenal. Swap deal for Reus.
Stefan Jovetic/ Negredo/ Edin Dzeko - One of these three will definitely be seeing the exit door at the Etihad. Negredo most likely but I would totally disagree with that because he was exceptional before he got his injury prior to the World Cup. Jovetic in my opinion should be let to leave, lack of game time and his form isn't what it was when he was in Italy.
Probable Line up
4-2-3-1
Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Hummels, Kolarov; Fernando, Isco; Reus, Sissoko, Silva; Aguero.
Bench: Cabalero, Mangala, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Milner, Bony, Dzeko.
Squad Rating out of 10: 7.9
LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL
The Reds have probably had the worst campaign from the top clubs. Much was expected from them after Suarez had guided them to a 2nd place finish the season before, but with the departure of the Uruguayan came the downfall of the Mersyside giants. A disappointing 6th place was all they could manage.
Brendan Rodgers should be the man to blame really, with all the money he got from the Suarez sale he decided to buy 6 or 7 mediocre players, not being harsh but that is what they are. He'll be looking to avoid the same mistake this time but with Liverpool not in the Champions League, you feel he'll have to settle for mediocre players once again.
The whole Liverpool squad needs a makeover from the defense all the way to the forward line and back to the bench. Only Henderson, Coutinho and Sturridge are confirmed starters.
Ins;
Benedikt Howedes/ Neven Subotic/ Ashley Williams - To be honest, Liverpool won't attract big names such as Mats Hummels so they'll have to settle for defenders in a lower tier. Howedes may be an interesting option but if any of the bigger clubs go for him then Liverpool will have to look elsewhere. Subotic is a decent defender and definitely better than what Liverpool have now but he tends to be rush at times and prone to error. Ashley Williams won't be an upgrade but an assurance buy. Rodgers should do all he can to snap Howedes.
Ilkay Gundogan - Rodgers should act quick with this, Dortmund had a terrible season and with Lopp leaving, trust a few big names will follow suit. Gundogan can give that Liverpool midfield a bit of spice and creativity that they awfully lack. With Manchester United and Arsenal rumored to be interested, it won't be easy for Rodgers.
Christoph Kramer - Liverpool lack a proper holding midfielder, in Kramer they get an World Cup winner with Germany and a player who has helped his current side Borussia Monchengladbach qualify for the Champions League. With Lucas far from his better days, this would be a good buy for the reds.
Julian Draxler - With Sterling nearing an exit from Anfiled if all the rumors are to be believed, Rodgers should use money from the Sterling sale wisely, Draxler is young and immensely talented and would fill that gap with ease. Rodgers should just hope Wenger isn't after the German.
Jackson Martinez/Christian Benteke/Danny Ings/Charlie Austin - The Reds are in need of a striker, with Sturridge constantly out and Balotelli hopeless infront of goal, two additions from the options would do Liverpool good. Unfortunately, Martinez is also been watched by Arsenal so that may be a tough one to crack for Rodgers and Benteke is been watched by a host of clubs bigger than Liverpool, so count that out as well. Ings and Austin both in for Liverpool would be job well done by Rodgers. They have both proven they can match up to the Premier League and are both goal scorers.
Outs;
Kolo Toure - He'll most probably be one of the players leaving this summer with no surprise at all. He's not played a whole lot and age isn't on his side either.
Glen Johnson - Lack of playing time coupled with niggling injuries here and there has seen him lose his spot in the side and probably his name on the Liverpool roster. He's served them well but his time is up at Anfield.
Jose Enrique - Another player who has seen injuries and lack of game time lose his spot on the team. I can't remember seeing Enrique make an appearance for Liverpool this season.
Joe Allen - Allen is a mediocre player and doesn't deserve to be playing every single week in a team of Liverpool's size. That just tells you how weak the squad depth is at Anfield. Allen should be sold as he is a waste of space and just not good enough.
Lucas Leiva - Once upon a time Lucas was hailed as one of the best defensive midfielders in England, now he doesn't even make the top 10 to be honest. He's been in and out of the team and Rodgers should cash in on him.
Mario Balotelli - Everything just went wrong for Super Mario this season. He didn't look the player that left City a while ago, he was completely horrendous. If Rodgers can get a buyer well and good, Balotelli needs to leave and probably return to Inter who are under Mancinc. He seems to play his best football under the Italian.
Rickie Lambert - I never really understood why Liverpool signed Lambert but all I know is that they should let go of him.
Fabio Borini - Borini hasn't had much game time, but I feel he can produce moments of magic. He is wasting himself in Liverpool and should move to a lesser side, the likes of Stoke or Swansea for him to discover his best football.
Probable Line up
4-2-3-1
Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Howedes, Moreno; Henderson, Kramer; Coutinho, Gundogan, Draxler; Sturridge.
Bench - Jones, Sakho, Lovren, Lallana, Markovic, Ings, Austin.
Squad rating out of 10: 7.2
Brendan Rodgers should be the man to blame really, with all the money he got from the Suarez sale he decided to buy 6 or 7 mediocre players, not being harsh but that is what they are. He'll be looking to avoid the same mistake this time but with Liverpool not in the Champions League, you feel he'll have to settle for mediocre players once again.
The whole Liverpool squad needs a makeover from the defense all the way to the forward line and back to the bench. Only Henderson, Coutinho and Sturridge are confirmed starters.
Ins;
Benedikt Howedes/ Neven Subotic/ Ashley Williams - To be honest, Liverpool won't attract big names such as Mats Hummels so they'll have to settle for defenders in a lower tier. Howedes may be an interesting option but if any of the bigger clubs go for him then Liverpool will have to look elsewhere. Subotic is a decent defender and definitely better than what Liverpool have now but he tends to be rush at times and prone to error. Ashley Williams won't be an upgrade but an assurance buy. Rodgers should do all he can to snap Howedes.
Ilkay Gundogan - Rodgers should act quick with this, Dortmund had a terrible season and with Lopp leaving, trust a few big names will follow suit. Gundogan can give that Liverpool midfield a bit of spice and creativity that they awfully lack. With Manchester United and Arsenal rumored to be interested, it won't be easy for Rodgers.
Christoph Kramer - Liverpool lack a proper holding midfielder, in Kramer they get an World Cup winner with Germany and a player who has helped his current side Borussia Monchengladbach qualify for the Champions League. With Lucas far from his better days, this would be a good buy for the reds.
Julian Draxler - With Sterling nearing an exit from Anfiled if all the rumors are to be believed, Rodgers should use money from the Sterling sale wisely, Draxler is young and immensely talented and would fill that gap with ease. Rodgers should just hope Wenger isn't after the German.
Jackson Martinez/Christian Benteke/Danny Ings/Charlie Austin - The Reds are in need of a striker, with Sturridge constantly out and Balotelli hopeless infront of goal, two additions from the options would do Liverpool good. Unfortunately, Martinez is also been watched by Arsenal so that may be a tough one to crack for Rodgers and Benteke is been watched by a host of clubs bigger than Liverpool, so count that out as well. Ings and Austin both in for Liverpool would be job well done by Rodgers. They have both proven they can match up to the Premier League and are both goal scorers.
Outs;
Kolo Toure - He'll most probably be one of the players leaving this summer with no surprise at all. He's not played a whole lot and age isn't on his side either.
Glen Johnson - Lack of playing time coupled with niggling injuries here and there has seen him lose his spot in the side and probably his name on the Liverpool roster. He's served them well but his time is up at Anfield.
Jose Enrique - Another player who has seen injuries and lack of game time lose his spot on the team. I can't remember seeing Enrique make an appearance for Liverpool this season.
Joe Allen - Allen is a mediocre player and doesn't deserve to be playing every single week in a team of Liverpool's size. That just tells you how weak the squad depth is at Anfield. Allen should be sold as he is a waste of space and just not good enough.
Lucas Leiva - Once upon a time Lucas was hailed as one of the best defensive midfielders in England, now he doesn't even make the top 10 to be honest. He's been in and out of the team and Rodgers should cash in on him.
Mario Balotelli - Everything just went wrong for Super Mario this season. He didn't look the player that left City a while ago, he was completely horrendous. If Rodgers can get a buyer well and good, Balotelli needs to leave and probably return to Inter who are under Mancinc. He seems to play his best football under the Italian.
Rickie Lambert - I never really understood why Liverpool signed Lambert but all I know is that they should let go of him.
Fabio Borini - Borini hasn't had much game time, but I feel he can produce moments of magic. He is wasting himself in Liverpool and should move to a lesser side, the likes of Stoke or Swansea for him to discover his best football.
Probable Line up
4-2-3-1
Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Howedes, Moreno; Henderson, Kramer; Coutinho, Gundogan, Draxler; Sturridge.
Bench - Jones, Sakho, Lovren, Lallana, Markovic, Ings, Austin.
Squad rating out of 10: 7.2
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