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A Brief Guide to What Each Premier League Club Needs Next Season

The season is winding down. They are working behind the scenes, but what exactly do Premier League clubs need to continue their good work?

The Premier League season is winding down. Whilst the new elite of Leicester City, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur battle it out for the title, the teams below them fight for European qualification and the minnows at the bottom fight for their survival; their hierarchies are planning for a pivotal summer.

English football could be heading for its biggest moment as the transfer window heads for its reopening. Record spending will likely occur again with either fear to survive or fear of falling behind driving teams’ motivation to beat their rivals to key signings and the kinds of players who can help them take a leap forward. So, regardless of how teams’ seasons end, what do they need heading into the summer?

Arsenal — The modern day Patrick Vieira.

Aaron Ramsey is supposed to dominate the midfield for Arsenal, but he doesn’t the way they need him to. He’s a very good player, but does not perform in position frequently enough to do so. They need an all-action box-to-box midfielder in the frame of their former French captain. The chances of actually finding one are slim.

Aston Villa — Anything and everything.

The Villains are a joke right now. One of England’s most successful clubs is spiralling out of control, as fans have finally lost patience with Randy Lerner and the abomination that he owns. Without a full revamp of players and staff, the problems won’t end with relegation this season. They may not even survive the Championship as currently constructed.

Bournemouth — Plug the leaks.

The Premier League new boys have conceded goals for fun, and whilst it’s been entertaining to watch their goal-filled games it could be their downfall. Whilst they could use more goal-scoring at times, stopping them would be a far more useful tool for them to maintain their top flight status.

Chelsea — It’s time to rebuild, Roman.

The concept of a rebuild seems strange for Stamford Bridge, but it’s sadly due. John Terry will likely depart, and even if he does stay he needs a worthy replacement long term. Incoming manager, Antonio Conte, adored Arturo Vidal in their time in Turin, and he’ll need a similar type of player in London. If Diego Costa departs, they may need heavy spending there too.

Crystal Palace — Alan Pardew’s magic has gone.

Alan Pardew has built quite a nice squad in South London, building on the work Tony Pulis began in 2014. However, it appears his year of magic has run out. The team has struggled so badly that they’re now potentially being pulled into a relegation scrap.

Everton — Sell big to reshape at the back.

John Stones and Romelu Lukaku are going to be talked about all summer long until they leave Goodison Park. It’s likely only one of them goes, but it’s also likely that fee exceeds £40m for the Englishman and £50m for the Belgian, respectively. But one of these sales could have upside; it could help to reinforce a shaky goalkeeping and defensive situation that is holding back Everton’s moving up the table.

Leicester City — Get quality around their stars.

The Foxes have been incredible, but they’ve also been particularly lucky. A lack of injuries means they barely have had to rotate or change line-ups (they have made the fewest in the league), but that can’t last forever. Heading into next season with three games a week, they have no choice but to change. They must surround Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy, N’Golo Kante and co with more star quality to push on.

Liverpool — Klopp up the Kop.

Jürgen Klopp has done an admirable job using Brendan Rodgers’ ailing squad to stay afloat. Hardly a team cast in his image, the German will go to work this summer to build a team that can begin gegenpressing the way he wants. Klopp’s squads were built by his Dortmund superiors; can he do that same thing without them on Merseyside?

Manchester City — Spend, spend, spend.

Obvious, isn’t it? Pep Guardiola is going to spend and rebuild the Etihad, Catalan style. A replacement for Yaya Touré is essential, who has carried the City engine room for years. Can they rely on Vincent Kompany and Sergio Agüero’s ongoing injury troubles at both ends? Big decisions await this summer, and those movements are already underway.

Manchester United — Louis Van Gone, and goals.

Louis Van Gaal has got to go, and José Mourinho will almost certainly be his replacement. Andrea Berta may arrive as Director of Football but, on field, United simply don’t score enough goals. 38 in 30 games is awful. They can’t rely on a 20-year-old and 18-year-old striker forever. Experience and class are required. It wouldn’t hurt to bring in some reinforcements at the back, either.

Newcastle United — Keep Rafa around.

It’s likely the Toon Army are heading back to the Championship, which could be an unmitigated disaster. Keeping new manager, Rafa Benítez, is essential. His experience and know-how will be incredibly important to retaining their best players, and attracting the kinds that can get them straight back into the Premier League in 2017.

Norwich City — Consolidate to survive.

The Canaries’ pivotal win over Newcastle should see them preserve their top flight status, but it will take a lot of work over the summer in an attempt to secure themselves an ongoing Premier League future. A key central defensive signing would be a good start, and a class operator in the engine room could prove pivotal. If they survive, that is.

Southampton — Build on their foundations.

Southampton have done brilliantly under Ronald Koeman, slowly building something special in the South of England, despite a modest budget. Pushing the boat out for a upgrade on Graziano Pellè or a Dimitri Payet-type signing may be the next step in their evolution, if they can pull it off.

Stoke City — Find their hitman.

Bojan, Marko Arnautović and Xherdan Shaqiri are such a brilliant combination for any club to have, let alone former minnows like the Potters. Giannelli Imbula should prove to be an astute acquisition whilst the defence, protected by Jack Butland, has proved to be solid. Putting a classy striker up front of that team could be an incredible move for Mark Hughes’ men.

Sunderland — Clear the deadwood.

Sam Allardyce has done an incredible job trying to bring Sunderland back from the abyss, but they may not survive the drop this time round. They have the capacity to do so, but it’s an uphill task. Regardless, there are non-contributors in the squad or those who are really not of the right quality. Clearing that out is the first step for Allardyce this summer.

Swansea — Steady the ship.

Swansea have been a mess this season, and it’s something of a miracle that they are ten points clear of the bottom three. It’s a very hit and miss squad, and a summer of consolidation in all areas is vital. Toughness in the middle of the park could certainly help, and more goals are always helpful for a team in their position.

Tottenham Hotspur — Keep Pochettino.

Mauricio Pochettino is building something special at White Hart Lane. Harry Kane is devastatingly good, ably supported by Mousa Dembélé, Christian Eriksen, Toby Alderweireld and Hugo Lloris. All their stars seem set to stay, but big clubs might come calling for their manager. He is the key to the future, and must remain with Spurs at all costs.

Watford — Get more goals.

It seems like a lot of teams have this particular problem. But Odion Ighalo’s magic has worn off in the second half of the campaign, whilst Troy Deeney has been a limited source of goals. Cashing in on Ighalo could be wise for the right price, whilst bringing in another smart investment with the club’s owners connections with their feeder clubs would be a shrewd move.

West Bromwich Albion — Trust in Pulis.

Tony Pulis has been brilliant in solidifying the Baggies’ Premier League status. Jonny Evans and Salomón Rondón are the type of astute signings Pulis has made when entrusted to spend. Allowing him to continue to do so will see them continue to thrive in the top of English football.

West Ham United — Quite simply, maintain.

The Hammers are building something special. They are moving into a new stadium and have hit on almost every signing in the last few transfer windows. Angelo Ogbonna, Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Michail Antonio and more. Keep that up? Who knows what is possible for Slaven Bilić’s men.

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