With Liverpool dominating the Premier League this season, it is obvious that the other Big Six clubs need to strengthen. They need to bring in some big names this summer to help keep them closer to Liverpool for the next league campaign. So, we at ExtraTime Talk will be having a look at who Liverpool and the other 5 top-tier Premier League teams need to desperately need to sign. These are the signings the big 6 should all make.
Signings that the Premier League Big Six Should All Make
Liverpool’s Signings
We’ll start with the champions-to-be. So how do you improve a team who have only lost one league game all season? We know who would improve them: Bayern Munich’s versatile midfielder Leon Goretzka. Jurgen Klopp has always liked a midfield engine, someone who can work and run for 90 minutes non-stop and be able to play in any midfield position. That’s what Klopp will get with Goretzka, with the German holding all the attributes and qualities that the former wants and needs. Goretzka has struggled with a few injuries this season but has picked up 20 appearances, starting 13 of them. He has 1163 minutes to his name this season and in that time has grabbed himself 5 goals and 5 assists.
The German has a pass success of 86.1% and averages 1.9 shots per game showing he’s effective offensively and in possession. Goretzka has also shown his class playing in a defensive midfield role this season. Averaging a match of 7.9/10 when playing in that role. He’s also very disciplined, only receiving 2 yellow cards in his 20 matches.
Martin Dubravka is another player Liverpool should bring in.
Obviously it wouldn’t be to start instead of Alisson Becker. It would be a backup to Alisson as Liverpool have a poor choice of backup keepers. Dubravka is arguably one of the best keepers in the league and would be a great back up to Alisson. The Slovakian has made 117 saves this season, more than any other goalkeeper in the league. He makes 4.03 saves a game on average and has 9 clean sheets to his name.
Manchester City’s Signings
The closest team the Liverpool this season are current Premier League holders Manchester City, and they have been far off from Liverpool this season and need reinforcements. Offensively, they are still the same old, free-flowing Manchester City, but it’s their defence which is still their Achilles heel. A player that could help Manchester City at the back is Borussia Dortmund’s Manual Akanji. The Swiss international has been a rock at the back this season for Dortmund and would definitely bring some solidarity the City defence.
Akanji has racked up 28 appearances in the league this season starting 24 of them playing 2219 minutes in total. He is solid defensively winning 1.3 tackles per game this season as well as, 1 interception per game, 1.9 clearances per game and only conceding 0.4 fouls per game. He also fits in perfectly to Manchester City’s system of playing out from the back as he has averaged 65.2 passes per game at a success rate of 90.9%.
Another position they need to look at strengthening is at left-back and the perfect fit for them is Alex Telles from FC Porto. Telles is one of the most talked-about left-backs in the world and would be a fantastic signing for City. He’s picked up 1870 minutes this season playing 23 games starting 20 of them. With 1.2 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.2 clearances per game his defensive ability is strong. He’s scored 8 goals and got 5 assists from left-back this season. Averaging 34.6 passes per game with a success rate of 79.7%. This clearly proves he would be able to help City Offensively as well as defensively.
Manchester United’s Signings
Manchester United looked good before the suspension of the Premier League. With the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, United were playing some very nice football. However, they still need a few more signings to make them challengers again. One man who would help is Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho. The English superstar is the best young player in the world right now and would walk into United’s team. With Marcus Rashford stating his intentions to play up front, Sancho would slot in perfectly on the right flank. In 28 games, Sancho has grabbed himself 17 goals and 16 assists. Those are unbelievable numbers for a 20-year-old. With 2.3 key passes and 2.6 dribbles per game as well, he could be a massive asset for Manchester United.
Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi would also be a great signing for the club. The Nigerian is one of the main reasons why Leicester are 3rd in the league. In the 23 games he’s played, he has averaged 4 tackles and 2.7 interceptions per game. He also wins 2.6 aerial duals per game. Clearly showing his ability to easily protect any back four. Something Manchester United are crying out for. Placing him behind Paul Pogba and Fernandes would make a world-class midfield and arguably a better one than City’s and Liverpool’s.
Chelsea’s Signings
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of German hitman Timo Werner. Yes, this would be a very good signing but it’s not what they need. Tammy Abraham has performed well this season scoring 13 league goals. The position Chelsea need improving on is between the sticks. Since his arrival for a record fee for a goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been woeful and gives no encouragement to his team. The player they need is Ajax’s Andre Onana. The young Cameroonian has been a revelation at Ajax over the past few years. This season he has kept 8 clean sheets and only conceded 0.75 goals per game. Not only would Onana bring class he would help raise morale and motivation within the team. Paulo Dybala would also be an outstanding signing for the blues.
The tricky Argentine’s still only 26 years old and is one of the best in the world in his position. Since Cristiano Ronaldo‘s arrival at Juventus, Dybala has had to take a back seat and maybe its time for him to go and be a big fish somewhere else. Dybala has played more out wide this season with Sarri trying out a new system. The maestro has still managed to score 7 goals and grab 4 assists this season. Even if this isn’t impressive he still manages on average 3.1 shots, 2 key passes and 1.9 dribbles per game. Playing behind Werner and Abraham with Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi either side of him, Chelsea could become an offensive force again.
Arsenal’s Signings
How do Arsenal end their search for a first title since 2004? Offensively the gunners are very strong it’s defensively where they struggle. Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly would be a superb signing for Arsenal. The Senegalese powerhouse has all the attributes to defend statements of him being one of the worlds best. Koulibaly has played 15 league games this season starting 14 of them picking up 1218 minutes. Averaging 2.6 tackles per game as well as 2.8 clearances and winning 2.3 aerial duels per game. Surely he would be the man to finally fix the gunners defence. Ghanaian international Thomas Partey would also be an excellent signing for Arsenal.
The Atletico powerhouse is a highly talked about defensive midfielder and he would fit in perfectly to Arsenal’s team. Playing 1,841 minutes in La Liga this season, he’s shown his defensive qualities and what he could bring to North London. Per game, he has averaged 2.1 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, and 1.2 clearances. With 49.5 average passes per game with a success rate of 83.1%, Partey has also shown the skills of starting attacks. If Arsenal were to make both of these signings, it could kick start their way of getting back to the good old Highbury days.
Tottenham’s Signings
Last but certainly not least we have Tottenham. One player who would improve Spurs is Moroccan right-back, Achraf Hakimi. The Dortmund man is a very promising talent with electric pace and a great eye for passes and crosses. Playing 2,492 league minutes over 30 games, the young star has impressed many clubs around Europe. He averages 1.9 tackles per game showing that he is strong defensively but it’s his offensive side of his game which is really impressive. Hakimi has 5 goals and 10 assists to his name, which is comparable to a midfielder’s tally. He averages 1.1 key passes per game and 2.3 dribbles and has a passing success rate of 84.6%. He is what Spurs clearly needs bringing pure offensive and defensive qualities down the right-hand side.
The other position Tottenham need to improve funnily enough is at left-back and the perfect man to sign would be Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico. A key part of Ajax’s Champions League journey last season, the Argentine is a fantastic fullback. Unlike Hakimi, Tagliafico is more of a defensive fullback and he does his job superbly. This season he has 2054 minutes to his name in the 24 matches he has played. His strong defensive abilities are shown in his amazing per game averages. Per game, he averages 2.5 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, and 2.1 clearances. He also has a pass success rate of 85.9%, showing he can pass out from the back successfully as well. These fullback signings would not just help boost and strengthen Tottenham’s defence but their whole team.
Could There be a New Challenger for the Title?
Overall, the signings we have predictively provided to each team would definitely help them improve and get stronger. But, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham still have a long way to catch Liverpool and Manchester City, even with these signings. It could be a long time until they challenge the two big runaways.
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