Top Ten: The Neediest Clubs In The Prem

NB - We're working on the assumption that Liverpool don't sell Xabi Alonso (in which case Rafa Benitez needs his head checking), and we're also taking Alex Ferguson's assertion that Manchester United aren't going to spend any more money as gospel. Although many wouldn't...


10 - Blackburn need a striker
There's going to be plenty of competition among lower-mid-table sides for strikers, but Blackburn's need is greater than most. Roque Santa Cruz's absence for long spells last season was a key factor in their struggles, and although Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts chipped in with 17 goals between them, they need a focal point, a forward who can deliver the sort of return Santa Cruz did two seasons back. They have a decent wedge to carry out their task, but as Sam Allardyce discovered while sniffing around Ruud van Nistelrooy, selling the delights of Blackburn to that calibre of player is difficult.


9 - Sunderland need a striker
Whether it really was geography or an unwillingness to stump up his wage demands that caused the Peter Crouch deal to fall through we may never know, but what we do know is that they could do with a man of his type to complement Kenwyne Jones and Fraizer Campbell. Beyond that, the cupboard is a little bare. David Healy? Anthony Stokes? Martyn Waghorn? Hmmmm. Steve Bruce could do with tapping up those contacts in far-flung corners of the globe again.


8 - Everton need some bite in midfield
In Arteta (when he returns), Cahill, Pienaar and Fellaini, David Moyes has plenty of attacking and creative talent in his midfield, but Everton have not had a convincing terrier in their ranks since Thomas Gravesen left. Phil Neville often fills the role, but he's not exactly the most terrifying tackler in the land. Stephane M'Bia finally ended his flirtation by signing for Marseille, while the name Joao Moutinho has been doing the rounds for some time now, and his Sporting Lisbon teammate Miguel Veloso has also been mentioned.


7 - Spurs need a left-sided player
Because no list like this would be complete without it.


6 - Hull need a striker
How bad a salesman must Phil Brown be? Odd, given that he looks like a second-hand car hawker. Though losing Michael Owen to Manchester United and Fraizer Campbell to Steve Bruce is no disgrace, a failure to persuade Daryl Murphy to swap his illustrious spot as Sunderland's fifth-choice forward for a place in the Hull first team should set alarm bells ringing bloody loudly.

Bobby Zamora is the next man in line, but Fulham must be struggling to keep a straight face as they make a profit on a striker who scored twice in the league last season. And that in a considerably better side than Hull. City scored an anaemic 39 times last season, and while their defence could also do with some work, a striker who can get into double figures is an absolute must.


5 - Aston Villa need to replace Martin Laursen
Rated by many Villa fans as their best centre-half since Paul McGrath, the retirement of Martin Laursen at the end of last season left a gaping hole in the Villa defence. They have Zat Knight and Curtis Davies, while a reporter for local rag the Express and Star recently tried to persuade himself that Carlos Cuellar was Olof Mellberg reborn on the basis that the Spaniard had grown a beard. However, none of these options are nearly as commanding as the Dane, and a replacement needs to be snapped up sharpish. Sol Campbell has been mentioned, but would that simply be a cheap option?


4 - Fulham need depth
Last season was a remarkable one for Fulham and Roy Hodgson, but it was one that relied on a fair degree of luck. An impressive nine players made 30 or more starts, along with three ever-presents, and none of their key players missed a significant spell with injury. You could identify certain areas in their side for strengthening (another striker would be nice, as would a deep-lying midfielder), but Hodgson has made clear his intention to take the Europa League seriously, and to do that he needs a serious squad. Such a relatively healthy season will not happen again, so more a wider pool of talent to pick from is required.


3 - Chelsea need a big name
Since Carlo Ancelotti was appointed, Chelsea have been telling everyone who would listen that they are after a 'marquee' signing. And here's Bruce Buck to prove it, saying earlier this month: We are looking for a marquee name and are chasing a few but most of the big clubs are chasing the same players. We are only going to get one of those top-notch players if the price is right and he fits into our team appropriately. But we are optimistic."

The trouble is, which one? The list of 'marquee' names is pretty small anyway, and it's shrinking. Kaka has gone, Ibrahimovic is on his way, Bayern Munich are playing hardball over Franck Ribery, Leo Messi is currently untouchable and David Villa doesn't want to leave Spain. Sergio Aguero is hugely talented but apparently has some rather eye-watering wage demands, while Alex Pato is still basically a child. The list is diminishing to the extent that if they insist on such a move, it is likely to be a massively expensive punt.

Really, Chelsea have talked themselves into something of a corner. For the purposes of their team they don't need a big name, but for the purposes of their dick-swinging contest with the nouveau nouveau riche Manchester City, they do.


2 - Portsmouth need a team
With Glen Johnson gone and Peter Crouch seemingly on his way out, Portsmouth have astonishingly little quality in their squad. Niko Krancjar is possibly the only player in their line-up that a serious rival would covet, and if they do not add some talent to the ranks pretty quickly, it's difficult to imagine anything but a relegation scrap.

Aaron Mokoena is the only addition thus far, while Sean Davis, Jermaine Pennant, Noe Pamarot, Glen Little, Jerome Thomas, Glen Johnson, probably Sol Campbell and possibly Kanu are all shorn from the squad that finished last season.

The good news is Sulaiman Al-Fahim and his cash are now in place. The bad news may be that Paul Hart will be the man spending it. Hart's forte is developing young players, not spotting established ones. Keen scourers of the gossip rags will know that Hart has apparently made persistent bids for Nottingham Forest's James Perch, a player you might not be familiar with, largely because he's nothing more than a solid Championship player who probably won't get in the Forest side next season. If serious additions are not made, it could be a long slog ahead.


1 - Manchester City need a commanding centre-half
One end of the side is well-stocked, now Mark Hughes must (and will) concentrate on the other end. The John Terry business is all well and good for establishing a reputation as a serious big boy in the market, but as we've already said on this site, he's a declining force and their money will be better spent elsewhere. Furthermore, the pursuit is dragging rather, and if a deal cannot be concluded soon it will distract from their pre-season preparations.

Whether Terry is the best bet for City is up for debate, but what isn't is their need for someone in that position. Richard Dunne has become a liability, while Micah Richards has yet to genuinely live up to his early promise. Joleon Lescott seems to be the second choice, but even his ability may have been exaggerated after an excellent first season with Everton.

City have the means to get most targets they desire, but they must move that money quickly to shore up their defence, an admittedly weakened version of which was apparently utterly shambolic in their recent friendly loss against Orlando Pirates. While pre-season jollies aren't a reliable barometer of quality, if City are serious about challenging they need better - much better - than they already have.

Nick Miller