One necessary transfer move each EPL team must make - Part 2

After discussing about the one necessary transfer that each EPL teams must make in the first part of this story, let us continue with the remaining teams.

# 11 – Newcastle United – Sign Loic Remy

Loic Remy

I don’t know why Loic Remy went to QPR last winter. I don’t know why Newcastle United let the move slip through their hands. But it cost both parties dearly.

After finishing 5th only a season after getting promoted into the Premier League, Newcastle managed to throw it all away and finished last season at 16th position. When Demba Ba scored, Papiss Cisse didn’t and vice-versa. Now, Ba left Newcastle but Cisse didn’t step up. And Newcastle were a striker down. So, it didn’t really go well for them.

Loic Remy is in a bad place with the rape allegations, amongst other things. For him, Newcastle would be a perfect place. So, they need to do everything within their reach to sign him up.

# 12 – Norwich City – Sign Jonjo Shelvey

Jonjo Shelvey

To sign Jonjo Shelvey from Liverpool, Norwich might have to face stiff competition from West Ham United and Swansea City. With this signing of Ricky van Wolfswinkel from Sporting Lisbon, Norwich have somehow found a fix to their striking conundrum.

Signing Shelvey might be difficult, but it would really help them. They need some flair and creativity in the middle of the park, and Bradley Johnson or Jonny Howson are not doing it for them. So, signing someone like Shelvey could really be beneficial.

If they are unable to sign Shelvey, they could go for Steven N’Zonzi as he has handed in a transfer request at Stoke City.

# 13 – Southampton – Buy proper defenders

Davide Astori

Southampton’s season was really impressive. They managed to finish 14th on the table and the performances of Adam Lallana, Ricky Lambert and Morgan Schneiderlin were indeed praise-worthy.

But they let in 60 goals. If Southampton are really serious about a top-half finish they need to do two things – 1) Keep all the star players at helm and 2) Buy some proper defenders.

With reportedly around 30 million at disposal for transfers, Mauricio Pochettino should be able to do a good job reshuffling his defensive lineup. David Astori of Cagliari and Jesus Gamez of Malaga are reported targets.

# 14 – Stoke City – Sign Carlton Cole

Carlton Cole

Stoke City are known for their defensive prowess. Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth can compete with the best central defenders in the business. They have also added a really good left-back to their defensive line up with the signing of Erik Pieters.

Their attacking line-up, on the contrary, hasn’t been that good. Other than Jonathan Walters and Peter Crouch, none of their forwards managed more than 10 appearances last season. Kenwyne Jones and Cameron Jerome have become liabilities.

In Carlton Cole, they would get a striker who is proven and capable. And they won’t have to pay anything since Cole is out of contract at West Ham United. Interest for Cole is relatively high with Southampton, Hull and West Brom all weighing deals for him. If Stoke could get him, it would be a major coup.

# 15 – Sunderland – Replace Simon Mignolet

Kristoffer Nordfeldt

Sunderland need wholesale changes. They narrowly avoided the drop last season and if they don’t want that any more, they should really make some changes.

But before all that, they should find a replacement for Simon Mignolet, one of their best players who has left for Liverpool. Rumours suggest that Sunderland are in for Kristoffer Nordfeldt who plays for Heerenveen in Netherlands.

Sunderland could also be in the running for QPR’s Julio Cesar and Arsenal‘s Vito Mannone. If they manage to lure in Cesar, it could be a real big boost for the club.

# 16 – Swansea City – Hold on to Ashley Williams

Ashley Williams

Michu was fantastic in front of the goal. But the real reason why Swansea finished 9th in the league was also because of their defence. Out of the four defenders, three of them played almost all the games – Ashley Williams, Ben Davies and Angel Rangel.

Now, they have signed another central defender – Jordi Amat from Espanyol. This could make defensive line-up almost perfect. They still have Michu, de Guzman and another potential new signing – Wilfried Bony – in attack.

But the trouble is that the interest for Ashley Williams is growing by day. Everton were interested and now Arsenal have joined the race. So, Swansea City’s biggest move could be to hold on to Williams.

# 17 – Tottenham Hotspurs – Sign a proven striker

Christian Benteke

Andre Villas-Boes has apparently opened up a “fire-sale” where he is going to give the boot to at least 10 players. Defoe, Huddlestone, Parker and Adebayor are part of this fire-sale.

With both Defoe and Adebayor almost certain to be sold, that leaves Tottenham without a striker. Leandro Damiao could be an option; but once again, he doesn’t fit the “proven” criteria.

Christian Benteke could be the perfect option for Tottenham and he might be available for cheap. If not, they could go for David Villa who might be up for grabs this summer.

And may be, just may be, they could entice Gareth Bale to stay for one more season just like Manchester United did with Ronaldo back in 2009.

#18 – West Bromwich Albion – Loan Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku is too good to stay on the bench. West Bromwich Albion won’t be too good without Lukaku. So, this is the only move that would matter at West Brom this summer.

17 goals is a really good number and so is the 8th place finish for West Brom although at point, they were poised for an even higher finish at the point table. Chelsea would most probably sign a big striker this summer. If that happens, Mourinho might be tempted to let Lukaku leave on a loan spell once again and if that happens, West Brom might consider themselves lucky.

# 19 – West Ham United – Lure Demba Ba

Demba Ba

West Ham have done nothing wrong this summer. Signing Razvan Rat from Shakhtar Donetsk on a free transfer was a fantastic move. Also, capturing Andy Carroll from Liverpool on a permanent move too seems a wise decision.

However, they have let Carlton Cole leave. So, they need a striking partner to Andy Carroll.

Jose Mourinho isn’t a big fan of Demba Ba. With the youthful, energetic and extremely talent that he has at his disposal now in Chelsea, Demba Ba is surely the odd man out. Big Sam has spoken about the possible capture of Ba. If he could do it, it would be a huge boost for West Ham who already have a decent enough squad.

# 20 – Crystal Palace- Too many to list!

Breaking the rule of alphabetical order, this is why I have placed them at the last of our list.

Crystal Palace finished 6th on the Football League Championship and barely made it to the play-offs. In the play-offs though, through the brilliance of Wilfried Zaha and Kevin Phillips, they made it through.

Now, Zaha is leaving to Manchester United and Kevin Phillips is already 39 years old. Crystal Palace have been linked with a host of new players and they need at least a few of them to materialize if they want to put up a fight in the big stage. Albert Adomah from Bristol City and Wolves’ Sylvan Ebanks-Blake are apparent targets.

Palace have already signed deals with Peterborough for striker Dwight Gayle and West Brom free-agent Jerome Thomas who is a winger.

Crystal Palace apparently are also interested in loan dealings with reports suggesting that they might be close to signing Arsenal’s Joel Campbell on loan.