'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#4 Newcastle United
Another club hoping that January will be a crucial and active month will be Newcastle United. Current boss Rafa Benitez has done a fine job with what he has had to work with at St James Park but despite having a hard-working group of players, they need extra quality in the final third of the pitch.
The system that Benitez has played is with Ayoze Perez operating in a number 10 role behind an out and out number 9 striker, but getting consistency from the Spaniard has been somewhat of an issue. This role would be the perfect platform for an Adam Lallana, playing in between the lines, drifting to wide positions to open up space for the likes of Kennedy and Matty Ritchie to drift inside and to drop in and use his experience in certain games to make up a three-man midfield.
The Newcastle faithful are known to be passionate and adoring fans, and with a signing of a player like Lallana, they would certainly feel lifted with his presence. His intelligence and link with Shelvey could be a great platform for the club to build upon and cement their place in the Premier League. The former England would certainly be that player who could lift The Magpies and really propel them up the table, come the end of the season.
The big issue for Newcastle and for Rafa Benitez is whether current chairman is going to loosen the purse strings and give the popular manager the opportunity to strengthen come January. If he does open up some funds a move to bring Lallana to St James Park could potentially be a great move for both the club and the player.
