We’ve done one player every club should sell, now it’s time for us to make some signings. With the transfer window open, the Euros and Copa America underway and putting names into the spotlight, we select our most ideal signings for every Premier League club.
Arsenal (Ivan Toney):
The 28-year-old has served his time well at Brentford but now deserves his chance at European football. Toney has netted 72 goals and assisted 23 in 141 appearances for The Bees, and before that was a top EFL scorer with Peterborough United. He’s been selected in England’s Euro squad this summer but will do well to overtake Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins. Toney is a prime example of a player coming up the league and deserves to make the next step in his career. Arsenal have vastly improved in recent seasons; being involved in the title races in the last two seasons. Is Toney the missing piece of the puzzle? He would suit their style of play and can fill the gap of Gabriel Jesus’ injury concerns. The deal is attractive for both parties, with Brentford probably looking to get £50m.
Aston Villa (Murillo):
Aston Villa are set to compete in the Champions League for the first time since 1983. They performed well last season to finish in the top 4 but will undoubtedly need to strengthen their squad to compete at the highest European level. Villa have six centre-backs signed on for next season; Pau Torres and Diego Carlos were the regular centre-back pairing last season with Ezri Konsa spacing his time between central defence and right-back. Tyrone Mings suffered an ACL injury 30 minutes into the season and hasn’t been seen since whilst Calum Chambers appeared five times and Kortney Hause was left out of the 25-man squad entirely. Torres, Carlos and Konsa should remain in the first team fold. It is unclear what role Mings will play following his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury whilst Chambers and Hause are deadwood and need shipping. To compete at the highest level, Villa need stiff competition in all places and I’ve gone with Nottingham Forest’s Murillo to finish the competition in central defence. The Brazilian will be 22 in the summer, so will be the youngest of the Villa defence. He’s provided his worth in the Premier League already with Forest and has been consistent on an average side.
Bournemouth (Caoimhin Kelleher):
The Cherries had a solid season under Andoni Iraola, accumulating 48 points, their highest-ever points tally in the top flight. They have turned into a steady mid-table side. Clubs need to continually improve and I think they need to progress at the back. Last season, captain Neto conceded 55 goals in 32 games, with seven clean sheets. Not a bad return but he’ll be 35 by the time the season starts. Perhaps it’s time for Bournemouth to hand the gloves over? Neto would be an excellent backup option. For his replacement, I’ve chosen Liverpool’s current number 2, Caoimhin Kelleher. He’s shown in recent seasons he is capable of playing in the Premier League by replacing the injured Alisson on several occasions. The 25-year-old is ready to be a first-choice goalkeeper and would fit nicely in at Bournemouth; a team in the top flight but not constantly in the limelight. The ideal location for a goalkeeper in his first season between the sticks.
Brentford (Sammie Szmodics):
At least one of Brentford’s front three will be leaving and Szmodics is a great replacement. He’s enjoyed his time in the EFL and should have won Championship Player of the Year last season. The 28-year-old is somewhat of a late bloomer having got better as the seasons have gone on. He enjoyed his best season previous with 27 goals in 44 Championship appearances. He’s ready for a stint in the premier league and what better place to start top-flight life than an attacking outfit like Brentford?
Brighton & Hove Albion (Ryan Sessegnon):
The youngster has suffered from injuries since his big-money move to Spurs. There’s still a good player in there, having enjoyed his time at Fulham with 43 goal involvements in 120 games. During the 2017/18 season when Fulham were promoted from the Championship, the then 18-year-old won EFL Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year. Sessegnon is versatile and can play anywhere on the left. He could provide back-up to left-backs Estupinan and youngster Barco but can also provide attacking options further up the pitch with Mitoma struggling for fitness and Sarmiento having spent the season on loan previously. Sessegnon needs to rebuild his career and what better way to do that than by adding valuable depth to one of the most exciting teams in Europe? Also, he’s available on a free, so if the move doesn’t work, Brighton wouldn’t be out of pocket.
Chelsea (Theo Hernandez)
How do you choose one player for Chelsea to buy when they seemingly buy players every week? They finished the season off strongly, and in the last ten games gained 21 points, scoring 28 goals. That showcases that the signings in attack have begun to work. Consequently, I’ve searched for signings in defence. Last season, the club used several options at left-back with Ben Chilwell struggling with injuries, Marc Cucurella stepped up whilst centre-back Levi Colwill also shifted over a position. Whilst Chilwell is a solid left-back, it's clear he has struggled with fitness since his move to Chelsea. Whilst Cucurella was a good signing, he hasn’t hit the heights that we saw of him at Brighton – he only assisted once last season. Chelsea are all about attacking and full-backs are a strong part of this. As a result, I’ve selected Theo Hernandez from AC Milan. The 26-year-old enjoyed a strong season in Italy with five goals and four assists in 32 Serie A appearances. He’s enjoyed five seasons in Italy, having previously played for several clubs in Spain. He’d be a good experienced player for Chelsea, and given Thiago Silva has left, that leadership could come in handy.
Crystal Palace (Zuriko Davitashvili):
Michel Olise will inevitably depart Crystal Palace this summer. The London club were in top form when they finished the campaign last season and will be looking to continue that momentum into the next. It is therefore vital that Palace utilise the big money they receive from Olise’s sale. I’ve gone with Zuriko Davitashvili. The Georgian winger is currently in Germany for the Euros. He netted eight times and assisted a further eight in Ligue 1 last season with Bourdeaux. Despite being in a strong group, Georgia’s squad have performed well and I can see several players getting transfers this summer. Whilst Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gets all the attention, I can see Davitashvili making a move too. Palace would provide the next stepping stone in his career and would probably cost two-thirds of Olise’s transfer fee, allowing Palace to add further depth to their squad.
Everton (Aaron Ramsdale):
I selected Jordan Pickford in my ‘One Player Every Club Should Sell’ article recently. The England shot-stopper has been phenomenal the past few seasons for Everton and deserves a big-money move. To replace him, I’ve gone with Ramsdale. The England goalkeeper has been overtaken by Raya at Arsenal. If he wants to find his way back into Southgate’s plans he needs a run of games. A move to replace his England compatriot would be an ideal transfer. The 26-year-old still has plenty to offer and would be a replacement for Pickford. He wouldn’t cost as much as Pickford would be sold for either; which would help Everton out given their financial problems.
Fulham (Kalvin Phillips):
Fulham had a decent season last campaign, with midfielder Joao Palhinha their stand-out performer. The London club managed to keep hold of him for the whole season despite some strong interest from Bayern Munich. I can’t see them keeping hold of him for another season, given the appeal that European football will offer him. They need a like-for-like replacement and I’ve opted for Kalvin Phillips. The England midfielder has endured a torrid time at Manchester City and his loan move to West Ham did no wonders either. I can’t see City wanting to sell him this summer but perhaps a loan-to-buy option might interest them. It’s clear he’s never going to play week-in, week-out for them. Had Leeds United been promoted, a return to them would have been on the cards but they lost their play-off final to Southampton. Fulham would provide another opportunity for Phillips to restart his career.
Ipswich Town (Ross Barkley):
Ipswich deserved their back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League but will need some experience in their squad if they want to stay up next season. They should look to permanently keep hold of the loan signings that helped them go up last season; Omari Hutchinson, Sinisterra and Keiffer Moore in particular. It would be too obvious to select one of these, so I’ve gone with Barkley. Ross Barkley’s career appeared to have halted after his move to Chelsea but he reignited his career last season by signing for Luton Town. He put in some strong performances in midfield for the Hatters’, and even earned some shock rumours to be included in the England squad. With Luton relegated, Barkley will be looking to stay in the Premier League. He would be an ideal signing for Ipswich in midfield, supporting both the defence and attack. Barkley will have lots of offers this summer but how many will want him to play week in, week out like Ipswich?