The transfer
window has flung open its doors with teams now allowed to add fresh blood to
their squads for the second half of the season. Here we assess the positions
each team may look at to strengthen their team.
Barnsley:
Gerhard Struber has
certainly ignited Barnsley’s survival charge since taking over in November. The
Tykes are full of confidence, scoring goals and playing some good football.
Struber is expected to add fresh faces to his squad as his shapes the team in
his image. Marcel Ritzmaier has already arrived from his former Wolfsberger. A
striker and defenders could be high on Struber’s shopping list.
Birmingham
City: It's been a mixed
season for Pep Clotet and Birmingham. The Blues have shown they are a good side,
but they severely lack consistency. There has been a huge transition of players
at the club and there could be more action in January. Clotet could be looking
to strengthen the Blues backline with Birmingham leaking plenty of goals in
recent weeks. They also lack creativity in midfield so expect Clotet to address
that.
Blackburn:
Replacing the injured
Bradley Dack could be high on Tony Mowbray’s shopping list. The loss of Dack
has hit Blackburn hard so expect Mowbray to address that. Another striker could
also be high on the list with Blackburn’s forwards struggling to find the net consistently.
Brentford:
It has been a strong
first half of the season for the Bees. Thomas Frank wants to continue their
promotion charge. He has admitted he wants another forward despite the arrival
of Hilal Dervisoglu. However, his main target will be keeping the likes of Ollie
Watkins and Said Benrahma at the club.
Bristol City:
Lee Johnson wants
more firepower and creativity at Bristol City. The Robins want another striker in
January to try and get them back into the promotion race. A disappointing
December has left the fans frustrated and unhappy. Expect Lee Johnson to add a
couple of bodies most likely on loan.
Cardiff: Expect a busy window at Cardiff. Neil
Harris has promised changes with the squad far too big for his liking as well
as poor performances from the players. A mini revamp is expected with Cardiff
outside the play-off places.
Charlton:
A new set of owners
has brought new optimism to Charlton. East Street Investments are in and determined
to back Lee Bowyer in every way possible. Andre Green has already arrived on
loan from Aston Villa. Charlton are expected to be busy over the next few weeks.
Derby: Its been a slow start for Philip Cocu
at Derby but he is slowly getting what he wants from the players. Owner Mel
Morris has promised they will be new signings in January. Kieran Dowell has cut
short his loan and Derby will look to fill that void.
Fulham: Scott Parker may be seeking new blood
to aid Fulham’s promotion push. Michael Hector is ready to play after his move
was fully confirmed. He will aid a shaky Fulham defence. A new striker to
compete with Aleksandar Mitrovic could be high on their list.
Huddersfield: It’s been a much-improved Huddersfield
since Danny Cowley took over in September. However, injuries have blighted his
team so expect Huddersfield to be active in January. Cowley will be assessing
all positions as he looks to ensure Huddersfield remain a Championship club.
Loan deals more than permanent deals are likely for the Terriers.
Hull: Keeping Jarrod Bowen will be the focus
of the transfer window. The striker is attracting interest from Premier League
clubs. But keeping him gives Hull a great chance to finish in the play-off
places. Grant McCann will be looking to add a few faces and has already brought
Herbie Kane on loan from Liverpool. The Tigers will be active as they look to
push the play-off places.
Leeds: A new striker will high on their
list. Leeds only have Patrick Bamford on their books after Eddie Nketiah ended
his loan at the club. So, Marcelo Bielsa will be looking for a least one
attacker and maybe another centre half.
Luton: The Hatters needed experience and defensive-minded players. They are desperately struggling in the Championship
with wins eluding them. They leak far too many goals especially away from
Kenilworth Road. Defenders will be top of Graeme Jones’ shopping list.
Middlesbrough:
Firepower and creativity
are in short supply at Boro. Jonathan Woodgate is slowly getting the best out
of his players and already has new faces in Patrick Roberts and Lukas Nmecha through
the door. He needs more firepower and creativity with Boro lacking options in
the forward areas.
Millwall:
Gary Rowett has
enjoyed a terrific start at Millwall. He arrived in October and has taken
Millwall by storm. However, he will want to add a couple of players who fit his
style. He will also want to ensure Jed Wallace doesn’t leave the club with
interest growing in Millwall’s talisman.
Nottingham
Forest: It was a big
summer in terms of player transfers for Forest. Sabri Lamouchi has done an excellent
job thus far with Forest comfortably sat in the top 6. However, Lamouchi may
want another striker to ease the burden on Lewis Grabban.
Preston: The Lilywhites are enjoying an
excellent season. Alex Neil’s team are very much in the promotion race and are
proving a tough nut to crack. However, Alex Neil may want a few fresh faces to
continue Preston’s charge.
QPR: While QPR are excellent going forward,
The R’s are desperately disappointing at the back. They concede far too many
goals for a side wanting to challenge for promotion. Mark Warburton may look at
adding to his defence. However, his big priority is ensuring Eberechi Eze
remains a QPR player.
Reading: It’s been a terrific turnaround at Reading
under Mark Bowen. They are very much pulling away from the drop and looking up.
Reading will be looking at some form of business in January despite their big
summer window. It will be loan deals for the Royals if Bowen does add to his squad.
Sheffield
Wednesday: A new striker
will be high on Garry Monk’s shopping list. Without Steven Fletcher in the
team, the Owls severely lack goals and firepower. Monk may want to add further
faces in midfield. Loans are looking likely for Wednesday with Financial Fair
Play hovering over the club.
Stoke: Michael O’Neill has certainly got
Stoke motoring since taking over. However, they still hover dangerously above
the bottom three. O’Neill will target new players to get Stoke clear from
danger. It will be a window where Stoke attempts to clear out the deadwood at
the club. Badou Ndiaye has already left and more are expected to follow.
Swansea: Swansea are looking good under Steve
Cooper but no doubt the Swansea boss wants a few signings in January. He has already
lost Sam Surridge who has been recalled by Bournemouth. Expect Swansea to fill
that void and add a couple more. Most likely to be loan deals for the Swans.
West
Brom: Slaven Bilic
has said West Brom will only add players if they fit the squad and add more quality
to what he has. Matheus Pereira’s loan is going to be made permanent according
to Bilic. He may want another midfielder and possibly another striker as West
Brom charge towards the Premier League.
Wigan: Creativity and goals are a priority
area for Wigan. The Latics severely lack goals and creativity which is why they
are stuck in the bottom three. Kieran Dowell has arrived on loan from Everton but
certainly, Paul Cook will want a couple more in that area.
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