3 positions Stoke need to improve this transfer window
With the Europa League game against Hadjuk Split less than a week away, I am quite worried about our lack of activity in the window so far. We have signed Jonathan Woodgate on a free transfer, which is a risk but one I think is worth taking as the deal appears to be play as you play. Woodgate is, when fit, a fantastic defender with great composure and will be good competion for Shawcross and Huth. However a cover centre back isn’t what we need. Pulis and Coates continually talk about improving each year but i’m beginning to worry how we are going to without the addition of new players before the season begins. I’m not expecting us to pay over the top for average players i.e Carlton Cole but I do expect our wage structure to change to enable us to attract the type of players needed to become a consistently decent Premier League side. There are 3 positions I believe we need to improve:
1. Striker(s)
We have come close to signing Cole and Jerome and i’m not sure either of them are the answer. I would love to see us push the boat out to sign Daniel Sturridge. Sturridge is a fabulous talent and would play brilliantly with Kenwyne. I think we could do with two strikers as if Jones or Walters get injured, we are in deep trouble.
2. Centre-Mid
We are desperate for some creativity in the team as we do rely way too much on set pieces. Players such as Mo Sissoko and Wilson Palacios have been heavily linked but I think that we need a midfielder with better ball retention such as Darron Gibson. Gibson alongside someone such as Palacios or one of the midfielders we have already, would be fantastic as he is a midfielder who can score but more importantly can create goalscoring opportunities which our strikers would thrive on.
3. Left/Right Back
We really do need a new full back. Someone who can attack as well as defend. playing Wilson at left back is ridiculous considering that Pulis insists he will be one of the best MIDFIELDERS in the Prem in a few years. Vasilis Torosidis would be absolutley perfect for us as he is quick, a great crosser of the ball and a decent defender to. This is proven by him winning Greek player of the year award last season.
I really hope that Pulis and Coates will sort this out and get in the players that we need. If they do, it promises to be yet another exciting season at the Brit
Alexis Sanchez finally gets his dream move
Yesterday evening Barcelona and Udinese finally reached an agreement over the long awaited transfer of Chilean attacker Alexis Sanchez in a deal originally worth around €26 million which could rise to €37.5 million depending on games played, goals scored etc.
Sanchez could well be one of the signings of the summer as Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo said “ I am sure Madrid will not win anything next year if Barca sign him”. His powerful direct approach has invited lots of comparisions with Cristiano Ronaldo but the Chilean star shrugged it off by saying ”I am just Sanchez”.
This summary of himself is key to his success. If people compare him with Messi or Ronaldo they are wide of the mark. Sanchez has elements of both Messi and Ronaldo in his locker as he is a great dribbler like Messi and also powerful like Ronaldo. Barcelona bought Sanchez to further enhance the wonderful football that they played last season and to keep improving in every way.
A lot of people are sceptical of the price tag but if Stewart Downing at the age of 26 is worth £20 million then Sanchez at the age of 22 with a lot more potential definitely is worth the fee. This further shows Guardiola’s ambition to keep improving and his fantastic attitude towards the beautiful game.
I for one am certainly looking forward to watching Sanchez and possibly Fabregas play for the Blaugrauna next season.
Source: goal.com
