Which Premier League squads need work in the transfer window? The top 10 clubs

[#Hassan.]

 

The uncertainty over the remainder of the Premier League season means there is also a lack of clarity over the next transfer window.

When will it run to and from? How will spending be affected? And what about the PR implications of paying millions for players in the immediate aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic?

But what is for sure is that top-flight managers will be on the lookout for new recruits, whenever that time comes, and the suspension of football will have given clubs plenty of time to assess their squads.

By looking at the age and playing time of every player this season, we can see the make-up of each squad and where they might need to strengthen, as well as where they might need to replace players who are out of contract and set to leave.

We have assessed all 20 Premier League clubs. On Friday we'll look at the bottom half, but here is our analysis of the teams in the top 10.

Liverpool: If it ain't broke…
On course to win their first league title in 30 years, Liverpool unsurprisingly have no real concerns over the make-up of their squad, with nine first-team players at what we would generally consider to be the peak of their careers.

They do not have a single first-team regular past their peak. The only other top-10 club who can say the same is Manchester United.

 

 

Given Liverpool's planning pedigree, however, the champions-elect could look to replace one of those nine with a star for the future, to avoid letting them all grow old together and the need for mass replacements in a few years' time. By way of warning, they may look to Sir Alex Ferguson's final title triumph in 2013, when he guided Manchester United to top-flight success but left an ageing squad who were unable to match that achievement in subsequent years.

With ultimate utility man James Milner now 34 years old, Jurgen Klopp may also look to add some depth to the squad in various positions, especially at full-back.

Manchester City: Defensive issues
The lack of a settled defence has been the problem for Manchester City this season, with the club having to rely heavily on the now 35-year-old midfielder Fernandinho to fill in at the back. The Brazilian is Pep Guardiola's oldest outfield player but he has played 79% of all Premier League minutes - the third-highest of any of the club's outfield players.

 

 

But in Benjamin Mendy, Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Joao Cancelo, the club do already have a back four in reserve worth £216.5m that Guardiola has been unable or unwilling to put on the pitch.

Although 34-year-old David Silva will leave huge boots to fill, Guardiola has already named hot prospect Phil Foden as his successor, but with a possible two-year European ban looming, he might not be the only player to depart.

Leicester: The next generation
With just two first-team players at their peak, Leicester's mix of title-winning veterans and top-class young talent makes it arguably the most unique squad in the Premier League.

 

 

With Christian Fuchs and Wes Morgan leaving, Brendan Rodgers will need defenders, while the club will one day have to attempt the Herculean task of finding the successor to Jamie Vardy, who turned 33 in January.

The emergence of Caglar Soyuncu and Harvey Barnes means the Foxes have as many as six fantastic young prospects in the first team that Rodgers will hope he can keep together for next season.

Chelsea: Lampard's first signings
After no signings in his first two transfer windows, it will be interesting to see if Frank Lampard continues to trust in youth to replace the front three (Olivier Giroud, Pedro and Willian) of experienced attackers set to leave, although Giroud may yet extend his contract for another year.

 

 

 

Edited May 7, 2020 by #Hassan.