We all know the usual names that have been associated with a potential move to our club recently, but there are many more players that are somewhat or completely off the radar who could be just as good as the star players, and can sometimes be acquired for a fraction of the price.
If you know any players that could suit us, but haven't been mentioned much, go ahead and name a few, and describe why you think they'd be a good fit. Here are some that I thought were worth a mention:
CB:
Chico Flores (Swansea) - 3.5 tackles, 3.3 interceptions, and over 9 clearances per game in the PL this season. Averages about 60 passes per game and completes about 90% of them. 7 clean sheets out of 20 games this season.
Midfield:
Victor Wanyama (Celtic) - DM/CM with a good eye for goal. Can also play at CB. Has put in some impressive performances in Europe this season. 21 years old, so his skills are still improving.
Morgan Schniederlin (Southampton) - 23 year old DM. 4.3 tackles and 3.8 interceptions per game. Has scored 5 goals this season. Seems to have gotten much better as the season progressed, but perhaps not physically imposing enough.
AM or wide forward:
James Rodriguez (Porto) - as long as we're considering Schurrle, why not this guy? Could be the next Hulk.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Shakhtar) - goal-scoring AM. Accurate passer, has pace, is similar to Lampard in his ability to read the play well and get into goal-scoring positions. Balances offensive prowess with pretty good defensive skills. Stated that over the summer, he wants to move to a top club in a top league. So far, he has been associated with Liverpool and Spurs. If Lamps goes, Mkhitaryan could be a good replacement.
Any others?
Overlooked potential transfer targets
posted on 16/4/13
Chico looks a good player, but been injured a while? I prefer Williams myself. Never actually seen Wanyama, but he's meant to be like Essien. Really not sure on the strength of the Scottish League though. Ki and Jeksvuc were held as highly as Wanyama.
Mkhiriruananetanaywnan didn't really impress against us, but has a good record and wants out.
James Rodriguez
One that's always intrigued me is Wellinton, Brazilian striker for Spartak Moscow, in his peak, quick, good finisher, a goal around every 2 games. But he wouldn't be able to get a work permit, never been called upto Brazil, and for some reason he's gone back on loan to some Brazilian club second half of the season.
posted on 16/4/13
Schniederlin is well overrated. Got really good stats in the first part of the season as Southampton were on the back foot and he was their DM, hence why he got so many interceptions. Not a bad player, but suited to a club on the level of Southampton.
Wanyama looked quality against Barca and decent against Juve, but in the SPL it doesn't look like he motivates himself to the same level.
I'd say James Rodriguez is probably a better signing than Schurrle (albeit having seen more of Schurlle), but both are quality attackers
posted on 16/4/13
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posted on 16/4/13
Despite good cover in terms of numbers I think we need a centre half, a top quality one to partner Luiz as I don't think Terry is up to it anymore, he certainly can't be relied on. Cahill does alright but isn't quite steady enough, I like Brana back inside but we need a pair to make the positions their own and Luiz needs a rock.
I'd go for Subotic.
posted on 16/4/13
Aside from that I'm bit sure lesser know us what we need, either recruit the best or promote our already considerable talent currently on loan.
posted on 16/4/13
@The Blue Kenyan: Henrikh Mkhitaryan seems to be unable to do it against the big guys. He was horrible against Dortmund, too.
posted on 16/4/13
BK - I think the knock against Williams is his age. We should probably look for a more long-term acquisition.
Regarding Wanyama - I guess the Scottish league is pretty weak, but he did hold his own against Barca, Juve, and Benfica. He'd have to adjust to the quality of the EPL, but time is on his side, and for the right price, the risk could be minimal. If he turns out to be anything like a prime Essien, would give us a great boost!
Vaguely remember Welliton, but don't know much about him. A bit weary of strikers coming from the Russian league though, following the Jo fiasco.
Maybe Mkhitaryan needs a catchy moniker... how's Mick? He wasn't Shakhtar's outstanding player against us, and their whole team pretty much fell apart against Dortmund (not sure what happened there. Maybe it was the absence of Willian that was the problem, or maybe it was a stylistic matchup they couldn't handle), but over the course of a league season, goals against weaker teams are critical, and I think that at the very least, he would provide that from AM. I think next season, he will be in a different league, and we'll get a better idea of how well he can do against stronger opponents.
Drogba's Statue - Josh could probably use another season on loan, preferably at an EPL club, and one that will give him regular games. Maybe we can loan Piazon to West Brom next season instead of Lukaku, and see what he can do.
Phoenix - don't know much about Subotic's league form, but seems to be doing well in Europe. Serbia's producing some good CBs, as City showed us over the weekend.
posted on 16/4/13
Phoenix we have some good CBs coming through. Chalobah will hopefully stay in midfield, not too sure about Aké yet, but Omeruo and Kalas are two good, yet different CB/RBs who being different thins to the table.
posted on 16/4/13
When I say not too sure on Aké I mean in his position, as a talent I highly rate him
posted on 16/4/13
We are missing greatly the stature of a player like Michael Ballack. His contributions to the blues is severely underrated. I'm not sure which players presently represent his midfield power service. The Essien type before that also and Makalele.