Player Focus: Today's Premier League Transfer Rumours Reviewed
Amidst reports that Nacho Monreal is on the verge of a return to Spain, with Athletic Club leading the race to secure his services, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has moved to cover any departure with the capture of Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam. The Algeria international has only been at the Stadio San Paolo for 18 months, but has impressed during his short stint at the club. Only Kalidou Koulibaly (7.13) gained a better WhoScored rating than Ghoulam (7.09) of all Napoli players in Serie A last season. Rafael Benitez’s decision to depart Naples for Real Madrid, however, could see the left-back move on to pastures new.
When given a license to push forward, the 24-year-old is a commendable performer having averaged 0.8 successful dribbles and 1.1 key passes per game in Italy’s top tier last term. Meanwhile, the Algerian carries out his defensive responsibilities impressively having averaged 1.9 tackles and 2.1 interceptions. The latter in particular is important for a full-back, given their duties. A player in this position is expected to instigate attacks and provide width for a team higher up the pitch.
For Arsenal, this is essential given the system deployed in a 4-2-3-1 formation. With the attacking three often drifting across the final third, the full-backs are crucial to helping stretch the opposition and provide further offensive outlets. In Ghoulam, the Gunners would have a left-back who can carry out this task efficiently and, as his defensive displays suggest, not relinquish his duties at the back.
Tottenham have strengthened their defence accordingly this summer through the signings of Kevin Wimmer, Kieran Trippier and Toby Alderweireld and have now turned their attention to bolstering the attack. Having missed out on the signing of Christian Benteke, who looks set to secure a big money move to Liverpool, the north London side have supposedly turned their attention to his compatriot Michy Batshuayi. The Marseille youngster is highly thought of at the Ligue 1 side, so they would be loathe to losing the Belgian, though Spurs have previously tracked the 21-year-old and could make their move for him this summer.
With Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor destined for a White Hart Lane exit this summer, a need for a new frontman is essential to ease the burden on Harry Kane. Batshuayi certainly fits the bill and matches the needs of both chairman Daniel Levy and manager Mauricio Pochettino. Very much a diamond in the rough, the Belgium international still impressed under Marcelo Bielsa last season netting 9 league goals, a return bettered only by Andre-Pierre Gignac (21) and Andre Ayew (10) of all Marseille players.
Furthermore, of all players to net 5 or more goals in Ligue 1 last term, Batshuayi had the best minutes per goal return (one goal every 99.9 minutes). Despite a lack of regular first team action, the striker made his time on the pitch count, though it’s likely that, following the respective departures of Gignac and Ayew, Marseille will do all they can to retain the services of Batshuayi. Able to drop deeper to hold up possession and bring others into play and a sturdy performer with the ball at his feet, the youngster would make for an astute pick up for Spurs.
After staving off the threat of relegation, Sunderland moved quickly to secure the services of key defender Sebastian Coates, turning his loan move permanent after an impressive end to the campaign for the Black Cats. Ricky Alvarez quickly followed suit - as part of the deal that took him to the Black Cats in the first place - and Dick Advocaat is now moving on other top targets. One of those high on the wishlist is compatriot Jeremain Lens, who worked with Advocaat at AZ Alkmaar and PSV Eindhoven. Sunderland lacked drive in wide positions last season, but the capture of Lens would provide an injection of pace and width.
Looking at his Europa League stats, Lens averaged a respectable 1.6 successful dribbles per game last season, a figure bettered only by Alvarez (2.2) of Sunderland players in the Premier League. While transferring an ability from one competition to another is easier said than done, Lens boasts the experience to quickly become a hit on Wearside should his move go through as expected.
Given Sunderland’s top goalscorers in England’s top tier last term were Connor Wickham and Steven Fletcher with 5 apiece, Lens also has the goal getting capability to share the goalscoring duty with the Black Cats’ misfiring frontmen. 3 goals in last season’s Europa League was a respectable return for a player whose 10 starts in the competition came on the wing. Lens will help stretch opposition defences and create chances for his teammates, as noted in his average of 1.6 key passes per European game for Dynamo Kiev last season. Importantly, though, Advocaat knows how to bring out the best in the Netherlands international and given ‘The Little General’ favours a 4-3-3 formation, the 27-year-old could be just what Sunderland need to build on last season’s exploits.
Who of these players do you think we will be seeing in the Premier League soon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
