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Top 10 New Year Resolutions For Premier League Sides Including Manchester United And Arsenal

Top 10 New Year Resolutions For Premier League Sides

As the New Year approaches, and with it, the second half of the Premier League, we all now have a solid idea of where certain teams will end up come May, and what those certain teams may need to work on to accomplish their goals in the coming months. Here I take a look at ten teams and what their New Year’s resolution must be for the second half of the campaign.

1) Manchester United: Bring In A Central Defender

Mats Hummels

All season Manchester United has been lacking in the department in which the team used to perfect: the centre of defence. With Nemanja Vidić and Rio Ferdinand having made the switches to Inter Milan and Queens Park Rangers respectively, Man United have been sorely missing that key commanding figure in their back line. David De Gea has been put to the test in the first half of the season, and he has responded wonderfully, often times being United’s best player on the pitch. But, obviously, a team cannot rely solely on its goalkeeper, so Louis Van Gaal will have to dip into the market and find a central defender worthy of taking over from the big Serbian; perhaps Mats Hummels will make the move to England? Time will tell, but If United can secure its defensive line, they may be able to make a serious title challenge in the second half of the season.

2) Arsenal: Acquire A Strong Holding Man

I’ll bet there are more than a few Arsenal fans ruing the criticisms that they laid upon Alex Song for his loan move to West Ham. The Hammers are sitting pretty above the Gunners thus far, and it must be said that Song has lent more than a helping hand to the cause. Commanding the midfield is key to any success in football, and Arsenal lack a Yaya Touré or Nemanja Matić in its squad that could see the team truly excel this year. Many people will disagree and say that it is in the striking department that Arsenal must build upon, but I thoroughly disagree due to the fact that Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud provide more than enough firepower going forward. It is controlling the middle of the park that must be worked on come January, and Wenger will have to spend big if he is to land a reputable name. Sergio Busquets, anyone?

3) Liverpool: Sort Out The Goalkeeping Mess

The Premier League is no tournament for switching out goalkeepers every couple of weeks, and Rodgers seems to have little faith in both Simon Mignolet and Brad Jones. Consistency is key in both a goalkeeper’s confidence and performance, so a first choice must be firmly established in January. Personally, I feel that Mignolet is more than capable of becoming a great keeper in a Liverpool jersey, but Rodgers may be opting for an out of work Victor Valdés for the New Year. Time will tell, but one way or another, the situation must be resolved.

4) Manchester City: Let Go Of Super Frank

It’s not fair to the Chelsea faithful to have to endure watching highlights of Frank Lampard netting goals and setting them up in a sky blue jersey. It’s borderline blasphemous. Who could blame Man City for wanting to keep hold of a man who has proven himself year in and year out for close to fifteen years, even with his advancing age? Perhaps this is just bitterness talking, but Lampard has signed a contract with New York City FC, and come January, he must be allowed to leave the club and pursue his success in the MLS. It’s not as if the Citizens do not have the money to replace him.

5) Chelsea: Steer Clear Of Injury

I recently watched a Blues game in which the commentator referred to the trio of Eden Hazard, Oscar, and Willian as the ‘Holy Trinity’, and it is hard to argue. I have never seen an attacking trio sitting behind the main striker with as much ability to interchange and leave defenders for dead as these three. Hazard needs no introduction; he’s quickly becoming one of the best in the world, but the work rate that both Oscar and Willian bring to the Chelsea set up is second to none in Europe at the moment, let alone England. Willian has fully come into his own at Chelsea and underlined his importance to the club in the 1-1 draw with Southampton. He can change a game, and will be crucial for the second half of the campaign. The ‘Holy Trinity’ must remain fit if Chelsea is to knock Man City off of the Premier League throne.

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