Summer Transfer Business, Club by Club – Part Six (Chelsea, Bolton and West Brom)

Our look ahead to the summer’s wheeling and dealing continues with views from supporters of champions Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion.

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Chelsea

Joe Bossendorfer, supporter

What does your squad need?

I think this question rests on the future of Joe Cole at the moment. If he leaves, a right-sided forward or attacking midfielder should be our priority. Kalou has been drafted in for much of the season but even taking his late season form into account I am in no doubt we could do better. If Joe stays on, I would like to see a quality holding midfielder brought in to free Michael Essien into a more advanced position. With Deco and Belletti certainties to leave, Michael Ballack struggling against fitter teams these days and Jon Obi Mikel still not inspiring huge confidence in the role, it’s a position which may need strengthening.

Who should you lose?
It seems that Deco, Belletti, Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho are definitely all off already. Ballack is angling for another year’s contract and from what I’ve heard about his training ground presence, this may not be a bad thing. His best days on the field are behind him but his experience and massive presence are useful tools when bringing youth into the team. I wonder if he would be interested in a pay cut as well! Then you have players like Hilario (who has done well with us but is in the last chance saloon, and if he ever fancies being a number 1 again now is the time to go), Scott Sinclair (who after a brief flourish has gone cold) and Michael Mancienne (who has growing Premier League experience but is still lacking somewhat).

How much have you got to spend?
The billion £££ question. We are told by chairman Bruce Buck that the days of bidding wars, huge contracts and wild fees are a thing of the past, but if, for example, Fernando Torres was waved under Roman’s nose for £50-60m, can I honestly say I think Roman would pass it up? I can’t. I suppose you also have to factor in that Ancelotti is yet to make a major signing since arriving at Chelsea, and the club would surely have to indulge him after the season we had – especially with Roman’s obvious lust for Champions League glory.

If you could realistically only sign one player this summer, who would it be?

Sergio Agüero. The more I see of him, the more I like him. He’s tough, pacey, skilful and increasingly experienced even at 21. Add to this the fact that we seem to have a fair few young defenders and midfielders about to roll off the production line, but only Fabio Borini up front to add to our ageing first choice forward line, signing Agüero looks a sensible move.

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Bolton Wanderers

Mar, supporter and forum member

What does your squad need?

Bolton could do with strengthening three positions in the squad. We need a creative central midfielder, a striker and another central defender. The quality of replacements needed depends on who leaves the squad during the transfer window. In terms of striking options we have Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies at present, with the Ivan Klasnic looking to have his move made permanent. If we lose Gary Cahill we’ll need another two centre halves, one top class and another for cover. We have a great ball winner in Fabrice Muamba, now we just need someone to link our attack and our defence. The Sun reported that Aruna Dindane was set to sign for us, but it seems he’s instead opted for a pay day in the Middle East. I wouldn’t mind seeing Tal Ben Haim or Bernard Mendy back at the club but I doubt that will happen.

Who should you lose?

We should offload Elmander and bring in a replacement. Elmander hasn’t fit the bill for some time now and despite his efforts still doesn’t look likely to reproduce the impressive form he showed during his time at Toulouse. We’ve already lost Danny Shittu, Ricardo Vaz-Té and Zoltan Harsanyi, so we’re two strikers and a centre half down. We have an abundance of right-backs, so we could definitely afford to lose Nicky Hunt.

How much have you got to spend?
Not a great deal, to be honest. There could be big things happening for Bolton this summer if we lose Elmander or Cahill for big fees, so expect to see a couple of million spent if those happen. We look set to be bringing in some of Burnley’s players (Wade Elliot and Clarke Carlisle look like they could join), so overall I would expect to see around £3-4m spent if Cahill and Elmander stay, and around £8 million if either goes.

If you could realistically only sign one player this summer, who would it be?
Realistically it would have to be Jimmy Bullard. He’d do the job of linking up the play and giving us that creative edge. Although I don’t like his temperament at times (or his injury record), his qualities are what’s missing at the Reebok at the moment and he might move us up that next step. Unrealistically, I’d love to sign Thierry Henry much in the way West Ham are hoping to, but I know he’d likely cripple our club with his outlandish wages.

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West Bromwich Albion

ThePennyDrops, supporter and forum member

What does your squad need?

A goalkeeper to challenge Scott Carson, and a pair of solid full-backs (the ones we have at the moment prefer to attack, which leaves us weak in defence) and one or two Premier League standard goalscorers.

Who should you lose?

Joe Mattock (slow, useless shit). The other ones I’d want to lose are those already out on loan, such as Leon Barnett, Reuben Reid and Borja Valero. We’ve recalled the latter two, though God alone knows why. I’d also say we need to trim our midfield, but it’s so hard to work out who should be culled as we have so many great players in that area. However, of all the players we have, the one for whom I would hail a taxi and give him his fare is Luke Moore.

How much have you got to spend?
Be serious, this is West Brom we’re talking about. When do we EVER spend any money?

If you could realistically only sign one player this summer, who would it be?
I wouldn’t say no to having Jason Roberts back to be honest. We’re apparently expressing interest in James Beattie, which would also do. And Arsenal fans are always moaning about Nicklas Bendtner, so if they fancy giving him a year’s loan spell…