Harry Kane would turn Manchester United into big players in next season’s title race, says Paul Merson
In his latest column, Paul Merson insists that Manchester United should target Harry Kane to make them Premier League title challengers.
Merson says that Tottenham will have to fight to keep the attacker and believes that Kane would be a better option than the “hot and cold” Anthony Martial.
As for Chelsea, Merson believes that Frank Lampard should invest in a central defender and left back this summer, and has indicated John Stones of Manchester City as a potential signature, while Merse also feels that the city itself may have difficulty finding a world-class center – half to improve your defense.
‘Kane would make Man Utd huge challengers’
Kane’s Spurs qualified for the Europa League next season under Jose Mourinho
Spurs must hold Harry Kane. They built a new stadium and at the moment they can’t get the fans involved, which hit Tottenham hard, I don’t care what anyone says. All the revenue they lost, not just from their fans, but no NFL games, no concerts, no nothing. Mourinho knows that if he doesn’t involve the players too, they won’t improve or challenge. Mourinho isn’t there to challenge the top four, he’s there to win something.
I think Manchester United needs a center forward. I really do. And if they make a huge offer for Harry Kane, they become huge players next season in the Premier League.
People say Anthony Martial has done great things, and he has done well, and Mason Greenwood will be a superstar, but if you can get Kane to play in the middle, with Martial, Greenwood and Rashford spinning, Kane is making you 20 goals in a bad season!
Martial is a hot player; when it’s hot, it’s brilliant. But don’t win the championship in hot and cold. Win the league for consistency, and Harry Kane brings it to you, he is the best striker in the Premier League. He can score out of nowhere when things aren’t going well and United need a natural marker.
02:47 FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of the 1-1 draw between Crystal Palace and Tottenham in the Premier League.
There will also be games where United needs someone to keep the ball high. They won’t dominate every game with free-flowing football, and sometimes when the ball goes up it has to stick.
If United buy Harry Kane and a midfield partner for Harry Maguire, they will be huge players next year. You have to remember that the next season will be a quick turnaround, and it’s just a good start. If you win the first five or six Premier League games, you are in the title race. The teams could come out very quickly next season. The city will improve, Chelsea are improving, United will improve. We saw him with Liverpool this season, the City has slipped a few times and ended in November!
‘Chelsea should sign Stones’
John Stones admitted that he recently spent a frustrating time with Manchester City
People talk about the goalkeeper being a priority. Kepa Arrizabalaga isn’t saving points right now, it’s a problem, but they have an excellent second goalkeeper in Willy Caballero, and I think he’s really underestimated. Nowadays, if we are talking about Jan Oblak, it will cost £ 100 million. Kepa itself costs 71 million pounds and also has large wages.
I’m not sure, since it wouldn’t be my top priority for the summer for Chelsea. They sign another £ 100 million on a goalkeeper, where you already have a goalkeeper on which you spent £ 71 million, with a lot of money, and aren’t you going to get that money back? Eventually he becomes a £ 150 million goalkeeper, because you would need to swallow the pill on Kepa. For me it is not their main priority.
Their priority must be to get a half court and a left back. 100 percent. He tells you everything they need to play three behind, Frank Lampard doesn’t trust the central defenders. They have bought well so far, Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech are important purchases, but they do not end up like Arsenal, where everyone shouts and can see what they need. For how many years have we said that Arsene Wenger needs a half-court, but never went to get one?
Marcos Alonso must be replaced for me; achieves vital objectives but is not a natural defender. This does not help the rear three because the central halves have to get out of their comfort zone and go out of the box line to defend themselves on the wings. Alonso causes this problem.
02:51 FREE TO WATCH: highlights of Chelsea’s victory against wolves in the Premier League.
Cesar Azpilicueta is a great professional, but he is now moving forward. Kurt Zouma has an error in him. Chelsea don’t have a natural midfield that can put their foot on the ball and play. I’d go get John Stones for that, and play him in the middle of the three. So I would say I have Antonio Rudiger and Christensen on both sides. Chelsea love to play with the back, they pull it out every time, so you need someone incredibly good on the ball. If you have a rhythm around them, I think it will help Chelsea; I think Stones would be a great buy, and he has to play three.
Stones has the potential to be exceptional, he really does, but he needs trust. Chelsea currently have three center halves that are not of the same class as Stones on the ball.
“Liverpool must kick”
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool must look for ways to keep improving, says Merson
I think Liverpool has to buy, but it’s difficult to know exactly where. Spurs had a similar situation under Pochettino a couple of years ago; they had such a good XI that whoever bought it couldn’t play much. You can’t live like this, you have to keep the competition and keep the rotation.
There is a fast food chain that sells more burgers or fries than anyone else, but they spend more on advertising than anyone else. You have to kick.
I found that with Spurs they never had a chance, and he came back to bite them.
“Central halves difficult to find for the city”
It is clear that Manchester City will have to strengthen in defense ahead of next season
The city has to buy defenders and it is potentially more than one. The stones will go away because he doesn’t play, but which central halves are there for City?
These young players who reach 21, 22, 23 years old, when they were 10 or 11 years old, were looking at Messi and Ronaldo, nobody wanted to be the center! How many top halves are there in the world right now? Now there is a shortage worldwide, so it is difficult, and if you are a decent midfield you will go for at least £ 60 million.
The summer transfer window will last 10 weeks from July 27th and will close at 11pm on October 5th. A window for national exchanges between Premier League and EFL only will therefore take place from 5 October and will close on Friday 16 October at 17:00. Follow all the news and analysis on Sky Sports News and on Sky Sports digital platforms.
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