'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAf/2gAIAQEAAAAAggv/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAF//xAAeEAACAgICAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAwIRAAQSISJTYf/aAAgBAQABPwDTXepsKivXJhEOLWK5T6rxHyjk75moqq/WM//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAECAQE/AK//xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAgBAwEBPwCn/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Have you ever played Manager Mode on FIFA and fixed your favourite club's real-life weaknesses with a click of a button? Only if the actual transfer market was this easy to manoeuvre and get around, life would be so much easier.
But there's no rule that says we can't hypothetically live this fantasy transfer world. Confused? Let's try to break it down then.
What we're going to do is analyse which player from the Premier League's 'Big 6' could potentially solve another rival's problems. But before we get going to the list, let's make one thing clear: only players from Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United will be taken into consideration, and no player from another league or from outside these six clubs is eligible to be part of this little Fantasy.
Trending
To make things a little more interesting, we're going to try to "transfer" players to direct rivals. And finally, this is a hypothetical exercise so let's not take it too seriously.
Without further ado, let's get straight into it!
#1 Manchester City - Paul Pogba
It's not that Manchester City necessarily need a player to improve their team. But boy oh boy wouldn't Pep Guardiola make the Frenchman tick.
Manchester City do have a brilliant midfield at their disposal with the likes of David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho forming the core. Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Fabian Delph and Phil Foden have proved to be able backups, but if this hypothetical transfer does take place, you would back Pogba to be a long-term replacement for David Silva.
An attack with Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne right behind them could send shivers down any team's spine. Furthermore, you have to back Guardiola to take a talented Pogba and make him a decidedly world-class player.
#2 Liverpool - John Stones
Virgil Van Dijk and John Stones as centre-backs? Strikers can kiss scoring goals goodbye. Stones would be an upgrade to Dejan Lovren and compatriot Joe Gomez.
Liverpool are another team that seem to have a flawless squad on paper, and who aren't making too many mistakes this season. When Jurgen Klopp first arrived at the club he was immensely criticised for the way he set up his defense, but with the recruitment of Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson along with the emergence of Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold, they seem to have solved their defensive issues.
Nevertheless, we still fell they can improve with their centre-backs.
If they were to choose a player from their five title rivals, they would undoubtedly go for John Stones. The Englishman would indefinitely strengthen their defense and would make them runaway title co-favourites.
#3 Tottenham Hotspur - Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard is a player that would honestly fit in all five teams, but I'm going to go with Tottenham for the Belgian talisman.
Tottenham Hotspur are insanely consistent in the defensive phase of the game but aren't as consistent when it comes to banging in those goals. Now before you pounce on me, yes they have Harry Kane, but they seem to be overly reliant on Kane for goals. Son, Eriksen and Alli have their phases but aren't as consistent.
Hazard would add a certain cutting edge to the Spurs side and will be able to just dribble past defenders for fun. He would be sensational on the wing with his take-ons, pace and drive.
Furthermore, a forward line with Hazard, Alli, Kane and Eriksen would be lethal. But don't worry, Chelsea fans; this is all hypothetical.
#4 Chelsea - Harry Kane
This one's a no-brainer. Chelsea have lacked a consistent centre-forward since Diego Costa's departure and obviously, I've gone with Harry Kane for this one.
The English captain makes the cut despite Chelsea showing some vulnerabilities in defense. Reinforcing the striker position still seems like priority number one for them.
And Kane is arguably the best striker in the league. For a club to have two under-fire and inconsistent strikers in Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, acquiring Harry Kane, even if it's hypothetical, would be a dream.
Yes, Giroud is a target man and sets up more goals than he scores, but we all know that Sarri's system thrives on the centre-forward being the fulcrum of the attack. And Kane scores crucial goals, takes his chances, is a genuine leader and is a team player.
As much as I believe in Morata's potential and Giroud's contribution, Kane would definitely get the nod ahead of the current Chelsea strikers.
#5 Arsenal - Toby Alderweireld
Arsenal have some gaping holes in their defense, and Toby Alderweirald would be the perfect player to help cover those up.
Unai Emery has improved Arsenal's attack and the Gunners look absolutely sensational in the final third, but the same can't be said about their defense. So Alderweireld is a no-brainer, really.
Alderweireld would fix all of Unai Emery's defensive problems. He would most probably be paired with Greek international Sokratis Papastathopoulos, and the two would make a great centre-back pair.
The Belgian on his day is definitely one of the best in the world. He is also solid on the ball and can help kick-start attacks with his freakishly good pass accuracy.
Alderweireld would indefinitely solve the Gunners' defensive problems; he is the kind of defender the London club have been craving for years.
#6 Manchester United - Virgil Van Dijk
Van Dijk is probably the best centre-back in the league. And given United's disorganised look this season, Van Dijk would be a much-needed addition.
It's no secret that Jose Mourinho wanted to acquire a quality centre-back in the summer window, and considering their defensive frailties this season, we understand Mourinho's plight. United were linked to the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Yerry Mina and Jerome Boateng, but none of those transfers came to fruition.
Mourinho is a manager who loves to have a quality backline, and Van Dijk has the quality to improve not only the defense but the whole team with his leadership skills. Mourinho likes to 'park the bus', but without a quality centre-back, his tactic will fail miserably.
The Red Devils could do with Van Dijk's 90% pass accuracy to kick-start counter-attacks. Furthermore, he could really improve Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly too, but it's all a fantasy isn't it?
