The season is nearly halfway through and January’s winter transfer window is fast approaching, which means Premier League managers should be well aware of how they need to invest.
One position to have risen in importance, and changed in definition, in recent years is that of the full-back, whose attacking responsibilities have increased significantly. The reemergence of wing-backs has also played its part, with versatility among full-backs now another must-have characteristic.
Around Europe right now, there are some amazing full-backs, such as Marcelo, Kyle Walker and Joshua Kimmich. But good luck signing any of them.
So what about those going under the radar? Here are seven such hidden gems, and the Premier League clubs who should try to sign them in January.
Right-backs
Valentino Lazaro (Hertha Berlin)
Who should sign him? West Ham
West Ham are in danger of building a team of Premier League has-beens, with Samir Nasri reportedly training with the club and Yaya Toure linked. At the club already, Pablo Zabaleta is an example of someone who may need to be eased out of the fray, and Valentino Lazaro can be the man to replace him. The 22-year-old, who has been linked with the Hammers recently, is a creative spark on the right for Hertha Berlin at the moment and would pounce ahead of the injured Ryan Fredericks in the pecking order.
Key stat: Only Thorgan Hazard (47) and Max Kruse (46) have created more chances in the Bundesliga than Valentino Lazaro (38).
Kenny Lala (Strasbourg)
Who should sign him? Bournemouth
Bournemouth were linked with a move for Kenny Lala in the summer and it would be well worth revisiting a potential deal for the 27-year-old Frenchman in January. The Cherries are struggling for depth at right-back with Adam Smith injured and Lala has been thriving in Ligue 1. Lala has directly contributed to seven goals for ninth-place Strasbourg this season, with four assists and three strikes of his own, and has shown he is capable of playing at both full-back and wing-back.
Key stat: Kenny Lala has created 29 chances in Ligue 1 this season, more than any other defender.
Enock Kwateng (Nantes)
Who should sign him? Everton
Seamus Coleman may have returned from injury but the Irishman looks a shadow of his former self and Everton could do with a new right-back. Step up Enock Kwateng, who has proven himself to be a rock at right-back for Nantes in Ligue 1, sniffing out and putting a stop to danger on many an occasion.
Key stat: Enock Kwateng (47) has made more interceptions than any other player in Ligue 1 this season.
Pavel Kaderábek (Hoffenheim)
Who should sign him? Southampton
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s arrival at St. Mary’s will bring attacking football back to the south coast and the Austrian needs players to back this up. At right-back, the only first-team option currently is Cedric, but Pavel Kaderabek could provide excitement down that flank. The 26-year-old has recorded four assists in the Bundesliga so far and has shown his ability to play along the right as a full-back or wing-back.
Key stat: Pavel Kaderábek has averaged 1.5 chances created per 90 minutes in the Bundesliga this season.
Left-backs
Junior Firpo (Real Betis)
Who should sign him? Arsenal
Real Betis are having another impressive season, currently sixth in La Liga. Quique Setien has the Seville side playing good possession football, focusing their attacks down the flanks and Junior Firpo has been vital to that. The 22-year-old has chipped in with two goals and one assist in La Liga so far, something Arsenal are missing with their numerous injuries at left-back.
Key stat: Only Sergio Ramos (four) has scored more goals in La Liga as a defender than Junior Firpo (two).
Angelino (PSV)
Who should sign him? Manchester City
Angelino may have only left Man City for PSV in the summer, but the 21-year-old is already proving himself and could be on his way back to the Etihad. Once again City have a problem at left-back, with Benjamin Mendy injured again, and they are currently using Fabian Delph in his spot. But Angelino, who has hailed Pep Guardiola as a genius, has been hurting teams in the Eredivisie with his attacking ability.
Key stat: No defender has recorded more assists than Angelino (five) in the Eredivisie this season.
Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina)
Who should sign him? Chelsea
Marcos Alonso’s weaknesses as a full-back have been exposed this season after impressing in the two years under Antonio Conte as a wing-back. Should Chelsea wish to resolve this problem, it wouldn’t harm them to look to another Fiorentina left-back in Cristiano Biraghi. The 26-year-old has been involved in goals this season with two assists and a strike of his own in Serie A, but Biraghi is also defensively sound with Fiorentina boasting the fourth-best defence in Serie A.
Key stat: Only Nicola Murru (25) has made more interceptions in Serie A than Cristiano Biraghi (24) among full-backs.
The post Under the radar: Seven full-backs and the Premier League clubs that should sign them in January appeared first on Squawka News.
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