Last-minute shopping: What each club needs 1 week from deadline day
With one week to go until the summer transfer window slams shut, theScore assesses what business each Premier League team needs to conduct before Aug. 31.
Arsenal
Shortcomings: A lot of attacking emphasis rests on the shoulders of Olivier Giroud and, at times, the Frenchman buckles under the burden. But the dearth up front isn't as obvious as the defensive needs - Laurent Koscielny is arguably the best centre-half in the division, but Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista are unreliable partners.
Potential signing(s): Kostas Manolas (AS Roma), Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia)
Bournemouth
Shortcomings: The signing of Lewis Cook addresses much-needed creativity in the centre, and Eddie Howe has plenty of options in attack and on the flanks. Where he's lacking is defensive leadership, particularly since Tommy Elphick left for Aston Villa, and the Cherries would benefit from further bolstering this area despite the recent signing of Marc Wilson.
Potential signing(s): Jonny Evans (West Bromwich Albion)
Burnley
Shortcomings: One of the most important aspects of Burnley's instant return to the top flight was the work of Joey Barton in midfield. The combative Scouser - now of Rangers - can also pick out a pass, so Sean Dyche would do well to find someone who adds bite and vision to the middle of the park.
Potential signing(s): Jeff Hendrick (Derby County)
Chelsea
Shortcomings: Gary Cahill offers great positional sense and technique, but can be found scrambling after the pacier forwards in the league. John Terry, aged 35, will do well to start over 30 matches. A defender is needed to complement Kurt Zouma, who with fine-tuning could be future of the Blues' backline.
Potential signing(s): Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli), Alessio Romagnoli (AC Milan)
Crystal Palace
Shortcomings: With the recent arrival of Christian Benteke and likely striking deputy Connor Wickham being fed by pacey wide-men, Alan Pardew's system harks back to the heavy English pitches of the 1970s. There needs to be a plan B though, and that would come with creativity and industry in midfield.
Potential signing(s): Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle United), Dale Stephens (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Everton
Shortcomings: Everton's transfer window is far from over, as Ronald Koeman looks to splash the cash made available by new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri. At 35, Gareth Barry can no longer be his quietly influential self on a consistent basis, so another defensive midfielder is needed.
Potential signing(s): William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), Axel Witsel (Zenit St. Petersburg)
Hull City
Shortcomings: Where do you start - maybe a club owner? An unsettled boardroom, Steve Bruce's exit, and a crowded treatment room made Hull City's two opening league wins that more impressive, but it can't last. Depth is needed in every area of the pitch.
Potential signing(s): Strikers, midfielders, and defenders - and possibly a goalkeeper.
Leicester City
Shortcomings: Claudio Ranieri has done a sterling job in keeping much of his title-winning throng together, but Danny Simpson was arguably the least convincing champion last term. A right-back is needed to cope with the additional rigours of European football, and to reduce the need to play Simpson week-in, week-out.
Potential signing(s): Marcel Tisserand (AS Monaco)
Liverpool
Shortcomings: If the hopeful link with James Rodriguez proves true, the Reds could be the most dangerous attacking side in the Premier League. One aspect of this potency that should be sacrificed, however, is marauding left-back Alberto Moreno. The Spaniard has shown very little in defensive quality in his two years on Merseyside.
Potential signing(s): Jonas Hector (FC Koln), Bruno Martins Indi (FC Porto)
Manchester City
Shortcomings: With Manchester City waiting patiently for the arrivals of Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno to strengthen the strikeforce, Pep Guardiola's biggest need may lie in the full-back positions. The roles have increased in importance since the tactician took the helm, so he may need players tidier in possession than the likes of Aleksandar Kolarov.
Potential signing(s): Mason Holgate (Everton), Ricardo Rodriguez (VfL Wolfsburg)
Manchester United
Shortcomings: Luke Shaw's tibia fracture last season handed Marcos Rojo a few auditions at left-back, and he was an unequivocal failure. Right-back isn't an entirely convincing area for Jose Mourinho either, even though Ander Herrera claims former winger Antonio Valencia is the world's best in that position. Full-back help could be handy.
Potential signing(s): Fabinho (AS Monaco)
Middlesbrough
Shortcomings: Some would claim Middlesbrough has enjoyed the strongest transfer window of the Premier League newcomers, with each position now boasting decent backup. But the best defence of the 2015-16 Championship campaign could do with additional options.
Potential signing(s): Harry Maguire (Hull City), Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund)
Southampton
Shortcomings: Jay Rodriguez's struggles to return to his best since a cruciate ligament injury over two years ago, and the departures of Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle, have left the Saints rather bare up front. Claude Puel would be foolish to pin his hopes on Shane Long and Charlie Austin.
Potential signing(s): Sofiane Boufal (Lille), Rachid Ghezzal (Lyon)
Stoke City
Shortcomings: If referees continue to clamp down on defenders grappling with attackers during set-pieces, Ryan Shawcross should pen his career obituary now. Stoke City would benefit from a defender that balances his physicality with intelligence.
Potential signing(s): Phil Jones (Manchester United)
Sunderland
Shortcomings: David Moyes' appointment in late July has given him little time to work in the transfer market, and the signings so far have been underwhelming. The Scot needs greater pedigree to ensure Premier League survival for Sunderland, and that doesn't come from names such as Donald Love at right-back.
Potential signing(s): Javier Manquillo (Atletico Madrid)
Swansea City
Shortcomings: Ashley Williams was instrumental in lifting Swansea City from the third tier to an established Premier League outfit, and the sale of the former captain to Everton has left Francesco Guidolin's side lacking a doyen and defensive stalwart.
Potential signing(s): Thomas Heurtaux (Udinese), and other Serie A centre-backs
Tottenham Hotspur
Shortcomings: Mauricio Pochettino appears looking to offload peripheral squad members Heung-Min Son, Clinton Njie, Ryan Mason, and Thomas Carroll. The Argentinian gaffer would then likely be given the nod to find upgrades in these positions by chairman Daniel Levy.
Potential signing(s): Georges-Kevin Nkoudou (Marseille), Moussa Sissoko (Newcastle)
Watford
Shortcomings: Daryl Janmaat brings precious experience and crossing proficiency from right-back. Roberto Pereyra's signing from Juventus has also cleared, adding some precious attacking threat in Walter Mazzarri's midfield - but it might not be enough. Nordin Amrabat, for example, will never set the world alight.
Potential signing(s): Sofiane Boufal (Lille)
West Bromwich Albion
Shortcomings: Tony Pulis has voiced his intention to be active in the transfer market, but little has materialised. With Saido Berahino's contract one year from expiration, it would make sense to cash in on the youngster, but the Baggies would need replacements in the forward line.
Potential signing(s): Jay Rodriguez (Southampton), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon)
West Ham United
Shortcomings: Carlos Bacca and Alexandre Lacazette were repeatedly linked to West Ham this summer, until Andre Ayew completed a £20.5-million switch from Swansea. But then Ayew suffered a "significant" thigh injury requiring a four-month layoff. Back to the striker market for Slaven Bilic.
Potential signing(s): Wilfried Bony (Manchester City), Simone Zaza (Juventus)