Shop and change

Andy Gray explains who should buy in the transfer window and why - and who will just have to make do.

Winter wishlists are stuff of dreams for cash-strapped clubs

The opening week of the January transfer window has shown how extraordinary the current football landscape is. The gap between the haves and the have-nots has never been wider. While Manchester City are linked with David Villa, Portsmouth are facing up to a winding-up petition. Such a gulf should not exist in the modern game. With that in mind, here are my thoughts on where each of the Premier League clubs stands - from the top to the very bottom.

Chelsea

I agree with Carlo Ancelotti on this one - I think they have an impressive squad that would be hard to strengthen in any department. If they did go out and get another player I'd imagine it would be another goal-scorer to compensate for Didier Drogba's current absence because Daniel Sturridge is still learning his trade. But it's not a must-have.

Man Utd

This side is slightly weaker in every area than it was this time season year - particularly the middle of midfield. United are missing a real quality footballer, a little bit of stardust in that department and I'm sure it's an area Sir Alex Ferguson will want to address. He'll also want Dimitar Berbatov's form to be more consistent and Rio Ferdinand to Nemanja Vidic to form the bedrock for his defence in the second-half of the season.

Arsenal

They have defended much better this year and they have an undoubted abundance of talent in midfield across the park, from right to left. The one glaring omission they have in the absence of Robin van Persie is a genuine frontman. Arsene Wenger is very particular about the type of player he brings in and whether someone like Carlton Cole, who Arsenal have been linked with, fits that bill I'm not sure. But he or perhaps Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain would give them a physical presence they've been missing.

Tottenham

Yes, Harry Redknapp will be delighted with the form of Jermain Defoe; but although he's playing well, Peter Crouch is getting a few goals and Robbie Keane does a job when he comes in, Roman Pavlyuchenko hasn't done it so I'd imagine that another striker would be right at the top of Harry's wish-list - someone who could slot straight in alongside Defoe and take some of the pressure off him. I notice that they've been linked with Micah Richards and he is someone who could fill in at either right-back or centre-back given the problems they've had with Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate, but I'd see him as more of a squad addition.

Man City

I'm a little surprised they've gone for Patrick Vieira, I have to say. If you look at the quality of player they already have in that squad the last thing I would be thinking of doing is bringing in a 33-year-old who in all likelihood has had his best days. It's difficult to see where City can strengthen so instead I think we'll see Roberto Mancini trying to put his stamp on his team: Patrick's arrival is the beginning of that process and he won't be the last new face we see arriving. Knowing how much importance Italians place on defence I'm sure we'll see Mancini strengthening his backline.

Aston Villa

For me they are a little bit weak in the middle of midfield and light in numbers. If you take James Milner and Stiliyan Petrov out of the side, you are left with Nigel Reo-Coker and Steve Sidwell who haven't done it regularly enough for Aston Villa. It comes as absolutely no surprise to me, then, that they've been linked with a player of the ilk of Scott Parker. Someone who has a presence, who can bolster the heart of the side and give them some drive in the second half of the season.

Liverpool

If I was buying a player for Liverpool right now it would be a forward because there is so much pressure on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to score goals; they need some help in that area and perhaps Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez is the man to provide. It's no secret that Ryan Babel has been a disappointment, or that Rafa Benitez is a big fan of David Villa who surely will leave Valencia if the price is right. But therein lies the problem. Could Liverpool afford him? The level of debt at the club surely means they don't have the financial muscle.

Birmingham

Alex McLeish may not be giving much away but they have been repeatedly linked with Kenwyne Jones over the last few days and I can't say I'm surprised. As good as a season they are having - and sitting eighth they are having a good season - they have struggled for goals and are relying hugely on their ability to keep a clean sheet and nick results. That leads to huge, continued pressure which will just build and build as the season goes on. Someone like Ryan Babel or Jones would give them pace and direction and be a huge, positive addition to the squad.

Fulham

They have a nice tight, tidy squad now. I watched them against Stoke earlier in the week when they were a little bit Jekyll and Hyde but overall I think they are ok. They are alright at the top end of the pitch - they've got good options - but I'd like to see someone in midfield alongside Danny Murphy - he's 32 now and there's a lot of pressure on him to be the creative force of the team. I think Roy would love to get another one in there alongside him. Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes have got a good partnership going at the back so strengthening the defence won't be Roy's priority just now.

Stoke

Tony Pulis' main task in this window is to find someone who can play with Tuncay. He's got Mamady Sidibe, James Beattie and Ricardo Fuller as options - but neither of them are scoring goals with any great regularity. Tuncay is Stoke's little bit of stardust for me - he is a good player who knows the game and is a threat. If Tony could find someone to complement him - and Amr Zaki appears to be putting himself forward at the moment - that would go a long way to helping them stay in the league.

Sunderland

Could they afford to lose Kenwyne Jones? Maybe. Could they afford to lose Darren Bent? Definitely not. His goals have been priceless this season. Although Steve will no doubt be trying to strengthen his squad I think that come the end of January if Bent is still there then Steve will be a very happy manager. He's had a pretty good season at home, winning five games so far, but the results haven't been so good away and that's something he will want to put right going forward.

Everton

An empty treatment room would be a real bonus for David Moyes this January - he'd love to have all of his players back fit and a bigger squad - if that's not too much to ask! Phil Jagielka, Joseph Yobo, Phil Neville and Ayegbeni Yakubu are just some of the names he'd like to be able to put on the team-sheet week-in, week-out until the end of the season. Overall, I don't think Everton are a bad side; in fact I'd say they are a far better side than their league position suggests but injuries have taken their toll. You can never get enough goals from midfield and that is another area David would love to improve.

Blackburn

They are another team struggling for goals. When you sell someone like Roque Santa Cruz for £18m you know it is going to be incredibly difficult to replace him and so it's proved. Is Eidur Gudjohnsen is the answer? Possibly. Trying to get quality players in is tough as Sam knows only too well - he's worked in that area long enough. Half the battle is attracting top players up to that part of the country. Blackburn are not bad at back - they've got a decent goalkeeper and a couple of decent centre-backs. I think Sam would like a little more quality in the midfield area and David Dunn back fit.

Burnley

It's a case of wait and see with Burnley as they begin life without Owen Coyle. Obviously, there is little point spending until a new boss is installed so for the moment Steve Davis will have to make do with what he has as caretaker. Keeping someone of David Nugent's pedigree is important - as his Boxing Day goal against Bolton proved - but pressure is building on Portsmouth to recall him from his loan spell so they mustn't depend on him too much.

Wolves

I think they've done ok. Like all clubs that have come up and don't have a big budget they are finding scoring goals really, really tough in this league. Mick's priority now must be to find someone who can get him another 10 goals in the back half of the season. If he can do that then they might well stay up but at the moment I'm a little bit fearful for my old club. I watched them the other day and only Jody Craddock and Kevin Doyle stood out for me - that shows you the size of the problem Mick has got. They've been linked with Stephen Hunt and that would be a massive acquisition for them but I'm not convinced it will happen.

Wigan

Roberto Martinez is trying to play the way Wigan play and start his own brand of football and stay in the Premier League at the same time and that's not easy to do. They are having a tough time at the moment but there is still a lot of good things in their favour. Hugo Rodallega has scored a few but probably not enough and Jason Scotland has struggled so they need to find some goals from somewhere. For that reason alone I'm not surprised Roberto has spoken warmly about Scott McDonald!

West Ham

For them the window is not so much a case of who can they get in but who can they not afford to lose. As I've already suggested, the likes of Cole, Upson and Parker will be on a few people's hit-lists but if we get to the end of January and those three are still at Upton Park then West Ham's chances of staying in the league will be hugely increased. Gianfranco will be desperate not to lose any of those players. He could also do with another striker following Dean Ashton's retirement because otherwise it's hard to see them getting enough goals.

Bolton

I know they've got two games in hand on West Ham but I'm still surprised to see them as low as they are. That's why Gary Megson lost his job and it looks as though Owen Coyle will be the new manager. Will he get to work quickly and try to get a few in? I expect so and I wouldn't be surprised to see him knocking on the door of his old club and trying to sign some of those he likes. Certainly the way Owen plays his football means Bolton fans should expect to see something different from what they've watched over the years. A new boss has often been promised a few bob too and Owen has done quite well in picking up bargains over the years - Steven Fletcher is one that's done well for him.

Hull

They are alright at home. I watched them against United and although they lost they played very well. Phil Brown spent all summer trying to bring in quality players - Michael Owen, Bobby Zamora and the like. It was really tough for him. He might have to settle for getting Jimmy Bullard fit again. Jimmy made such an impact, such a difference when he came back on the pitch earlier in the season that it was a big blow to lose him again.

Portsmouth

Who'd be in their shoes? As they are not allowed to bring anyone in the priority has to be on keeping as many of their squad as they can. The club has promised fans there will not be a fire sale and I hope that's the case now that they have received their pay for December. All Avram can do is get his squad together and say 'listen, there's nothing we can do about this situation other than win matches. It's down to us now.'