Chinks in the armour: 5 PL teams that need a specific fix | OneFootball

It's a well-worn phrase these days, but "recruitment really is key" if teams want to challenge at the right end of the table and, in this article, Playmaker looks at five Premier League clubs whose stats suggest they need to fix specific areas in the summer transfer window.

Whether it be lop-sided attacking options, a powderpuff subs bench or a tendency to be caught on the break, here are five clubs with frailties that fresh personnel could help them address.

Let's kick off with a stat on David Moyes' Everton, a team which heavily relied on its starting XI for goals last season.

Club: Everton

Wanted: Game-changing substitutes

Toffees striker Beto found some form towards the end of the season to finish the 2024/25 campaign with eight goals to his name...and if the Guinea-Bissau forward starts for the Merseysiders they seriously lack attacking options off the bench.

Everton's only goal via a substitute this season came courtesy of Beto in a 1-1 draw against Fulham back in October, and the Blues finished the season with fewer goals off their bench than any other team in the top flight.

Therefore, adding depth and goals to his squad appears to be a priority for Moyes this summer.

Club: Brentford

Wanted: Goal-scoring midfielders

The Bees' front three of Bryan Mbeumo (20 goals), Yoane Wissa (19) and Kevin Schade (11) all dazzled in the Premier League last season and the trio established themselves as one of the most durable and potent attacking combinations in the top tier.

However, Mbeumo is linked with a big money move away from west London in the summer and, although they have their record signing Igor Thiago itching to make an impact after an injury-ravaged first season in TW8, Brentford look dangerously reliant on their forward line for goals.

Holding midfielder Christian Norgaard was the Bees' next most prolific scorer in the Premier League last term, with five goals, and Brentford actually had fewer goal scorers (10) than any team in the division last season.

Club: Wolves Wanted: Tricky penalty-winning forwards

In addition to conceding a league-high nine penalties (seven of which were scored) last season, Wolves were the only team in the top flight not to be awarded a single spot-kick in the Premier League in 2024/25.

Wanderers made great strides under Vitor Pereira in the second-half of last season, but with their top scorer Matheus Cunha reportedly on his way to Manchester United, the Midlanders look like they will need to strengthen their attacking options and a pacy, elusive forward could fit the bill.

Club: Newcastle

Wanted: A dangerous left peg

Eddie Howe's Magpies' enjoyed a fantastic campaign, which saw them end a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, and they will line up in the Champions League next term after pipping Aston Villa to fifth place in the Premier League.

Reports indicate that their 23-goal striker Alexander Isak is keen to stay at St James' Park and exciting times appear to be in store on Tyneside. However, a look at Newcastle's goal breakdown this season suggests they are rather lop-sided in attack.

In fact, two thirds (45) of the Geordies' 68 Premier League goals last season were right footed - the Magpies netting 10 more right-footed goals than any other team in the top tier. With only 10 left-footed strikes and 10 headers last term, Howe and his backroom may look to balance out their forward options with the addition of a 'lefty' in the summer.

Club: Brighton Wanted: A defensive shield

Now established as one of the smartest operators in the top flight, Brighton enjoyed another hugely impressive season which saw them just miss out on European football on the final day of the season.

The Seagulls have a raft of players linked with big money moves to 'elite' clubs - including Carlos Baleba, João Pedro, Jan Paul van Hecke and Kaoru Mitoma - and they no doubt have replacements lined up on their conveyor belt of talent.

One potential area of concern for boss Fabian Hurzeler, however, may be Brighton's tendency to concede goals in transition - the Seagulls suffered more goals (10) on the counter than any team in the Premier League last season - and the addition of a defensive screen this summer could be the answer.