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Assessing what the 'Big 6' and Leicester need during January window

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With the January transfer window open, here's a look at the areas of greatest need for the Premier League's "Big 6," and Leicester City, who merit inclusion amid a brilliant campaign.

Liverpool

Nothing: Liverpool boast a comfy advantage atop the table, and Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip, and Fabinho are all nearing returns from injury. The Reds possess depth all over the park, and even if they choose to eventually upgrade on Matip and Joe Gomez as sidekicks for the infallible Virgil van Dijk, that won't happen in January. There will be no second coming of Steven Caulker.

Jurgen Klopp acted quick to lure Takumi Minamino to Anfield, and the energetic, line-busting Japanese international is well-suited for Liverpool's counter-pressing ethos after performing a similar task at Salzburg.

Potential candidates: Not Steven Caulker (Alanyaspor)

Leicester City

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Winger: The Foxes surely want to cover Golden Boot front-runner Jamie Vardy in bubble wrap, but Leicester City still lack a consistent second option at striker, even with Kelechi Iheanacho scoring three league goals in five matches. Still, Brendan Rodgers' surprise side could use quality out wide, where Harvey Barnes has shown flashes, but he hasn't impressed with his final product.

Demarai Gray still needs to develop, Marc Albrighton is fading, and £30-million Ayoze Perez has struggled at times in wide positions. Who says no to a loan move for Atletico's wantaway midfielder, Thomas Lemar? Probably Lemar.

Potential candidates: Jonathan Bamba (Lille), Hakan Calhanoglu (AC Milan)

Manchester City

Central defender: Not to diminish Liverpool's campaign, but Manchester City are a shadow of their former selves. A major reason why is Aymeric Laporte's long-term absence. Laporte is finally nearing a return from a knee injury, but that's coming too late. Nicolas Otamendi isn't good enough, John Stones' progression has stagnated, and deputy Fernandinho is better suited for a midfield role.

City might eye an uncharacteristically resourceful move for a World Cup winner whose contract is set to lapse this summer, or the interim return of a club legend.

Potential candidates: Vincent Kompany (Anderlecht), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich)

Chelsea

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Defender: After Chelsea's transfer ban nixed one window early due to an appeal, the Blues can now bolster their biggest area of weakness this season: conceding too often. Of the teams in the top half of the table, only Tottenham (30 goals) and Arsenal (30) have yielded more goals than Chelsea (29). Help is needed both in central defense and at full-back.

Links with Lyon's Moussa Dembele and Dortmund's Jadon Sancho don't address that issue, and while Fikayo Tomori has been a pleasant surprise, doubts persist about center-backs Kurt Zouma and Andreas Christensen.

Potential candidates: Nathan Ake (Bournemouth), Alex Telles (Porto), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich)

Tottenham

Striker: Jose Mourinho's wish list at Tottenham isn't limited to one position, though there's a need to upgrade at full-back following underwhelming performances from a motley crew. Harry Kane also tore his hamstring, and while Heung-min Son and Lucas Moura can deputize for the England man, the attacking pair are better suited in more flexible, wide positions.

Daniel Levy and Co. might prefer a short-term, cost-effective addition before regrouping in the summer, and there are a host of No. 9s who are out of favor at their respective parent clubs. Don't pick up the phone, Vincent Janssen.

Potential candidates: Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Krzysztof Piatek (AC Milan), Daniel Sturridge (Trabzonspor)

Manchester United

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Creative midfielder: For all the talk of Manchester United's failure to replace Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, a bona fide No. 10 or a playmaker of that profile has been sorely missed. Plus, forwards Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have been banging in goals despite the complete lack of service from central areas.

Using Andreas Pereira and Jesse Lingard as creators in a 4-2-3-1 setup has been comical, and the latter hasn't recorded any goals or assists in the calendar year. Whether Manchester United can get a prized asset in January remains to be seen.

Potential candidates: James Maddison (Leicester City), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Dani Parejo (Valencia)

Arsenal

Central defender: Calum Chambers is out for six-to-nine months with an ACL tear, once-promising youngster Rob Holding is perpetually unfit, and in Sokratis, David Luiz, and Shkodran Mustafi, Arsenal possess three central defenders whose best days are behind them. William Saliba arrives next summer, but the cupboard's a bit bare until then.

World Cup winner Boateng's contract ends in the summer, and reports suggest Bayern Munich could let him walk in January for nothing. The Gunners could do worse, though Merih Demiral is a better long-term addition.

Potential candidates: Merih Demiral (Juventus), Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Nathan Ake (Bournemouth)

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