The 3 players Hull City should be looking at to mount survival charge
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It hasn’t been the greatest of starts to Hull’s Premier League campaign, with the side currently sitting in 19th-place with just three wins to their name from their opening 15 fixtures.
And much of the problem stems from the calamity at the KCOM Stadium back in July, when Steve Bruce left the club with just three weeks to go until the start of the season.
With no notable signings to speak of in the summer, it’s clear Hull need to bring a few players in at the next available opportunity. Ladbrokes News takes a look at three names Phelan should consider making a move for in January.
Costel Pantilimon
Hull may already have plenty of goalkeepers on their books, but they’re lacking a confident presence in-between the sticks. Experienced as he might be, David Marshall is struggling to build a case for his continued starting place at the moment, conceding a staggering 25
goals in 10 games.
Step forward, Costel Pantilimon.
The 6ft 8in shot-stopper is currently at Watford, but is struggling for game-time, with Walter Mazzarri opting to play Heurelho Gomes instead.
But the Romania international knows this league, having picked up a Premier League title with Manchester City back in 2013-14, and playing a part in two relegation fights with Sunderland.
Thought to be available for around £4m, Pantilimon would certainly add stability to a shaky defence.
Nathaniel Chalobah
No stranger to a loan move, having been sent out to six clubs in four years, this is a move which would benefit all parties.
With five league appearances to his name for Chelsea this season, this is already the most involved the versatile defender has been with his boyhood club.
But he’s still some way off holding down a regular first-team place at Stamford Bridge, and with Nathan Ake currently out on loan at Bournemouth picking up vital game-time, Chalobah should be doing the same.
Hull would welcome a player of Chalobah’s calibre, and the England U21 international would add steel to a back-four which has been lacking exactly that so far this season.
Saido Berahino
This is another deal which would satisfy all parties, with the West Brom striker having been left out in the cold at the Hawthorns, not featuring for Tony Pulis’ side since October.
The Tigers are in desperate need of an out-and-out goalscorer, with just three goals coming from their current strikers combined in the league.
And a player like Berahino – who netted 14 goals in the 2014-15 campaign – would certainly benefit from playing in front of the likes of Robert Snodgrass and Ahmed El Mohamady.
Pulis has resisted selling the 23-year-old for a couple of years, refusing to accept anything less than £25m for the striker. But as he’s now deemed surplus to requirements at the West Midlands outfit, it’s thought he’ll cost significantly less than that figure should a club make a move.
What do supporters think? Could these three turn Hull’s season around? Have your say in the comments section below!
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
