Accra Hearts of Oak have a lot of work to do this winter transfer window. The Phobians need to significantly improve their ranks if they are to win the league title and compete in Africa. While there is still uncertainty surrounding who becomes the club’s next manager, they will need to make decisions on players to target, and more importantly, players to move on.
Hearts are expected to be very active in the transfer window and they may need to generate funds from player sales to help finance move for new acquisition.
Here are 4 positions need to strengthen this winter.
Strikers
The Hearts attack is, without a shadow of doubt, the club’s priority in the second transfer window. Yeah, Hearts have strikeforce issues. If you didn't know that, you haven't watched the Phobians since they won the title under Samuel Boadu three seasons ago.
Kwadwo Obeng Jr, Yassan Ouatching, Junior Kaaba, Isaac Mensah, Victor Aidoo and Albert Eonde Diego all failed to deliver in the goods for the Phobians. Ouatching, Kaaba, Mensah and Aidoo have departed but the futures of Obeng, and Eonde remains unclear.
Whether it's a much-touted young player or another experienced campaigner, Hearts need a striker who can hold the ball up and allow wide players and attacking midfielders like Amankwah Baafi, Enock Asubonteng and Gideon Asante to play what's in front of them.
It is not beyond the realms of possibility the Phobians undergo yet another sizeable changeup of their forward line.
Goalkeepers
Of course, there is a need to strengthen Hearts' goalkeeper position as things stand. Richmond Ayi disastrous performances against Kotoko and Nations FC thrust his deficiencies into the cold light of day; whatever he has achieved in the past, he is now costing them dearly in the biggest moments.
Second-choice goalkeeper Richard Attah has also fluffed his lines anytime he was given the opportunity to man the post. The Phobians have made no secret of the fact they're in the market for a new goalkeeper.
Right-Back
If it wasn't for the versatility of Amankwah Baafi, Hearts would be completely up sh*t creek without a paddle last season. The teenage midfielder was assigned a role at right-back due to the inefficiencies of Samuel Inkoom and Kwabena Anane.
While the resurgence of Dennis Korsah and the emergence of Liventius Arthur has solidified the left-back position in recent months, Hearts still need reinforcements on the other side.
The departure of Kwabena Anane has left the Phobians with only Michael Ampadu as the only right-back at the club. That means even just one injury to the former Legon Cities man will leave Hearts too light.
Wingers
The vintage winger of yesteryear is hard to come across in the current day and age. The emergence of the ‘inverted’ wide man has altered our perceptions of the winger. Such players are no longer expected to hit the byline and cross at will - that’s now the job of the marauding full-back - but are instead tasked with cutting onto their favoured foot and creating or scoring from a more central position.
The Phobians should scour the market and recruit left and right wingers who can complement the efforts of the attackers.
