We’re almost halfway through the Premier League season and Liverpool still hold a strong lead under new manager Arne Sloat. Liverpool, who have games against the rest of the top four, are four points ahead of a resurgent Chelsea. But with the transfer window opening soon and Boxing Day just around the corner, it’s a great opportunity to see what each team would like to add as they celebrate the holidays.
Here’s what every Premier League team could ask for this Christmas.
1. Liverpool, 39 points
gift: history repeating itself
why: They’ve already added a player who can help in attack in Federico Chiesa, but Liverpool aren’t quite there yet. Considering they’re already at the top, there’s no reason to upset the apple cart. But 10 of the last 15 teams to top the table at Christmas have won the Premier League, so they can only hope the result goes in their favour.
2. Chelsea, 35 points
gift: A healthy Reece James… or James’ replacement
why: Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have come into their own, but with James intermittently injured and Ben Chilwell sidelined, they have spent much of the season without a proper wing-back, so this is an opportunity to add depth. If James is sidelined in January, he would be the perfect defensive addition under the tree.
3. Arsenal, 33 points
gift: bubble wrap
why: Arsenal, a team who need the perfect conditions to win the title, have already spent time without Martin Odegaard and will now be without Bukayo Saka due to his latest injury. Adding a striker is great, but the most important thing is keeping the current squad healthy.
4. Nottingham Forest, 31 points
gift: Anything from socks to sweaters goes!
why: Equipped with spending power, Tricky Trees are set to return to European action for the first time since the 1979-80 season. In times like these, it is a good opportunity not to get too far ahead and be careful not to make a big mistake.
5. Bournemouth, 28 points
necessary: Magical eggnog that can be recreated exactly at home
why: Like Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth are also climbing the table without being expected to be in this position on the back of a strong away record. But when it came to conducting business at home, the Cherry family had difficulty imposing their will. Deal with that and the sky could be the limit for this team.
6. Aston Villa, 28 points
necessary: There are more days off
why: Villa, who qualified for the Champions League last season, have taken a step back from league action, largely due to a lack of depth in the first team. Villa are still performing well in European competition but will need help if they are to bounce back next season.
7. Manchester City, 27 points
necessary: Restart the entire season
why: This season is likely to be a lost season for Manchester City and it is not down to Rodri’s disappearance. This is a team that needs help and a change in mindset from just about everywhere. It may be difficult to make such changes during the season, but with the help of a time machine, perhaps the opportunity arises.
8. Newcastle United, 26 points
necessary: Alexander Isaac delivers gifts every weekend
why: After a slow start to the season, Isak is now showing why he is an outside shot at the Golden Boot title, but he has not received enough support from Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon. The Magpies are very close to a breakthrough and getting a second option in attack would go a long way to making that happen.
9. Fulham, 25 points
necessary: Additional Casting of the Big Six
why: Fulham have become a place where Arsenal’s outcasts can thrive through signings from other upper-class players, and if in another world Marcus Rashford were to leave Manchester United, they would be the perfect candidates to sign him. But if Marco Silva is finding the good in these players, there’s no reason for Fulham not to take a look at the table and see what they can bag.
10. Brighton 25 points
necessary: To find out Evan Ferguson’s potential
why: Danny Welbeck has performed better than expected for Brighton, but with a young, talented striker already in Ferguson’s squad, they need to find out more quickly what he is capable of. Having shown that he has talent, he must now take the next step and Brighton as a club will follow suit.
11. Tottenham 23 points
necessary: health
why: Tottenham’s first-team XI is quite good, but if you break it down to depth options, such as using midfielders as centre-backs, even the best-laid plans will fall apart. That’s not to say the Spurs don’t need to buy more depth, but if this team is hovering around the contest when they get healthy, then that would be an aspect they need to watch out for.
12. Brentford, 23 points
necessary: One or three center backs
why: Few teams do more with less than Brentford, and while they have performed well so far this season, their defense has conceded too many goals. Adding a few reinforcements there can go a long way in turning a plucky overachiever into a true competitor.
13. Manchester United, 22 points
necessary: time machine
why: Both Manchester teams want to change the times, but for different reasons. Progress is being seen under Ruben Amorim, and for United they just need to get to a point where they can see more after spending more training sessions and time working on defensive set plays.
14. West Ham United, 20 points
necessary: Super strong striker boots
why: Jarrod Bowen can’t do it all. Especially when West Ham’s defense also takes a step back. Niclas Fullkrug was expected to be a big addition, but he has only one Premier League goal to date and that is not close to what the Hammers need at this stage.
15. Everton, 16 points
necessary: Dominic Calvert-Lewin 2020-21 edition
why: Now, with new ownership and a lift out of the relegation zone, everything is looking up for the Toffees except scoring goals. After Calvert-Lewin, there doesn’t seem to be a player on the team who can score double digits. Given that it may take Everton some time to start signing players, it may be enough to just get the best out of the players they have.
16. Crystal Palace, 16 points
necessary: Michael Ollis returns
why: If you look at the bottom half of the table, scoring is an issue almost everywhere and that remains the case for Palace even after Olise left for Bayern Munich. With just 18 goals this season, something needs to change as even just four points from safety could see them slipping away quickly. Olise has scored half of his goals for Bayern this season.
17. Leicester City, 14 points
necessary: Defender, Defender and more Defender
why: Having conceded the second-most goals in the league, Leicester’s defensive problems are not something to fix, especially with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s style. Because he focuses too much on attacking play. This forces the defenders to be prepared to be left on the island, something they can’t do yet.
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 12 points
necessary: Midfielder All
why: There is a lot to like about Wolves as Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha are powerful forwards. Some of the defenders aren’t bad either, but the transition from offense to defense leaves a lot to be desired. If you can organize that, this is the mid-level surface.
19. Ipswich Town, 12 points
necessary: Enduring belief in the Ipswich spirit
why: Ipswich, chosen by many to be the bottom team in the league, are just two points off safety and could avoid a Premier League drop. Just being in the mix for safety is impressive, but overcoming the drop would be an astronomical feat.
20. Southampton, 6 points
necessary: miracle
why: There is absolutely nothing that can save the Saints as they are the only team in the league with single-digit points. It is best to prepare for next season as they need at least 8 points and it is unlikely that they will be able to do so even after hiring Ivan Juric as the next manager. Something strange happened, but I feel like it’s over now.
