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We’re almost halfway through the Premier League season and Liverpool still hold a strong lead at the top under new manager Arne Slot. With a game in hand on the rest of the top four, Liverpool led by four points over a resurgent Chelsea. But with the transfer window opening soon and Boxing Day just around the corner, this is a good chance to see what each team would like to add as they celebrate the festive season.
So this is what every Premier League team could ask for this Christmas.
1. Liverpool, 39 points
Gift: History repeats itself
Why: Someone has already been added who could help the attack in Federico Chiesa, but this is still not a Liverpool team that is in top gear yet. Since they’re already clear at the top, there’s no reason to upset the apple cart. But 10 of the last 15 teams to occupy top spot at Christmas have won the Premier League title, so they’ll just hope this will work out in their favour.
2. Chelsea, 35 points
Gift: A healthy Reece James… or a James replacement
Why: Chelsea have come into their own under Enzo Maresca, but they have spent much of the season without real full-backs as James has been injured at times and Ben Chilwell is out of the picture, so it’s an opportunity to add more depth. in January, if James isn’t ready to go, the perfect defensive addition would be under the tree.
3. Arsenal, 33 points
Gift: Bubble wrap
Why: A team that needs perfect conditions to win the title. Arsenal have already spent some time without Martin Odegaard and now they will have to make do without Bukayo Saka due to their latest injury. While it would be great to add a striker, the most important thing is to keep the current roster healthy.
4. Nottingham Forest, 31 points
Gift: From socks to a sweater, everything is possible!
Why: With their purchasing power, the Tricky Trees are on track to return to European football for the first time since the 1979-80 season. At a time like this, it’s a good opportunity not to get too far ahead and make sure there are no major deviations.
5. Bournemouth, 28 points
Need: Magic eggnog to recreate the away form at home
Why: Like Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth are climbing up the table without being expected to be in this position, thanks largely to their strong away record. But when it comes to running things at home, the Cherries struggle to impose their will. Take care of that and the sky could be the limit for this team.
6. Aston Villa, 28 points
Need: More days off
Why: After qualifying for the Champions League last season, Villa has taken a step back in competitive play, mainly due to a lack of depth in the first team. Villa are still doing well in European football, but to return next season they need some help.
7. Manchester City, 27 points
Need: Restart the entire season
Why: This is likely to be a lost season for Manchester City and it’s not just down to missing Rodri. This is a team that needs help and a change in mentality almost everywhere. Those shifts can be tricky during the season, but with the help of a time machine we might have a chance.
8. Newcastle United, 26 points
Need: Alexander Isak delivers gifts every weekend
Why: After a slow start to the season, Isak is now showing why he was a golden opportunity for a Golden Boot title, but he hasn’t had enough support with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon. The Magpies are so close to a breakthrough, and getting a secondary option in attack will go a long way in making that happen.
9. Fulham, 25 points
Need: More hand-me-downs from the Big Six
Why: Fulham have become the place where Arsenal castoffs can thrive with additions from other top sides, which in another universe would make them perfect candidates to sign Marcus Rashford if he leaves Man United. But if Marco Silva has gotten a tune out of these guys, there’s no reason for Fulham not to take a look at the table and see what they can poach.
10. Brighton 25 points
Need: To discover Evan Ferguson’s potential
Why: Danny Welbeck has been better than expected for Brighton, but with a talented young striker already in Ferguson’s squad, they have to find out what they have in him sooner or later. To show he has the talent, he must now take that next step and Brighton as a club will follow.
11. Tottenham 23 points
Need: Health
Why: Tottenham’s first This isn’t to say the Spurs don’t need to acquire more depth, but if this team hangs around competitively while they get healthy, then they are a team to watch out for.
12. Brentford, 23 points
Need: A central defender or three
Why: Few teams do more with less than Brentford, and they are doing a good job of themselves so far this season, but the defense has conceded far too many goals. Adding some reinforcements could go a long way toward turning plucky overachievers into real contenders.
13. Manchester United, 22 points
Need: A time machine
Why: Both Manchester teams will want to change the times, but for different reasons. There has been improvement under Ruben Amorim, and for United they just need to get to a point where more of that can be seen after more training and time to work on defending set pieces.
14. West Ham United, 20 points
Need: Super powerful pointe boots
Why: Jarrod Bowen can’t do everything, especially if West Ham’s defense also takes a step back. Niclas Fullkrug should have been a big signing, but he has only managed one Premier League goal so far, which is nowhere near what the Hammers need at this stage.
15. Everton, 16 points
Need: Edition 2020-21 by Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Why: Now under new ownership and out of the relegation zone, things are looking good for the Toffees, except when it comes to scoring goals. It doesn’t feel like there is a player in the team who can score double-digit goals after Calvert-Lewin. Considering that it may take some time for Everton to start buying players, it should be enough to get the best out of the players they have.
16. Crystal Palace, 16 points
Need: Michael Olise returns
Why: Almost everywhere you look at the bottom of the table, scoring is a problem and that is still the case at Palace after Olise left for Bayern Munich. With just 18 goals to their name this season, something needs to change because if they are just four points from safety, they could quickly slip. Olise himself scored half as many goals at Bayern this season.
17. Leicester City, 14 points
Need: Defenders, defenders and more defenders
Why: Leicester have conceded the second most goals in the league and Leicester’s defensive problems are not exactly something that Ruud Van Nistelroy’s style will solve as he focuses so much on the attacking game. With that, the defense should be ready to be left on an island, something they can’t do yet.
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 12 points
Need: A whole midfield
Why: There is a lot to like about Wolves as Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha are a formidable attack. Even some defenders aren’t terrible, but the transition from offense to defense leaves a lot to be desired. If that can be cleared, this is a midtable side.
19. Ipswich Town, 12 points
Need: Continued belief in the spirit of Ipswich
Why: Ipswich, singled out by many as clearly the bottom team in the league, are just two points clear of safety and could avoid a drop in the Premier League. Merely participating in safety is impressive, but beating the drop would be an astronomical achievement.
20. Southampton, 6 points
Need: A miracle
Why: The only team in the league with a single-digit points tally, there is nothing that can clearly save the Saints. They best prepare for next season as they need to make up at least eight points and it feels like that can’t be made up even after Ivan Juric is appointed as their next manager. Stranger things have happened, but this feels over.