We are almost halfway through the Premier League season and Liverpool still maintain a strong lead at the top of the table under new manager Arne Slot. With a game less than the rest of the top four, Liverpool lead by four points over a resurgent Chelsea. But with the transfer window opening soon and Boxing Day just around the corner, it’s a good opportunity to see what each team would like to add as they celebrate the holidays.
This is what every Premier League team could ask for this Christmas.
1. Liverpool, 39 points
Gift: History will repeat itself
Because: With the addition of someone who could help the attack in Federico Chiesa, this is still not a Liverpool team that has reached full speed. Considering they’re already clear at the top, there’s no reason to upset the apple cart. But 10 of the last 15 teams in top spot at Christmas have won the Premier League title, so they will just hope that works out in their favour.
2. Chelsea, 35 points
Gift: A healthy Reece James… or a James replacement
Because: Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have bounced back but have spent much of the season without suitable full-backs as James has been injured intermittently and Ben Chilwell is out of the picture, so there is an opportunity to add more depth. in January, if James isn’t ready to play, he would be the perfect defensive addition under the tree.
3. Arsenal, 33 points
Gift: bubble wrap
Because: A team that needs perfect conditions to win the title, Arsenal has already been without Martin Odegaard for a while and now will not be able to count on Bukayo Saka either due to his latest injury. While it would be great to add a forward, the most important thing is to keep their current roster healthy.
4. Nottingham Forest, 31 points
Gift: From socks to a sweater, anything will do!
Because: With spending power, the Tricky Trees are on track to return to European play for the first time since the 1979-80 season. At a time like this, it’s a good opportunity to not get too far ahead of yourself and make sure you don’t have any big detours.
5. Bournemouth, 28 points
Need: Magic eggnog to replicate the shape away from home at home
Because: Like Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth are moving up the table without being expected to be in this position, mainly thanks to their strong away record. But when it comes to taking care of business at home, the Cherries have had a hard time imposing 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
Because: After qualifying for the Champions League last season, Villa have taken a step back in the league, mainly due to a lack of depth in the first team. Villa are still doing well in the European game, but to return next season they will need some help.
7. Manchester City, 27 points
Need: Restart the entire season
Because: This is probably a lost season for Manchester City and it’s not all due to the lack of Rodri. This is a team that needs help almost everywhere and a change in mentality. Those changes may be difficult to make during the season, but with the help of a time machine, we might have a chance.
8. Newcastle United, 26 points
Need: Alexander Isak will deliver gifts every weekend
Because: After a slow start to the season, Isak is now showing why he was a longshot for a Golden Boot title, but in Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon, he hasn’t had enough support. The Magpies are very close to breaking through, and getting a secondary option in attack will go a long way to making that happen.
9. Fulham, 25 points
Need: More waste from the Big Six
Because: Fulham has become the place where Arsenal’s castoffs thrive with additions from other top teams that, in another universe, would make them perfect candidates to sign Marcus Rashford, should he leave Man United. But when Marco Silva has been listening to these guys, there is no reason for Fulham not to take a look at the table and see what they can steal.
10. Brighton 25 points
Need: To discover the potential of Evan Ferguson
Because: Danny Welbeck has been better than expected for Brighton, but with a talented young striker already in Ferguson’s squad, they need to find out what they have in him sooner rather than later. Having shown that he has the talent, he now needs to take the next step and Brighton as a club will follow.
11. Tottenham 23 points
Need: Health
Because: Tottenham’s first XI is pretty good, but when it breaks down into the use of depth options, such as a midfielder in central defence, even the best-laid plans fall apart. This is not to say that Spurs don’t need to add more depth, but if this team remains in the competition when they recover, that is when they will be a team to watch.
12. Brentford, 23 points
Need: A center or three
Because: Few teams do more with less than Brentford, and they are performing well so far this season, but the defense has conceded too many goals. Adding some reinforcements there could go a long way in turning the brave achievers into true contenders.
13. Manchester United, 22 points
Need: a time machine
Because: Both Manchester teams will want to alter the time but for different reasons. There is an improvement being seen under Ruben Amorim, and for United, they just need to get to a point where more of that can be seen after more training sessions and time to work on defending set pieces.
14. West Ham United, 20 points
Need: Super Power Striker Boots
Because: Jarrod Bowen can’t do it all, especially if West Ham’s defense is also going to take a step back. Niclas Fullkrug was supposed to be a great addition, but he only has one goal in the Premier League so far, which is nowhere near what the Hammers need at this stage.
15. Everton, 16 points
Need: 2020-21 Edition by Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Because: Now, under new ownership and out of the relegation zone, things are going well for the Toffees, except when it comes to scoring goals. There doesn’t seem to be a player on the team who can score double-digit goals after Calvert-Lewin. Given that it may take time for Everton to start buying players, being able to get the best out of those they have will have to be enough.
16. Crystal Palace, 16 points
Need: Michael Olise will return
Because: Almost everywhere at the bottom of the table, scoring is a problem and that remains the case for Palace after Olise left for Bayern Munich. With only 18 goals to their name this season, something must change because being just four points away from safety could see them fall quickly. Olise has half the goals this season at Bayern.
17. Leicester City, 14 points
Need: Defenders, defenders and more defenders
Because: Conceding the second most goals in the league, Leicester’s defensive problems are not something that Ruud Van Nistelroy’s style is going to solve, due to his heavy focus on attacking play. With that, the defense has to be prepared to stay on an island, something they cannot do yet.
18. Wolverhampton Wanderers, 12 points
Need: A whole midfield
Because: There is a lot to like about Wolves, as Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha are a formidable attack. Even some of the defenders aren’t terrible, but the transition from offense to defense leaves a lot to be desired. If that can be fixed, this is one side of the middle of the table.
19. Ipswich Town, 12 points
Need: Continued belief in the spirit of Ipswich
Because: Voted by many as the bottom team in the league, Ipswich are just two points from safety and could avoid relegation from the Premier League. Just being in the mix for safety is impressive, but overcoming the drop would be an astronomical achievement.
20. Southampton, 6 points
Need: a miracle
Because: The only team in the league with a single-digit score, there is clearly nothing that can save the Saints. They better prepare for next season because at least they need to recover eight points and it seems that they will not be able to recover them even after bringing in Ivan Juric as their next coach. Stranger things have happened, but this seems to be over.
