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One gift each Premier League club is wishing for this Christmas
The festive season in Premier League football usually marks a period of chaos, and this year's edition looks certain to provide that again.
League leaders Arsenal are just three points ahead of surprise contenders Aston Villa with Manchester City nestled between them, only six points separate fourth and 12th in a gigantic race for UEFA Champions League qualification, and down at the bottom several teams are involved in a relegation dog scrap.
Whether it is title favourites Arsenal or Championship bound Wolves, come December each club in English football's top division suffers from a variety of woes, ranging from ramped-up fixture lists and increased injuries to the worst of all - future hopes and expectations.
Consequently, fans across the 20 PL teams will be wishing for a finely wrapped Christmas present to help them achieve their season aspirations.
We will be taking a look at what gift each side in the Premier League might wish for this Christmas, if given the chance. Some serious, some not so serious.
Arsenal - an empty physio room
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There is not much to amend when it comes to Arsenal this season. Currently sitting top of the league, the Gunners look incredible at the back as always, and after being a bit reliant on set-pieces at the beginning of the season they are also starting to fire on all cylinders up front.
However, they have been in this position before and not gone on to win the league - a big reason for their past failiures being injuries.
In some of their recent title charges injuries to key players such as Bukayo Saka and William Saliba have derailed their momentum.
Even this season the Gunners have already experienced injuries to other notable players such as Gabriel, Martin Odegaard, Christian Mosquera and Kai Havertz, as well as Saka and Saliba again.
Unlike past seasons, Arsenal have stood strong so far and remain top of the league.
However, fans of the North London club will not forget their pain of the past.
So if each and every Arsenal fan was to wish for an additional gift this Christmas, no doubt it would be for their key players to remain fit and push for their first Premier League title in 22 years.
Aston Villa - Buendia to remain in form
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There have been several reasons as to why Aston Villa have gone from early season struggles at the foot of the table to a title race. The return and revival of Emiliano Buendia is certainly one of them.
After being sent on a disappointing loan spell to Bayer Leverkusen last season, it seemed as if Buendia's time at the Villans may be nearing its' end.
However, since his return to the side he has taken a Villa frontline which looked out of ideas at the start of the season into third in the league.
Buendia is Villa's second-leading scorer in the Premier League after the equally important Morgan Rogers and has scored at some crucial times - the most notable one being his goal against Arsenal which secured a 2-1 win against the league leaders with the last kick of the game.
Bournemouth - keep Semenyo (and take a break)
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The obvious one for Bournemouth right now is for another international break to spawn so they can reset, as right now they have not won in the Premier League for a while now.
However, when you have class on the pitch eventually form should turn around and there have not been many better wingers this season than Antoine Semenyo.
A player like the Ghanaian can win you matches on his own - think Cunha at Wolves last season (and look at them now).
Semenyo's performances this season have earnt him transfer speculation about a move away to cash-rich giants like Liverpool, and with January creeping up, one thing each Cherries' fan will be wishing for this Christmas is Semenyo to remain on the South Coast this season.
Brentford - to play at home every week
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A trip to a small stadium in West London consisting of a family friendly crowd 17,000 strong, sounds quite appealing as far as British away days go.
However, this is far from the case - one of the Premier League's worst-kept secrets is how difficult it is to go away to Brentford.
No matter their form or who they play, the Bees make a game out of every home match, and since their arrival to the Premier League back in 2021 they have achieved some famous results at the GTech Community Stadium.
And the proof is in the pudding - if this season's Premier League table was based on home fixtures, Brentford would be fourth.
Brighton & Hove Albion - consistency
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You could say this for Brighton most seasons as of late.
The Seagulls have been regarded as one of the Premier League's more successful sides for a few years now. However, for all their talent and plaudits they have only made Europe once.
A young side led by a young manager who plays a spectacular brand of football, the potential is there to become European regulars.
They just need to eradicate the occasional slip-ups they have, such as throwing away a two-goal lead at home against Aston Villa and drawing to eighteenth place West Ham United.
Burnley - James Trafford
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Last season Burnley shocked the footballing world with their outrageous defensive record in the Championship.
The Clarets smashed records by conceding only 16 goals over a 48-game season, and James Trafford was at the heart of that keeping 29 clean sheets.
This season is very different. Trafford moved to Manchester City and now sits on their bench behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, whilst Burnley have flooded goals all over conceding a whopping 30 goals in 15 matches.
If Burnley are to stay up it has to start at the back. A move back makes sense for both parties.
Chelsea - Thiago Silva
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Despite being fourth, Chelsea could do with a few presents.
A goalkeeper, consistency and an 'out-and-out' striker, higher-ups at the Blues are used to their fans having an overly extensive wishlist.
However, not many presents would be as beneficial as a 2020 to 2022 Thiago Silva miraculously reappearing from the past, in the style of 'A Christmas Carol'.
The Brazilian veteran guided Chelsea to a UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup through excellent leadership and world-class defending.
Chelsea are crying out for some experience at the heart of their defence, as many times this season they have been hindered by sloppy goals and poor discipline.
Thiago Silva from the past would certainly fix that.
Crystal Palace - bigger squad
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Once again, Crystal Palace are going quite nicely in the Premier League - so far.
If you keep an eye on Palace, you will be aware that they are very dependant on the same 11 to 14 players, and rarely change them out the side.
The likes of Wharton, Sarr, Guehi, and Mateta do not have many quality replacements behind them.
And after a famous FA Cup victory last season, Palace are competing midweek in the UEFA Europa Conference League where they have already lost twice.
In recent weeks Palace have looked tired in the second half of matches, and with recent injury blows to Daniel Munoz and Ismaila Sarr, there is nothing Crystal Palace fans will be wishing for more than a few additions in the upcoming January transfer window.
Whether Oliver Glasner gets the help he has been crying out for in his press conferences, will remain to be seen.
Everton - striker... and convert Beto into a midfielder?
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Everton have made good progress this season but still require a few improvements.
Fans of the Toffees have been fairly vocal about acquiring another striker, as both Beto and Thierno Barry have failed to hit the ground running.
If Everton were to make a move for a more established striker in January that would allow Barry more time to settle in and learn under a more experienced head, as there is clearly talent there.
But that leaves Beto out.
Now hear me out Everton fans, instead of shipping off Beto convert him into a midfielder 'a la' Joelinton at Newcastle - look how that worked out for them.
It may just be your unexpected favourite present this Christmas.
Fulham - play their new signings
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A more simple one.
In the summer, Fulham acquired a couple exciting signings up front. Samuel Chukwueze moved to the capital in a loan deal from AC Milan and Brazilian talent Kevin came from Shaktar Donetsk for a club-record fee of £34.6m.
Both however have failed to regularly start, which is slightly complexing as when they have been on the pitch they have looked promising.
Chukwueze recently proved his worth with two wonder strikes against Manchester City and with Fulham loitering in the bottom half of the table, it may be the extra bit of quality and flair those two possess which keep them adrift from a relegation dog fight.
Leeds United - more fixtures against the 'big 6'
After making a steady start to the campaign, Leeds United found themselves in the relegation zone after a poor run of form.
Heading into their three fixtures against Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool, the Whites had only won once in eight.
But with the odds stacked against them, they have reignited their survival hopes with a 3-1 win against Chelsea and a 3-3 draw against Liverpool, followed by a 1-1 sraw with Brentford and last weekend's 4-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
Not to mention that they were drawing with Manchester City at the Etihad until stoppage time.
So with fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United coming up in the near future, perhaps Leeds United fans are wishing for more big clashes this Christmas.
Liverpool - Newcastle Isak
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Another club who could do with a few gifts this December.
Perhaps the most obvious one is the drama between Mohammed Salah and Arne Slot to boil down.
But with everything going on at the club, perhaps the most refreshing present Liverpool could receive — albeit farther down the road than others on this list — is Alexander Isak returning to his usual self when he recovers from the devastating ankle injury he suffered last week.
Having Isak return to action at his brilliant best he displayed at Newcastle and Sociedad would provide a boost to the Reds at a crucial time of the season as they seem to have overcome the woeful form that prematurely ended their Premier League defence.
Liverpool spent a record amount on the former Newcastle bagsman, so for him to hit the ground running in the springtime would alleviate a lot of the pressure and media talk surrounding the club right now.
Manchester City - Haaland to stay fit
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The most obvious one on the list.
I am going to keep it short and sweet. As long as Erling Braut Haaland is on the pitch for Manchester City, they will be in a title race.
Manchester United - Kobbie Mainoo
One gift Manchester United fans will be crying out for this Christmas is the return of their beloved home-grown wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo.
In his debut season, Mainoo helped the Red Devils salvage a poor campaign with a game-winning goal in the 23/24 FA Cup final and also starred for England at the 2024 European Championship.
But since the arrival of Ruben Amorim, Mainoo has barely made the pitch.
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One area where Manchester United evidently lack in is the midfield. Whilst Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro are having good seasons in their own right, they do not have possess the legs to control games with an often outnumbered two-man midfield.
The obvious option is to go out in January and treat United fans with a big-money midfield signing. But why do that when you already have a proven superstar who can boss games with ball at his feet?
Newcastle United - avoid the 'Ramsdale curse'
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No, they won't get relegated.
After a slow start to the season, Newcastle have improved a bit.
But just be careful, as with Ramsdale now starting, we know his relegation CV...
Nottingham Forest - all-inclusive for Evangelos Marinakis
After a turbulent summer and start to the 25/26 Premier League campaign, Nottingham Forest have finally seemed to have settled down.
Having only won one of their first ten games in the season and sacking two managers in the process, the arrival of Sean Dyche has put Forest back on track.
Under Dyche, Nottingham have began to steadily pick up points and claw themselves out of the relegation zone.
With an experienced manager and talented squad, Forest fans can only hope for one thing: Evangelos Marinakis to remain calm.
Whilst the Greek businessman can be credited for his ambition and revival of one of English football's sleeping giants, Marinakis' antics with Nuno Espirito Santo were perhaps the most pointless meltdown in football history. The whole situation was entirely avoidable, and utterly damaging.
So to ensure safety, Forest fans can do one thing.
Christmas is about giving, so all together chip in and send Evangelos Marinakis on a nice and relaxing holiday - an all-inclusive in Spain, a spa retreat to Thailand, anything to ensure peace. And let Sean Dyche and his team do the rest.
Sunderland - a Trai Hume goal
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If Sunderland fans were to wake up on Christmas Day and find no gifts under the Christmas tree, they could have no complaints.
So far this year, they have been spoiled with nothing but early presents - a dramatic play-off final win, a remarkable return to the Premier League and a derby day victory.
But perhaps there is still one thing missing from the Black Cats' 2025 checklist.
A goal for cult hero Trai Hume.
The Northern-Irishman featured three times for Sunderland back in their League One days and has remained with them for the entirety of their rise back to the pinnacle of English Football.
In a Premier League season where ten different players have already scored for Sunderland, Mackems would love the eleventh to be Hume.
Tottenham Hotspur - Maddison and Kulusevski
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Under the reign of Thomas Frank, Spurs have played a different style of football to what we traditionally expect from them.
Tottenham have been far more pragmatic with their play - and at a cost. Frank's side have struggled to create chances.
If the Premier League table was based solely on expected goals, Spurs would be seventeenth, acquiring an xG of only 18.4.
Fans of Tottenham Hotspur also tend to have a non-official requirement for their managers, and that is to play entertaining football.
But with Thomas Frank's career in North London being in its' early stages and Spurs fans willing to give him a bit of time, the Christmas present that Tottenham fans might wish for in the next couple weeks is a speedy recovery for their two creative superstars - James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski.
West Ham United - more Potts
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The player, not the thing you put a plant in. That would be an odd Christmas request.
In all seriousness, Hammers' fans were pleading for a couple decent midfield replacements after the departure of Declan Rice. Here we are three seasons later and you can still argue they have not done that.
However, West Ham fans' Christmas gift may has arrived early this year - the rise of their newly adored academy graduate Freddie Potts.
After impressive loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth the 22-year-old has become a regular starter, with mid-season appointment Nuno Espirito Santo showing faith in the boy from Barking.
Potts has not let his manager down, displaying great mobility and tenacity in the midfield, whilst also being able to take care of the ball - qualities West Ham United were in dire need of.
Wolverhampton Wanderers - new owners
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A sad one to end on.
The obvious one would be a 'Christmas miracle' in the form of Wolves staying up, but not even Santa could grant that.
Another gift Wanderers fans may wish for is a win, or four, so they can avoid Derby's unwanted record of the lowest Premier League points tally ever (11).
But there is absolutely no doubt that on Christmas Day, Wolves fans would sacrifice all of their presents under the tree to instead wake up to a notification signalling the end of Fosun Group's ownership of their beloved football club.
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