Premier League: What does your club need for Christmas?
We asked BBC Sport’s fan community what their Premier League club’s Christmas wish should be. Here are their answers…
Arsenal
Although the squad is bigger, regular injuries to some of the usual suspects – namely Thomas Partey and Takehiro Tomiyasu – along with some rotten luck regarding Jurrien Timber, make it feel like Arsenal are one or two injuries away from a major problem again.
It’s clear Arsenal require another competent deep-lying midfield option and another defender whose profile would depend on when Timber is expected to return. A striker can wait until the summer.
Aston Villa
Richard Sutherland, The Villa Park Podcast
What a year it has been already! Some 25 league wins in the calendar year, 81 points accumulated – only bettered by Manchester City – to reach the heady heights of first in the Premier League table would be a just reward. The challenge ahead is to be top of the table in May 2024.
Do you want to bet against us?
Bournemouth
Sam Davis, Back of the Net
In terms of priority, continuing with our improvement in terms of getting results I think has to remain top of this year’s Christmas list, with a contract renewal for our main man Lloyd Kelly not being far behind. It’s probably unlikely, but he’s a valued asset at the club and it’d be huge festive boost.
Also, getting Lloyd back in action, as well as others currently in the medical room, would be a real treat.
Brentford
Ian Westbrook, Beesotted
The past few weeks have seen the side stripped to the bare bones, with between eight and 10 first-choice players unavailable for every match.
As well as Ivan Toney’s suspension, Rico Henry, Kevin Schade, Josh Dasilva, and now Bryan Mbeumo are all out with long-term injuries. And the likes of Mathias Jensen, Aaron Hickey and Kristoffer Ajer are also currently sidelined.
Others are only just back after being injured themselves. What Brentford want for Christmas is simple – a fully fit squad!
Brighton & Hove Albion
Stuart Matthews, Proud Seagulls
We have reached the last 16 of the Europa League and topped the group as well with deserved wins against some strong opponents. We are also doing fairly well in the Premier League, consistently in the top 10 so far.
However, we have picked up some injuries, so my wish is that all the players come back fit and ready for 2024. Also, I hope that we will do better than just finishing in the top seven. Could we be looking at Champions League next season? You never know.
Burnley
Joe Redmond, Turfcast
I am asking for just one simple thing – three points, please. Our return to the Premier League has been tough to the point where the majority of the fanbase have already accepted inevitable relegation.
Looking at our fixtures over the festive period, it is difficult to see where one point comes from. So, if Santa can bring me just one win, that would bring me a little bit of Christmas cheer.
Chelsea
Ross Mooring, Chelsea Fancast
What Chelsea would do for an actual ‘magic sponge’ to treat all the injured players at the club this Christmas. For most of the season, the Blues have had an injury list that would make for a good starting XI – and it currently numbers 10, even with Christopher Nkunku finally involved with the first team.
Wherever the issues lie, management will need a rethink if this carries on into 2024.
Crystal Palace
Jay Crame, The Eagles Beak
It is not going to happen this Christmas but the need for Palace is a new manager and no more bringing back Roy Hodgson. No offence to Roy, as he has been put in a difficult position, but this season feels like we are treading water waiting for the next chapter to begin.
Everton
Briony Bragg, This Fan Girl
All Everton want for Christmas is 10 points back.
Unlikely I know (for now, appeal pending), so I will compromise with a desire to establish a decent gap between Everton and the relegation zone. Having been bottom of the table four games ago, it is incredible to have gone into the Christmas fixtures with the genuine belief relegation will be absolutely nothing to worry about this season.
Fulham
Dan Crawford, Hammy End
What Fulham fans really want for Christmas is for the club to rethink its prohibitive ticket pricing policy. London’s oldest professional club has always been a place for families to enjoy football, but matchday prices of more than £100 and 18% increases in the cost of season tickets have priced out loyal supporters.
Fulham have failed to act after last month’s protests. Offering an affordable ticket option would be a very welcome Christmas present.
Liverpool
Josh Sexton, The Anfield Wrap
For Christmas, I’d like to see a deep-lying midfielder under Liverpool’s Christmas tree.
Players like Alexis Mac Allister, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Wataru Endo, coupled with the ever-present hope of a Thiago Alcantara return, have filled in manfully so far this season.
However, it would be nice to have a player who takes the pressure off those more adept with the ball in forward areas and doesn’t mean we have to rely solely on Endo to be the other option.
Luton Town
Ollie Kay, We Are Luton Town
Considering how our performances have been excellent, and our losses very tight affairs, it would be too easy to ask for Luton Town to turn those performances into more points. But I would simply ask for that first clean sheet of the season.
Because of his performances so far this season, I think Thomas Kaminski really deserves it. It would also go some way to reward the excellent displays our defence have been putting in.
Manchester City
Steven McInerney, Esteemed Kompany
What do Manchester City fans want for Christmas? Well, as Mariah Carey once famously sang:
“I don’t want a lot for Christmas. There is just one thing I need. I don’t care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree.
“I just want you for my team, more than you could ever know. Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is youuuuu, De Bruyne.”
She was right too. Come back, Kev.
Manchester United
Dale O’Donnell, Stretty News
All I want this Christmas is Manchester United playing with desire. I have watched too many games this season when that was lacking or, in many cases, was more obvious from our opponents.
These players should not need reminding that they represent the biggest football club in the Premier League, yet it beggars belief when a few of them fail to acknowledge the fans who spend their hard-earned money on trips across the country and Europe.
Newcastle United
Pete Davey, LoadedMagNUFC
If Eddie Howe has written to Santa, he will have made many requests.
A goalkeeper would not have topped the list in October but with Nick Pope out for the long term, this would be the best present. In midfield, Kalvin Phillips would be the priority and attacking reinforcements are needed to either push Miguel Almiron on the right wing or to keep Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson on their toes – and fit!
Nottingham Forest
Saveena Johal, Punjabi Forest
With Steve Cooper once at the top of our lists, it’s time for a revision. Heartbreaking, to say the least. Our Christmas spirits are dampened and all we can hope for is a decent start for Nuno Espirito Santo over the busy festive period.
Since Brice Samba and a fit Taiwo Aiwoniyi aren’t in the catalogue, a decent striker and goalkeeper would also be appreciated in the January transfer window.
For all of our suffering and patience, we deserve gifts this Christmas.
Sheffield United
Ben Meakin, BladesPod
A new pen – for getting players to sign on the dotted line. United have more than 10 first-teamers whose contract expires in the summer, along with a clutch of promising academy products.
While it is time to say farewell to some fringe players, the spine for the past few years is up for renewal, including John Egan, George Baldock, and Oli McBurnie. Get a pen in the hands of as many of our most useful players before they hit the open market.
Tottenham Hotspur
John Wenham, Lilywhite Rose
A fit-again Micky van de Ven and James Maddison would bring a lot of festive joy. That influential duo bring so much to Ange Postecoglou’s side, as we saw from the unbeaten start to the season.
With both summer signings in the starting XI, the boys from N17 really were top of the tree.
West Ham United
James Jones, We Are West Ham
Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus and Lucas Paqeuta have 25 goals and eight assists between them this season, but we still need to add some strength in depth in attack, so a striker is once again desperately needed.
Kudus will be away with Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations in the new year, too, which means we’ll once again be relying on the ineffective Danny Ings and injury-prone Michail Antonio up front, which just won’t do any more.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Dazzling Dave, Always Wolves Fan TV
We are not greedy but there are a few things on the list this year.
Ideally, Wolves need a fully fit Pedro Neto for Christmas. Other forwards have stepped up, but we have missed his pace and creativity in attack.
Also, and talking tongue in cheek, we would like a gift from PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited), tied with a bow, handing us the seven points we have lost from poor officiating and the video assistant referee so far this season.
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