Picking a Personalised Christmas Present for Each of the 20 Premier League Clubs
It's Christmas time, and that means a lot for football.
While for most of us the festive period means a well-deserved break, the Premier League enters its busiest period, and with the January transfer window looming, it's not just results that will have managers thinking over the next week or two.
With top clubs threatening to spend, strugglers looking to add much-needed depth to their squads and surprise packages knowing they might have to splash out to reach their lofty ambitions, it's not just the matter of three games in seven days to worry about.
Just in case you're planning some last-minute Christmas shopping, we've taken a close look at the needs of each top-flight club to suggest one personalised gift that would suit the needs of their fans, bosses and players alike.
Here is your guide to Premier League Christmas shopping.
Arsenal
1 of 20
Arsene Wenger is not traditionally known for his movements in January, but with Arsenal facing one of their best opportunities to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time in over a decade, his actions in the transfer window could be crucial.
Monday's win over Manchester City saw the Gunners move just two points behind league-leading Leicester City, and—given the amount of injury problems suffered by Arsenal this year—it's a position they would gladly have taken.
Maybe the Frenchman just needs a small nudge in the right direction in order to splash the cash—we're thinking a subtle hint: something along the lines of this wallet.
Aston Villa
2 of 20
As simple and straightforward in theory as it seems, all Aston Villa want for Christmas is three points.
But for Villa fans, it's a gift that is proving incredibly difficult in practice.
So perhaps it's time to take it literally—there are four points on offer with Villa's cutlery sets, or if it's motivation you need, there's always this reminder of the good old days at Villa Park.
Ten points adrift of safety after 17 games, Remi Garde has an almighty task on his hands to haul Villa off the bottom of the table—one that begins at home against West Ham United on Boxing Day.
They'll look to become only the fourth team to stay up after sitting bottom at Christmas after West Bromwich Albion (2004/05), Sunderland (2013/14) and—no, really—Leicester City (2014/15).
Bournemouth
3 of 20
Bournemouth, perhaps more than any other, were dealt a number of injuries to key players early on this season as Eddie Howe looks to navigate top-flight safety.
Yet, somehow, they've found themselves 14th—above even defending champions Chelsea—in the league table at Christmas following three successive wins.
They'll be hoping the second half of the season brings more luck as far as injuries are concerned; so we're giving the Cherries a brand-new pair of trainers because, well, fitness is key.
Chelsea
4 of 20
Chelsea's struggles have been well-documented this term, and the departure of Jose Mourinho last week left fans disillusioned going into the Christmas period.
In their first game following the Portuguese boss' departure, the Blues beat Sunderland 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, but with tough assignments against Watford and Manchester United to come, interim manager Guus Hiddink and Chelsea are far from where they'd like to be over this Christmas break.
Chelsea fans will be hoping for something, anything, to take their minds off a disastrous title defence. How about a new iPod? That might put fans off producing cringeworthy tribute songs, and we could all do with that.
Crystal Palace
5 of 20
High-flying Crystal Palace were given a very nice Christmas bonus as they set their sights on the Premier League's top four.
Separated from the UEFA Champions League places only by goal difference, it's beginning to feel as though the sky's the limit for the Eagles.
And Alan Pardew could do with a brand-new piggy bank for all his new pennies after the latest investment in the club.
Don't spend it all at once, Palace...
Everton
6 of 20
In case you missed it, a certain Jamie Vardy scored in 11 Premier League games in a row earlier this season.
While it took 12 years for Ruud van Nistelrooy's record to be broken, Everton fans are hoping it takes a fraction of that for Vardy's record to be smashed.
Romelu Lukaku is not-so-quietly going about his work as one of the best strikers in the league, netting in the 3-2 loss to Vardy's Leicester to register a goal in each of his last seven league games.
Why not get the Toffees fan in your life some Lukaku memorabilia in anticipation of yet another goal against the Magpies on Boxing Day?
Leicester City
7 of 20
What do you get the team that already has everything?
Leicester have already made one fan's Christmas by sitting top of the tree during the festive period, but even Claudio Ranieri is downplaying the Foxes' chances of staying there until May.
With Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez eyed by a number of big clubs and the consensus believing that Leicester's lack of experience will catch up on them, we think they could do with a little bit of silverware.
We think Leicester fans could do with a set of personalised shot glasses, just to get used to the idea of holding cups. They might also come in handy if a certain striker hosts a party.
Their first game after Christmas is at Anfield against Liverpool on Boxing Day.
Liverpool
8 of 20
Jurgen Klopp announced himself to the Anfield faithful as the "Normal One" and, as such, shouldn't be expecting too much for Christmas this year.
His Liverpool honeymoon is well and truly over—culminating in Sunday's 3-0 defeat against Watford—so we would recommend getting the Reds boss a box of chocolates. Simple, straightforward and nothing if not normal.
Next up for the Reds? League-leading Leicester on Boxing Day.
Manchester City
9 of 20
Christmas is a day to spend at home with the family, but Manuel Pellegrini's concerns have come away from home this year.
His side, among the pre-season title favourites following some key acquisitions in summer, have slipped to third after Monday's 2-1 loss to Arsenal.
Handily for Pellegrini, the club has some helpful travel packs as they go in search of a first win away from the Etihad since September.
They'll get their next shot at an away victory against Leicester on December 29.
Manchester United
10 of 20
The mood has been muted around Old Trafford this Christmas thanks to Manchester United's worst run of form in nearly two decades.
The Red Devils have slipped out of the top four and pressure is mounting on Louis van Gaal due to Jose Mourinho's sudden availability and the madness of the managerial merry-go-round.
You couldn't blame United fans for longing for what once was at Old Trafford, so we're thinking Sir Alex Ferguson's book could be handy stocking-filler.
Newcastle United
11 of 20
Newcastle United need a return to the old days, a blast from the past, if they're to inject some life into their stuttering season.
We've decided to gift Steve McClaren's side a more traditional present: a good old fashioned pair of socks, because we can see some similarities between the present and the Magpies.
They might not be the most glamorous, could come as a bit of a disappointment and don't always make everyone happy but, well, everyone could do with a pair of socks.
Norwich City
12 of 20
A win over Manchester United last weekend has done little to ease the pressure on Norwich City, who still sit just two points outside the relegation places and look set for a scrap as the Premier League season enters its second half.
Staying up is all that the Canaries are worried about, so we think a brand-new belt is the fitting gift.
Alex Neil's side face Tottenham Hotspur away on Boxing Day before hosting Aston Villa and Southampton to round out a busy festive period.
Southampton
13 of 20
Southampton have slipped to mid-table after a promising start to the season, and Ronald Koeman will be hoping for a swift return to form when the Saints host Arsenal on Boxing Day.
With January looming and big clubs circling over the likes of Sadio Mane, the Dutchman will be desperate to cling on to his key players in the January transfer window.
Why not distribute some lessons in Southampton club history to his players in a bid to make them stay?
Stoke City
14 of 20
They might be the Barcelona of the Premier League (sort of), but Stoke City are the joint-lowest scorers in the division with just 14 in 17 games.
Mark Hughes' side has all the potential but is just lacking a bit of sharpness, so we're recommending a new knife set for Potters fans this Christmas.
Sunderland
15 of 20
When Sunderland enjoyed a mini-revival under Sam Allardyce with victories over Crystal Palace and Stoke City, a glance at the fixture list lowered expectations all over again.
Dealt a horror December with games against Arsenal, Watford, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City in succession, a gift for the Black Cats is simple: a 2016 calendar.
Sunderland simply need to put 2015 behind them and move on to a tasty matchup with Aston Villa on January 2.
Swansea City
16 of 20
Swansea City have been managerless since the sacking of Garry Monk and have slipped perilously close to a relegation dogfight.
It might provide some joy for Swansea fans to receive a copy of the latest Football Manager game on Christmas Day.
As well as some much needed escapism and an introduction to life with a manager, it might also help Bafetimbi Gomis rediscover his goalscoring touch...
Tottenham Hotspur
17 of 20
Tottenham Hotspur are now officially a top-four side, and with Norwich to come, Mauricio Pochettino might fancy his chances of staying there.
But change is afoot at Spurs, and with White Hart Lane to undergo a revamp, Spurs will be homeless for a while.
Perhaps Pochettino might like some decorations for the new offices when he and his side are on the road.
Watford
18 of 20
Watford have been flying under Quique Sanchez Flores and find themselves just one point outside the top four on Christmas Day.
The Spaniard has been a breath of fresh air in what would otherwise have been a relegation scrap of a season, so it's understandable that Watford fans might want to channel their inner Flores.
To that end, we recommend Elton John's greatest hits—after all, Flores is his "No. 1 fan."
West Bromwich Albion
19 of 20
Without having set the Premier League alight, West Bromwich Albion find themselves 13th after 17 games, and while their immediate attention will be on avoiding relegation, they'll also be under a bit of pressure during the transfer window.
Tony Pulis did all he could to prevent Saido Berahino departing in summer, and he's facing an uphill battle to keep the striker.
Maybe Pulis can take his mind off things by engaging in some fantasy transfer activity of his own in the West Brom Monopoly board game?
West Ham United
20 of 20
For West Ham United, you can take your pick.
With Slaven Bilic's side moving into their new home next season, we're thinking the place could do with more than a few housewarming gifts, and there's a rather nice selection of West Ham presents to help them settle in.
After three goalless draws on the bounce, there's a small present under the tree in the form of the Hammers' next opponents: 20th-placed Aston Villa.
