Christmas is just around the corner, and while the Arsenal-Chelsea clash promises a football feast, the London snow may have other ideas, having already scuppered last week's clash between Chelsea and Manchester United (which is now tentatively scheduled for March 1).
So instead, let's have a look at some of the big names in the football scene, and possible items on their wishlist this Christmas.
Arsenal:
The Gunners will face off against Chelsea after Christmas, but surely the prolonged absence of Thomas Vermaelen was news Arsene Wenger wished he didn't have to hear. How he would wish for Arsenal-type injury woes to plague his rivals instead, keeping in mind that little matter of a Champions League match-up with Barcelona. I'm sure he'd also like a certain French keeper and a real-life player editor to solve those injury problems that pop up ever so often.
Chelsea:
If Chelsea needed something right now, it'd be a glass of courage from the wizard of Oz. They need a win against the Gunners to get back on track, and with Manchester United looking to extend their lead at the top, nothing fewer than three points will suffice for the men in blue. Some would also be hoping for their wizard, Jose Mourinho, to return.
Man United:
United's stunning success in recent years (I'd like to call it something else, but it is what it is) and Alex Ferguson go hand-in-hand. Some might wonder what the club will be like once the good Sir steps down, but others would probably want to give him the gift of immortality. Sir Alex himself would probably wish for a swift end to South Korea's Asian Cup, so that he can keep Park Ji Sung around for what is increasingly looking like a critical and tight race to the finish.
Liverpool:
For Liverpool, a 'Big Four' squad that hasn't actually won the EPL title, there could be no better wish for this year than actually staying in the top four and retasting Champions League football. They have a realistic chance of winning the Europa League trophy, but I'm sure some fans have already seen their Christmas wish partially fulfilled - Rafa Benitez's sacking at Inter Milan means that the extremely unlikely scenario that the Spaniard will return to the Reds is still within the realm of possibility. Roy Hodgson won't too happy to hear that, though.
Man City:
For a team that has spent that much, Manchester City have fallen short of expectations, especially when compared with their slightly more illustrious neighbours. Surely, most of us remember the promise of a new superpower when City stunned the footballing world by capturing Robinho's signature. Then that troll-worthy declaration of intent to sign Kaka. And securing both Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure from Arsenal. But for all the millions City's cash-rich owners have spent, they've failed to win a single piece of silverware. Their recent 2-1 defeat by Everton further ruined their dreams of topping the table, even if it were to be only for a brief moment.
Tottenham:
For the Spurs, there probably is no better gift than doing the double over their North London rivals. Well, they'll probably be dreaming of winning the Champions League, but that might prove a little trickier. Spurs will also want to keep their star players, including the impressive Gareth Bale, from the claws of the more prestigious clubs.
Newcastle:
Newcastle fans I've talked to, want one thing from Christmas, apart from not getting relegated. They want owner Mike Ashley out. The sacking of Chris Hughton, who brought them out of the Championship and into a mid-table position, was the latest in a long list of decisions that have left Newcastle supporters and players scratching their heads. Alan Pardew's first game in charge might have been a morale-boosting 3-1 win, but only a change in overall management can give the club the stability it needs.
West Ham:
Let's face it. They need a miracle. Hammers fans are probably preparing themselves for the worst. Having escaped relegation several times in seasons past, it looks like their luck has run out.
The rest:
Clubs in England are begging for a winter break. While everyone else in Europe is enjoying the Christmas holidays with their families, the English Premier League (EPL) clubs are preparing themselves for a gruelling four games in 10-days, a vital stage of the season which usually determines who plays Champions League football and who plays Championship football next season. Chelsea, for example, play Arsenal on Monday followed by a home match against Bolton two days later, something which no title challenger would feel is fair.
Perhaps the snow will intervene.
AND OUTSIDE THE EPL...
Inter Milan:
Yes, Rafa Benitez is no Jose Mourinho, but be realistic Inter, you're not getting the Special One back for Christmas. You had your treble. It's someone else's turn. The Italian Super Cup and the Club World Cup may not be the most fantastic of trophies, but they're still silverware you can put into your pretty little trophy cabinet, yes? Not to mention the rumoured $4 million Benitez is getting paid for the termination...
Barcelona:
The Catalan giants have pretty much everything a football club would want. A good coach, a fantastic batch of players, competing well in competitions. At this point in time, the only thing on their wishlist would probably be...more money. As their acceptance of shirt sponsorship for the first time ever showed, Barca's fantastic football has come at a pretty hefty cost, and at the end of the day, they have to balance the books. If they don't have more money, how are they supposed to buy the other thing on their wishlist - Cesc Fabregas?
Real Madrid:
They have the Special One. They have lots of money. They have a whole list of star players. What more could they want? Well, for a start, money can't buy everything, as we've seen with Manchester City. What Real can probably hope for, is an Arsenal-esque injury crisis to hit their Catalan rivals Barcelona. That, and Cesc Fabregas.
Do you have something to add to your club's wishlist this festive season?
-
http://jskkc07g.com dkb