The Premier League has paused for the final international break of 2024, but while the leading players are away representing their countries, the recruitment teams at the top clubs are drawing up plans for the January transfer window and plotting the moves that could transform or save their hopes and ambitions for the season.
Some clubs, including Liverpool and Chelsea who sit first and third respectively, are exceeding expectations, while Manchester City and Arsenal (second and fourth) are slightly off the pace in comparison to recent campaigns. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, meanwhile, are both marooned in midtable, with United firing manager Erik ten Hag last month and hiring Sporting CP coach Rúben Amorim in an attempt to rescue their season.