🥅 Christmas chaos, transfers and exclusive O'Shea interview

This week really marks the beginning of the busiest period the Premier League has ever seen. While the Christmas schedule is famously intense, that had been tempered in recent years by the allowance of a winter break for every club. Now, that's not just gone. It is caused by the further congestion problem of European games in January. There's just no space in the calendar, which means there's little space to breathe. The chaos we saw last weekend is almost certain to continue, and may even get more manic...

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Until next time,

Written by Miguel Delaney

Miguel's must reads

Christmas schedule sparks a flurry

Many clubs have already started fine-tuning training as they prepare for the Christmas period, and the start of this period. While the new European fixtures affect those at the top of the table, it can work both ways. The clubs lower down aren't as used to a game every three days, in the way Christmas throws up, so they have to greatly lower the level of training. That has a knock-on effect, not least in terms of the tactical coherence of teams. It is actually those who came up who might feel the most benefit. Ipswich Town, as an example, had nine midweek Championship games by this point of the season. They've only had one so far in this campaign. You can read more here.

O'Shea shows the speed with which Ipswich have adapted

Speaking of Ipswich Town, I spent Wednesday afternoon with their Irish centre-half, Dara O'Shea. He was fascinating on pace, long searching passes, Kieran McKenna's system and the "loneliness" of so many people focusing on you in the Premier League. Read the full interview here.

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Miguel's insights

Rashford's future not as clear as shock comments made out

One of the major developments of the week was Marcus Rashford's announcement that he is now open to leaving Manchester United, although it did cause some surprise among teammates who expected him to want to stay to fight for his place. The news has naturally caused sadness that it has come to this for a homegrown player, but we're some way from the end of this. Rashford's anticipated asking price and wages could come to a collective £100m for any club interested, which is why few have even considered it so far. That may change as the January market gets going, but it's currently going to take a lot to move him. The irony is that, as sad as it seems, it does feel like all parties could just do with a change.

A decisive week for Postecoglou... and Levy

Pep Guardiola this week got what he has most wanted, which was a free midweek for the first time since late August. That is quite some time, and there is a feeling within Manchester City that the schedule has worsened the sort of negative circle they have found themselves within. The lack of a break has led to physical drop-offs and injuries, that has naturally led to a lot of the same players having to play all the time, which has contributed to what is going on. At the same time, Guardiola hasn't had the chance to tactically fine-tune the squad in training, which has compounded some of this. There may be bigger issues, sure, but these are important details. The big question at the weekend is whether this will lead to uplift... but then they have a difficult match away to Aston Villa. It is almost the wrong fixture at the wrong time, especially since Unai Emery's team themselves finally benefitted from a break.

Miguel's dispatches

It was quite a nice little Premier League scene as I found myself early to the interview with O'Shea, so was at Ipswich's training ground for their Christmas lunch. The club were all sat in the canteen, with a lot of laughter heard inside. Ipswich have plans for a modern elite training centre, but they have not broken ground yet, so an upwardly mobile Premier League club are still using an old base. There isn't much space but that almost served the setting as it brought everyone together. There is a good feel around the club. On the subject of Christmas, this newsletter will take a break this week. Enjoy the break. Merry Christmas to all readers, and a happy new year.

Player of the week

MIGUEL'S BIG WEEKLY CALL

The intensity of the Christmas schedule is going to lead to some parts of the table being totally overturned. There are going to be some major shocks.

Every week I'll make one prediction or talking point for the week. Feel free to email in with thoughts.

There have so far been eight Manchester United players who (a) came through the club's academy, (b) made over 100 appearances for the club and (c) were sold to another Premier League club. Name the eight. Note: old First Division does not count, it must be Premier League. For a bonus challenge, name the clubs they went to and the year.

(You can find out the answers here. The answer page will be updated weekly and contains answers from previous newsletters, too)

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