The best players to sign from 2022/23’s relegated Premier League clubs
There will be plenty of teams across Europe wheeling and dealing and a lot of their business could be done with teams recently relegated from the top-flight of English football.
James Maddison has already sealed his switch from Leicester to Tottenham and Youri Tielemans has joined Unai Emery’s Aston Villa revolution. They’re unlikely to be the last relegated players to make an immediate return to the BIG time.
Here are some of the best contenders from each of the 3 demoted sides.
Southampton
Ironically, it’s the Saints, who finished rock bottom last term, that boast arguably the BIGGEST selection of saleable talent out of them, the Foxes and the Whites. The age profile of their group also means they’re not paying huge wages, so there’s a glimmer of hope that they can sell smartly and have a realistic shot of returning to the top-flight at the first time of asking.
Roméo Lavia
Stylish on the ball, already a great decision-maker at the base of midfield and still only 19. The only complication? Champions Man City inserted a buy-back clause when they sold him to the Saints, which activates in 2024 if he’s still at St Mary’s. Any suitors will need to navigate that. He appears set to become a regular for Belgium for many years so he’ll probably be worth the trouble, at whatever his asking price is. Liverpool are apparently in pole position.
James Ward-Prowse
One of the finest exponents of dead-ball execution in Premier League history. He’s also got bags of experience under his belt and is still only 28. He wouldn’t come cheap, but would add value for a few years and comes ready-made for the rigours of British football having spent his entire career on the south coast.
Armel Bella-Kotchap
At just 21, the tall, stylish central defender should only get better and increase his tally of 2 caps for the German national team. Southampton are unlikely to be able to resist BIG offers for a player of his calibre, should they arrive.
Gavin Bazunu
Yet another young Saints player who a number of clubs will be watching. The Irish goalkeeper already has 16 caps for his country and has the potential to become a reliable number 1 for any team looking to utilise his excellent distribution over long distances. He made 32 appearances in the EPL last term.
Kamaldeen Sulemana
Blessed with electric pace, not many full-backs in world football would especially relish a direct battle with the talented 21-year-old Ghanaian. Only signed from Rennes in January this year, it would be a shock if there wasn’t a BIG queue for his signature.
Mohammed Salisu
Sulemana’s compatriot Salisu is a huge prospect in the centre of defence with a stylish left foot and good distribution skills. In the right system, he’ll flourish. Will he find another home in the Premier League or might he head elsewhere in Europe? The ex-Real Valladolid man will surely have options.
Ché Adams
Although not the most prolific striker around, the Scotland international does have a knack of scoring special goals and is a general nuisance for defenders with his smart movement. Any club in the bottom half of the top-flight could do with his expertise.
Tino Livramento
The talented right-back is still 20 but already spent large chunks of his young career out injured. If he can stay fit, he should be a top player, and Chelsea are reportedly keen to trigger their buy-back clause and bring him back on board at Stamford Bridge.
Kyle Walker-Peters
Just to illustrate the depth Southampton were dealing with, Livramento wasn’t even first-choice at right-back. Former Spurs player Walker-Peters made 31 EPL appearances last term, sometimes deployed on the other flank but a specialist right-sided defender by trade. Plenty of teams in England could do with a man of his versatility.
Leicester City
With BIG earners James Maddison and Youri Tielemans already departed, the 2016 EPL champions may need to trim more wages off their bill to balance the books before pushing for automatic promotion next season. Here are some names they could be offloading.
Harvey Barnes
The 25-year-old is a scorer of clutch goals and super effective in wide areas. An English version of Federico Chiesa. Top-half clubs will likely look at his skillset and think he could be very useful indeed, either as a starter or an impact player.
James Justin
Another player who’s been plagued by injuries, the versatile English defender otherwise has all the physical gifts to excel at the highest level in England. His challenge now will be to remain fit, and someone might need to take a chance on him doing just that.
Patson Daka
Daka probably hasn’t started as many matches as he wanted to for Leicester but has always been effective in a hybrid striking role. The Zambian would be a valuable addition to a lot of sides because of his creativity and selflessness.
Wilfred Ndidi
One of the most complete schemers the Premier League has seen over the last few years, the Nigerian’s career has stalled a little with the Foxes. A move back to the Premier League or even abroad could be just what he needs to showcase his all-action game again. An expert at making blocks, tackles, interceptions and short passes, Ndidi would be an asset to any side needing a specialist at the base of their midfield.
Kelechi Iheanacho
Ndidi’s compatriot “Seniorman” Iheanacho is a wonderful player to watch when he’s at his best. He’s shown a prolific side to his game at Man City and then a more creative touch in a Leicester jersey with that wand of a left foot. Out of all the players on this list, his next move could be the most fascinating.
Leeds United
Take your pick because there are plenty of Leeds players who could do a job at the highest level.
Wilfried Gnonto
This guy’s scintillating skills almost came out of nowhere last season. Still just 19, he’s already got 11 caps for Italy and can play along the front line using his explosive pace and directness to cause damage in the final third. A player whose future will truly be worth watching.
Brenden Aaronson
The energetic Aaronson, expected to join Champions League debutants Union Berlin on loan, proved his Premier League pedigree with a string of hard-working, high-pressing performances for the Whites. Like Gnonto, he can operate across the forward line and his relentless work ethic makes him like a new-age Dirk Kuyt. Remember him?
Tyler Adams
Aaronson’s 24-year-old international teammate Adams captained the USMNT at WC22. With experience at RB Leipzig and Leeds under his belt, and an abundance of obvious natural leadership, the all-action midfielder will be a precious asset for his next club.
Pascal Struijk
A versatile ball-playing defender, Dutchman Struijk was born in Belgium but spent 2 years at Ajax as a youngster. He’s had a lot of defending to do in a wide-open Leeds team, and it could be interesting to see him play in a side who have more possession.
Illan Meslier
Like his teammate Struijk, French goalkeeper Meslier has probably been far busier than he bargained for in his Leeds career. Rewinding to 2021/22, no keeper made more saves in the Premier League (143) than Meslier according to Premier League data. As with Bazunu earlier on this list, the 23-year-old was benched at the end of the season after a difficult spell, but his talent is obvious, and Chelsea have been mentioned as a seriously interested party.
Crysencio Summerville
Summerville scored the winner as Leeds beat Liverpool at Anfield last October and, in a 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates on 1st April, he was a thorn in the side of Mikel Arteta’s team with his pace and sharp combination play. He has the technical ability to thrive in any league and will be hopeful he can take his game to the next level if he moves.