Sport
5 relegated players who could be snapped up
After a whirlwind season, the 2019/20 Premier League has finally reached the end. Runaway champions Liverpool blew the rest of the league away this year, but it was a different story at the bottom half of the table, with six teams battling to avoid relegation. It looks likely that Aston Villa and Bournemouth will be joining Norwich in the Championship next season but which of their players are too good to join them. We look at five relegated players who could be signed by Premier League clubs this summer.
5 relegated players who could be signed by Premier League clubs?
5) Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa)
Aston Villa’s woes this season haven’t been the fault of their Brazilian central midfielder Douglas Luiz, who has been solid in the heart of the midfield, picking the ball up deep and angling out passes all over the field.
The former Manchester City player wasn’t purchased to score goals or assist, instead to sit deep and protect the back four as best he could. However, with how vulnerable the Villa defence has been all season, it has been an impossible task.
Luiz would be suited by a move to Newcastle. The Toon Army are in need of a deep holding midfielder that is happy to do the dirty work and allow others to flood forward, which would be music to the ears of the likes of Miguel Almiron and Jonjo Shelvey, who are arguably being held back by the lack of a Luiz-type player.
4) Max Aarons (Norwich City)
Despite being rock-bottom of the Premier League, Norwich do have talent in their side but injuries and the lack of a ‘Plan B’ means that Daniel Farke’s side have been destined for the drop for quite a while. However, the full-back department is where the Canaries strengths lie, with both Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons showing immense talent this season.
Manchester United have had 20-year-old Aarons on their radar for over a year now, and it is clear to see why. The Englishman, is pacey, loves to attack but is also sharp to a tackle. With better coaching, one would argue Aarons could go very far in the Premier League.
The former Luton Town right-back would also be a smart signing for Tottenham Hotspur, who have lacked an overlapping full back who can truly attack, with no offence intended to Serge Aurier.
Spurs have been forced into a back-four due to their lack of attacking presence this season but this defensive-mindedness would allow Aarons to flourish, with the likes of Moussa Sissoko and Tanguy Ndombele willing to drop back when the defender surges forward on the attack.
3) Callum Wilson (AFC Bournemouth)
England international Callum Wilson has scored goals for fun since the Cherries were promoted to the Premier League in 2015, bagging 41 goals since the step up from the Championship.
The 28-year-old is quick, hard-working and prolific in front of goal, the ideal number nine. Despite Wilson having his second-highest goal-scoring season this year, his goals alone haven’t helped Eddie Howe’s side beat the drop which could mean that the striker is plying his trade elsewhere when next season starts.
Wilson is a striker who thrives when played with creative players and a move to a Crystal Palace could see him flourish. Wilson and Jordan Ayew up front with Andros Townsend and Wilfred Zaha on the flanks could see the Selhurst Park outfit surge up the table.
2) Emiliano Buendia (Norwich City)
On paper, an attacking force of Teemu Pukki, Todd Cantwell and Emiliano Buendia should not be in a list of relegated players. Although Pukki’s form has dropped off, the latter two have played well all season with Buendia the star of the show.
Argentinian midfielder Emiliano Buendia has been earmarked by clubs all over Europe as a potential recruit with Norwich’s fate sealed for a good chunk of the season. The former Getafe player has a sense of finesse about his play and, when he gets on the ball, there is always the expectation that something positive will probably come off it.
Being 23-years-old, Buendia is incredibly sharp and quick but he also has a fiery streak that makes him fierce and strong in tackles. It would be daft to assume Buendia would still be a Norwich player next season, being so versatile makes him of great interest to sides like Arsenal and Leicester, who are free-flowing sides that enjoy possession but can also play counter-attacking football when under pressure from top teams.
1. Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)
You would be lying if you said you were surpised Jack Grealish at the top of our list of relegated players who could be signed in the summer. The Englishman looked set for a move last season before Villa’s play-off victory prompted him to stay in the West Midlands for another season.
However, after failing to captain the side away from safety this year it seems rather inevitable that Grealish will be lining up elsewhere in 2020/21. The 24-year-old has neat footwork, a fierce strike and the ability to pick the game up by the scruff of the neck and win it single-handedly.
A move to Manchester United has been on the cards for what seems like an eternity now but with Bruno Fernandes now there, one would argue his game time may be limited at Old Trafford. So, looking elsewhere, the intelligent and self-confident attacking midfielder would certainly slot into the Chelsea starting line up and make a major impact.
Frank Lampard’s side have already signed Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech as they prepare to mount a title charge next year, therefore adding a homegrown player capable of playing centrally or wide into the mix would only strengthen their side.
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