Each year as three teams get relegated from the Premier League, the remaining 17 clubs emerge like vultures, eager to pick the best talent from the dejected squads.
This season saw Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich all get relegated from the Premier League, and each with a whole host of promising and proven Prem players amongst their ranks. We take a look at a starting XI and bench of those who have gone down to the Championship.
GK : Ben Foster | £1.08m
Despite being 37 years old, Ben Foster has held his own in the Premier League this season and fought valiantly in Watford’s efforts to remain in the league. As a man with many years of Premier League experience under his belt, he takes our spot as No. 1.
RB: Max Aarons | £18m
The Norwich right back has seen plenty of plaudits during his time at the canaries, and just days after being relegated rumours began to surface of a potential move to Bayern Munich for a sum of around 20 million euros. The promising English full back takes our spot as right back.
LCB: Nathan Aké | £25.2m
Nathan Aké at 25 years old has plenty of premier league experience and is someone we can’t see playing in the Championship next season. With Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer being caught singing his praises after their match at the Vitality this season the rumour mill is already in full swing with both Manchester clubs potentially battling out for the Dutch international.
RCB: Ben Godfrey | £10.35m
Godfrey has been a mainstay in the Norwich defence, making 30 appearances this season. The 22-year-old is already subject to a lot of transfer speculation and is another player that might be snapped up by a Premier League club looking to bolster their defence for the future.
LB: Jamal Lewis | £9.9m
Completing our almost-all Norwich defence is Jamal Lewis. Coming in with 28 appearances and a goal this season, the Northern Ireland full back has had a steady debut season in the top flight and could find himself back in the top flight if a Premier League club were to come in for him.
CM: Abdoulaye Doucouré | £18m
The French midfielder made 37 appearances contributing 4 goals and 2 assists this season for Watford. With a few seasons of solid premier league experience, Docuouré may feel he is best suited to staying in the Premier League and could be one of many players to force his way out of the Watford squad this summer.
CM: Todd Cantwell | £18m
Cantwell has gone to make a name for himself in the Premier League this season despite an undeniably poor season from Norwich. When Norwich were playing well, it was certain that Cantwell was at the centre of it all. He was one of only 2 players to score more than one goal for Norwich in the Premier League this season, highlighting just how poor the Norwich side really was. In a better side, it is no doubt that Cantwell could flourish, and with attention from top sides like Liverpool and Spurs it’s certain he won’t be around Carrow Road for too much longer.
AM: Emiliano Buendía | £13.05m
The Argentinian midfielder has gained a cult following from statistical football fans after his recent season in the premier league. Featuring amongst the top chance creators in the league Buendia has gained many plaudits despite playing for such a lacklustre Norwich side. Featuring in the already highlighted poor Norwich side, Buendia did find himself with 7 assists and a goal this season, meaning he contributed to 30% of all Norwich’s Premier League goals this campaign. He could prove to be a thrifty buy for a mid-table club.
LW: Ismaïla Sarr | £22.05m
Perhaps one of the most exciting prospects amongst the relegated sides, Sarr looks like one of those players that is just too good to spend a season in the Championship. Despite only starting in 22 games for Watford this season, Sarr contributed 5 goals and 6 assists this season. His raw talent could make him a coup signing for whoever decides to pick him up from Watford this summer.
RW: Gerard Deulofeu | £18m
The former Barcelona man hasn’t been afraid to jump between clubs in recent years and this summer could see the Spaniard taking on a new challenge away from Vicarage road. Chipping in with 4 goals and 5 assists, Deulofeu has a lot to offer a Premier League club should they come for him. He is however currently out with cruciate ligament damage which may ward off some potential suitors, at least for the time being.
ST: Joshua King | £14.4m
The Norwegian striker saw strong interest from former club Manchester United in the dying embers of the January transfer window before Odion Ighalo joined the Red Devils. This interest could be reignited by Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer in the summer window as he still looks keen to add to his attack and is a public admirer of King. With 6 goals and 4 assists in a rather unenthusiastic Bournemouth side, King could also be someone with something to add to a Premier League club.
The Final XI
The final value of our relegated squad sits at over £168m according to Transfermarkt, proving there is still some great quality players dropping down into the Championship next season.
Settling on a final XI wasn’t easy, and there were a lot of names that ran close but didn’t quite make the squad, as such here are the honourable mentions.
Junior Stanislas | £1.8m
Despite missing most of the season through injury, the Bournemouth winger came alive post-lockdown and managed 3 goals in the Cherries final 5 games.
Callum Wilson | £21.6m
With 8 goals and 3 assist this season, Wilson was Bournemouth’s most prolific goalscorer and perhaps should have even made this relegated eleven. The 28-year-old is a proven Premier league striker after his time at Bournemouth, however he could be one that chooses to stay at his club and fight to get them back into the Premier League.
Troy Deeney | £5.85m
The Watford striker and captain has found himself entering the last year of his contract at Watford and as he would like to remind you he’s not yet old enough to retire. A proven goalscorer, Deeney could prove lethal to any Championship or Premier league striker looking to add to their firepower upfront. He’s openly admitted he isn’t sure if he has played his last game for Watford and could be heading out the exit door after 10 years at the club.
CM: Étienne Capoue | £4.68m
Capoue featured 30 times for Watford this season chipping in with 3 assists. At 32 years of age, the defensive midfielder could still cut it for a Premier League side should they come knocking, perhaps one of the newly promoted sides could take him up?
All price data retrieved from Transfermarkt.com
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