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STAYING UP: 5 relegated players likely to be targeted by Premier League sides

We take a look at five relegated players who will almost certainly be snapped up by sides who remain in the Premier League.

James Maddison of Leicester City

We take a look at five relegated players who will almost certainly be snapped up by sides who remain in the Premier League.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

When the Premier League season came to a close on Sunday afternoon it was Leicester City and Leeds United who joined Southampton in falling through the trapdoor into the Championship. Everton escaped the drop by the skin of their teeth as they scraped to a narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

It wasn’t long ago that Leicester was winning the league, and just two seasons ago, in 2021, they were crowned FA Cup Champions. It is not surprising then that they have been billed as the most expensively assembled team ever to be relegated from the Premier League.

Without doubt, they have some fantastic players on contract who will almost certainly be set to leave quickly. Leeds and Southampton have some coveted stars of their own as well – we take a quick look at five stars who will almost certainly be heading back to the top-flight quicker than the clubs they went down with.

1. James Maddison

The England midfielder is one of the nicest men in football. Equally comfortable with either foot he is a free-kick specialist and a dynamic attacking presence. Before his move to Leicester City, he was at Norwich City where he almost single-handedly kept them in the Championship.

He has been capped twice for England and would probably have played more times if it had not been for injuries. Indeed, Leicester might not have been relegated if Maddison had not missed almost a quarter of the season with injuries.

 

2. James Ward-Prowse

The Southampton skipper is regarded as one of the best free-kick takers in the world, he boasts the best free-kick conversion in the history of the Premier League. Ward-Prowse has been a Southampton player for his entire career, having come through the youth ranks on the south coast.

Still just 28-years-old, and with plenty of admirers – Pep Guardiola said he was “the best free-kick taker I’ve seen in my life,” – his signature is sure to be chased. Another impressive Ward-Prowse fact that speaks to his level of fitness: in 2021, he became the first Premier League player to play every minute of two consecutive Premier League seasons.

3. Kyle Walker-Peters

A dynamic full-back who has played for England and in Europe (when he was at Tottenham). Walker-Peters has been a steady performer for The Saints this season, despite their poor run of form. At just 26-years-old he still has a big future ahead of him and there will be many clubs who would fancy adding his name to their squads.

Not just solid in defence, he is also very good going forward. Walker-Peters is the second youngest player (behind Jermaine Pennant) to provide three assists in a single Premier League game, a feat he achieved playing for Spurs against Bournemouth in 2018’s Boxing Day clash.

4. Patrick Bamford

The Leeds striker who came through the youth ranks at Chelsea has a single England cap to his name. Despite a big reputation as a youngster Bamford never quite made it at Chelsea, spending the better part of his time on their books on loan at clubs like MK Dons, Norwich, Derby and Middlesbrough.

He eventually moved permanently to The Riverside where he had a modest return of 12 goals in 47 games. But it was after he moved to Leeds that he blossomed – 48 goals in 142 games and an England call-up were rewards for his form and fitness.

Bamford has struggled with injuries over the course of his career, but he made 28 appearances in the just-completed season, a considerable improvement on the nine that he managed in 2021/22. He is certainly a name that will be interesting to Premier League sides.

5. Youri Tielemans

The Belgian midfielder has been coveted by many clubs over the past few seasons and will almost certainly be leaving The Foxes. Able to play as a holding or attacking midfielder, Tielemans is noted for his passing range, his pace and his powerful long-range shot.

It was his wonder strike that won Leicester the FA Cup in 2021 when he thundered home a goal from distance. Tielemans has been compared to legends like Frank Lampard, Axel Witsel and Steven Defour. He is almost certainly too big a player to be in the Championship.

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