With the season over, there is a bargain or two to be had with the relegated teams. Here, Ben McAleer runs through the best of those to drop out of the Premier League who could make an immediate return to England’s top tier…
Stoke City
Jack Butland
Perhaps the stand out star of those relegated, Stoke would have dropped out of the Premier League earlier than they did had it not been for the England international. Jack Butland has been linked with a host of Premier League teams, both current and promoted, with Liverpool and Wolves the stand out pursuers of his signature. Despite Stoke’s relegation, he’ll be in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, and even his immediate XI. A solid showing in Russia will allow Stoke to command a top fee for the 25-year-old, who made more saves (143) than any other goalkeeper this season, as per WhoScored.com. As likely as any to remain in England’s top tier, even taking into account Stoke’s relegation.
Xherdan Shaqiri
Sheridan Shaqiri was a coup for Stoke when they secured his services in 2015 and he’s looked a big fish in a small pond for much of his time with the Potters. Despite Stoke struggling for consistency, he enjoyed his most prolific season to date, scoring eight and assisting seven, meaning he had a direct hand in 42.9% of their Premier League goals this term. There is likely to be ample interest in his signature across the continent, but the Swiss star proved he is more than capable of plying his trade for one of the Premier League’s bigger teams. A strong World Cup showing will only increase interest in his signature.
Badou Ndiaye
A January arrival from Galatasaray, Stoke will be reluctant to let Badou Ndiaye depart this summer, yet he has proved in his short time in England that he deserves to be a Premier League footballer. No Premier League player with 10 or more appearances this season averaged more tackles per game than Ndiaye (4.2), as per WhoScored.com, and in his debut spell in the country, the 27-year-old did enough to show he can thrive in England’s top tier. 1.3 successful dribbles per game showed how capable a performer he is when he breaks forward and he’d be a handy pickup for any number of Premier League teams.
West Brom
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans is unlikely to stick around at West Brom beyond the summer and having been linked with Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham in recent months, an immediate Premier League return is likely. The defender has just a year left to run on his current deal at Hawthorns and this is their final chance to sell the Northern Irishman. While the performances failed to match the reputation on occasion, that says more about West Brom’s disorganised approach during Alan Pardew’s reign of pain. Indeed, expect him to rock up at a Premier League side before the transfer window closes in August.
Salomon Rondon
Reports that Salomon Rondon has a £16.5m relegation release clause in his contract will be music to the ears of a number of Premier League teams. The Venezuelan forward may have struggled for goals, netting just seven times, admittedly for an underwhelming West Brom side, yet that shouldn’t deter potential suitors. Rondon is a powerhouse of a forward and will give any defence a rough 90 minutes, regardless of their stature. The 28-year-old won the fourth most aerial duels (162) in the Premier League this season, as per WhoScored.com, and a direct side looking to inject experience could do very well with adding Rondon to their side over the summer.
Jay Rodriguez
Jay Rodriguez looked an inspired signing last year after impressing in pre-season, but, like much of the West Broom squad, went off the boil, before returning to his best under Darren Moore. He, like Rondon, also netted just the seven goals this season, yet the disappointing goal return isn’t a reason to not move for the Baggies forward. A versatile striker, who is also good in the air, Rodriguez has plenty to offer in the final third and, like Rondon, can be expected to return to the Premier League this summer.
Swansea City
Lukasz Fabianski
Similarly with Butland, Swansea City would have had their relegation confirmed prior to the final day of the Premier League season had Lukasz Fabianski not been at his best between the sticks for the Swans. He was second to Butland for saves (136) in the Premier League this season, as per WhoScored.com, and claimed the second most crosses (39). At 33 years of age, the Pole has ample playing time left in his career and would certainly prove to be a solid pickup for any side in England’s top tier.
Alfie Mawson
Swansea’s prized asset can be expected to leave for pastures new this summer and it’s easy to see why. Despite his tentative years, Alfie Mawson was the lynchpin at the heart of the Swans’ defence and was one of only five outfielders to play every Premier League minute this season. While the south Wales side shipped 56 top-flight goals this term, Mawson was one of a few relegated players to come away with any credit and at just 24, has plenty of time to develop his game. There’s a reason why a host of the top teams are chasing his signature this summer and whoever does win the race to secure his services will land themselves a solid centre-back who will only improve.
Jordan Ayew
Jordan Ayew has only been in England for three years, but has already suffered two relegations. After Swansea’s Premier League exit was confirmed on Sunday, Ayew, despite playing for six months for Aston Villa after their drop into the Championship, is unlikely to stick around, with the Ghanian turning 27 in September. He has the technical ability to succeed in the Premier League and supporters would undoubtedly bear witness to his full potential were he to ply his trade for a non-relegation threatened side. Seven goals is a return that can be improved upon, yet the gifted, versatile forward will feel he did enough to prove he warrants a move to a top-flight side this summer.
