LEEDS United and Leicester City suffered relegation on the final day of the 2022/23 Premier League season, joining Southampton in dropping down to the Championship. All three teams endured difficult campaigns and now might find themselves vulnerable to rival clubs picking off their best players this summer.
Last summer, Newcastle United signed Nick Pope from relegated Burnley while Nottingham Forest landed Emmanuel Denis from Watford. Which relegated players are ready to be poached this summer and where could they end up for the start of next season?
Harvey Barnes
Leicester City finished their season with a 2-1 home win over West Ham and while the result was ultimately meaningless, the performance highlighted the talent of Harvey Barnes. Despite relegation, Barnes netted 13 times over the course of the Premier League campaign, including one against the Hammers.
If there’s one Leicester player I would sign. It’s Harvey Barnes. 13 league goals this season. Would be a great backup for Saka pic.twitter.com/2gwCQ70kFn
— Met. (@AFCMet) May 29, 2023
Barnes is an extremely effective goal-threat off the left wing and has already been linked with Aston Villa who reportedly want to add the 25-year-old to their squad. Several star players failed to turn up for Leicester when they needed them most, but Barnes wasn’t one of them. He’s one of the few players to have emerged from this season with any credit.
Wilfried Gnonto
In the end, Leeds United lacked the quality to avoid the drop. Wilfried Gnonto, however, surely still has a bright future at the top level of the sport. Indeed, the Italian teenager electrified Elland Road with his pace and direct running at various points this season, registering six goal contributions in 24 appearances.
Only 14 of those appearances were starts, somewhat confusingly given Gnonto’s ability to produce a match-defining moment out of nothing. Leeds could have used him more in the Premier League this season, but the Italian international still caught the eye to such an extent that he surely has admirers.
Romeo Lavia
Southampton looked to have pulled off a coup when they lured Romeo Lavia to the south coast from Manchester City last summer. The young defensive midfielder was so highly-rated that Chelsea reportedly tried to sign him just weeks after he’d pitched up at St Mary’s Stadium. The Saints, however, managed to keep hold of him.
This season was a learning curve for Lavia who made a number of mistakes in various matches, but his potential is clear to anyone who has watched him. It’s been suggested City have a buyback clause in the 19-year-old’s contract with Chelsea also believed to be still interested in the Belgian.
James Maddison
By most measures, James Maddison had a good season. Leicester City suffered relegation, but their number 10 finished the campaign with 10 goals and nine assists in 30 appearances. Maddison is clearly good enough for the Premier League and is widely expected to depart the King Power Stadium this summer.
🚨| James Maddison has been a target for Newcastle since last year but has been understood to be holding out for #Tottenham! The London club are desperate to add midfield creativity, with Leicester holding out for at least £50 million, even if they are relegated.
Simon Jones,… pic.twitter.com/NuZC9lRqzy
— The Spurs Express (@TheSpursExpress) May 28, 2023
Newcastle United have been linked with Maddison in the past and with the Magpies securing Champions League qualification for next season they will have squad positions to fill this summer. Manchester United could also be in the market for a new creative midfielder and Maddison is known to be a fan of the Old Trafford team.
James Ward-Prowse
Widely considered one of the best set piece takers in Premier League history, James Ward-Prowse now faces life in the Championship next season. At 28, it’s now or never for the England international to make the next step in his career and he might not have the stamina for a rebuild at St Mary’s Stadium.
Ward-Prowse finished on nine goals and four assists for the season and has been linked with West Ham who might need a replacement for Declan Rice this summer. The 28-year-old isn’t just a set piece merchant, although that’s a big part of his skill set – he is also excellent at controlling matches with his use of the ball.
