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A quality XI of relegated PL players available for a bargain: Lavia, Maddison…

Ben Stewart •

Relegation from the Premier League is catastrophic financially these days – meaning some players from Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton may be available at bargain prices this summer.

The quality in the Premier League seems to rise each year and the relegation trapdoor has swallowed up three massive sides this year.

We’ve taken a look through each of their squads and have compiled a quality XI of relegated PL players available for a bargain this summer.

GK: Illan Meslier

“He’s a player with personality and character and he still has the margin to improve,” former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa told Sky Sports back in 2021.

The French goalkeeper didn’t have his best campaign this time around, but he was up against it from the off this this. Having faced over 150 shots in total, Meslier was constantly in the firing line of the opposition.

We don’t doubt that there is still a top goalkeeper in there. The 23-year-old has been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Spurs and will now assess his options for the future.

RB: Kyle Walker-Peters

The versatile defender is contracted with Southampton until 2025, although there is bound to be Premier League interest in the 26-year-old this summer.

“It’s tough for me to say right now but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I want to be playing in the Premier League,” he told the Daily Echo when asked about his ambitions.

CB: Pascal Struijk

Like plenty of the Leeds backline, his confidence took a battering during the campaign. However, a versatile player like Struijk who can play in a variety of roles is always going to attract some interest this summer.

According to The Athletic, Leeds are expecting offers for the defender this summer and he could be used to raise some vital funds for the rebuild.

CB: Armel Bella-Kotchap

Eintracht Frankfurt are said to be among the clubs monitoring the promising German defender. Signed last summer on a four-year deal, Bella-Kotchap has looked like a capable defender.

The Saints certainly missed him at points of the season as the 21-year-old missed several matches due to a series of shoulder injuries.

LB: James Justin

The 25-year-old has had a torrid time with injuries of late and he missed the majority of the 2022-23 campaign. Despite this, James is clearly a very talented player and more than good enough to cut it in the Premier League.

The versatile defender was even sniffing around the England squad at one point. Provided he recovers from his latest set-back, we’re in no doubt that he’ll be back in the Premier League soon.

CM: Romeo Lavia

Liverpool have quite the history when it comes to signing relegated players and Lavia could be next in line as the Reds have been linked.

Leicester, UK. 15th May 2023. Andy Robertson of Liverpool gestures during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Liverpool at the King Power Stadium, Leicester on Monday 15th May 2023.

READ: Lavia next? The last eight players Liverpool signed from relegated teams & how they fared

CM: Youri Tielemans

Leicester recently announced their retained list and confirmed that Tielemans will be departing upon his contract expiring. While he hasn’t had his best campaign this time, his quality is undeniable.

The Belgian midfielder spend five years with the Foxes and made 195 appearances in that time. Aston Villa and Newcastle have been the latest clubs linked with the 26-year-old.

CM: James Ward-Prowse

“From the first day of the season until now you can tell the standards have slipped,” Ward-Prowse told reporters after Southampton’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed.

With nine goals and four assists to his name this year, there are few who can deny his brilliance. If any side is looking for a set-piece specialist this summer, look no further.

RW: James Maddison

Leicester’s relegation caught many by surprise as their squad is stacked with attacking talent. The jewel in the crown has to be Maddison and it will be fascinating to see where he ends up next.

“We should never have been in the position we were with the players we have. But we take responsibility for that and the negativity that comes with it and continue to stick together,” the midfielder wrote on Instagram.

The 26-year-old ended the campaign with 19 goal contributions and is being linked with several top sides. With his current deal set to expire in 2024, a sale this summer looks more than likely.

ST: Rodrigo Moreno

Most of Leeds’ problems this year came from their fragile backline, conceding an average of two goals per game was never going to be sustainable. In the case of Rodrigo, he actually had his best-ever scoring season for Leeds this time.

The Spanish forward scored 15 goals in all competitions, which is more than his previous two seasons combined. Perhaps a return to Spain could be on the cards this summer.

LW: Harvey Barnes

After notching 13 goals this time around, Barnes showed flashes of quality, despite Leicester’s slump in form. The 25-year-old has long been linked with a move away and this summer seems like the right time to move on.

READ NEXT: The last time each of the Big Six – and Everton – suffered relegation

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every team to be relegated from the Premier League?

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