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12 Premier League relegated stars that your club should sign this summer

These stars are just too good for the Championship

Written by Ben Browning
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12 Premier League relegated stars that your club should sign this summer

The curtain fell on the 2022/23 Premier League season on Sunday, and confirmed that Leeds United, Leicester City and Southampton would all spend at least next season in the second tier of English football.

In what was one of the most nail-biting relegation races in recent memory, Everton survived by the skin of their teeth, and sent down three squads that all have plenty of quality in their ranks.

So much so, in fact, that we have managed to identify a massive 12 players across the three squads that should already be thinking of a move away, and a return to the Premier League.

Of course, we aren’t saying that any club should go out and buy all of our suggestions, but these are the players that we think are too good for the Championship.

12. James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

Kicking it off with arguably the biggest name on this list, James Ward-Prowse is unlikely to be playing in the Championship next season.

Relegated with Southampton despite scoring eight times from midfield, the 28-year-old is a menace from set pieces and needs just one more strike to become the most lethal set-piece taker in Premier League history.

11. James Maddison (Leicester City)

Despite Leicester City being generally pretty wretched as a side, several of their key men make this list. Starting it off is James Maddison, undoubtedly the jewel in the King Power crown and part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the

He seems certain to leave, with the 26-year-old out of contract in 12 months and reported interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

10 goals and 9 assists in a poor Leicester side only strengthens his hand, and it would be truly remarkable if he wasn’t playing Premier League football next season.

10. Valentino Livramento (Southampton)

This one is perhaps the most unlikely on the list, given that Livramento only played in the final two games of the season thanks to a serious knee injury picked up last season. Before that, however, he was one of the most highly-rated youngsters in the Premier League and there was speculation that Chelsea might exercise their buyback clause, or that another big club would come in for him.

Now, however, clubs further down the table could come into the equation, and we think he could be perfect for someone like Aston Villa.

9. Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)

Available on a free transfer this summer, Youri Tielemans is a no-brainer for a lot of clubs.

The Belgian has been linked with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool in recent seasons andwith all three looking for midfield additions, Tielemans is definitely the most cost-effective option.

Of course, he could choose to leave the Premier League, with likely his pick of most clubs across Europe, but up and down the table clubs should be at least considering making the 26-year-old an offer.

Youri Tielemans of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James’s Park, Newcastle on Monday 22nd May 2023. (Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto) Credit: NurPhoto SRL/Alamy Live News 2R3910P Youri Tielemans of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James’s Park, Newcastle on Monday 22nd May 2023. (Photo by Mark Fletcher/MI News/NurPhoto) Credit: NurPhoto SRL/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

8. Harvey Barnes (Leicester City)

Another player that has been in and around the England set up during his time with Leicester, Barnes has had his best goalscoring season in the Premier League this season, grabbing 13 despite his side’s relegation.

Still just 25-years-old and with two years left to run on his contract in the midlands, he could be another that leaves in search of Premier League football, with West Ham, Aston Villa and Newcastle all having been linked with him in recent weeks.

7. Romeo Lavia (Southampton)

Lavia’s first season in Premier League football has certainly caught the eye of the referees, with the midfielder having been booked 9 times this campaign. However, he has impressed those watching on too, and is expected to command a scramble for his signature this summer should he leave St Mary’s.

Chelsea and Arsenal have both been heavily linked with the Southampton man, while Manchester City have a £45m buy-back clause which comes into effect in 12 months time.

London, UK. 2nd Apr, 2023. Romeo Lavia of Southampton FC during the West Ham vs Southampton. Premier League match at the London Stadium Stratford. Credit: MARTIN DALTON/Alamy Live News 2PJG8AB London, UK. 2nd Apr, 2023. Romeo Lavia of Southampton FC during the West Ham vs Southampton. Premier League match at the London Stadium Stratford. Credit: MARTIN DALTON/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

Set to go straight to the top of English football, it would be a shock were he to be playing second tier football next season.

6. Tyler Adams (Leeds United)

There is a pretty strong case to be made that Leeds United may have avoided their relegation fate had Tyler Adams managed to stay fit for the final three months of the season.

When the international break came in March, they sat 14th in the table and two points clear of the drop zone, but losing their captain and key midfielder had a major impact on the struggling Yorkshire side.

Likely to command a fee in excess of £30m should he be sold, the USMNT star could be a good addition to plenty of midfields this summer.

5. Kyle Walker-Peters (Southampton)

Another player that has been regularly linked with a move away from St Mary’s and to a top six Premier League side, it would be a surprise if no Premier League club wanted to keep Walker-Peters in the division.

The former Tottenham fullback, who can play on either flank, has been linked with a move back to north London, as well as with Manchester United, though with a relegation on his CV now he may be aiming his sights slightly lower.

Southampton, England, 9th April 2022. Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton and Kai Havertz of Chelsea challenge for the ball during the Premier League match at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry / Sportimage 2J3R055 Southampton, England, 9th April 2022. Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton and Kai Havertz of Chelsea challenge for the ball during the Premier League match at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry / Sportimage (Alamy Stock Photo)

4. Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds United)

Criminally underused towards the backend of the season, Gnonto was excellent during his minimal game time for Leeds, and attracted attention of clubs around Europe.

Already a full Italy international at just 19-years-old, he has plenty to offer sides up and down the Premier League, and could be available on the cheap following his side’s relegation.

3. Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)

A former Manchester City academy graduate, it feels as though Iheanacho has been around forever yet he is still only 26-years-old. He managed just 11 starts for the Foxes this season, with the pace of Patson Daka or Jamie Vardy often preferred, but the Nigerian would make a perfectly servicable midtable striker, with goals a precious commodity in the Premier League.

Out of contract in 12 months, a move away this summer seems likely, and clubs could certainly do much worse than Iheanacho as a good squad option.

2. Timothy Castagne (Leicester City)

Yes, it is yet another Leicester City player, and another one that has been linked with a move away for the last months. Arsenal and Liverpool have both reportedly considered Timothy Castagne, who can play on either flank and has been another rare bright spark in a poor season for the Foxes.

A regular for Belgium, his future almost certainly lies away from Leicester, especially with a European Championships on the horizon next summer. Even a move to the likes of Tottenham could do wonders for his career.

1. Jack Harrison (Leeds United)

Rounding out this list is another man who has been long-linked with a move away from Leeds United in the form of Jack Harrison. Despite having far from his best campaign, the Englishman managed five goals and seven assists.

Still just 26-years-old, Newcastle were thought to hold an interest last summer, while fellow relegated side Leicester City also reportedly enquired. Though he signed a new five year deal relatively recently, it is understood that the contract included a relegation release clause, which some Premier League sides could well be minded to activate this summer.

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