The Best Pick-Ups From the PL’s Bottom 5

Southampton, Leeds United, Leicester City, Everton and Nottingham Forest are all in contention to be relegated from the Premier League come the end of the season, and they will all be prepared for life without some of their star players if they go down. This article will look at the best pick-up from each relegation contender.

Considering Nottingham Forest signed enough players this season to field two full starting XIs, it is a shock that their player on this list wasn’t a new arrival. The Welsh international is Forest’s top goalscorer so far this campaign and he looks set to hold that title for the second season running. The 21-year-old has scored eight goals in 32 starts, whilst also contributing three assists.

Johnson is a tricky winger who has an abundance of pace and he has caused some of the best left-backs in the Premier League issues this season. He also featured three times off the bench in the World Cup for Wales and his season is going slightly under the radar.

The versatile attacker, who can also play up front, is valued at £26 million and he could bolster every squad the in the Premier League. As per recent reports, Aston Villa and Newcastle are rumoured to be interested, however, Forest are keen to hold onto their star boy. Danilo and Morgan Gibbs-White also nearly made the list, but Johnson definitely has the most potential.

Dwight McNeil suffered relegation with his former side Burnley last season and unfortunately for the wide man, he has experienced another season around the bottom of the table. The 23-year-old is known for his crossing ability, however, this season he has developed into somewhat of a goal threat himself. He has scored seven goals this campaign which is his highest tally ever in the top flight.

McNeil is a versatile player who would fit in at most mid-table clubs. He is dangerous from set pieces and since the arrival of his former boss Sean Dyche, his performances have noticeably improved. One of the left-footed winger’s biggest traits is his desire to win the ball and help his side out of possession. The Everton man has a market value of around £15.6 million and he could be on the move for a second season in a row if Everton does get relegated.

Without a doubt, the best player in this article is James Maddison of Leicester City. Two months after earning his first cap in four years as an England player, the attacking midfielder is battling for the Foxes in a relegation scrap. Although Leicester have underperformed this campaign, their star player has certainly delivered on the field. Maddison has scored ten times this season and registered nine assists, which is six more goal contributions than Bruno Fernandes and only three off Martin Odegaard.

Maddison’s versatility, creativity and set-piece ability is what makes the number ten one of the Premier League’s best in his position. The 26-year-old has consistently performed since his arrival in the 2018/19 season, but in the last two seasons, his performances have gone up a notch.

Many top clubs including Newcastle United are reportedly looking to sign the midfielder this summer, but his market value is approximately £48 million. Maddison would start for almost every side in the Premier League and it’s reasonable to predict that he will move if Leicester do go down on the 28th of May.

Suspension and injuries have hindered Luis Sinisterra’s debut season in the Premier League, yet he has been impressive when he has featured for struggling Leeds United. The Colombian winger has registered 13 starts, scoring five times. Three of his total goals have come in his last five games, but his run of form was unfortunately halted in the thirty-second minute against Leicester City due to injury.

Sinisterra joined Leeds from Feyenoord this summer, in a deal worth £21.3 million. The 23-year-old’s final season in the Netherlands was his best to date as he registered 12 goals and seven assists. However, it was his performances in Europe which caught the eye of Leeds. Sinisterra was key to Feyenoord’s run to the UEFA Conference League final, tallying up six goals and four assists in 12 starts.

The Colombian is a quick, explosive winger who is brave in possession. Sinisterra is currently valued at £19 million yet he could be purchased for even cheaper if Leeds do go down. If he can remain fit, then he would be a great signing for most teams and even in a season where hurdles have occurred, he has frequently shown glimpses of quality.

19-year-old Belgian midfielder, Romeo Lavia, has been the Saints’ most reliable player this season and arguably their best from a performance standpoint. Lavia only joined Southampton this summer in a £10M move from Manchester City, and with Southampton almost guaranteed to go down, many clubs including Manchester United are interested in acquiring his services.

The youngster has made the step up to the Premier League seem effortless and he has shown great maturity in his game this campaign. He is extremely technically secure when in possession and has strengths which makes him one of the best midfield prospects in the league. Lavia has started twenty-three games this season and the Saints will struggle to keep him this summer.

According to TransferMarkt, Lavia is valued at approximately £22 million however, recent reports suggest that Southampton will demand at least double that fee. Carlos Alcaraz is another Southampton player who has impressed since his January move, yet Lavia just edges the versatile Argentinian as the best pick-up from Southampton.

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