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Surely this EPL (Premier League) season will go down as the craziest EPL season to date? No one would have foreseen the EPL season being suspended in March or ending in July. But that has been the case due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Usually, right now EPL teams would have been in the midst of pre-season, but instead, they are now recovering after a long season because of the pandemic and will have to start training again sooner than ever before.
We still have the UEFA Champions League and Europa League to sit back and watch where the English contingent of Manchester City, Chelsea, Wolves and Manchester United are still alive. But the domestic season for all of them is over.
The good news is that we only have a small break before the EPL will be back. The traditional curtain-raiser of the Community Shield will be between EPL winners Liverpool and FA Cup winners Arsenal. And then on 12th September, the EPL rollercoaster begins all over again.
However, the end of the EPL season does mean that the summer transfer window has opened for business and will remain open until 5th October, one of the latest closings to the window in a long time.
It is expected that this transfer window could be hit hard by the pandemic. In other words, there may be no astronomical player transfer fees paid, but you never know what may happen. Like in any other transfer window, speculations and rumours will circulate about players' future - whether an EPL club manager wants to sell a player or a player wants to leave their current club.
Some players would want to further their careers by joining bigger clubs or leaving a team who have been relegated. Others would want to leave their current team in search of more first-team football, especially before the rescheduled Euros in 2021. Other players may simply want a new challenge with a different team in the EPL or venture outside the league.
So, here is a look at three players from five EPL teams from the 2019-20 season, who in my opinion, could leave in the summer. In this article, I will focus on players from the following five teams: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton and Burnley.
Three players from five EPL teams who may leave their respective clubs in the summer:
#1: Arsenal
Mikel Arteta has his first transfer window to look forward to now and would want to leave his imprint on the club by bringing in his own recruits. However, if reports are to be believed, he will have a very limited transfer budget. So here are three players who may seek a new challenge away from the Emirates.
1. Mesut Ozil
A frozen out figure since the EPL's Project Restart, Mesut Ozil's future at the Emirates Stadium looks very uncertain.
He has not been in a single Arsenal squad since the resumption of EPL action in June. That is because head coach Mikel Arteta has stated that he has been fit but not good enough to make the matchday squad.
Rumours have been circulating about Ozil likely to go out of the club due to his £350,000 per week wages, especially when he has not been in the Arsenal squad for a while and has not been performing like the Galactico he once was.
When he first signed for Arsenal, fans were excited and rightly so. He was assisting goals left, right and centre. However, times have changed for the former German international. He now looks a pale shadow of himself.
From the financial perspective for Arsenal, offloading Mesut Ozil who's 'laid-back' approach is not suitable in the modern game anymore, would make sense. This is especially because the EPL side can use these wages to bring in some necessary defensive and box-to-box midfield reinforcements.
For the player himself, he has stated that he loves the city of London. He is settled there and is earning a lot of money, so there may not be a good reason to move. However, with someone of his quality, a fresh start and challenge may bring back the Mesut Ozil we all enjoy on the football pitch, one who controls the game with his playmaking abilities.
2. Matteo Guendouzi
Another player Mikel Arteta has frozen out of Arsenal's EPL matchday squad despite being fit is Matteo Guendouzi. However, this problem is a bit different to the one above. It is reportedly the attitude of the player which has become a huge problem for Arteta.
Guendouzi has reportedly refused to apologise for his behaviour in the game against Brighton where he grabbed the neck of the opposition striker Neal Maupay. This has severed the relationship between himself and Arteta to the point that Guendouzi's future lies away from the Emirates next season.
Reportedly, Guendouzi may become a makeweight for an Arteta transfer target, potentially Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid or Philippe Coutinho from FC Barcelona.
Guendouzi does have a high transfer value as he is only 21 years old and has a promising potential. However, it is a shame it won't be at the Emirates. He started his Arsenal career well under Unai Emery but has now faded to the point of no return under Arteta.
If reports are to be believed, Guendouzi needs a fresh start under a manager who will help him improve his attitude and turn him into a great midfielder. He needs the right guidance and attitude, which he does not seem to have at the moment.
A fresh start may give him just that. One potential destination may be Villarreal whose new head coach was the man who brought Guendouzi to Arsenal - Unai Emery.
3. Sokratis
Unlike Ozil and Guendouzi, Sokratis has not been frozen out of the Arsenal squad. The Greek defender has played a few EPL games under Arteta, but he no longer offers the defensive stability he provided while he was at Dortmund.
Every time he is on the ball, there is a palpable nervousness about him, a fear that he may give the ball away. That is something Arsenal can ill afford to do, especially when playing out from the back, the Arteta way.
Although he is not as strong as he was while at Dortmund, Sokratis is still a decent defender who will do a job for a team who doesn't play out from the back. The Greek defender may thrive at a team where the primary role of a centre-back is to defend and clear the ball.
With a year left on his contract, Sokratis could obviously run it down and choose to fight for his place at Arsenal, which he reportedly wants to do. However, I believe a new challenge at a club who do not play such possession-based football like the Gunners could suit Sokratis better.
#2 - Aston Villa
Aston Villa ensured that it would not be a straight return to the Championship for them after drawing 1-1 at the London Stadium on the final day of the 2019-20 EPL season.
However, a lot of criticism has come their way for their recruitment this season. They spent over £100 million in player transfers during the season but only just managed to survive relegation. That has cost the club's sporting director, Jesus Garcia, his job.
Villa would want to establish themselves like their old selves in the EPL, a solid team, perhaps similar to Wolves right now. However, there is the danger that if they flop at player recruitment again, the Championship could soon await them. If it so happens, key players would not look to remain at the club.
On that note, here are three players unlikely to remain at Villa next season:
1. Jack Grealish
He is the man for the big occasion for Villa. Jack Grealish scored the goal for Aston Villa which ultimately helped the club stay in the EPL.
Throughout the season, Grealish kept Villa ticking offensively. The most fouled player in the EPL, Grealish was involved in a third of all Villa's EPL goals this season; his eight goals and six assists prove his ability to make things happen.
Being tipped for an English call-up again, is it time for Jack Grealish to leave his hometown club?
In this situation, I would say yes, because there is a danger his career may stagnate if he remains at the EPL club.
Grealish has immense quality and has proven himself in the EPL for a struggling Villa team on numerous occasions. Imagine the danger he could pose at a better team as he has the quality up front unlike the two strikers at Villa Park who scored six goals apiece all season.
Grealish deserves the plaudits for his performances this season, and that should mean a big money move to a better EPL club. Whether it is Manchester United or any team in the top eight, Grealish should not be trying to save a team from relegation next season.
2. John McGinn
John McGinn is another player, perhaps not of the same calibre as Grealish, but one who could also do a solid job for a better EPL team than Villa. He is a very tenacious midfielder who will play his heart out for 90 minutes wherever he plays.
McGinn has been linked with a move to Newcastle United. If the EPL club's new ownership eventually happens, they could be one to watch out for, and McGinn could play a starring role in the middle of their midfield. He would thrive with players of better quality around him and would be a very useful player for the EPL club for a long time.
Had McGinn managed to add more goals and assists to the tally that he garnered in the EPL this season, he would have been a certainty for a move away from Villa Park. If Villa had got relegated, he would have been a player picked up by another EPL side, without any doubt, so that's why he's on this list.
3. Orjan Nyland
It maybe a bit unfair to judge Orjan Nyland for one mistake. However, if it weren't for a Hawkeye glitch, Villa would have been back in the Championship next season.
If Villa want to survive and do so comfortably in the EPL next season, they would need a top goalkeeper along with two solid backup custodians.
Tom Heaton is a good goalkeeper, but his injury forced Villa's hand in the market in January due to doubts over the quality of Nyland. Pepe Reina came in and has done a decent job. But he is past his best. He is still a solid goalkeeper, but there are uncertainties about whether Villa want to make his transfer permanent.
Unless they stick with Nyland, Villa would need a new goalkeeper if Tom Heaton is not fit for the new EPL season. But I don't think that after the 'Ghost Goal' Nyland conceded, it would be worth the risk.
It is not just the 'Ghost Goal'. In the game against Wolves, Nyland threw the ball straight to Diego Jota who should have scored but didn't.
Villa should search for a new goalkeeper. That means Nyland would need to move out either on loan or permanently, and re-establish himself as a better keeper than he has been at the almost relegated EPL side this season.
#3 - Bournemouth
Despite a 3-1 win at Everton, Bournemouth were relegated to the Championship. Similar to Aston Villa, their recruitments have to be questioned because they spent a lot of money without much return.
However, there were a few signings they got right, and they are ones who should not be playing Championship football next season at the Vitality Stadium. With Eddie Howe no longer the club's manager, Jason Tindall has a rebuild job on his hands to try and take the Cherries back to the EPL.
Originally, Nathan Ake was on this list but since he has officially signed for Manchester City, I have picked three other players who may have played their last games at Bournemouth.
1. Aaron Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale established himself as the number one for Bournemouth this season. Although on paper, the team's defence wasn't great, he made some crucial saves and had some standout performances throughout the EPL season.
In games where he did not have a defence in front of him, he made some incredible saves. He simply does not deserve to be playing Championship football next season.
A possible route out is a return to his old club Sheffield United if they can't get Dean Henderson for a second season in the EPL. This is a likely proposition as reportedly Sheffield United have had a bid of £12 million rejected for the Welshman.
Ramsdale deserves to play with a EPL team who can defend properly compared to Bournemouth whose defence looked hopeless at times; Sheffield United may be a good fit for the goalkeeper.
2. David Brooks
David Brooks was in line to miss the entire season due to an ankle surgery until the COVID 19 crisis materialised. However, the extension of the season allowed him to play nine games where he scored a goal.
Brooks was missed sorely by Bournemouth. With Ryan Fraser out of form, Bournemouth did not score as many goals, which was their strength in previous seasons despite having a lacklustre defence.
In the 2018-19 EPL season, Brooks contributed 12 goals, with only Fraser, Callum Wilson and Josh King contributing to more goals than him.
The club suffered a big blow when Brooks suffered an injury in pre-season. Since he played the last nine games after the EPL restart, Bournemouth might have survived relegation had he been available earlier.
Reports suggest that Brooks is linked with a move away from the Vitality Stadium. EPL Champions Liverpool may make a surprising £35 million move for the Welshman.
If it so happens, it would be a very good move for him. Brooks would possibly be a replacement for Xherdan Shaqiri who could leave in the summer. The transfer could benefit both club and player.
3. Josh King
It is Josh King who makes this list rather than Callum Wilson. Both strikers had a poor season by their high standards. Josh King has hit more than 10 goals in an EPL season twice in the last five seasons while Callum Wilson has only done so once; thus King is the more likelier of the two player to leave in the summer.
The pace that King possesses would be very useful for any EPL team. He could serve as a very useful player for the better teams in the EPL and could be a starting striker for a mid-table EPL team.
I do not think he would want to languish in the Championship. If his former employers Manchester United can't get a deal done for Odion Ighalo, I would not be surprised if they eye up Josh King.
He could do a very solid job, similar to what Ighalo has done at Manchester during his loan spell. However, recent reports have seen King linked with PSG.
#4 - Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton will now be playing their fourth season of EPL football after a 15th-place finish last season. The Seagulls have a good manager in Graham Potter who is renowned for playing possession-based football.
They did survive a bit more comfortably in the 2019-20 EPL than they did in the season before when they finished 17th.
The former Swansea manager would hope to build from his first full-season and make Brighton a permanent fixture in the English top flight. That would mean that Brighton stay well clear of relegation and aim for a mid-table finish, at the very least.
However, here are three players who could leave the club in the summer:
1. Lewis Dunk
It may be a difficult pill for Brighton fans to swallow, but if Lewis Dunk wants to be in the Euros next summer wearing an England shirt, he may need to leave Brighton. Dunk has been a very consistent performer for the team in the south, who have now stayed up for two seasons in the EPL.
If Gareth Southgate reverts to a successful three at the back at the Euros, all three positions at centre back could be up for grabs, in my view.
Harry Maguire hasn't been that convincing for his price tag. The same goes for John Stones, and Kyle Walker may not be risked in that positiom again. I would say that the only centre-back certain right now is Liverpool's Joe Gomez, with Lewis Dunk also in contention for a place in the defence.
However, for that to happen, Dunk would need to do it at a better EPL club than Brighton next season. One team who could take a chance on the player is Chelsea who are looking to rebuild their defence.
2. Jose Izquierdo
Although Jose Izquierdo is injured at the moment and is not expected back until September, should he move on from Brighton to restart his career? It is rare for someone with a serious injury to return to his very best, but it is not impossible.
Even when he was fit, Izquierdo did not make the impact after the hype he generated following his move from Belgium. His statistics look very average - 11 goal involvements in nearly 50 games - which is not nearly good enough.
Brighton will need an upgrade on wingers if they want to establish themselves in the EPL. That is because if teams around them and the newly-promoted trio of Leeds, West Brom and Fulham strengthen as well, Brighton could see themselves in trouble next year if they do not bring in new players.
3. Solly March
For a similar reason like that of Izquierdo, Solly March is on this list. March has been with Brighton all his career and has been a great servant for the club.
However, with only 12 goal-involvements in 90 games, unless Solly March does not want to play first-team football, he may need to look elsewhere. In fact his record at Brighton is nowhere near impressive.
Brighton have two decent strikers in Neal Maupay and Aaron Connolly who have had good seasons. The Seagulls also possess a strong midfield, with the likes of Aaron Mooy, Yves Bissouma and Pascal Gross. On the other hand, on the wings, they do not possess the strength in depth that they do in other positions. It is a position they need to have good depth in to fare better in the EPL next season.
If Brighton upgrade on their two left-wingers with players who have a track record of more goals and assists than their present players, they may comfortably survive relegation next season.
#5 - Burnley
Sean Dyche's Burnley nearly got their record EPL points total and even got very close to qualifying for Europe once again.
Burnley have become a perennial EPL team despite their small budget and criticism of the way they play. Nevertheless, they will be playing their fifth consecutive season in the EPL and sixth under Sean Dyche.
However, the danger for Burnley is that if they get stale and don't improve, they could slide down the EPL standings next season. On that note, the following three players are unlikely to remain at the EPL club in 2020-21.
1. Nick Pope
Nick Pope coming second to Ederson in the EPL Golden Glove by one clean sheet is no mean feat. However, the credit for the same must also go to the Burnley defence.
Pope's performances in the season have almost made him a guarantee to go to the Euros next year. In fact, the performances of England's regular number one, Jordan Pickford, have been far from inspiring. Pickford has been quite error prone, compared to Nick Pope who has been a rock in goal and has produced stunning saves.
However, the question for Nick Pope is whether he could be a number one at a bigger EPL team, one chasing European ambitions. The answer for that is yes.
A team I possibly see taking Pope from Turf Moor next season is Tottenham Hotspur. Hugo Lloris is still Spurs' and France's number one, but may not remain so for much longer.
Lloris made a couple of mistakes in the EPL this season, and with the release of Michel Vorm and Paulo Gazzaniga, he has not looked very convincing. Pope could fight with Lloris for the number one jersey at Spurs next season, which could improve the Frenchman's form.
However, Pope is also linked with a move to Chelsea, especially as their number one spot is certainly available due to the erratic form of Kepa in the EPL this season.
Wherever he may end up next season, if he continues this season's form, he is certain to be England's number one at the Euros next summer.
2. Dwight McNeil
The 20-year-old has had a very solid season playing on the wing for Burnley and is a regular name on the team sheet. In fact Dwight McNeil played every single game for the Clarets this season.
Assisting six goals and scoring two in 38 EPL games may not be considered a high output, but there is no doubting his potential and skill. It can be said that McNeil needs one breakthrough season to earn a move to a big EPL team.
It remains to be seen if a top-8 EPL team would take a chance on a player like McNeil. A deal back to Manchester United, where he started his career, may be an option only if United do not end up signing Jadon Sancho.
3. Matej Vydra
Matej Vydra's EPL record isn't the greatest, and he is not exactly a starting player for Burnley. He made some impactful performances from the bench, including scoring the goal of the month in February against Southampton.
However, his two goals in 18 EPL appearances makes for a dismal return. If Ashley Barnes is fit, Vydra would slid down to fourth choice in the pecking order behind Chris Wood, Jay Rodriguez and Barnes.
Vydra needs a fresh start at an EPL team where he is likely to start, like he did at Derby in 2017-18.
