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After a much longer campaign than anyone could’ve anticipated, the 2019-20 Premier League season is finally over. And following this, it’s time to say goodbye to Norwich City, Watford and Bournemouth, who were all relegated to the EFL Championship.
Despite suffering relegation, the truth is that all three sides have plenty of excellent, Premier League level players. That means that the vultures will already be circling the carcasses of these three teams, looking to bolster their own ranks before the 2020-21 Premier League campaign begins in just over a month.
With that in mind, here are 5 relegated players who could be in for a quick return to the Premier League.
#1 Max Aarons (Norwich)
Norwich finished bottom of the Premier League and conceded 75 goals – the most in the competition. It, therefore, seems strange that bigger clubs would be looking at some of their defenders. However, Jamal Lewis, Ben Godfrey, and Max Aarons have all been linked with quick moves back to the Premier League this summer.
Of the three, it seems like right-back Aarons is the most likely to make the jump. Despite the Canaries’ leaky backline, the 20-year-old performed admirably throughout the 2019-20 campaign.
Aarons played in 36 of the Canaries’ 38 games and proved to be adept in all areas. He scored highly in terms of defensive statistics, and also proved to be dangerous going forward, too. Sure, he didn’t score any goals and only registered one assist, but Norwich’s poor form in front of goal could perhaps be blamed for that.
In terms of a potential destination, reports linking him with a move to Tottenham Hotspur have been the most common. Aarons himself has been coy about any move to North London, but it’d definitely make sense for him. After all, a move to Spurs would allow the 20-year-old to work with a renowned defensive coach in Jose Mourinho.
Either way, it seems highly likely that we’ll see this talented youngster back in the Premier League next season.
#2 Callum Wilson (Bournemouth)
Once considered one of the Premier League’s most outstanding strikers, Callum Wilson’s struggles in front of goal this season may have contributed to Bournemouth’s eventual relegation. The 28-year old only managed eight goals in 35 appearances during the 2019-20 campaign. He didn’t score a single goal following the season’s restart in June.
However, with 41 Premier League goals to his name over the last five seasons, Wilson is a proven top-level goalscorer. That means that he’d be a tempting signing for a number of Premier League contenders, from sides chasing a European spot all the way down to potential strugglers.
And the likelihood is that Wilson himself will want to move on from Bournemouth, too. With four England caps to his name, he’ll probably still have an eye on a squad spot for next summer’s European Championships. But to do that, he’ll almost certainly need a season of Premier League football behind him.
The striker has thus far been linked with moves to Tottenham, West Ham United and Newcastle United. Initially, it was suggested that he had a £10m release clause in his contract, but that’s somewhat of a question mark. Sky Sports has recently reported that the Cherries will look for a fee of £20m for him.
Even at £20m though, Wilson would almost certainly be a smart buy for any Premier League side. It seems almost impossible that he’ll begin the 2020-21 campaign at Bournemouth.
#3 Abdoulaye Doucoure (Watford)
Like Bournemouth and Norwich, Watford have plenty of Premier League-worthy talent despite being relegated this season. The likes of Will Hughes, Gerard Deulofeu, and Ismaila Sarr would probably bolster a number of sides in the top flight next season.
However, perhaps the most likely player in the Hornets’ squad to make a quick return to the Premier League is midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. The 27-year-old Frenchman made 37 appearances in 2019-20, scoring four goals and registering two assists along the way. But it’s Doucoure’s versatility that makes him such an intriguing prospect for any suitor.
The midfielder was deployed largely as a holding man early in the season, usually looking to crunch opponents with tackles and win the ball back for his side. However, later on in the campaign, he was shifted further forward, with Watford looking to make the most of his speed and ability on the ball in attacks.
This ability to play basically anywhere across the middle of the park would mean he could fit into any number of Premier League sides. In terms of interested parties, reports suggest that both Everton and Arsenal are looking at the Frenchman.
With both sides looking lightweight in midfield at times, Doucoure could definitely improve their Premier League hopes next season.
#4 Todd Cantwell (Norwich)
Despite Norwich’s largely diabolical Premier League campaign, the Canaries did have a couple of shining lights in 2019-20. One of those was definitely attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell. The 22-year-old was excellent in patches, particularly in the early part of the season, and he ended his first Premier League run with six goals and two assists in 37 games.
A clever, creative talent, Cantwell proved that he’s capable of playing basically anywhere across an attacking line. He was deployed both on the right and the left and also acted as a support striker to main frontman Teemu Pukki at times, and nearly always looked dangerous.
Given his young age, the England U-21 international will likely improve with more Premier League experience under his belt, too. That makes him almost a dead cert for a quick return to the top flight. But which club is he most likely to head to?
A number of Premier League giants have been linked with a move for him – from champions Liverpool to Manchester United. However, it’s unlikely that he’d make the jump to a title contender that quickly, so reports suggesting he could move to Newcastle or Leicester City feel more likely.
Norwich may well attempt to hold onto their young star. But after proving his Premier League credentials, a season in the Championship seems unlikely for him.
#5 Josh King (Bournemouth)
While there has already been interest in Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson, his striker partner Josh King is equally likely to move back to the Premier League next season. The Norwegian international enjoyed another excellent season despite his team’s struggles. King scored six goals and registered four assists despite only playing 26 games due to injury.
A former Manchester United academy graduate, King was reportedly close to a move back to Old Trafford in January. That fell through when the Cherries demanded a fee that the Red Devils weren’t willing to match. But following their relegation, there’s definitely a chance that they might be forced to sell.
If that’s the case, then any number of Premier League sides will likely be interested. The 28-year old has proven himself as a goalscorer at the top level over the past few seasons, scoring 48 goals since the 2015-16 campaign.
And his versatility may interest his potential suitors, too. King is not only a capable central striker, but he can also play off another striker from a slightly deeper spot, or from wider areas too. At 28 years old, the Norwegian is in his prime and would be a quality addition to any Premier League side.
Expect him to return to the top flight sooner rather than later.
