Ahmed Elmohamady (7.17)
The majority of Hull’s attacks this season came down their right side (40%), with Ahmed Elmohamady one of their star performers this term. The Egyptian full-back provided the necessary width for his side and was an effective offensive outlet for the Tigers when required.
Having played a key role in Hull’s promotion to the Premier League back in 2013, Bruce would be loathe to losing one his key players this summer. However, like any performer who has experienced the upper echelons of England’s top tier, Elmohamady may be keen to return to the top-flight of English football sooner rather than later.
Adept at either right-back or on the right wing, the 27-year-old could make for an astute acquisition for a number of Premier League sides. Only a handful of top-flight players attempted more crosses than Elmohamady (225) this season and for a side hoping to add an injection of pace on the flanks, the Egypt international may be viewed as a handy pick up this summer.
Steven Caulker (7.17)
Like Fer, another to have suffered the unfortunate indignity of back-to-back Premier League relegations is Steven Caulker, but that should not deter potential suitors from looking into his availability. Signing a defender from a team that conceded the most goals (73) in the Premier League this season may not make for appealing reading, but mismanagement and poor leadership at the back stunted Caulker’s growth.
At 23 years of age, the England international has time to develop his game further and improve, with the disappointment of relegation a learning curve for Caulker. His ability to be in the right place at the right time to clear danger is one of his strengths, as only a handful of players averaged more clearances per game (9.9) than the young centre-back this season.
2 interceptions per game was also one of the best returns of all QPR players, with Caulker relying on his impressive reading of the game to defend. Similarly to Fer, the defender is unlikely to stick around Loftus Road for too long given his quality and potential, with teams expected to come sniffing around the English centre-back once the transfer window opens.
Kieran Trippier (7.15)
Like Hull, the majority of Burnley’s attacking touches came down their right side (41%), with the partnership between Kieran Trippier and George Boyd a joy to behold at times this campaign. The reliance on the pairing saw Burnley develop a statistically calculated style of play of ‘attacking down the right’, though it remains to be seen whether the combination will be resumed in the upcoming campaign.
A notable debut season in England’s top tier by Trippier will have attracted interest from those set to grace the Premier League next term, with Tottenham and Bournemouth reportedly leading the race for his signature, and for good reason. The 24-year-old played the most accurate crosses (91) in the Premier League this term as he looked to frequently provide an offensive threat for the Clarets from deep over the course of the season.
There is some work to be done on the defensive side of Trippier’s game, though he is still young and has time on his side. Given his performances under Sean Dyche, though, the right-back has the makings of a Premier League quality defender, with his return to the top-flight expected to come before Burnley’s.
