Though it is only a matter of time before Manchester City are crowned champions of the Premier League, the relegation battle at the bottom of the table is all but over. Relegation from the top division comes with a number of implications, notably a loss of millions upon millions of dollars for the clubs. The absence of these funds means less wage money available for the top players on the bottom teams. Due to this, clubs are forced to part ways with their most talented and expensive players at the end of season - creating a transfer carousel. Here we will highlight a player from the bottom six teams that will be sold by their current club if they find themselves in the relegation zone after all 38 games are played.
1. Alfie Mawson - CB, Swansea
If not for Mawson and his stellar play during the middle of the season, Swansea would be deep in the relegation zone, instead of 4 points outside of it. By far the standout player this season for the Swans, Mawson leads the team in successful clearances (28), successful headed clearances (104), and aerial duels won (100). His significance has also been felt in the attack, as he scored the winning goal in Swansea's win against Liverpool in January - proving to be the turning point of their season. Liverpool had been on a 14 game winning streak, while Swansea had won only won four games. Mawson has been the most consistent and reliable player for Carlos Carvahal's team, making him the prime candidate to be sold if Swansea does get relegated. Potential suitors for his services would be Everton, West Ham, or even Liverpool. Everton and West Ham have struggled to find consistent play from their center-backs, and have purchased players from fellow Premier League teams in the past (Keane, Jose Fonte). On the other hand, Liverpool needs more depth at the position to make a run at the title next season, as Lovren and Klavan are just not good enough.
2. Steve Mounie - ST, Huddersfield Town
A team in free fall, it seems like seasons ago that Huddersfield went undefeated through the first three games - winning two of them. Early in the season Aussie midfield Aaron Mooy would have been pegged as their best player, but his play has fallen off. Steve Mounie has instead been the most consistent player on the squad, scoring 7 goals in 24 appearances. Mounie has scored big goals for the club in their biggest games, bagging the winner against West Brom in February and the equalizer against Brighton in their last game. If Huddersfield find themselves in the Championship next season, odds are Mounie will be on the move. A club like Newcastle could use Mounie, since their experiments with strikers Mitrovic and Joselu have not been successful. Proven goalscorers in the Premier League are hard to come by, and his seven goals this season should be enough to force a move to another English club.
3. Wilfried Zaha - ST/LW, Crystal Palace
Ravaged by injuries this season, the Eagles have been bouncing around the relegation zone like a ball. Though their best player this season has been Luka Milivojevic, the most coveted player if the South Londoners get relegated will undoubtedly be Zaha. The Ivorian has five goals and 2 assists this season, and has opened eyes with his flashy wing play - even against the top opposition. Palace has not won a game without him in the lineup, and his time out injured late in the season indicated how important he is for them to stay up. Wilf looked rusty coming back from injury, but scored a stunning goal against Bournemouth in their last match, reminding everyone what he is capable of. Palace has the talent to stay in the league, but if they do get relegated, Zaha will move on from his boyhood club. Some of Europe's top teams will be vying for his services, with Chelsea, United, and Spurs all being linked to the winger. Chelsea could end up being his landing spot, especially if the Blues appoint attacking-minded Maurizio Sarri as manager. However, Zaha will not go cheap, and is rumored to have a 60 million pound price tag.
4. James Ward-Prowse - CM, Southampton
One of the most disappointing teams this season in the Premier League, Southampton is knee-deep in the relegation battle. On a team full of sub-par performances, James Ward-Prowse - along with Charlie Austin - has risen above the rest. The England international has long been on the radar of the country's biggest clubs and is still only 23 years old. Ward-Prowse has contributed three goals and two assists to Southampton's campaign, but is known for his excellent dead-ball abilities. The young midfielder belongs in the Premier League, and will be snatched up if the club finishes in the relegation zone. West Ham has been linked with the creative midfielder, who would be a welcome replacement to the aging Mark Noble in the middle of the pitch. Some West Ham fans share these sentiments : https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/04/05/west-ham-fans-eye-southampton-raid-identify-main-target-should-saints-be-relegated. Leicester is another club that could use Ward-Prowse's talents, and would be the perfect player to send Vardy passes to run onto.
5. Xherdan Shaqiri - MID, Stoke City
After all the money that Stoke City invested into the squad during the past two seasons, the Potters currently sit 19th in the table. Xherdan Shaqiri has been the club's best player by a large margin, scoring seven goals and adding six more assists. His initial move to Stoke in 2016 came as quite a surprise, as he was viewed as one of the rising stars in the world. Shaqiri finally began to reach his potential this season, and is one of only eight players to score three or more goals from outside the box in the Premier League. The lethal Swiss midfielder also ranks 6th in the league in chances created (59), not too far behind Eriksen and Fabregas in the category. Now 26 years old and entering his prime, Shaqiri will surely move on from Stoke whether they are relegated or not. He recently blasted the quality of the squad saying that "The feeling even Ronaldinho could do little in this team is sobering." After trying his hand in Germany and Italy in the past, who knows where 'Shaq' will end up. Expecting him to return to an elite team such as Bayern may be a bit lofty, but his talent will land him on a good team.
6. Jonny Evans - CB, West Brom
At this point, West Brom has one foot in the Championship and other in the Premier League. Though they are not mathematically relegated, it has become apparent that they do not possess the means to remain in the top flight. The one bright spot in their squad has been Evans, who nearly moved on from the club in January. Manchester City was the club most heavily linked with Jonny Evans, and a move to the sky blue of Manchester is still a strong possibility. A move to a big club such as City will result in a secondary role for Evans, adding depth to the center-back position on the roster. Many other clubs in the Premier League that need defensive help would flaunt the money to get Evans, including Everton, Leicester, West Ham, and Arsenal. Look for Chelsea to make a desperate move for Evans as well, especially due to the poor play of Cahill, Rudiger, and co. Now 30 years old, a move this summer will surely be his last hurrah.
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