The Premier League relegation battle is over, and our Mackems here in the Transfer Tavern are still hungover after partying too hard last night!
Sunderland secured their Premier League safety for a 10th consecutive year last night, with an emphatic 3-0 win against struggling Everton.
An unlikely brace from defender Lamine Kone after Patrick Van Aanholt’s free kick secured all three points for the Black Cats, cementing their top-flight status and condemning both Newcastle and Norwich to relegation in the process.
Sam Allardyce keeps his record of never being relegated – having previously helped Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham all beat the drop – and can now begin to plan for next season where he will be hoping to strengthen to avoid the same dilemma in the coming campaign.
The pair join already doomed Aston Villa, a former giant of English football, and the three clubs must now prepare for life in Championship.
While all three will unquestionably be looking to bounce straight back, relegation means a number of players will be set to leave, whether it be due to newly found financial constraints or simply in search Premier League football again.
Norwich’s Nathan Redmond has quickly been linked with a move to West Ham following the Canaries confirmed drop, with the highly-rated England U-21 international also being targeted by fellow Premier League club’s Crystal Palace and Stoke.
Norwich, Newcastle and to a lesser extent Villa all have player worthy of top flight football in their ranks.
Our landlord here in the Transfer Tavern investigates which FOUR players could follow Redmond to the Hammers from the ill-fated trio…..
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FOUR PLAYERS!
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Idrissa Gueye
The stand-out player at hapless Aston Villa this season, Gueye is second only to Leicester’s N’Golo Kante in term of interceptions and tackles from midfield all campaign.
A dead cert to leave Villa Park, Gueye is a West Ham-type player and would fit right in alongside fellow Senegal International Cheikhou Kouyaté.
Georginio Wijnaldum
The Dutchman is Newcastle’s top scorer this season with 9 goals – although he did score 4 in one game in a 6-2 victory over Norwich – and has shown glimpse of his ability throughout the campaign.
One of those who can’t be put to the sword for the Toon’s dismal year, the man signed from PSV in the summer – although at times inconsistent – is certainly of Premier League stature.
Andros Townsend
Signed in January in an attempt to keep Newcastle in the league, Townsend has impressed since his winter move, looking a cut above the rest of his squad.
Positive and pacy with the ball at his feet, the former Tottenham winger has netted 4 times for Rafa Benitez’s side with Graham Souness saying that when Townsend cut’s inside, ‘there is no-one better in Europe.’
A slight over-exaggeration Graham, but nevertheless Townsend isn’t a Championship player.
Robbie Brady
Republic of Ireland left back Brady is the jack of all trades, having played up top, in midfield and in defence for both Hull and Norwich since the youngster left Manchester United after only one senior appearance.
The 24-year-old seems to have found his position at full-back however and has been both solid at the back, and dynamic going forward for a struggling Norwich side.
West Ham are in search of a right-back to fill the role currently occupied by midfielder Michail Antonio, so Brady could be a bargain solution.
