THE transfer window opens earlier than ever before this summer meaning Premier League clubs are already plotting for next season.
That’s easier for some clubs than others, with those guaranteed of their top-flight place at an advantage.
But with the window shutting before the 2018/19 campaign starts it’s necessary.
However, part of that is letting players move on and getting rid of those who are no longer of the level required to contribute.
So we asked our friends at Football Whispers to sift through each Premier League squad to identify one player from each who will leave this summer.
The series continues with Newcastle, Southampton, Stoke and Swansea…
Newcastle United
No sooner had Newcastle won promotion to the Premier League, manager Rafa Benitez made it clear he felt his squad was not strong enough to survive in the Premier League.
“We are trying to improve things, but will it be good enough to give us the chance to compete and to challenge for things? Maybe, but I don’t know at the moment,” he said.
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow, defender Jamaal Lascelles and forwards Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic were among those under scrutiny.
Only Lascelles, who is now a Chelsea transfer target, has managed to change Benitez’s mind.
However, the player destined for St James’ Park exit is Mitrovic.
The hot-headed striker was not disciplined enough for Benitez who packed him off to Fulham on loan in January.
He has scored seven times in just six starts since and won’t be short of suitors.
Southampton
After a run of one win in just 17 Premier League games the Saints sacked manager Mauricio Pellegrino on Monday evening with just a point between them and the relegation zone.
Whoever replaces the former Alaves coach for the final eight games of the season will inherit a squad low on confidence and under-performing miserably after finishing eighth last season.
Chief culprits include strikers Manolo Gabbiadini (four goals), Shane Long (0) and Charlie Austin (6) who have all flattered to deceive this season.
However, they are nothing compared to full-back Jeremy Pied.
The Frenchman followed Claude Puel to St. Mary’s from Nice in the summer of 2016 but has made just three top-flight starts and a further three substitute appearances in two seasons on the South Coast.
MORE FOOTBALL FEATURES
Stoke City
Another side who have changed their boss this season, Stoke have not benefited from a new manager bounce under Paul Lambert, winning just one of his eight games at the helm.
The new Potters boss was able to make three January additions in Moritz Bauer, Kostas Stafylidis and Badou Ndiaye but there are a number of players at the Bet365 Stadium who are dead wood.
Glen Johnson, Ibrahim Afellay, Stephen Ireland and Charlie Adam are all the wrong side of 30 and their impact does not match their salary.
Meanwhile, Saido Berahino has been a disastrous signing and is waiting for his first Stoke goal after more than a year at the Potteries.
However, it is Ireland who Stoke will want to move on.
The former Manchester City star suffered a horrific leg break in May 2016, ruling him out of the entire of the next season.
He is back to fitness now but has made just one top-flight appearance this season.
Swansea City
The Swans have enjoyed a significant upturn in form since Carlos Carvalhal was appointed as Paul Clement’s successor and have been transformed from no hopers in the relegation battle.
What has made Carvalhal’s brief tenure all the more impressive is the amount of dead wood in the Portuguese’s squad.
Wingers Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge were once integral parts of the Swansea squad but are now peripheral members.
Meanwhile, while Kyle Bartley has also struggled for game time after returning from an impressive loan spell at Leeds United last term.
Jefferson Montero and Roque Mesa have also been shipped off on loan to Spain after flattering to deceive.
However, the player who the Swans will want to get rid of most is Routledge.
The 33-year-old has made just three Premier League starts this term – the last of which came against Liverpool in December – and is some way down the pecking order in South Wales.
Leave a comment