Best XI of Premier League relegated stars that may be picked up on cheap this summer including Pereira, Robinson & Berge

THE Premier League’s race to avoid the drop was tipped to be one of the most-exciting in decades.

Sheffield United were all-but goners for months, but just above them were at least SEVEN clubs in the running to be relegated.

Fulham, West Brom, Southampton, Brighton, Newcastle, Burnley and Crystal Palace were have all been sweating for months as the race hotted up.

But in the end, the eagerly-anticipated relegation race fizzled out with little more than a whimper.

And with three matches to go, it’s all over – as Sheff Utd, Fulham and West Brom officially slipped into the Championship, with Sam Allardyce finally experiencing relegation after more than 500 Premier League games and a series of great escapes.

But the relegated trio are now set to face a double-whammy of bad news, with the Premier League’s survivors set to pick apart their squads, luring their best players away with the promise of top-flight football.

Here’s out best XI of players who could be thrown a Premier League lifeline this summer.

GK – Sam Johnstone

Johnstone will be hoping to bounce straight back to the Premier League after a strong season

STRANGELY, all three relegated squads boast solid goalkeepers, with West Brom’s Johnstone joined by Fulham’s Alphonse Areola and Sheff Utd’s Aaron Ramsdale.

But Johnstone – tipped for a spot in England’s Euro 2020 squad – will arguably be the most in-demand.

Areola will likely return to parent club Paris Saint-Germain, but Ramsdale – another potential Three Lions squad member – will hope he’s done enough to find a new home in the Premier League.

RB – Tosin Adarabioyo

Adarabioyo will hope to have a third chance at a PL side having also played for Man City

THE former Manchester City star is naturally a centre-back but more than capable on the right.

And given Fulham’s defence certainly wasn’t their problem in 2020-21, it’s no surprise THREE of the back-four hail from the West Londoners.

Adarabioyo is arguably stronger than natural right-backs in the Fulham squad – Ola Aina, Kenny Tete and Denis Odoi.

And he beats Blades ace George Baldock and West Brom’s Darnell Furlong to a spot in the team.

CB – Joachim Andersen

Andersen will surely be on the radar of a host of Premier League clubs this summer

THE Danish star was a shoo-in for this XI after a strong season.

Andersen was the main man in the heart of the Fulham defence which has conceded just 47 goals in 35 games so far – just six more than Champions League-chasing Tottenham.

CB – Semi Ajayi

Ajayi gave himself a chance of earning a move to another PL side amid a solid season

BAGGIES ace Ajayi grabs the second centre-back spot after his impressive campaign.

Ajayi edges out the likes of Ethan Ampadu, into the XI.

LB – Antonee Robinson

Robinson will be looking to break back into the Premier League as soon as possible

THE American whiz is another Fulham ace destined to stay in the Premier League.

Robinson – along with Adarabioyo and Andersen – is the only Fulham defender to see his market value rise despite the relegation.

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CM – Sander Berge

Berge is almost certain to be signed by a Premier League giant this summer

THE Norwegian was supposed to be the big-name signing that helped Sheff Utd break into Europe after the club’s strong 2019-20.

But the Blades were toothless in attack, even with Berge’s solid play in the middle of the park.

Berge is now a target for the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool – and could be sold for £35million thanks to a clause in his contract.

CM – Conor Gallagher

Gallagher will return to parent club Chelsea this summer but could be loaned out again

THE Baggies midfielder is currently only at the club on loan from Chelsea.

Gallagher has revealed he wants to fight for his spot at the Blues – but knows he has competition.

The ex-Charlton loanee is likely to be given another shot in the Premier League next season – even if that is on a temporary deal.

CM – Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa

Zambo Anguissa could end his three-year spell at Fulham in the coming months

FULHAM’S record buy hasn’t quit lived up to the billing since his move to Craven Cottage.

But Zambo Anguissa has shown enough promise to warrant another crack at Premier League football, should he decide to jump ship.

RW – Matheus Pereira

Pereira was West Brom’s shining light but couldn’t help them avoid relegation

THE Brazilian star has done himself no harm since moving from Sporting Lisbon last summer, despite West Brom’s relegation.

Of the relegated trio, the Baggies were the best in attack with Pereira key to seemingly everything good they did going forward.

Pereira has scored ten goals, adding five assists – a solid return in an otherwise struggling team.

ST – Mbaye Diagne

Diagne will head back to Turkey to re-join parent club Galatasaray following West Brom’s relegation

SIGNED on loan from Galatasaray, the Senegal star showed glimpses of talent, involved in five goals in 15 games.

It’s most-likely the striker heads back to Turkey, but he could be picked up by a Premier League side – with newly-promoted clubs looking for top-flight experience in their bid to avoid going straight back down.

LW – Ademola Lookman

Lookman will hope to land a permanent move to the PL from parent side RB Leipzig

ANOTHER loanee, the ex-Everton winger has never quite settled down to life at RB Leipzig.

But after a strong Premier League campaign – dreadful Panenka aside – despite Fulham’s relegation, Lookman will be hopeful of bagging a Premier League move this summer.

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