The Premier League relegation is reaching maximum temperature as we begin the final sprint toward the end of the season.
At present, the bottom nine teams are separated by just 10 points, while Crystal Palace in 12th remains only six points clear of the drop zone with plenty of games against their closest rivals to play. Trying to predict who will go is almost impossible.
It’s made an even more difficult task when you consider that, despite their struggles, each team has several players who can decide the outcome of a match, turn a game on its head or come up with points-saving moments.
All nine teams in the thick of this battle are going to need those players at their very best down the final stretch and, for the ones who don’t survive, it’ll be a tough task keeping hold of those difference-makers over the summer.
That got us thinking about a combined XI of players from the teams in the relegation battle, limiting ourselves to two players per club…
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Club: Everton
Appearances: 29
Key stat: Only David Raya (124) and Bernd Leno (109) have made more saves than Jordan Pickford (102) this season
It’s a simple choice between the sticks with England’s No.1, Jordan Pickford.
Without Pickford’s physics-defying heroics, Everton might well have found themselves bottom of the league or, looking further back to last season, already relegated. The 29-year-old has even chipped in with an assist this season.
If they do stay up, Everton will owe a huge debt of gratitude to their goalkeeper.
Right-back: Timothy Castagne
Club: Leicester City
Appearances: 29
Key stat: Timothy Castagne is first among Leicester players and fourth in the Premier League for tackles (109)
When he first arrived at the King Power Stadium, Timothy Castagne was best known for his abilities going forward but, as time has progressed and he’s gained momentum in the absence of the injured Ricardo Perreira, he’s adapted brilliantly.
Now, Castagne is a tough-tackling full-back who is still among Leicester’s most creative outlets, and the Belgium international is likely to draw a few admiring glances this summer regardless of what division the Foxes find themselves in.
Centre-back: James Tarkowski
Club: Everton
Appearances: 30
Key stat: James Tarkowski is first among Everton players and fourth in the Premier League for aerial duels won (92)
There’s been a few difficult moments but when Everton has needed him most, James Tarkowski has stepped up. The former England international has looked particularly solid since the arrival of his former Burnley boss Sean Dyche.
Tarkowski is right up in the Premier League’s top echelon on a number of key metrics, including clearances and aerial duels won, while he’s proven himself quite the nuisance from set-pieces, scoring the winner against Arsenal in Dyche’s first game and hitting the post in the Merseyside derby, among other eye-catching moments.
Not bad for a player who signed as a free agent last summer.
Centre-back: Armel Bella-Kotchap
Club: Southampton
Appearances: 20
Key stat: Armel Bella-Kotchap has made more interceptions (40) than any other Southampton player this season
Despite playing for the Premier League’s bottom side and having just 21 years under his belt, Armel Bella-Kotchap has already started to establish himself in the senior German national team.
That’s because he’s a centre-back who exudes class and defensive excellence, no matter how tough things get around him. Give him a few years and Bella-Kotchap could be among the very best, but he’s already vital to Southampton’s chances now.
Left-back: Tyrick Mitchell
Club: Crystal Palace
Appearances: 28
Key stat: Tyrick Mitchell has blocked more crosses (11) than any other Crystal Palace player this season
By his own standards — that earned him his very first England cap just last year, Tyrick Mitchell hasn’t enjoyed his very best form this season. And yet, he’s still among the better left-backs in the Premier League with plenty of room to develop at just 23 years old.
Mitchell is quick and mobile enough to cause trouble in the final third, but never turns down his defensive duties, which gives some of Palace’s exciting attacking players that extra freedom they need.
Central midfield: Declan Rice
Club: West Ham
Appearances: 29
Key stat: Declan Rice has had more touches of the ball (2,076) than any other West Ham player this season
By rights, there’s no way Declan Rice should be involved in a relegation battle, such is his class for both club and country. He’s probably the best player in the scrap right now.
A staple of the England national team, Rice is comfortably West Ham’s most important and most talented player on both sides of the ball, adding some goals and assists to his metronomic passing and defensive diligence.
Who knows where the Hammers would be without him…
Central midfield: James Ward-Prowse
Club: Southampton
Appearances: 30
Key stat: Only Kevin De Bruyne (88), Kieran Trippier (84) and Bruno Fernandes (82) have created more chances than James Ward-Prowse this season (64)
If Rice is the best out-and-out player in the relegation battle, you could argue that James Ward-Prowse is the biggest difference-maker, able to turn a game on its head with one fell swing of his right foot.
Ward-Prowse has already scored seven goals this season — four from free-kicks, of course — while his chance creation and passing are second to none.
Even more, than that, Ward-Prowse puts out immense defensive numbers, putting in every ounce he has to try and save Southampton, who will always have hope as long as he’s on the pitch.
Right wing: Michael Olise
Club: Crystal Palace
Appearances: 29
Key stat: Only Kevin De Bruyne (14), Bukayo Saka (10) and Leandro Trossard (9) have more assists than Michael Olise (8) this season
Michael Olise would probably agree with you if you accused him of not scoring enough goals, hitting the net just four times in 55 Premier League appearances across the last two seasons.
However, what the 21-year-old France youth international (still eligible for England) lacks in goalscoring he more than makes up for in creativity, sitting fourth in the Premier League’s assist chart at present, while he’s created at least eight more chances than any of his teammates.
Olise’s off-the-cuff approach and skill with the ball at his feet make him a nightmare to deal with for defenders, whether he’s out wide or drifting inside.
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Attacking midfield: James Maddison
Club: Leicester City
Appearances: 23
Key stat: James Maddison has more combined goals and assists (9G/6A) than any other Leicester player this season
Whether Leicester stays up or goes down, James Maddison probably won’t be sticking around, with some huge clubs reportedly circling the attacking midfielder.
And is it any surprise? The England international already has nine goals and six assists this season in a side struggling down in 19th and has been producing those sorts of numbers for some time now. Numbers which might yet mean the difference between relegation and safety for Leicester.
Left wing: Jack Harrison
Club: Leeds United
Appearances: 28
Key stat: Jack Harrison has created more chances (44) than any other Leeds player this season
Leeds United generally outscore their rivals and Jack Harrison is a huge reason why. The English winger has chipped in with four goals and six assists so far this season while creating more chances (44) than any other Leeds player. The 26-year-old also uses his pace to great effect, too, completing a team-high 39 dribbles.
With three goals and two assists in his last seven Premier League appearances, it also looks like Harrison is hitting form just at the right time for Leeds.
Striker: Rodrigo
Club: Leeds United
Appearances: 23
Key stat: Rodrigo has scored at least seven more goals than any other Leeds player this season
Another huge reason why Leeds is among the best-attacking units in the bottom half is Spanish striker Rodrigo. The 32-year-old’s form has slowed down slightly from the four goals in three appearances he opened the campaign with. But he’s still managed to take his total to 11 in the Premier League and 13 overall — only eight players are ahead of him in the Golden Boot standings.
No other striker in the scrap even comes close to matching Rodrigo’s output this season.
Honourable mentions: Amadou Onana, Philip Billing, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Wilfried Gnonto, Demarai Gray, Marcus Tavernier, Brennan Johnson, Ruben Neves, Harvey Barnes, Jack Harrison.
Premier League relegation battle combined XI
