Yesterday saw Newcastle and Middlesbrough join West Brom in the Championship next season.
It’s quite a fall from grace for Newcastle, who were not so long ago battling it out with Barcelona in a Champions League (remember Leeds, anyone?). But after years of their fans insisting the Toon were a big club, they now found themselves out of the top flight for the first time in 16 years.
Middlesbrough too have suffered a fairly sizeable fall. Just three years ago under the stewardship of Steve McClaren (yes, THAT ex-England manager), they reached the UEFA Cup Final, albeit humiliated 4-0 by Seville. McClaren, by the way, steered his FC Twente side to second place in the Dutch Premier Division in his first season in Holland, not bad eh. BBC wonder what’s gone wrong.
So when two clubs that size go down, it’s inevitable players of quality become available, and Gareth Southgate has already said he’s expecting a battle to keep hold of some players (then again, if they were that good, would they be at a relegated club?!)
The first two that come to mind are Michael Owen and Stewart Downing, both with a number of England caps to their name. Is Owen passed it? Even if he is, Downing certainly isn’t.
What about a destination for the two? Spurs have been heavily linked with Downing, but Aston Villa are becoming quite a home for England internationals, and they certainly wouldn’t pass up the chance to partner Owen with Emile Heskey, if the opportunity presented itself. Downing too, would fit in well at Villa Park.
Despite the presence of Albert Riera, I think Liverpool should go for Downing. Then again, if he goes to Villa, it might open the door for Gareth Barry to move to Anfield (a year late).
Kevin Nolan must be kicking himself having left Bolton, a club where he was pretty much the main man. He will surely look to leave, and will attract a number of suitors. Obafemi Martins and Damien Duff will also surely seek a way out of St James’ Park. Newcastle will struggle if not – apparently none of the players have relegation clauses in their contracts, meaning they are not obligated to take a pay cut – good luck Mike Ashley.
So for a bit of fun, I thought I’d make a “relegated players transfer predictor” – come back on August 31st and see how I’ve done.
Middlesbrough
Stewart Downing – Spurs
Emanuel Pogatetz – Blackburn
Robert Huth – Aston Villa
Tuncay – Everton
Julio Arca – Sunderland
Newcastle
Joey Barton – Bolton
Kevin Nolan – Everton
Obafemi Martins – Fulham
Michael Owen – Aston Villa
Pic: News of the World
