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Who Will Get Relegated From the Premier League In 2022/2023 and Why?

Competition to beat the drop and retain Premier League status is the primary objective for most teams heading into a new season. Survival hangs on a slim thread, with fine margins and a myriad of circumstances contributing to a team’s success (or failure). As the new season commences, we outline and assess which three teams will fall south of the relegation line and be evicted from the Premier League. 

FULHAM

Fulham, similarly to West Brom, Norwich and Watford, are notoriously branded as a yo-yo club. Too good for the Championship division, but not able to compete and survive in the Premier league. Despite their productive window that story doesn’t seem to be taking on a different ending. 

The winners of the Championship were imperious last season, finishing the season with 90 points, scoring over 100 goals in the campaign. They were led by the mercurial Mitrovic who scored a record-breaking 43 goals – a feat not witnessed for over half a century in all of England’s top 4 divisions. Harry Wilson proved to be a standout player for the Cottagers, with a hefty contribution of 19 assists. Marco Silva’s men also conceded the third fewest goals in the league, summarising their all- round dominance last season. 

The summer acquisitions of Palhinha (£18.5m), Andres Pereira (£8.5m) and Manor Solomon (loan) should add further creativity to their attack as they would need to fill up the void of the departed wonderkid Fabio Caravlho, who joined Liverpool permanently this summer. The signing of experienced keeper Bernd Leno from Arsenal will also improve what has, notoriously, been a leaky defence when competing at Premier League level. 

Irrespective of their summer deals, Fulham’s squad still looks weak in comparison to their contemporaries in the Premier League.  The defensive pairing of Tosin Adarabioyo and Tim Ream doesn’t seem entirely convincing, particularly with no strong, established core in midfield to protect them. Mitrovic, for all his exploits in the Championship, faces a steep increase in competition and would likely struggle to score even up to half of his record tally last season. Fulham simply don’t have enough quality in depth to survive, and will, in our predictions, be making a swift return back to the Championship.

BOURNEMOUTH 

The ‘Cherries’, led by the ever-expressive Scott Parker sealed automatic promotion to the Premier League largely due to their near- flawless start to the 2021/2022 campaign (11 wins in first 15 games). Their defence remained sturdy and firm throughout the season, largely thanks to the heroics of Irish goalkeeper, Mark Travers. His league-high 20 clean sheets proved a significant contribution to their promotion success, with Dominic Solanke’s 29 goals giving the side a sizable bonus. The 24-year old was consistent and complete in his attacking performances, serving well as he embarked upon the augmented challenge of facing Premier League defences, week in week out.

Since gaining promotion, Bournemouth have been relatively quiet in the transfer window with only a couple additions to the squad. Marcus Tavernier, a £10m signing from Middlesbrough, is set to add more versatility and creativity in the midfield, signing Ryan Fredericks from West Ham will likely prove to be a shrewd piece of business.

The biggest question mark as they return to the Premier League is their defence. While Bournemouth boasted the meanest defence in the Championship last season, they would be going into the season with different make-up at the back. Gary Cahill was released in the summer and Nat Philips, a consistent performer last year, has returned to his parent club Liverpool. These significant outgoings have not been offset with suitable replacements. Solanke cannot be solely relied upon to get the goals needed to beat the bottom, and for these aforementioned reasons, The Cherries will be going down.

EVERTON

This may come as a big surprise to most, given that Everton boast such a rich and lasting history in the top flight (being one of only 6 teams to have never been relegated from the Premier League), however, continuously poor decision-making on (and off) the pitch has many worrying about their chances of survival going into the new campaign. After barely staying up last season, Everton have done little/nothing to convince their fanbase that their fortunes will change for the better. Their best player in Richarlison was sold to Tottenham and their pre-season fixtures saw them face heavy defeats to both Arsenal and MLS side Minnesota United.

Frank Lampard being labelled as the worst manager in the league (according to a recent survey conducted by SkyBet) further highlights the problems at Goodison Park. He has not been able to improve the side since his arrival in January 2022 and critics question his credentials to spark a turnaround.

The addition of James Tarkowski (from Burnley) will certainly provide a necessary upgrade in defence, however the £20m signing of Dwight McNeil has been widely criticised. The 22-year midfielder is durable but has, of recent seasons, struggled with form and productivity, with only 1 assist (and no goals) throughout Burnley’s relegation campaign. 

With no significant incomings, the burden will largely fall on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who himself is appearing to look injury-prone as he enters his prime years. The Everton squad simply consists of too many deadweight players not performing at the expected levels. Their misery is compounded by the fact that rival clubs like Leeds, Southampton and Aston Villa have all made significant summer signings to improve on last season. 

At this rate, Everton are heading for another gruelling season battling for survival, but with less quality in the squad to save them. For these reasons, we have Everton as the final team to face the drop.

We have given our picks, let us know yours and why!

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