Premier League: Fulham and Huddersfield are destined for the drop, but which players will stay in the top flight?
Two Premier League clubs are already relegated, with Fulham and Huddersfield confirming their places in the Championship next season.
Both won the second-tier play-off final in consecutive years and both will subsequently return at the same time.
And, Huddersfield’s first season aside, neither have covered themselves in glory.
Always alert to a bargain or two, the vultures will inevitably be circling above Craven Cottage and the John Smith’s Stadium with both exposing quality players to the top division.
We identify four players almost guaranteed to have earned a move away from their respective clubs.
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Aaron Mooy
The Australia international helped push Huddersfield beyond their wildest expectations for the 2016/17 season when the Terriers won the play-off final.
Mooy was instrumental in dictating play that season, and again when the Terriers defied the odds with David Wagner and avoided relegation.
But he spent the larger part of two months unavailable through injury this season, almost the final nail in what has been a torrid time for fans.
It would be hard to see no interest in the 28-year-old though and the money on offer may prove to be hard to turn down as they look to bounce back to the top flight.
Aleksandar Mitrovic
The Fulham striker signed for the Cottagers for a fee approaching £20million in the summer after turbo-boosting their quest for promotion last season.
The on-loan Newcastle man bagged 12 Championship goals en-route to the Cottagers’ promotion and did not look back.
This season he has 16 goals for club and country and the imposing Serbian international has also matured from his days with the Toon.
His season was epitomised by his performance against Everton in which he bullied their entire back four, and drew what appeared to be a stamp from Andre Gomes.
Indeed, his attitude change could be summed up by his lack of reaction to the stamp.
Who would want him? Who wouldn’t.
His physicality and determination, in addition to his goals and ability to bring others into play, would make him a welcome signing for most clubs outside the top four.
Philip Billing
The 22-year-old Danish midfielder has shown the quality he can produce throughout the season.
Former manager David Wagner called Billing ‘incomparable’ earlier this season for his work rate and determination.
He said in November: "I cannot name you one 22-year-old player who is comparable with him. He is 6' 6", left-footed, with an unbelievable shot; quick vision; technique; long throw-in; endurance and now, fighting spirit as well.”
It’s a ringing endorsement for Billing’s abilities and further potential.
Will another club be tempted to make a sly move for him? And could he be persuaded to leave?
Those questions remain to be seen but Billing could certainly be seen as a cheap option for lower Premier League clubs.
And indeed, it is hard to see him willing to return to the Championship.
Ryan Babel
The former Liverpool man has made a surprisingly positive impact at Craven Cottage, which has gone under the radar.
When Fulham recruited him in January, their attacking play was the least of their issues.
Both permanent managers this season, Slavisa Jokanovic and Claudio Ranieri after him, came to the alarming realisation that none of the defenders available were good enough.
So the board decided instead to recruit Babel on a six-month deal. It proved a useful addition, but predictably inadequate to patch the flaws in defence.
The Netherlands international has scored four goals - bagging against both Merseyside clubs - and indeed put in a match-winning performance against Everton.
He has done his reputation no harm and, with his contract expiring in the summer, will almost certainly find a new home.
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