Every year three teams are relegated, and every year, those best performers, or players who have the biggest names make an exodus to clubs still in the premier league.  What I have done is compiled a list of the players I think will still be plying their trade in the premier league next year, or players who's names are too big to not talk about.

 

Newcastle United

 

Damien Duff - I was a huge fan of Duff, when he played for Chelsea.  I loved watching him, Robben, and Joe Cole interchange on the flanks and create problems for opposing teams.  I don't know if has been injuries, or playing with a crappy team, or just getting older, but Damian Duff is not the player he once was, and it is too bad, but he is now 30, and isn't getting any younger.  With that being said I am sure some one will take a chance on him, probably a middle of the pack team such as West Ham.

 

Obafemi Martins - Capable of the incredible, while also known to disappear regularly.  His inconsistency is his downfall, but his talent is undeniable.  A case can be made that midfield service was lacking, and it can be tough as a forward when you are the only person pressing, but as I said he is also inconsistent.  Last year Arsenal was rumored to be interested in him, but I doubt he will go there unless Adabayor leaves.  I think Everton could possibly be a good fit for him, but really any club who needs a quality forward should look into him, such as Fulham, or Wigan.  I however think that Martins thinks too highly of himself to go to a small club such as those too, I actually wouldn't be surprised if Martins went to Liverpool, especially if they don't get Tevez.

 

Barton - Psycho! Really that is all you need to know, a solid player, when he isn't getting red cards, or accumulating a criminal record in practice sessions.  I will be shocked if any teams risks bringing this volatile midfielder.   He just has way to much baggage to take a risk on.

 

Alan Smith - He is a forward who hasn't scored in like 3 years or something.  I still don't even know how he ended up on Manchester United.  He works his butt off, but I don't see him going anywhere than on a team recently promoted, or in danger of dropping down next season..

 

Geremi - Geremi  has been a decent role player, who is also capable of the odd free kick.  He only played in 11 games this year, but I am not really sure why.  Either injuries or drop in form I think a lot of clubs would be willing to take a risk on this defender.  I see him going to a team like Aston Villa, who desperately need depth all over the field, if they are going to compete for a champion's league spot, as well as the Europa League.

 

Jonas gutierrez - I have seen very little of this player, but the little bit I have seen left me impressed.  The 4-0 loss to Arsenal being the prime example, while the rest of Newcastle team looked too have given up, Jonas seemed like the only who cared while on the field.  His work ethic was very noticeable, and he did a great job of covering on defense, and doing his best to press the attack.  I think his type of work ethic would be a great fit for any team, but especially Aston Villa.  While I don't think he would be a like for like replacement of Gareth Barry, he might help ease the loss of that player.

 

Fabricio Coloccini - What is it about Newcastle and horrible center backs?  Before Newcastle Coloccini was a well regarded player for Deportivo La Coruna, and a regular on the Argentine National Team.  But since his arrival at Newcastle, he has been awful, and can be blamed for a number of goals that were scored on his team.  I don't see him staying in England, he will probably head back to Spain where any of a number of teams from the bottom to the middle of the pack would be willing to take a chance on him.

 

Sanchez Jose Enrique - To be honest I know very little about this player.  What I do know is that his name was mentioned a few times on blog articles and soccer review shows, for playing well.  Looking at his stats and bio, it mentioned that Liverpool, and Manchester City were interested in him, before Newcastle snapped him up, and he played 26 times for Newcastle.  At 23 age is on his side, and I wouldn't be surprised if Liverpool snapped him up.

 

Nicky Butt - At 34 the best of Nicky Butt's career is behind him, although he did start 33 games, only Coloccini started more at 34.  I still can't imagine too many teams would be interested in him.  I wouldn't be surprised if a promoted team grabbed him, or if he stuck it out with Newcastle, I just really can't tell.

 

Kevin Nolan - Depending on the system he is playing in Kevin Nolan can be a very important player.  I was surprised when he transferred to Newcastle in January, and would be shocked if he went down with them.  I could see him being reunited with Sam Allardyce at Blackburn, or rejoining Bolton.  I also think his style of play would fit in nicely with Stoke.

 

Mark Viduka - He is 33 and not getting younger, and seems to be injured a lot.  I really don't see too many, actually no teams interested in him n the premier league.   He definitely wants to remain in the premier league, so he can get another nice payday, but I think he will find that very difficult.  I think a return home to Australia and the A-League might be a possibility.

 

Michael Owen - Such a promising career, that has sadly not gone the way it should have.  Constantly sidelined by injuries, he has also lost a step.  His strike rate when he does play is still highly impressive, but that is the problem, he has featured in roughly only half of Newcastles games since he joined three years ago.  Still since he is out of contract, he obviously won't be with Newcastle next season.  I think a return to Liverpool is a very real possibility, but only if he signs an incentive based contract.  If they brought back Fowler, why not take a risk on Owen?

 

Middlesbrough

 

Stewart Downing - Every year we typically hear transfer rumors that have Tottenham Hotspurs bringing him to London, well I am pretty sure this will be the year.  In my own personal opinion I think he is slightly overrated, but there is no doubt he is a premiership caliber player.  His last season at Boro was very unremarkable, but I wonder if that has more to do with his moral for playing for such a poor team, or because he has dropped in form.  The fact of the matter is he is a left sided player, Tottenham need a left sided player, and will probably buy him, after selling some of their players such as Bentley.

 

Jeremie Alliadiere - To be honest I don't think there will be much interest in him next year, but because he played for Arsenal is kind of a well known player.  I have never been too impressed with him, he doesn't seem to score much, and has gotten himself some stupid red cards.  If he does move it would be to a bottom half club, who needs some dept.

 

Marlon King - This guy has been on Watford, Wigan, Hull, and Middlesbrough in the last two seasons.  I actually didn't even know he was on Boro till I looked at the roster.  He could definitely stay on the roster in the championship, but more than likely one of the recently promoted teams will probably try and grab him.

 

Tuncay Sanli - A talented hard working Turkish player, who had been linked with a move to Chelsea last year.  I personally don't see him moving too a top four team, but I like him on a club like Everton or Aston Villa.  I also see clubs in Spain or Germany lining up for his services, with maybe a return to one of the bigger clubs in Turkey as also a possibility.

 

Ross Turnball - Another player I don't know too much about, I have seen him make some highlight reel saves, but also some blooper reel gaffes.  He will probably go down with Boro, but he could also be a solid back up for any of a number of clubs, or even a starter for a team like Stoke.

 

Alonso Alves - Middlesbrough's most expensive signing at 12.7 million pounds, he has also been their biggest flop.  In his one and half seasons at Boro he has started 37 games, and scored 13 goals.  Compare that to his time at Heerenveen where he scored 48 goals in 44 games.  Some players just don't acclimate themselves well to the Premier League, and Alves appears to be one of those players, he was constantly guilty of missing easy chances.  He will not be with Middlesbrough, but it is really hard to judge where he will go next year.  I could see a number of teams in Spain or Italy taking a chance on him, but I can just as likely see him go to a smaller league like in Greece, Brazil, or back to the Netherlands, but I am fairly positive he will not be in England next year.

 

Justin Hoyte - Another player I am including on this list based only on his past with Arsenal, I am really not sure how good or bad a player he is.  With that being said I wouldn't be surprised too see him back in the Premier League next year, could be a team bottom half team, or it could be someone like Aston Villa, or Tottenham who will be challenging for a Champions League spot.

 

 

West Bromich Albion

Scott Carson -  In roughly a year and a half Scott Carson has experienced the high of highs, as well as low of lows.  He helped Aston Villa gain a UEFA Cup spot, and was named England's starting keeper.   He was also partially responsible for England lsing to Croatia, thus missing out on the Euro Cup, as well as being a part of the worst team in the Premier League.  Not really sure where Scott Carson will be next year, but I would be shocked if not one premier league team didn't pick him up.  I think Portsmouth would be a good fit, why not replace a mistake prone former England number one with a mistake prone England former number 1?

 

So here is my list of players who I think merit discussion as to where they will be next year, obviously I left many players out.  What do you think?  Who will be leaving one of these three teams next year, and where will they go?