Relegation for any team is a heartbreaking experience to endure. After a long and arduous campaign, the idea of dropping back down a division is too much for fans and often players to take, with a number of performers regularly departing a team as they look to ply their trade as close to the top of the game as they can.
While a number of clubs will boast a substantial number of players that don’t deserve to be playing at the highest level, there is more often than not the odd star that will be linked with an instantaneous return to the top tier. This season was no different, with a number of relegated players worthy of gracing the grandest stage in their respective country across Europe’s top five leagues, and they could resultantly be available at a cut price this summer.
As a result, WhoScored.com here give a rundown of the top 5 highest rated players from relegated sides this season, who still boast the qualities to see them excel with a team in the top flight, with said player having to have made at least 10 domestic starts this term.
Alex McCarthy (Reading)
The recently called up England goalkeeper was unable to keep the Royals in the Premier League, having missed much of the season following shoulder surgery after having won the starting spot from Adam Federici back in September. His impact was evidently missed, with Reading conceding an average of 1.90 goals per game with Federici between the sticks compared to 1.77 with Alex McCarthy.
The 23-year-old may have conceded 23 goals during his time on the pitch - accounting for 31.5% of Reading's total (73) - but of all the goalkeepers to have made at least 10 starts this season, McCarthy boasts the highest average rating (7.16), in the much part down to his making the most saves per game (5.38) of any stopper.
His averages were significantly increased by a Man of the Match performance in a goalless draw with Liverpool back in April. In that game McCarthy made 10 saves - a tally which only West Ham United’s Jussi Jääskeläinen bettered in a single game (11) all season. Certainly warranting an England call, his average rating is higher than that of both Ben Foster (6.75) and Joe Hart (6.59) this year, indicating that not only does he deserve his place in Roy Hodgson’s England squad, but that he could even start ahead of his two compatriots.
With a number of Premier League teams supposedly on the look out for a new goalkeeper this summer, Reading’s relegation will undoubtedly have raised the attention of those clubs. Liverpool are believed to have been credited with an interest, and with his average rating substantially higher than that of current Reds number one Pepe Reina (6.66), Brendan Rodgers may well come knocking.
Leon Balogun (Fortuna Dusseldorf)
Fortuna Dusseldorf finished just a solitary point outside of the relegation play-off place in the Bundesliga, although having taken just one point from a possible 18 in their last six games, many are of the opinion that their drop down to the 2. Bundesliga is deserved.
Of every player across Europe’s five leagues to have been dropped down a division, Dusseldorf right-back Leon Balogun ended the season with the highest average rating (7.3). His impact was evident in that the Flingeraner won only 16.6% of their games without the defender compared to 25% with him starting.
While his passing capabilities may leave a lot to be desired, having picked out a teammate with just 65.1% of his passes, his defensive exploits have seen him win a number of admirers in Germany, with the 24-year-old making the most tackles per game (4.6) of any player to have made more than 10 starts in the Bundesliga this season.
On top of that, Balogun made the most interceptions (3.4) per game in the Fortuna Dusseldorf squad, with only four players completing more dribbles per game than the young German. With the club scoring more per game (1.31 to 1) and conceding fewer (1.63 to 1.72) with him in the starting XI, Dusseldorf would understandably be loathe to losing Balogun, but may have little say should a top tiered team show an interest in the player.
Adel Taarabt (QPR)
The Morocco international might have failed to keep the R’s in the Premier League, but Adel Taarabt attained the highest average rating (7.2) of all the players that could still be at the club next season (Ryan Nelsen; 7.27, Andros Townsend; 7.37).
Much of that has come from his creative capabilities, with the 24-year-old directly contributing to 30% of QPR’s goals this season, while only Luis Suárez (95) and Santi Cazorla (86) completed more dribbles (83) than the midfielder over the campaign, despite Taarabt making fewer starts (25) in comparison to either the former (33) and the latter (37).
Furthermore, only Loïc Remy scored more goals (6) for QPR than Taarabt (5) in the Premier League this season, while the Moroccan attempted the most shots (3.2) and was the most fouled (1.9) per game when compared to other QPR players. His ability in and around the frontline could certainly be of use to another team, and will likely see him attract interest during the summer transfer window.
Josip Ilicic (Palermo)
A poor run of form towards the end of the Serie A season - losing four of their final six games - ensured that Palermo would be plying their trade in Serie B next year, although Josip Ilicic played a crucial role in ensuring the Rosanero wouldn’t drop down a division without a fight.
While much has been made of Fabrizio Miccoli and Paulo Dybala, the exploits of the Slovenian ensured he ended the year as the highest rated player in the Palermo squad (7.16), having directly contributed to 35.3% of their 34 goals this season. Such was his impact in the that the Italian side failed to win any of the games without Ilicic beginning a domestic encounter, the 25-year-old missing nine in total.
Furthermore, boasting an impressive left foot meant that eight of Ilicic’s 10 Serie A goals were on his preferred side, while only Roma's impressive youngster Erik Lamela (11) netted more left-footed goals than the Palermo talisman in Italy’s top tier this term. The striker also showed a creative side, playing the most key passes per game (1.9) of any of his teammates, while only Miccoli (1) completed more successful crosses (0.8) per game this season.
Teams will be undoubtedly keen to hang onto their prized assets as they aim to return to the top flight at the first opportunity, and it will be vital that Palermo convince Ilicic to remain at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, though the Slovenian is unlikely to be short of potential suitors this summer.
Paul Baysse (Brest)
Finishing bottom of your respective league is hardly deemed a dignified way to drop down to the lower division, but Brest were relegated to Ligue 2 at the foot of France’s top tier of football having ended the season with a measly 29 points. Nevertheless, defender Paul Baysse showcased his capabilities for Corentin Martins’ side this season, ending the year with the highest average rating (7.14) of any player with at least 10 starts for the club. Any potential interest may be put off by the cruciate ligament tear Baysse suffered back in December, but he may well recover in time for next season.
His input was evidently highlighted in their huge drop in form since his injury, with Brest’s win percentage dropping from 33.3% in the 18 games he started to 10% in the 20 games he missed. Furthermore, the club saw their number of goals conceded per game rise from 1.3 to 1.9 during Baysse’s time on the sidelines and also score fewer - a drop from 1.11 to 0.6 - when the defender was unavailable.
Impressively, Baysse averaged the most clearances (8.6), tackles (2.9) and won the most aerial duels (2.38) per game of every Brest player that made 10 or more starts this season, further signifying his importance to the French side. Had the defender not succumbed to injury, Brest might even have survived.
