Part of the disappointment of relegation from the top flights of football are the mandatory slashing of wages and subsequent personnel losses.
For Hull City, Burnley and Queens Park Rangers, that disappointment is what faces them over summer, with the biggest names from the respective clubs expected to find new homes, whether they are sold or simply leave on a Bosman. That only makes the task of regrouping and regaining promotion to the Premier League more difficult.
Amongst the three clubs, however, is a plethora of quality that surviving teams have already begun to sound out.
Outside90 Senior Editor Joel Fruci looks at which players could find their way back to the top flight.
Hull City
Ahmed Elmohamady – The Egyptian was Hull’s shining light in an otherwise bleak season, notching up five assists from right-wing back, as well as an additional 59 chances created. On the defensive front, Elmohamady averaged a tackling success rate of 53% and made a total of 65 interceptions. Given what seems like a shortage of full-backs in the top flight, the 27-year-old could find himself in demand.
Abel Hernandez – Even though his form has probably not warranted a move back to the top flight, the man Hull paid £10 million for is a Uruguayan international and would be keen to leave the Tigers in order to keep himself firmly in the thoughts of Oscar Tabarez. The 24-year-old was, on Tuesday, charged with violent conduct after punching Manchester United centre-half Phil Jones and faces a three-match ban in the Championship with a guilty plea, should he stay with the club.
Queens Park Rangers
Charlie Austin – New Rs boss Chris Ramsey has already made clear his intentions to keep Austin at the club, but it is difficult to see a player of his quality remain in the second division, especially as he entrenches himself in the plans of England manager Roy Hodgson. Despite being part of a relegated team, incredibly, Austin was amongst the most lethal strikers in the Premier League, scoring 18 goals, only behind Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane and Diego Costa in the Golden Boot standings.
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Steven Caulker – The one-time England international has already been relegated once with Cardiff City and has been at Loftus Road for just one season. Still, he is only 23 and is likely to draw interest from the Premier League again, with Liverpool said to be interesting in acquiring his services. Caulker was ranked fourth in the league on Squawka’s defensive actions index.
Leroy Fer – A Dutch international, Fer is another to have been relegated for the second time after Norwich City were sent down last season. He is likely to be after first division football to stay in favour with the Netherlands national team and should not find suitors difficult to come by. Everton boss Roberto Martinez is a known admirer of the player, after he tried to sign the 25-year-old ahead of his move from FC Twente to Norwich.
Burnley
Danny Ings – Unfortunately for Burnley, its star player is coming out of contract at exactly the wrong time. Ings has already confirmed Burnley’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa was his final match for the club, with a free transfer to Liverpool appearing to be imminent rather than likely. The 23-year-old did all he could to keep the Clarets up, scoring 11 goals. One can hardly begrudge him for moving away.
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Kieran Trippier – The ex-Manchester City youth product was another to impress at Burnley and has no shortage of suitors. Trippier, a dynamic right-back, has drawn interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, with the former said to be in pole position and readying a £3 million move.
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