Premier League’s Mid-table Team Stars Who Deserve a Big Move 

Premier League’s mid-table team stars who have been in and out every weekend deserve a big move for the sake of their career.

Premier League 2023/24 is almost over. The position in the standings is almost settled except in one or two parts, such as the top, in which the title race is very much still on between Arsenal and Manchester City, and the spots in Europa League and Conference League, with Aston Villa, Tottenham, Newcastle and Chelsea involved in the race till the last game. The relegation has been confirmed too. All the promoted sides are set to return to the second tier again after only one season.

Apart from the teams involved in those races, the objective for the rest of the teams would be to finish strong. Some mid-table team stars might have extra motivation to put on more outstanding form to withdraw attraction from other high-profile clubs. They deserve a chance to compete at the top level, and appear in the continental competition so that they can improve their skills, physical fitness as well as mentality because the fierce competitiveness in the elite sides requires a higher level of preparation than they might already know. Here are some mid-table stars who should consider moving out next season.

Michael Olise & Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Crystal Palace’s instant rise under Oliver Glasner since early April has boosted the confidence of the team with three key figures upfront making an instant impact on the Palace’s stunning form, including six unbeaten runs. Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Jean-Phillipe Mateta have been the top performers in Glasner’s team.

Olise is currently the one who has left the fans wondering. He only hit the pitch 18 times, 13 as a starter. Yet, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder has registered 10 goals and five assists, including a brace while trashing Manchester United 4-0. Such is an improvement compared to his contribution last season. He only netted twice but provided 11 assists in the Premier League only. Three clubs have been linked to sign him next season, including Arsenal and Manchester United.

His teammate, Eberechi Eze, has been in the headlines and might be lured to a big move next season. He has notched up nine goals and made three assists so far, including a winning goal while thumping Liverpool on the road this season. The former QPR man has turned a few heads since his incredible form last season as he bagged 10 goals and provided four assists, plus earned the Three Lions call-up. The 25-year-old winger made his international debut in June 2023. He has drawn the interest of Spurs to sign him.

Nevertheless, the arrival of Oliver Glasner could postpone or even cancel their departure as Crystal Palace could be making a much better campaign next season. The Austrian boss can lead the mid-table side to compete at the top level. He has proven it with Wolfsburg and Frankfurt as he guided the former to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League and the latter to win their first-ever European title, the Europa League in 2022. Should Olise and Eze opt to stay, Crystal Palace tickets could be in huge demand next season as they are likely to make a return finish in the top six.

Jordan Pickford (Everton)

England’s number one between the sticks has been tipped as one of the best in England’s goalkeeping history, especially when it comes to saving penalties, The Three Lions’ worst hoodoo. Surprisingly, Pickford has been staying loyal to The Toffees since 2017 despite the club’s constant campaign avoiding relegation from season to season.

However, the 30-year-old goalie should consider making a big move shortly before it is too late. He deserves to make an appearance in continental competitions such as the Europa League or even the Champions League. Arsenal and most recently, Chelsea, have been eyeing to sign him. Opting The Blues might be a better idea than The Gunners who have sidelined their first choice last season, Aaron Ramsdale. The Blues currently lack an experienced goalkeeper. They have been counting on the 24-year-old Djordje Petrovic due to Robert Sanchez’s inconsistency and injury.

Pickford was the key man in helping England to reach the semi-finals in the 2018 World Cup as he became the shootout hero in the round of 16 against Colombia. It was their first win on penalties in the major tournament since EURO 1996. The former Sunderland man even made crucial penalty saves in the EURO 2020 final as he denied Italy’s number one executor, Jorginho and their frontman, Andrea Belotti. Sadly, England still suffered a defeat not because of his mistake but his teammates. The next three takers after Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, all missed the penalty.

Joao Palhinha (Fulham)

The Portuguese international has been the key man in Fulham since he moved to Craven Cottage in 2022. He helped them finish tenth after their promotion to the English top flight last season. In the 2023/24 campaign, he has contributed four goals and provided one assist so far.

The former Sporting Lisbon man was also the mainstay in the previous club when Sporting CP won the domestic double in 2021. Palhinha also helped Sporting Braga clinch the Portuguese Cup in 2020 during his loan spell.

Palhinha has been part of Portugal’s national team since March 2021. He cut the final squad in the EURO 2020 and 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Lisbon-born midfielder featured in two and three games in both competitions respectively.In the previous transfer window, Palhinha had already attracted Liverpool, Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Arsenal’s interests. He was reportedly already inches closer to switching sides to Bavaria. Unfortunately, the move did not materialise despite the agreement from both sides. It was due to Fulham’s inability to find Palhinha’s replacement at the same time. The transfer deal eventually collapsed at the last minute, which is quite a shame. The 28-year-old defensive midfielder is believed to be on the radar again soon with Die Roten and The Gunners as the frontrunners.