Two Relegated Premier League Players Who Huddersfield Can Target This Summer
Football, as a famous former player repeatedly told us, is a funny old game. For decades Sunderland, Hull City and Middlesbrough will have considered themselves as superior clubs to Huddersfield Town.
No longer though, at least not for a year or so, as the Terriers have become a Premier League side for the first time while the other three northern teams went down. Players from those three clubs all live not a million miles from Huddersfield and will look for Premier League opportunities. So it is there David Wagner should look for what might be relatively easy pickings.
Players that Huddersfield sign should have the right work ethic though and it’s often difficult to know for sure when buying from a relegated team, that you are not taking players responsible for the demotion in the first place. That said, the below two players could certainly improve Huddersfield’s squad next season.
Victor Anichebe (Sunderland)
The big Nigerian could probably be excused in the main from Sunderland’s disastrous form in recent times, having performed admirably when fit enough, to do himself justice.
In a team struggling badly in the Premier League, the former Everton man scored 3 goals in 18 league games (14 starts) which is not a bad record at all. His average of 1.7 shots per game would climb naturally if he plays in a better team and it’s easy to envisage him getting into double figures if given a full season, which could be invaluable for Huddersfield.
It remains to be seen how good Nahki Wells will be when given his Premier League chance. However, there is no way the Terriers can rely only on him and more striking options will be required.
Marten de Roon (Middlesbrough)
The 26-year-old Dutch midfielder had an impressive season at the Riverside and will certainly not wish to be a Championship player next season following Boro’s relegation.
Making 33 appearances in the Premier League, his defensive qualities shone through as he made an average of 2.2 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 1.9 clearances per game. His pass completion rate of 79% is acceptable and he even managed 4 goals from his deep position.
Putting de Roon in the midfield two next to Aaron Mooy would be a dream for Huddersfield and is something that is now a definite possibility. How much Boro could ask for the midfield man is open to question but Huddersfield have been running their club quite well on EFL money and so now with their Premier League TV windfall, they may well be able to splash the cash.