Premier League

THE Premier League battle for survival is hotting up with NINE teams desperately trying to retain their top-flight status. And, as almost half of the division fights to stay up, the rest will be eyeing up cut-price deals for the array of stars who could find themselves in the Championship next season.
Declan Rice looks set to leave West Ham this summer with Arsenal circlingCredit: Alamy

That includes several international players – with a select group of Gareth Southgate’s England squad in there.
But who makes up the best XI of players in the relegation scrap?
GK: Jordan Pickford
Pickford has been England’s undisputed No1 for years – but that status could come into doubt if Everton go down.
He played a key role in their survival a year ago and will need to be on top form to do the same again this term or else Tottenham may swoop.
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An honourable mention for Keylor Navas, who could go from Champions League winner to Championship within a couple of years. Although he is only on loan at Nottingham Forest.
RB: Ricardo Pereira
One of the best right-backs in the Premier League before the first of three serious injuries in 2020, Ricardo is just getting back to full fitness.
He scored the final goal for Brendan Rodgers with a belter at Palace and is simply too good for the Championship should Leicester go down.
CB: Marc Guehi
The ex-Chelsea man has shown his class at Crystal Palace and has forced his way into the England set-up.
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Like Pickford, he has been linked with a move to Tottenham for the next step in his career.
CB: James Tarkowski
Tarkowski gets the nod ahead of the likes of Joachim Andersen, Max Kilman and his own Everton team-mates Michael Keane and Conor Coady.
Another who would surely have plenty of Premier League suitors with Newcastle missing out on him a year ago.
LB: Neco Williams
The left back in the team is Williams as he impresses for Steve Cooper at Forest.
The Wales international, and former Liverpool star, has proven he is Premier League quality and causes opposition full-backs plenty of trouble when he pushes on down the wing.
CM: Declan Rice
He has the West Ham armband and probably captains this XI, too, given his leadership and quality.
Rice looks destined to leave for Champions League football in the summer after rejecting new contracts with the midfielder a No1 target for Arsenal.
CM: Ruben Neves
Like Rice, Neves is Wolves’ captain and has been linked with Manchester United for the last few transfer windows.
The Portuguese star boasts bags of quality, especially with his ability to rifle the ball home from distance.
James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford will need to be in fine form to help Everton stay upCredit: PA
Ruben Neves and Morgan Gibbs-White could have options elsewhere in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
CM: Youri Tielemans
The Leicester and Belgium star may not quite be hitting the heights of his 2021 FA Cup-winning goal this term, but he is undoubtedly still a classy operator.
His contract at the King Power expires in the summer and he is set to walk away for nothing, allowing the likes of Arsenal or Manchester United to snap him up on a free transfer.
RW: James Maddison
One of the very best players in the country, let alone in the relegation battle – Leicester need Maddison over the remaining fixtures to fire them to safety.
Many of the ‘Big Six’ would want the England star in their team, Newcastle had two bids rejected last summer but will surely go back in for him – while Manchester City and Tottenham are also reportedly keen.
Leicester will be unable to keep hold of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans if they go downCredit: Alamy

ST: Diego Costa 
It was quite the shock when Costa returned to the Premier League with Wolves and, in truth, he has not made much of an impact.
One thing is for sure, though, the experienced fiery forward will not be lining up in the Championship – but finding another English team could be tricky.
LW: Wilfried Gnonto
The Leeds teenager has burst on to the scene this season after making his Italy senior debut in the Nations League, moving to Elland Road from Zurich.
The forward hobbled off on international duty last month and his absence could be a crucial blow – but Gnonto will be not short of options come the summer.
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Best of the rest
Other notable mentions should go to the likes of Tyler Adams, James Ward-Prowse, Eberechi Eze, Amadou Onana, Philip Billing, Matheus Nunes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Alex Iwobi in midfield.
And the forwards include Harvey Barnes, Wilfried Zaha, Rodrigo, Adama Traore, Brennan Johnson and Jarrod Bowen.
Wilfried Gnonto could be on the move if Leeds are relegatedCredit: Getty
Eberechi Eze is developing into a classy top-flight starCredit: Getty More

BRUNO SALTOR has named his first Chelsea team as interim manager ahead of their clash with Liverpool on Tuesday evening.The Brighton legend, 42, will take charge of the Blues at Stamford Bridge just two days after Graham Potter was sacked.
Bruno Saltar will take charge of his first Chelsea game on Tuesday eveningCredit: Getty
N’Golo Kante makes his first Premier League start since August against LiverpoolCredit: Getty
And he will attempt to earn Chelsea their first win in three Premier League games following a 2-2 draw with Everton and 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
Here is Saltor’s first ever line-up as a head coach…
Chelsea XI: Kepa; James, Fofana, Koulibaly, Cucurella, Chilwell; Fernandez, Kante, Kovacic; Felix, Havertz.
Subs: Mendy, Badiashile, Gallagher, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Madueke, Mudryk, Pulisic, Sterling.
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Speaking about his selection, Saltor said: “It’s the best team we can have today. We have a lot of people in the team to help the selection process, we did it together [not including Potter].
“There is a lot of personality, a lot of games for Chelsea and international experience. We need players who are able to handle the pressure.”
The return of N’Golo Kante, 32, from injury is a huge boost for Chelsea as he makes his first Premier League start since August.
And Blues supporters were buzzing to see the Frenchman back in their midfield – while he has also been handed the captain’s armband.
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One said: “Enzo, Kovacic and Kante start. We’re gonna see the deadly trio 😍.”
Another added: “Wow, midfield of Enzo, Kovacic and Kante! Bruno gets it…”
And a third replied: “Enzo Fernandez and N’golo Kante starting together for the first time, I’m well and truly alive.”
Bruno’s two changes from the loss to Villa are to drop Mykhailo Mudryk and Ruben Loftus-Cheek for Kante and Wesley Fofana.
Saltor admitted during Monday’s pre-match press conference that he has never selected a starting line-up during his coaching career.
He said: “Tomorrow is going to be the first time [I pick a team].
“I have been coaching for four years and have been coaching under Graham [Potter].
“Obviously, he has been the manager and he always had the last word. It’s quite clear that it’s not been the case.
“I feel good. It is my duty. A duty and a responsibility. I am at a really important club and I want to try my best.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool are without Virgil van Dijk for the trip to West London, while Mo Salah drops to the bench.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Matip, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson, Jones; Nunez, Firmino, Jota.
Subs: Milner, Salah, Gakpo, Robertson, Carvalho, Melo, Phillips, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold.
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Jurgen Klopp’s men are looking to bounce back following a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Saturday.
They sit eight in the Premier League table, five points ahead of Chelsea in 11th. More