This season, there is a prevailing belief that the newly promoted sides are destined for an immediate return to the Championship.
This reflects the growing disparity between established Premier League teams and those attempting to bridge the gap.
In recent years, clubs like Brentford, Bournemouth, and Nottingham Forest have defied the odds by remaining in the league and pushing for European places.
However, the current Premier League status suggests that such success stories are becoming increasingly rare as the financial gulf between newcomers and the Premier League mainstays continues to widen.
Despite these challenges, the Premier League remains a stage for individual brilliance, and even in struggling sides, players make their name.
This analysis will spotlight one player from each of the newly promoted clubs, examining their skill sets, profiles, and the attributes that make them well-suited for the Premier League.
It will argue why these players deserve to remain in the top flight, even if their current teams fail to do so.
Leif Davis Scout Report At Ipswich Town
Kieran McKenna has done an excellent job at Ipswich Town, considering the majority of his squad were playing League One football just two years ago.
His side has stepped up to the challenge and have given a good account of themselves.
One player who has stood out is England U21’s striker Liam Delap, who has shown glimpses of real quality.
There is expected to be no shortage of suitors for him this summer.
However, the focus will be on Leif Davis, who would be a sensible Premier League pick-up for either mid-table sides or newly promoted teams aiming to build for survival.
Leif Davis has shown technical ability and great athleticism, which makes him an option for Premier League sides needing a modern, attack-minded full-back or wing-back.
As a left-footed defender capable of playing either in a back four or back five, Davis is a “flying full-back,” which supports his attacking and defensive responsibilities.
Leif Davis Stats
This radar shows Leif Davis’ performance as a left-back, compared to the median score of 50 for players in his position.
One of his best attributes is his dangerous passing (59.3), where he delivers threatening balls that contribute to attacking momentum.
Additionally, his frequent touches in the opposition penalty area (59.2) and above-average goal contributions per 90 (53.25) emphasise his active role in the final third.
While Davis does not receive a high number of passes (16.4), this can partly be attributed to his tactical role, as he is sometimes tasked with maintaining width to stretch the opposition’s defence rather than being heavily involved in build-up play.
Defensively, he excels in aerial duels won % (81.5), ranking way above average.
Leif Davis Attacking Contributions
Davis has success in systems that allow him to exploit wide spaces during transitions and sustained attacking phases.
His athleticism and ability to cover ground make him useful when providing overlaps, stretching opposition defences, and driving into central areas.
This creates multiple layers to Ipswich’s attacking play, particularly in transitions where Davis capitalises on the space vacated by opposition-wide players.
His ability to accelerate into these spaces and receive passes allows him to deliver crosses or cutbacks into the penalty area.
As shown in the image below, Leif Davis positions himself as a wide outlet, forcing his direct opponent (the right-back) to make a decision, either to close him down or protect the space behind.
Davis makes a first-time lobbed cross to Omari Hutchinson, who heads it into the net.
The decision to use a lobbed cross was well-judged, with the perfect weight on the ball.
Adding too much weight would make it harder for the runners in the box to control and capitalise on the delivery.
Statistically, Davis’s attacking output shows his support in the final third.
He averages 3.07 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes (placing him in the 89th percentile for his position), and 1.94 key passes per 90 minutes (95th percentile).
Furthermore, his 5.23 crosses per 90 minutes indicate his crossing threat,t which enables runners to flood the box.
Leif Davis Defensive Contributions & Pressing
Davis is also an out-of-possession asset.
When defending in a low block, Ipswich alternates between a 4-4-2 defensive shape and a 5-3-2 structure, with one of Sam Morsy or Massimo Luongo dropping into the backline as a situational centre-back.
This adjustment increases the width of the defensive line, providing additional cover against opposition wide players.
As a result, Davis has a wing-back role, which allows him to maintain defensive width while using his athleticism to press high.
The tactical fluidity strengthens Ipswich’s compactness in deeper areas and enables Davis to transition easily between defensive and attacking responsibilities.
The use of the 5-3-2, particularly, is a theoretical component of spatial control in defensive transitions.
By increasing the width of the backline, Ipswich can better manage wide overloads and limit the opponent’s ability to isolate defenders in high-risk zones.
Davis’s athleticism and tactical intelligence are central to this system.
In a mid-block or high-pressing scenario, Davis is proactive.
His ability to press aggressively and close down space forces opposition players into rushed decisions and regain possession higher up the pitch.
Davis’s capacity to “jump” pressing distances and engage with opposition wing-backs or full-backs shows his ground coverage ability and understanding of pressing triggers.
We can see that the opposition’s build-up in the wide area has worked, leaving Sam Morsy in a 2v1 situation.
As the play develops, Davis steps in to press aggressively and wins the ball.
Winning possession higher up the field is advantageous, as it creates opportunities closer to the opposition’s goal.
However, this requires the right timing, as a poorly timed press is counterproductive.
While Davis is not the most accomplished one-on-one defender, his ability to anticipate opposition moves and intercept passes makes him more of a disruptor.
His positioning in wide areas allows him to recover possession for Ipswich and prevent dangerous attacks from developing.
Davis relies on game intelligence and positioning to mitigate direct duels, compensating for limitations in one-on-one scenarios.
Leif Davis has all the attributes to remain in the Premier League.
As much has been spoken of the Premier League’s transitional nature (which has only increased this season), Davis’s ability to exploit space in transitions, particularly from an attacking phase, makes him a sensible signing for many Premier League clubs.
Mads Hermansen Scout Report At Leicester City
Leicester City have experienced a tumultuous season, with instability both on and off the pitch.
Steve Cooper was dismissed despite the team not being in immediate danger of relegation at the time.
Much of the criticism centred on the team’s style of football rather than results.
His replacement, Ruud van Nistelrooy, arrived with a sense of gravitas and inspired a mini-revival.
However, that momentum ended, and the club has since been on a disastrous run of form, losing 13 of its last 14 games and conceding 35 goals.
Amid the chaos, a few players have managed to showcase their abilities.
Facuando Buonanotte, Stephy Mavididi, and Bilal El Khanouss have both shown flashes of quality that could attract Premier League interest.
At the same time, Jamie Vardy has occasionally rolled back the years with his trademark running into the channels.
However, Premier League clubs’ must-have player is their goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen.
Leicester City’s Mads Hermansen has emerged as one of the busiest goalkeepers in the Premier League this season and has shown excellent reflexes while being under considerable pressure.
Despite missing eight matches due to a groin injury, the Danish goalkeeper has made the fifth-most saves in the league (84).
Mads Hermansen Stats
This radar highlights Hermansen’s qualities, particularly in distribution and defensive involvement, while providing context against the median average goalkeeper score of 50.
His long ball ratio (69.6) far exceeds the average, showcasing his ability to deliver long passes, a skill for initiating quick counterattacks or bypassing opposition pressing.
Similarly, his progressive passes per 90 (59.3) are well above the median, playing an active role in Leicester City’s build-up play.
Defensively, Hermansen’s exits per 90 (74.4) show his commanding presence and proactive approach.
He likes to come off his line to claim crosses or sweep up through balls.
Mads Hermansen Shot Stopping
Hermansen’s shot-stopping ability has been a defining feature of his game this season.
He faces an average of 5.81 shots on target per game, placing him in the 95th percentile among goalkeepers in Europe’s top five leagues.
This high volume of shots faced sheds light on Leicester’s defensive frailty, yet Hermansen has risen to the challenge by saving 3.72 shots per game (92nd percentile).
Another metric used to evaluate Hermansen’s shot-stopping efficiency is his PSxG/SoT (Post-Shot Expected Goals per Shot on Target).
This statistic measures the quality of shots on target a goalkeeper faces and the likelihood of those shots resulting in goals.
As seen with Hermansen, a higher PSxG/SoT indicates that he prevents high-quality chances from being converted into goals.
His figure of 0.36 places him among the best goalkeepers in Europe, in the 97th percentile, showcasing his ability to outperform expectations and make saves that influence/mitigate the outcome of matches.
As shown in a league fixture against Everton, Hermansen’s starting position is low and balanced, allowing him to remain ready to spring into action and react to any incoming shot.
This positioning enables him to quickly dive across and make an excellent save, redirecting the ball into a less dangerous area where the centre-backs can manage the situation.
Mads Hermansen Technical & Tactical Attributes
Hermansen has a relatively small stature for a goalkeeper, but demonstrates excellent reaction time and agility, enabling him to shuffle his feet quickly and position himself to make saves.
His ability to cover the goalmouth and make big saves with his body compensates for his lack of physical dominance.
This agility is in one-on-one situations, where his compact shape and quick reflexes deny attackers in high-pressure moments.
From a tactical perspective, Hermansen’s launch percentage (38.2%) highlights his ability to read the game and adapt his distribution to suit Leicester’s current game state.
He is comfortable bypassing pressing structures with direct balls.
Goalkeepers with a strong launch are essential in modern football, as they can initiate counterattacks and relieve pressure.
Hermansen is also comfortable with the ball at his feet and, play short passes, and be a plus one in build-up.
While Hermansen has proven himself as a top-tier shot-stopper, there are areas of his game that require refinement.
His ability to claim crosses has been inconsistent, with his timing occasionally off when coming off his line.
This is an area where increased confidence and better aerial judgment could elevate his overall game.
However, it is worth noting that his shot-stopping ability, distribution, and leadership more than compensate for this shortcoming, making it more of a developmental area.
Mads Hermansen’s performances this season has attracted a few Premier League clubs already.
His shot-stopping, reflexes, and ball work make him an ideal signing for any Premier League side in need of a dependable goalkeeper with high potential.
Mateus Fernandes Scout Report At Southampton
Southampton‘s season has been nothing short of calamity from start to finish, and fans are surely counting down the days until their return to the Championship.
The campaign started with Russell Martin’s possession-heavy style, and now, with Ivan Jurić, there has been little to no improvement.
With two wins all season and 17 points away from safety, it would be easy to assume that no players are capable of making the step up to remain in the Premier League.
However, that assumption would be untrue.
One of the most discussed young players this season has been Tyler Dibling, whose potential and performances have provided a glimmer of hope for Southampton.
Dibling has been a hub of excitement for the club and is certain to attract plenty of interest from Premier League clubs.
Alongside him, players like Kamaldeen Sulemana and even Aaron Ramsdale are also likely candidates to remain in the League and find new homes.
Yet, Matheus Fernandes stands out as a must for Premier League sides.
The midfielder has quietly been one of the more consistent performers in a struggling Southampton side.
Mateus Fernandes has shown glimpses of his potential for Southampton this season.
He’s raw, yet he covers ground well and is technically secure enough to receive the ball with his back to play and in front of the opposition.
Fernandes has the ability to operate across the midfield and forward line, as well as the heart of Southampton’s attacking and transition phases.
Mateus Fernandes Stats
Mateus Fernandes Ball Carrying: Verticality Through Dribbling
Fernandes’s ability to progress the ball through carries and dribbling.
He averages 2.61 progressive carries per game, placing him in the 94th percentile among similar midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues, including players in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.
His 2.23 carries into the final third per game (92nd percentile), further supports his ability to drive into space progressively.
He is someone capable of bridging the first, second and final thirds by bypassing opposition lines with his burst of speed and close control.
This GIF highlights Fernandes’s agility and ability to skip his opponent through control and feints, allowing him to advance into his intended forward space.
The opponent was left with no choice but to foul him to prevent a potentially dangerous situation.
Mateus Fernandes stands out among attacking midfielders due to his well-rounded contributions in both attacking and defensive phases.
He has 67.0 opposition penalty area touches per 90 and is active in advanced positions.
His 74.3 passes per 90 and 61.3 received passes per 90 shows his desire to be on the ball and importance in Southampton’s possession play.
What sets Fernandes apart from many attacking midfielders is his defensive work rate, as shown by his 91.0 defensive duels per 90.
One of Fernandes’s most desired quality is his confidence to execute take-ons in tight spaces, where he shows his quick feet and composure.
Attempting 3.49 take-ons per game (99th percentile), Fernandes shows fearlessness in one-on-one situations—a quality that stands out, especially in a team this season that has prioritised ball retention.
Mateus Fernandes Passing Creativity & Variety
Fernandes is not just a carrier; he is also an inventive passer.
His bravery with the ball is shown in his willingness to attempt challenging forward passes, often threading weighted through balls.
He has a variety of pass selections in his locker, from reverse passes and line-breaking balls to clipped balls over the top.
During his loan spell at Estoril, he demonstrated excellent vision with a weighted clipped pass into a forward area for the attackers to exploit.
His body positioning cleverly suggested a pass back to the thrower, disguising his true intentions and catching the opposition off guard.
Mateus Fernandes Out-Of-Possession Tenacity
Fernandes is excellent without the ball.
Averaging 2.82 tackles per game (84th percentile), he is a solid ball-winner who combines tenacity with an understanding of his role in proximity with the opposition on the ball and those beyond it.
He can read the game and anticipate opposition moves, allowing him to break up attacks and recover possession.
Mateus Fernandes can be an all-action midfielder and play at the current Premier League standard.
His game still needs refinement, but at just 20 years old, there is so much scope for a Premier League side and coach to improve his decision-making and temperament on the ball.
His well-roundedness makes him a good signing for a patient team that could potentially develop into one of the most complete midfielders in the game.
Conclusion
The financial and competitive gap between established Premier League teams and newly promoted sides seems likely to continue widening.
However, these players have shown that talent can still rise above a struggling season.
They all have the potential to be regular starters, strengthen mid-table teams, or help newly promoted sides establish themselves in the league.
Think of players like Andy Robertson at Hull City, Jordan Pickford at Sunderland, or Gini Wijnaldum at Newcastle United—each overcame relegation to play at the highest level.
