Opinion

What next for Rovers in the transfer market?

Wednesday 10 May 2023
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What does the summer transfer window need to deliver for Rovers if they want to be competitive at the top end of the championship table in the next campaign? 

After the past few weeks it's become apparent that the vast majority of Rovers fans think that a striker should be top of the wishlist given the departure of Brereton Diaz. The disappointing antics of the January transfer window really hindered the remainder of the season, with it frequently becoming apparent that an experienced central midfielder is also needed.  With the expiry of Daniel Ayala’s contract and the end of Sorba Thomas’s loan spell this suggests that more additions in defence and the wide areas are also likely to be positions of interest for the Rovers recruitment team. Depth in the full back areas may also be something that is reviewed, but forwards will probably be the priority for the upcoming transfer window. 

Trusting the youth is something that has been at the centre of Tomasson's process, whether or not that be by choice. With the breakthrough of Jack Vale and the recent addition of Harry Leonard into the first team squad, there may not be as many additions to the attacking ranks as some fans perhaps would like to see. Similarly with this season's introduction of Adam Wharton and Jake Garrett there are still internal options that may fill the void in the centre of the park. The emergence of Ash Phillips and the potential introduction of other youth prospects at the club such as Jake Batty could fill other holes in the depth of the squad. 

Rovers currently have the second youngest squad in the championship, with an average age of 23.9; interestingly second only to Tony Mowbray’s Sunderland. Experience is something that the squad lacks and the departure of Daniel Ayala only exacerbates the point. 

Players who have experience at the top end of the Championship are often hard to come by and will usually come at a hefty price. However, the soon to be free agents market will make available several players that fit the bill.. Although several of those players' futures at their current clubs are still in the air, there are some that are clearly set to leave their clubs. 

There have also been calls for Rovers recent revelation, Joe Rankin-Costello to play further forward, as he clearly has attacking talent that he often manages to show despite being deployed as a right back. If this were to happen, Rovers may then be looking for more depth and additions in the right back area. However, there are a couple of players out on loan at the moment that could possibly prove to be valuable members of the squad. With James Brown and Dan Pike both set to return to Brockhall. 


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