This summer is one of the most important in Wigan Athletic’s 91 year history. After one of the most tumultuous season’s in living memory both on and off the pitch it is absolutely vital that the club change their staff structure, their budgets and of course their recruiting processes and playing squad in order to truly begin this new era in the correct way.
This time last summer I spoke about the importance of lowering the average age and increasing the sell on value of the squad in order to make the club more sustainable from a financial perspective. Signing players who still have room for development also creates an exciting atmosphere around the club and means that, in theory, we improve year after year.
There are enough experienced heads around the club despite what is set to be a mass clear out this summer, so my focus is on identifying and highlighting some of the most realistic and sensible transfer targets Latics could take a look at in the transfer window. All of the options fit a much smaller wage structure that the club will be operating with, and the majority are free agents or loans.
To get an idea of my thoughts about the 2022/23 squad check out my squad review articles I posted earlier on this month. There you’ll also find a rough estimate on the money I’m expecting us to free up and spend in League One. I’d suggest taking a look at those first before coming back to this and the other sensible transfers articles!
Before we start, a few disclaimers!
All of my sensible transfers articles have been planned, researched and written prior to the club releasing their retained list ahead of the 2023/24 season so are all subject to change.
These articles are written under the assumption that off field matters are resolved in good time and no more issues are on the horizon. The club has accepted a four point penalty at the start of next season but should that become eight points I’d imagine several players on my shortlists will become unavailable.
The wages, contract length and transfer value have all been taken from Transfermarkt which is a reliable but not necessarily 100% accurate website so don’t take those figures as gospel.
And last but not least, these are JUST opinions. I’m not pretending to be a recruitment expert, these are just some suggestions that I like the look of!
Current Options and Profiles
Latics used three goalkeeper options last season; Ben Amos, Jamie Jones and Sam Tickle. The likelihood is that Amos and Jones will move on and Tickle will remain as one of the first choice keepers, depending on the calibre of competitor we bring in alongside him. My assumption is we’ll bring in a number one goalkeeper who will play the majority of league games, and Sam Tickle will be used in the cup.
I would be happy for us to sign a first choice keeper permanently or on loan. The money freed up from the releasing of Amos and Jones is roughly £8k a week in terms of wages which should be more than enough to get a quality keeper in. I would also expect one of our other youth keepers (Tom Watson, Owen Mooney and Matthew Wonnacott) to occupy the role of third choice.
Now what kind of goalkeeper do we need? It goes without saying that shot stopping ability is the number one priority and that’s been an area of weakness for our senior keepers this season. Not only that though, given Shaun Maloney’s intention is to play out from the back it’s vital that we get a keeper in who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and is confident enough to take the ball under pressure with a good passing range.
That’s the skillset I’m looking for. It is unlikely a club at our level will be able to attract a player who possesses all of those attributes but these are some of the best and most realistic options out there…
Option One – Jamie Cumming
Team: Chelsea
Wages: £10k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: Loan
Overview: Starting off with somebody I suggested this time last year, a 23 year-old goalkeeper who has made quite the impact in his two loan seasons at MK Dons. Jamie Cumming has been a stand out performer at Stadium MK during these last 18 months, winning their player of the season award at the end of the 2022/23 campaign too. As you’d expect from a product of the Chelsea academy at MK first team he’s one of the best keepers with the ball at his feet in the EFL and would be very comfortable in our possession focused system. His shot stopping this season hasn’t been at the level I’d want from a player who is one of the more expensive options on this list but the 2021/22 season proved he can be very reliable when called upon. Won’t be short on options this summer and may favour staying down south but fits the bill perfectly in terms of what Shaun Maloney wants from his goalkeeper. May end up as a free agent if his Chelsea contract is cut short early but most likely arrival at Latics would be on loan, ideally without paying his full wage.
2022/23 Stats:
Games Played – 46 | Goals Conceded – 66 | Expected Goals Conceded 63.19 |
Clean Sheets – 11 | Save Rate – 67% | Passing Accuracy – 84% | Passes per 90 – 27
Option Two – Connor Ripley
Team: Morecambe
Wages: £2.5k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Another player whose team was relegated out of League One last season but don’t let that create doubt about the quality of Connor Ripley. Morecambe’s fate would’ve been considerably worse without the performances of their heroic shot stopper who according to Wyscout prevented over 10 goals more than he would be expected to this season. Morecambe’s financial problems mean he’ll be available on a free transfer this summer and if he wants to stay in the north west we could be the perfect destination for him. At 30 years old he’d be a good senior replacement to Amos and Jones and could provide a nice mentor for the talented young keepers below him in the pecking order. Some slight concerns about his suitability as a sweeper keeper but hasn’t really been able to show his ability on the ball in a Morecambe side that play it long more often than not. I’m not sure how suited he’d be to the possession system but he’s probably the best shot stopper on this list and wouldn’t cost much money at all, allowing it to be spent elsewhere.
2022/23 Stats:
Games Played – 46 | Goals Conceded – 78 | Expected Goals Conceded 88.57 |
Clean Sheets – 8 | Save Rate – 72% | Passing Accuracy – 74% | Passes per 90 – 19
Option Three – Sol Brynn
Team: Middlesbrough
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: Loan
Overview: Sol Brynn has had a real breakout season in League Two this season and has made himself a hero amongst Swindon Town fans. The 22 year-old looks like a really good prospect but despite his impressive performances at the County Ground he’s still probably a while away from breaking into his parent club Middlesbrough’s first team. I think a loan move in League One could do him the world of good and Latics would be a suitable destination. He’s a reliable gloveman first and foremost, keeping 13 clean sheets in a pretty average Swindon side and preventing 8.5 goals based on the xG model. What I like about Brynn is he’s also a decent sweeper keeper and looks good with the ball at his feet so should be able to fit into our system. The biggest question I have with him is whether it’s a risk having our first and second choice keeper as 21 and 22 year olds. Talent wise he’s one of the best on the list, and one of the cheapest, but I wonder if another youngster is what we’re after?
2022/23 Stats:
Games Played – 46 | Goals Conceded – 55 | Expected Goals Conceded 63.5 |
Clean Sheets – 13 | Save Rate – 73% | Passing Accuracy – 84% | Passes per 90 – 24
Option Four – Josh Vickers
Team: Rotherham United
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
The fact Josh Vickers has struggled for game time this season is testament to the incredible performances of Viktor Johansson at Rotherham United. I’d go as far to say there hasn’t been a better performing goalkeeper unit in the EFL than Rotherham’s in the past few seasons and Vickers has been a major art of that. He’s struggled for game time this season but last year he played 20 games for the Millers as they finished second just behind Latics, conceding 11 goals from an xG of 20. To be so secure in between the sticks having been sat on the bench for most of the season up to his introduction shows that he’s a wonderful professional and a top performer in the third tier. He’s not the most comfortable with his feet but is better than some on the list, and as I’ve mentioned more than makes up for it with his goalkeeping ability. He’s in talks with Rotherham around a contract extension but may be swayed by the attraction of first team football, something we’d absolutely be able to offer him. He’s entering his prime ages 27 too so there’s a chance he could improve which would be nice!
2021/22 Stats:
Games Played – 20| Goals Conceded – 11 | Expected Goals Conceded 20.41 |
Clean Sheets – 12 | Save Rate – 86% | Passing Accuracy – 80% | Passes per 90 – 14
Option Five – Will Norris
Team: Burnley
Wages: £3.5k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Will Norris hasn’t played much football for a 29 year-old but that’s not necessarily down to his ability. He’s been a trusted back up at Premier League regulars Wolves and Burnley and on the occasions that he has been let out on loan he’s looked good and I think now his contract at the Clarets is up I think he could do with a permanent home and regular football. He’s spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Peterborough United and has been important in their play-off chase, playing 23 games and keeping 11 clean sheets. The 23 goals he’s conceded have come from an xG of 26.3 so there’s no doubting his glove work, and as you’d expect from a goalkeeper who has been employed by Premier League clubs he’s solid enough with the ball at his feet. It seems likely that he’ll leave Burnley this summer and I believe Latics should seriously consider signing him up and keeping him in the north west. Experienced yet still has room to develop, experience at the level and a nice skill set.
2022/23 Stats:
Games Played – 23 | Goals Conceded – 23 | Expected Goals Conceded 26.3 |
Clean Sheets – 11 | Save Rate – 75% | Passing Accuracy – 86% | Passes per 90 – 25
Option Six – Lukas Jensen
Team: Burnley
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Another goalkeeper who looks set to leave Turf Moor this summer is 24 year old Danish stopper Lukas Jensen. He’s spent the season on loan at Accrington Stanley and in testing circumstances has performed admirably and attracted the attention of many in the EFL. Whilst he’s probably never shown the ability to make it in Vincent Kompany’s side I’ve no doubt he’ll be a valuable EFL keeper in his career and it could be a really smart pick up for Latics. He shared the keeper spot with Toby Savin this season who’s another decent option we could look at, but for me Jensen makes the most sense. 24 years old so he’s entering his prime, wouldn’t cost much at all and represents good value if we tie him down to a long term contract. Behind a stronger defence than the one he played with at the WHAM I think he’ll perform well, especially as his development continues. There wasn’t much playing out from the back in John Coleman’s side last season but his pass completion was still really good. All things considered this could be a good signing, providing we’re willing to take a risk.
2022/23 Stats:
Games Played – 29 | Goals Conceded – 41 | Expected Goals Conceded 40 |
Clean Sheets – 9 | Save Rate – 69% | Passing Accuracy – 83% | Passes per 90 – 19
Option Seven – Taye Ashby-Hammond
Team: Fulham
Wages: £1.6k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Moving onto some of the options slightly lower on my shortlist, we’ll start with League Two promotion winner Taye Ashby-Hammond. The Stevenage stopper played 26 games in the Boro’s second place finish last season and at 24 years old looks to be a decent keeper. He’s out of contract at Fulham this summer and will more than likely be moving on, probably into League One. He conceded 18 goals in those 26 games and kept 12 clean sheets which is a decent record for a young keeper and there’s no question he’s a solid EFL keeper. I’m unsure whether he’d make a move up north having spent his whole career in London and I’d suggest there are better options out there but he could be a decent option nevertheless.
2022/23 Stats:
Games Played – 29 | Goals Conceded – 22 | Expected Goals Conceded 25.4 |
Clean Sheets – 12 | Save Rate – 71% | Passing Accuracy – 76% | Passes per 90 – 13
Option Eight – Arthur Okonkwo
Team: Arsenal
Wages: £2.5k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: Loan
Overview: A slightly out there option in the sense that he’s spent the second half of this season playing in Austria, Arsenal’s Arthur Okonkwo is a promising young keeper. He’s been at the Gunners since he was 8 and has all the raw attributes to become a real talent, not least his towering stature standing at 6’6. The first half of the 22/23 season was spent as Crewe’s number one where he kept 9 clean sheets in 26 games and prevented more goals than he conceded. He’s had a decent time at Sturm Graz too and it’s always positive to experience football in different countries. My biggest worry with this one is similar to Sol Brynn, would having our first and second choice keepers as U21s be too big a risk, or one worth taking? He won’t be short on offers but if we got him I’d be pleased.
2022/23 Stats:
Games Played – 36 | Goals Conceded – 40 | Expected Goals Conceded 42.14 |
Clean Sheets – 13 | Save Rate – 72% | Passing Accuracy – 82% | Passes per 90 – 19
They’re my suggestions, now its over to you! Do you like the sound of any of these players, if so which ones and why! Which players weren’t mentioned that you think should’ve been and why? Feel free to leave any feedback on my twitter account @danwafc03!
Talking Wigan 