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
I’ve covered Latics’ CMs in more depth in my squad review article that I posted earlier on this month so give that a read if you haven’t already! We know that Christ Tiehi and Miguel Azeez won’t be around next season after their loan contracts came to an end, whilst Max Power and Jordan Cousins look set to move on too once their contracts expire in June.
That leaves midfield destroyer Tom Naylor and the lesser spotted, industrious Graeme Shinnie as the only senior CMs contracted beyond the summer. It’s pretty likely that Shinnie will be sold in order to get his sizeable wage off the books so there’s undoubtedly need to bring in two, three maybe even four CMs this summer. We could see more of Scott Smith but I’m yet to be convinced by the U21s captain’s ability, particularly on the ball.
Assuming we see the back of Power, Cousins, Tiehi, Azeez and Shinnie it’ll free up an estimated £20k a week on the wage bill. If the latter has sufficient interest from a number of clubs we could try and create a bidding war for his services, but as a rough estimate I’ll say we’ll be able to get £400k for him. That figure could easily be lower or higher though depending on how much interest there is.
It’s important to replace the players we’ve lost well, and if possible improve upon them. Players like Power and Azeez were playmaker types who progress the ball well with passes but don’t offer much dynamism in possession or defensive solidity. Cousins and Shinnie are both ball winners who get around the pitch well and perform their defensive duties well, but do so without offering the side much quality on the ball. Tiehi, who is unquestionably the best of the bunch, a nice blend of technical quality with defensive solidity and unlike any of the others was a real threat when running with the ball. This profile will be the hardest to replace.
I’ll be suggesting some playmaker types who need to be excellent on the ball, have good vision and composure as well as the technical attributes to play a variety of passes. If they can specialise in set piece delivery that would be ideal too.
The ball winners need to be energetic, aggressive and have a good defensive IQ when it comes to positioning and marking. Having the technical skill to keep the ball well is vital but they don’t necessarily need the wide range of attributes that our playmaker does.
I’ve also scouted for some ball carrying midfielders, powerful and direct runners through the centre of the pitch who can offer much needed dynamism to our squad. An all action midfielder who does a bit of everything whilst providing the physical and ball carrying qualities missing elsewhere would be ideal.
They’re the skillsets 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 – Archie Collins
Team: Exeter City
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Those of you who follow me on Twitter or have read last summer’s editions of the sensible transfers series will know what a big fan I am of Archie Collins. The Exeter City academy graduate has proven himself to be a quality performer in League One and could be available on a free transfer this summer, providing he doesn’t agree terms to a contract extension. Collins is a deep-lying playmaker predominantly but does like to push forward at times to provide a cut back option on the edge of the box. His long range shooting is pretty decent and he’d provide a good option from set pieces which is always a positive. In possession Collins is tidy and forward thinking with a good range of passing so would suit Shaun Maloney’s philosophy very nicely, plus he’s been playing in a 3-4-1-2 system all season at Exeter so knows his role well. Defensively he’s decent enough too but I’d want him paired with a more destructive CM to make up for his slight deficiencies. It’s such a shame we’re not in a position to approach players at the moment because he’ll probably get snapped up quickly, but if he’s not I’d go all out for him.
Option Two – Owen Moxon
Team: Carlisle United
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: £300k -£500k
Overview: This one is probably the most unrealistic given the fact he’ll actually cost money but he’s too good not to include. What a signing Owen Moxon has been for Carlisle, proof if proof were needed that data should play a big part in club’s recruitment. Moxon was a standout performer in Scottish League Two in 2021/22 so Carlisle took a punt on him, and boy did it pay off. A creative talent with 12 assists and well above average in several metrics like progressive passes, expected assists and passes into the penalty area. Defensively he’s incredible too and really is an all action midfielder capable of playing a handful of roles in the midfield. At 6’1 he’s dominant physically and would add real drive to our midfield which has been severely lacking and is also incredibly hard to find. The main problem with this transfer is the cost. Moxon will undoubtedly have interest in him this summer and more than likely from clubs in a far more healthy state than Latics. That makes it difficult, extremely difficult, but not impossible.
Option Three – Ethan Hamilton
Team: Accrington Stanley
Wages: £1k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: £150k-£250k
Overview: Definitely more realistic than Moxon and another player I’ve been keen on for a while now. Ethan Hamilton can count himself unlucky to be part of the Accrington Stanley side that was relegated to League Two as his performances didn’t deserve it. Whilst the data above doesn’t necessarily make him look too special I’d suggest this is why the ‘eye test’ is even more important than data analysis. It’s been hard to look good in a pretty poor side but there are some really impressive attributes to his game. His passing is well measured and accurate but relatively simple and he maybe lacks the vision of a couple of other targets. His best quality is his long range shooting, Hamilton loves taking aim from distance and forcing corners, rebounds or goals in the process. That’s something none of our players, apart from maybe Thelo, do often enough and if he could bring that to the side it’d be ideal. His contract is up next summer at Accrington and we’re just the kind of club he should move to for the logical next step up in his career. The fee shouldn’t be too much and you’d assume he’d be keen on a move back to League One.
Option Four – Marc Leonard
Team: Brighton
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: The first of two Brighton youngsters who’ve impressed on their loan moves in the EFL, Marc Leonard looks like a talented player. The Northampton loanee has been the heartbeat of the Cobblers midfield and as the data shows he’s a quality performer in all facets of the game. Good on the ball and would probably look better in a less direct team, Leonard is keen to progress the ball into wide areas and has a decent switch pass on him which is a ball we use quite often under Maloney. He’s not involved too much in the final third but provides an excellent base at the heart of the midfield that frees up his teammates, further aided by his high quality defensive game. I’d suggest he’d work best as the more defensive midfielder but his versatile skillset means he could be partnered with a ball winner or a more forward thinking CM and still work nicely. His contract is up at Brighton so if we can sign him permanently that’d be great, but if a new deal is agreed I’d also back a loan move for him too.
Option Five – Jensen Weir
Team: Brighton
Wages: £4k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: A familiar name for Latics fans I’m sure, Jensen Weir would probably be in Latics’ first team right now had we not been plunged into administration back in 2020. Well we’re three years down the line and even though things have gone sour at the club again I still hope we can welcome Jensen Weir back ‘home’. He’s shone on loan at Morecambe and registered 15 goal involvements from midfield which is a pretty incredible output in a relegation side and you’d like to think it’ll continue to improve as he develops. In possession the data isn’t too special but take that with a pinch of salt as he’s been playing in a direct side, he’d be fine playing in our system. I’d say he’s best suited as a roaming box to box CM and could probably play as an AM too, but would need to be played alongside a more reserved midfielder to let him show off his best attributes. I don’t think there’s a Latics fan out there who wouldn’t enjoy the return of a former academy starlet too.
Option Six – Terry Taylor
Team: Burton Albion
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Terry Taylor has proven to be a really smart pickup for Burton Albion. They took a chance signing him permanently at such a young age but 65 appearances in two and a half years would suggest it’s paid off. Last season Taylor was pretty much an ever present for the Brewers before he picked up a season ending injury in February, hampering his development somewhat in the process. Before he was side-lined Taylor showed what a quality number 6 he is, putting up really good performances in an all action midfield role as the data above shows. Defensively he’s wonderful and really switched on for such a young player, positionally good and strong in the tackle. Whether this recent injury will impact that remains to be seen though. He’d suit the system well having played in a double pivot in front of a back three all season and whilst his technical level isn’t quite at the desired level just yet I’ve no doubt that’ll change with time. Partner him with a playmaker and you’re on for a winner. Burton have offered him a new deal but if we can better their offer and get him in that’d be great.
Option Seven – Nathan Moriah-Welsh
Team: Bournemouth
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: Perhaps a slightly out there suggestion but one I think could be quite astute, Newport County loanee Nathan Moriah-Welsh. He’s a terrier-like midfielder who gets around the pitch well with his athleticism, think a more mobile Graeme Shinnie. He’s not the strongest and doesn’t dominate in terms of defensive duels but his tenacity would be a valuable asset to our pretty immobile side and he has some decent technical attributes to work with too. As I mention he gets around the pitch well and his ball carrying is really good meaning he could play the ‘Tiehi role’ pretty comfortably. Of all the players on this list I’d suggest Moriah-Welsh is the closest to Christ Tiehi in terms of skillset, albeit not as complete as the Ivorian. He’s still a bit raw but these are the kinds of players we need to start picking up and developing into the finished article. Our first team EFL / PL Academy scouting has been so poor and we never look at youngsters who impress in the EFL but don’t make the grade at top clubs. It’s time to change that.
Option Eight – Albie Morgan
Team: Charlton Athletic
Wages: £4k
Contract: 2023
Estimated Cost: Free Transfer
Overview: I was waiting for Charlton’s retained list eagerly to see whether Albie Morgan would remain at the Valley and the good news for Latics is he won’t be. The 23 year old midfield creator will be moving on from his boyhood club and could be a really smart pick up for Latics to add creativity and flair to our midfield. As the data shows he’s wonderful going forward and could be the heartbeat of the team’s build-up play if utilised correctly. He’s somebody who can lack consistency but that’s to be expected at a young age and he maybe needs a new environment to settle into his prime. A ball carrying, ball progressing machine who is always looking for the killer pass in the final third, Morgan would be well suited to playing as an 8 or a 10 in Maloney’s system and his versatility makes him a real asset. Add into the mix his set piece delivery and the fact that, despite being a flair player, his defensive numbers are pretty good too he could be the perfect player to come in and revitalise his career, just as we need to revitalise our club. He’ll probably be in talks with clubs already so we may have to move quickly to secure his signature.
Option Nine – Lewis Warrington
Team: Everton
Wages: £2k
Contract: 2024
Estimated Cost: Loan
Overview: If the rumour mill is to be believed we were interested in signing Lewis Warrington last summer before he eventually joined Scott Brown’s Fleetwood. The Everton loanee has looked good in the North West and may well be looking for a move to the Championship this summer in order to further his development. However, if Latics can tempt him in with the promise of first team football close to home I’d be very happy, he’s a destructive CM who is very tidy in possession. Warrington is a real ‘get it and give it’ type midfielder, he won’t necessarily play the eye-catching pass but he’ll help keep the ball moving and allow his teammates to add flair alongside his pragmatism. Defensively very solid, for such a young player he seems to outmuscle his opponents regularly and uses his body well to get between them and the ball. This part of his game is almost identical to former Latics skipper Sam Morsy. A loan move for Warrington would be beneficial for all parties but I fear there may be more lucrative offers elsewhere.
Option Ten – Jay Matete
Team: Sunderland
Wages: £5k
Contract: 2026
Estimated Cost: Loan
Overview: Speaking of industrious ball winners, look no further than Jay Matete. Two promotions out of League One in the last two season could mean he’ll be looking to make a mark on Championship football next season but if he becomes available for loan again Latics should take a look. Incredibly hard working, very efficient in possession and brilliant at breaking up opposition attacks, Matete would be the perfect partner for a creative CM who can be freed up thanks to the 22 year olds defensive skill. It might seem like a strange thing to praise him on but Matete has a wonderful judgement on when to make fouls for the betterment of the team, often breaking up dangerous attacks with a tactical trip which can really come in handy for a team who look to commit bodies forward. Would be very comfortable in our system and has the technical attributes to keep play ticking along, more so than some of the other ball winners on this list. Runs with the ball well and is difficult to dispossess when he gets going, the skillset he has is excellent but that’s what might make him unattainable. Sunderland may choose to play him and if they don’t lower half Championship clubs should be taking an interest in him. An ambitious suggestion but one I feel is a good one nevertheless.
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!
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