Wigan Athletic 2023-24 Squad Review – Loanees And Youth Team

Considering Wigan Athletic’s 2023/24 season was prefaced by a series of off-field issues, uncertainties and changes, I think it’s fair to say we have done a very decent job. Shaun Maloney, Gregor Rioch, the rest of the staff and the players have pulled together to achieve a 12th-placed finish in League One, achieving the main goal of survival and setting some foundations for what is to come.

The wider context of the issues faced by Latics can be found in my recently released Season Review article, so be sure to check that out by clicking this link. It explains in greater depth the struggles we faced last summer and how we have gone about rectifying things both on and off the football pitch. I’d urge you to read that if you have not already, and then return to this!

On the face of things, this summer will be as big if not bigger than the last in terms of a rebuild. We have several senior players out of contract, numerous loanees set to return to their parent clubs and a few contracted players who are expected to attract serious interest during the transfer window.

In this article, and the three others within my ‘Squad Review’ series, I’m going to analyse the performances of all our first teamers, academy players and those who have spent the campaign out on loan, and discuss whether or not I believe their future is best served at Wigan Athletic.

I’ll be covering it all; their wages, transfer value, ability and profile, suitability to Shaun Maloney’s system and more. There will be no stone left unturned.

Strap in, and enjoy.

Disclaimer – Nobody outside of the club truly knows the wages of the players so don’t take what I say they are as gospel. I’m using a couple of trustworthy websites as sources but whether their figures have taken into account the hefty wage increases the players received after winning promotion I’m not sure, so it could easily be even more than what I say!

Loanees

Charlie Wyke

AGE: 31

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £200,000

WAGE: £12,000 p/w

Player Summary

What a strange season it has been for Charlie Wyke. If you had told me at the end of August that Charlie Wyke would end the season in my ‘loan review’ article I would have been baffled. His form at the beginning of the campaign was sensational and he played a huge part in getting us out of minus points so quickly.

He was slightly unfortunate to be sent off against Portsmouth, and that moment seemed to spell the end for him as a first team regular. He lost form, fitness and confidence ahead of the January transfer window. We had decent options up front that opened up the possibility for an exit, and that’s exactly what happened.

On deadline day he joined Rotherham United on loan, linking back up with former-Tics boss Leam Richardson. More importantly from our point of view we got some of his hefty wages off the books, which cannot be understated. With his contract up I expect him to leave, but what a ride it has been. He’s an inspiration to us all for even being here, and I wish him all the very best.

Luke Robinson

AGE: 22

CONTRACT: 2025

TRANSFER VALUE: £150,000 – £300,000

WAGE: £1,000 p/w

Player Summary

Luke Robinson is another player who has had a pretty strange 2023/24 campaign. He started the season on loan at St. Johnstone where he impressed in several positions, showing versatility and defensive qualities when used at wing back, full back and centre back. The Saints fans were huge fans of him.

We recalled him a few hours into January and he was in the squad for our trip to Barnsley, coming on as a second-half substitute. My assumption is we planned to use him as a replacement for the outgoing Omar Rekik, but when Luke Chambers became available we understandably snapped him up.

This allowed Robinson to return to McDiarmid Park for the remainder of the campaign, and again he’s performed well. It sets him up nicely for a return to the DW next season where he’ll compete with (hopefully) a new LB for minutes. His versatility is great, his profile is quite rare and he fills a hole we’d have to spend money on sorting out. I’m looking forward to seeing him have a breakout season with us.

Harry McHugh

AGE: 21

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £100,000

WAGE: £1,000 p/w

Player Summary

I think Harry McHugh will have a really decent career with Latics. There’s a lot of Scott Smith-isms to his game and he always seems to be in and around it when it comes to discussions about our youngsters. His attitude appears to be spot on, and he’s added a whole new level of technical and tactical ability to his game in the last 12 months.

Shaun Maloney seems to really like him, and the fact that we loaned him out suggests to me that we were really keen to develop him quickly with senior minutes ahead of a more senior role next season. His move to Ayr United in the Scottish Championship and has done well for himself by all accounts.

I’m torn on what to expect from McHugh next season. He’s probably deserving of a shot at first-team football, but equally there isn’t a position that he isn’t fourth or fifth choice in. A loan into League Two might be handy, but I reckon he signs a new deal, stays and fights for a spot in our midfield, as well as captaining our under 21s. It feels like this is his last season as a ‘development’ player, before he makes the step up.

Joe Adams

AGE: 19

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £250,000

WAGE: £1,000 p/w

Player Summary

One important yet underrated bit of business we need to sort out quickly this summer is tying Joe Adams down to a longer contract. The Guernsey-born midfielder has impressed on loan in League Two with Morecambe, and could well be ready for a spot in our first team squad next season.

A keen ball-carrier with tenacious work rate and an eye for a pass, the 19-year-old appears to be a midfielder that suits Shaun Maloney’s style of play very well. That dynamism in the middle of the park is something I think we lack too, so to have a solution in our squad already could prove very handy.

There is transfer business I believe we should be doing in midfield areas this summer, but that shouldn’t limit Adams’ involvement too much. I’d be using him in the cup competitions and as a rotation option for at least the start of next season, before reassessing things in January. I have high hopes for him though, that’s for sure.

Ethan Mitchell

AGE: 21

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £150,000

WAGE: £1,000 p/w

Player Summary

When Ethan Mitchell arrived at AFC Fylde on loan in January they were in serious danger of relegation out of the National League. They ended up surviving comfortably, and while their change in fortunes aren’t entirely down to the arrival of the talented utility-man, his impact was hard to downplay.

A defender for our under 21s, as well as the skipper, Mitchell spent most of his time on the Fylde Coast playing in a holding midfielder role, with fleeting appearances as a more advanced number eight. His technical game is simple but effective, and he seems to have an impressive positional understanding across a number of positions despite his youthfulness.

I’d love to see him tested in the EFL or the Scottish Premiership, which I believe would set him up nicely for a more senior role after next season. A recall option would be essential as if he develops quickly enough, or if we end up short on numbers, his profile is one we should be looking to prioritise. Keep it quiet, but I reckon he’ll be the next big breakout star from our academy.

James Carragher

AGE: 21

CONTRACT: 2025

TRANSFER VALUE: £100,000 – £250,000

WAGE: £1,000 p/w

Player Summary

It feels like we’ve been waiting for James Carragher to make his mark on the Latics first team for a while now, and I reckon next season is his best chance at doing so. His short career has been impacted by bad luck with injuries, but in terms of old-school defenders I think he has the makings to be really useful.

A loan spell at Inverness Caledonian Thistle has proved to be very beneficial, and the Liverpool-born stopper has managed to get a good run of games under his belt north of the border. He’s shown himself capable of playing in a back four and three, as well as a more advanced range of technical qualities that hadn’t been quite so apparent in the games I’d watched him play for Latics.

With Charlie Hughes’ exit being something we have to expect, what better player to fill the void than the chap who partnered him so often in our youth teams. Carra is a talented player who doesn’t seem like someone who’d need a bedding in period in our first team, so I hope he gets some opportunities next season. He’s an ideal option for a fourth / fifth choice in that position.

Tom Watson

AGE: 19

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £200,000

WAGE: £1,000 p/w

Player Summary

If those with their ear to the ground at Christopher Park are to be believed, Sam Tickle is not the only high-potential goalkeeper that our academy has produced in recent years. Alongside fellow promising youngsters Matty Corran and Matthew Wonnacott, Oxford City-loanee Tom Watson looks like he’ll be the next cab off the rank.

An explosive shot-stopper who is not limited by his seemingly lightweight frame, Watson has a bright future ahead of him for sure. A school mate of Latics loan star Luke Chambers, he’s a local lad who highlights the impressive work our academy recruitment staff do on a yearly basis.

His role next season probably depends on whether Sam Tickle remains at the club or not. If Tickle goes, Watson should spend the season at the DW fighting for a starting spot. If Tickle goes, a loan move to a side that promises game time is key. The level is less important for goalkeepers I think, he just wants to be facing shots and experiencing life as a senior player. Just remember, Sam Tickle spent time at Pilkington FC… look at him now!


Youth Team

Before I get into discussing a selection of academy players I would like to extend my thanks to the X (Twitter) account @LaticsPure for the excellent input and information they’ve given to me on a number of the lads you’re about to read about. Naturally as a supporter I’m aware of these guys, but the more in-depth information you’ll read on most of these has come from them. Be sure to check them out if you haven’t already.

Josh Stones

AGE: 20

CONTRACT: 2026

TRANSFER VALUE: £350,000 – £750,000

WAGE: £1,000 p/w

Player Summary

I think one of the biggest disappointments from this season is that we didn’t get to see more of Josh Stones. A bustily centre-forward with an infectious personality and the ability to terrorise defenders, he’s pretty much the perfect profile of number nine I’d want us to start with. He fits the bill perfectly for what we need.

I think the fact that we went to the Championship to loan in Charlie Kelman as cover for Stones tells you how highly rated he is by Shaun Maloney. He started the season at Latics and played well when he featured, albeit slightly less regularly than he might have. We loaned him to Oldham, and he showed how great he can be.

Unfortunately he picked up an injury at Boundary Park that kept him out for the rest of the season. While it’s never nice for young players to have their development stunted like that I do hope it’s allowed him to grow physically and mentally ahead of what I hope will be a big season for him next year. Personally, I’d give him the number nine shirt…

Luke Brennan

AGE: 22

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £50,000

WAGE: £1,000 p/w

Player Summary

The key to breaking through from the academy into the first team is having a clear understanding of what will be needed from you when you get there. For a goalkeeper or a striker that is fairly simple as there are usually less tactical nuances. For a left wing / wing back hybrid player, it’s vital to know what’s needed from you.

With Jordan Jones’ future in doubt we need a replacement for an incredibly rare profile / position. Luke Brennan, a 22-year-old academy player who spent the first half of the season on loan at Welsh big-hitters TNS where he scored two and assisted five in ten games, is someone who could fill that gap.

He’s dominated at youth level and has a genuine understanding of our system, so a first team promotion could happen. I’m not entirely convinced by him, and in the under 21 games I’ve watched he hasn’t blown me away. He may leave when his contract expires in June, but could be useful. There will be better options available to sign though in my opinion.

Kai Payne

AGE: 19

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £150,000

WAGE: >£1,000 p/w

Player Summary

Shaun Maloney really rates Kai Payne and that’s about all that needs to be said. The youngest academy player on this list, Payne has become a regular in the under 21 team this season and despite suffering an injury is widely considered to be one of their stand out performers this season.

He’s trained with the first team on a regular basis and that will surely have improved his game. At 6’1 his frame could allow him to grow into a powerful midfielder, but is currently very much on the lean side. His technical game is very advanced for a 19-year-old, so it’s the physical side of the game that we need to see some growth.

We still want him to get around the pitch and win the ball back as he has done this season, but I’d like to see him add athleticism to his game. He’s somewhere in between the profiles of Matt Smith, Baba Adeeko and Liam Shaw, albeit with a long way to go yet. A loan move should be next for him, but don’t be surprised if he remains at the club and in and around the squad next season.

Dylan Dwyer

AGE: 20

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £75,000

WAGE: >£1,000 p/w

Player Summary

Another useful quality to have as an academy player looking to break into the first team is versatility. If we can turn to our youth squad in times of need and find players who are able to step up in a number of positions it certainly makes them more likely to get the nod. Dylan Dwyer is a player who that applies to for sure.

Described as ‘one of the most underrated players in the under 21 squad’, the 20-year-old is a left sided defender capable of playing centre back, full back or wing back. He’s as competent defending as he is with the ball at his feet and provides a steadiness to the team whenever he features.

He seems to have the trust of every one of his teammates regardless of the game situation, and should have done enough to earn himself a new deal at the club. I’d like to see him tested with a loan move to get him a taste of senior football before making an impact on our first team. He’s one to keep an eye on for sure though.

Max McMillan

AGE: 21

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £100,000

WAGE: >£1,000 p/w

Player Summary

Max McMillan is another example of why scouting and recruitment is just as important in your youth team as it is the senior squad. There’s always talk about academy players who have been at the club since the age of eight, but McMillan is someone who we picked up in the summer following a successful trial period.

A versatile forward who is comfortable playing anywhere in attacking areas, McMillan made six appearances and scored one goal for Fleetwood Town’s first team. We made the move for him and it’s been an inspired signing. He has raw ability that excites me, and has been on great form this season.

Again, dominating at youth level and carrying that form into the first team scene is something that doesn’t happen easily. I’d like to see us award his form with a decent new contract before loaning him out to a competitive league. He needs senior minutes, with the view of making his mark on our first team in another six – twelve months time.

Youssef Chentouf

AGE: 20

CONTRACT: 2024

TRANSFER VALUE: £0 – £100,000

WAGE: >£1,000 p/w

Player Summary

The final name on the list is another chap who could feasibly break into our first team squad in a number of different positions. Chentouf has been used at… deep breath: Right back, right wing back, right wing, central midfield and as a striker. He’s a flair player with great ball skills and the technique of a seasoned professional.

He has done everything there is to do at youth level and now needs to be tested in men’s football. I may sound like a broken record here, but the jump is big and before I can confidently say he’ll make an impact on our first team I want to see him have a good loan move somewhere.

I know this season we’ve thrown some youngsters into their first season of senior football, but we won’t be forced to do that this season. Someone like Chentouf is in need of a challenge, and if he passes it with flying colours we’ll have a player capable of breaking into the first team on our hands. Like so many in our academy he’s an exciting talent.


Summary

There are a number of players who I am expecting to leave Wigan Athletic this summer, be that at the end of their contracts, the expiration of their loans or to pursue their careers elsewhere.

The recently released financial accounts showed that we operated at a loss of £13.7million during the 2022/23 season. That is staggeringly high and we are still very much feeling the impacts of that. Our new owners have pumped lots of money into the club already and have managed to scale down the costs, but you have to assume they will be keen to see some sort of return on that investment.

The plan is to make us self-sustainable and that means if good offers come in for players in our squad they have to be considered. With this in mind I will be giving my own ‘realistic but ideal’ hopes for what this summer will look like, as well as considering what I expect to be the most likely scenario. We have to be prepared for the loss of key assets, and as such the ‘realistic’ scenario will create the framework for my Sensible Transfers articles that will be following later this summer.


My ‘Ideal’ Scenario

Keep

Luke Robinson – Left Back / Left Centre Back – £1,000 p/w

Harry McHugh – Right Back / Centre Midfield – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

Joe Adams – Centre Midfield / Attacking Midfield – Offer Two/Three-Year Contract On £1,500 p/w

Ethan Mitchell – Centre Midfield – Offer Two-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

James Carragher – Centre Back – £1,000 p/w

Tom Watson – Goalkeeper – Offer Three-Year Contract On £1,500 p/w

Josh Stones – Striker – £1,000 p/w

Kai Payne – Centre Midfield – Offer Two-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

Dylan Dwyer – Left Back – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

Max McMillan – Attacking Midfield / Striker – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

Youssef Chentouf – Wing Back / Wide Midfielder – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w


Estimated Total Spend

£11,000 p/w Wages

£572,000 Cost For 2024/25 Season


Release

Charlie Wyke – Striker – £12,000 p/w

Luke Brennan – Wing Back / Wide Midfielder – £1,000 p/w


Estimated Total Saved

£13,000 p/w Wages

£676,000 Off The Yearly Wage Bill


Ideal Squad Set-Up And Financial Status

First Team Spots

Goalkeeper – Tom Watson

Defenders – Luke Robinson, James Carragher

Midfielders – Harry McHugh, Joe Adams

Strikers – Josh Stones


Loan Moves

Ethan Mitchell – League Two / Scottish Premiership

Kai Payne – National League / Scottish Championship

Dylan Dwyer – National League / Scottish Championship

Max McMillan – League Two / National League / Scottish Championship

Youssef Chentouf – National League


Estimated Total Saved

£104,000 During The 2024/25 Season, Or £2,000 p/w On Wages


Realistic Scenario

Keep

Luke Robinson – Left Back / Left Centre Back – £1,000 p/w

Harry McHugh – Right Back / Centre Midfield – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

Joe Adams – Centre Midfield / Attacking Midfield – Offer Two-Year Contract On £1,500 p/w

Ethan Mitchell – Centre Midfield – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

James Carragher – Centre Back – £1,000 p/w

Tom Watson – Goalkeeper – Offer Two-Year Contract On £1,500 p/w

Josh Stones – Striker – £1,000 p/w

Luke Brennan – Wing Back / Wide Midfielder – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

Kai Payne – Centre Midfield – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

Dylan Dwyer – Left Back – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

Max McMillan – Attacking Midfield / Striker – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w

Youssef Chentouf – Wing Back / Wide Midfielder – Offer One-Year Contract On £1,000 p/w


Estimated Total Spend

£12,000 p/w Wages

£624,000 Cost For 2024/25 Season


Release

Charlie Wyke – Striker – £12,000 p/w


Estimated Total Saved

£12,000 p/w Wages

£624,000 Off The Yearly Wage Bill


Realistic Squad Set-Up And Financial Status

First Team Spots

Goalkeeper – Tom Watson

Defenders – Luke Robinson, James Carragher

Midfielders – Harry McHugh, Joe Adams, Luke Brennan

Strikers – Josh Stones


Loan Moves

Ethan Mitchell – League Two / Scottish Premiership

Kai Payne – National League / Scottish Championship

Dylan Dwyer – National League / Scottish Championship

Max McMillan – League Two / National League / Scottish Championship

Youssef Chentouf – National League


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