Player Suggestion EFL Targets for 2025/26

[Yogi]

Caleb Taylor 22 CB at West Brom he’s been on loan at Wycombe this year and done very well in a good league one side. He’s been successful in all his loans and at 22 he’s hitting that age where CB’s really start to establish themselves.

He’s also dominant in the air ranking in the 99th percentile for aerial duels won by league one CB’s this season if that’s something we’re looking to add and it should be given how much the loss of Souttar impacted us then this lad is a domestic target who can give us that on an upward career trajectory and who could be a long term asset for the club.

Now I can’t see West Brom letting him leave cheap but given he isn’t established for them and hasn’t yet cut his teeth in the Championship I reckon he’d be in budget.

 

[ancientblade]

likely targets for me are john jo kenny rob holding chris mepham think those 2 would be an excellent centre back partnership at this level hamza choudray and tommy doyle and a replacement for hamer im sure brooks will come on next season and im not ruling cannon out yet already written off by most blades fans but i think he just needs a couple of goals and we will see a different player as for wilder hes on a knife edge with this board i think hes got 3 months max if were not top 6 im sure a change will be made

 

[Tony_Kaufman]

likely targets for me are john jo kenny rob holding chris mepham think those 2 would be an excellent centre back partnership at this level hamza choudray and tommy doyle and a replacement for hamer im sure brooks will come on next season and im not ruling cannon out yet already written off by most blades fans but i think he just needs a couple of goals and we will see a different player as for wilder hes on a knife edge with this board i think hes got 3 months max if were not top 6 im sure a change will be made

Cannon needs a consistent run of starts with a partner.

 

[Eggy]

Looking outside the EFL.

Keito Nakamura (24).

Striker/Left Winger, 5'9 tall, currently under contract until 2028 at Stade Reims in France. This last season he scored 11 goals in 32 league matches, 9 of which came in 27 games playing on the left wing.

Could be a potential steal for a modest fee and wages won't be too much of an issue as Reims have just been relegated.

Nakamura is a current Japanese international and will no doubt be looking for a move away this summer.

I like the look of Joseph Okumu at Reims although he would likely be very unattainable.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

We definitely need a big African in the middle of the park. Loads of stamina and strength to break everything up.

Someone in the Bissouma, Doucoure, Partey, Sarr, Baleba mould.

We've been lacking that in both previous PL campaigns

I remember when Wolves and Stoke used to have some giants that I wish we signed.

 

[Charlieblade]

Sounds great, but the robots are in charge now.

If the recruitment strategy is more Jefferson Caceres then Joe Rothwell, I expect Wilder to walk.

Wilder did a half decent job this season, and he remains popular with supporters. This is Wilder 2.0 and he can learn and grow if he accepts the opportunity. COH will have the final say on finance because they are the owners. They will listen to his opinion, but he must be willing to learn and grow as well.
We finished 3rd in the Chamionship, because two teams made a better job of it over the season. Wilder sides were inconsistent, and he was stubborn.

If they give Wilder the chance, he can grow and develop, or move on. His choice but we know there is no other club success for him

He did well enough considering last time out in the EPL and new owners half way through the season. COH have the investment and the way ahead. Wilder has the support, if he can live with COH. If he can’t, he becomes the next Putis or Allardyce.

We finished 3rd because Leeds and Burnley were more consistent than us. That is down to Wiilder 2.0.

 

[Swinton Blade]

GK
Owen Goodman - Wimbledon is an England u20 international on loan from Palace.
Tommy Simkin - Walsall is an England u21 international on loan from Stoke.

Need a very good understudy to Cooper. Davies isn't good enough. Not sure who may be willing to come in as #2.

Don't think clubs will loan players out to sit on bench and would cost a lot of money to buy just to sit on bench.

 

[finlaytheblade]

Don't think clubs will loan players out to sit on bench and would cost a lot of money to buy just to sit on bench.

If Wilder is as forward thinking as I think he is he will take on board any help he can get! That includes AI..
Anyone can see the way recruitment his going! It's about being best at it within budget!!

 

[Blade56]

I think there are 3 or 4 "no Brainer" out of contract players we should look to bring in.

But are there such things as no brainers?

If new owners do it right they need to select a back room team and a head coach that can drag the club into the modern era of business, technology, finance, infrastructure, investment, asset management all focused on to the pitch.

When the right person is selected they set about changing the fitness, recruitment, processes and procedures with the club. Then they select the players to deliver their style of play, their tactics, theirs and the clubs targets etc.

Just grabbing an available managers name from the hat (let’s say Cooper) and any 3 or 4 half decent free players, then appointing a manager to try and get them to fit his system is the way we’ve been doing it for yonks. It’s nearly worked, we’ve grafted up the leagues and flirted with the PL. But it’s not enough, that models busted, we can’t get up and stay up!

We’re becoming hated due to attitudes and personalities within the club. There’s no ‘I’ in team and this club at the moment is all about one man.

I don’t have the answer to who the new forwards thinking manager should be that’s the boards job. I’m a businessman (was) and my job was to get the right people in place, give them the tools and backing and objectives and make sure they’re delivering, otherwise take action.

We must have got some of the world leading 21st century minds and technologies at our disposal to bring us success, not a crate of Peroni and a funny song about sausage rolls. Time to utilise all that tallent.

 

[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

Agree with what you're saying - I still think there are some top quality championship free agents who should be able to do a job in any system under any manager (within reason). But yes any potential new manager should have sign off on these.

I'm 100% behind progressive recruitment but we need to balance that with players that know the league and country.

 

[ancientblade]

But are there such things as no brainers?

If new owners do it right they need to select a back room team and a head coach that can drag the club into the modern era of business, technology, finance, infrastructure, investment, asset management all focused on to the pitch.

When the right person is selected they set about changing the fitness, recruitment, processes and procedures with the club. Then they select the players to deliver their style of play, their tactics, theirs and the clubs targets etc.

Just grabbing an available managers name from the hat (let’s say Cooper) and any 3 or 4 half decent free players, then appointing a manager to try and get them to fit his system is the way we’ve been doing it for yonks. It’s nearly worked, we’ve grafted up the leagues and flirted with the PL. But it’s not enough, that models busted, we can get up and stay up!

We’re becoming hated due to attitudes and personalities within the club. There’s no ‘I’ in team and this club at the moment is all about one man.

I don’t have the answer to who the new forwards thinking manager should be that’s the boards job. I’m a businessman (was) and my job was to get the right people in place, give them the tools and backing and objectives and make sure they’re delivering, otherwise take action.

We must have got some of the world leading 21st century minds and technologies at our disposal to bring us success, not a crate of Peroni and a funny song about sausage rolls. Time to utilise all that tallent.

some good points there 56 i think if chris stays he has to step back a bit from this bladey bladey thing its becoming more important than managing the team or thats what it looks like to me and hes getting pelters for it not only from pig fans but fans of other clubs personally im slightly leaning towards a change at the top i think it could be the right time for a change of tactical ideas with a younger more progressive manager

 

[Yogi]

If as it appears Thomas is attracting more enticing interest from the prem, Doyle has been tied up by Wrexham and Hughes’ price tag is ludicrous then it could be time to looks at other sensible CB targets.

Selles has said he wants Championship experience and let’s assume we have the Thomas money maybe a bit more to spend so somewhere around 5-6 million rising to around 10 in add ons. These would be my suggestions.

Ben Wilmot - 25 Stoke highly rated as a youngster when he moved to Watford but struggled to find a home before joining Stoke and becoming a mainstay in recent years. Not necessarily exciting but he’s a Championship level player who’s a good age and hopefully entering his prime.

Luke Woolfenden - 26 Ipswich long time target of Wilders proven at this level but frustrated now at Ipswich by players they’ve signed ahead of him.

Liam Kitching - 25 Coventry the other Coventry CB and partner to Thomas formerly of Barnsley and Leeds

 

[Bladeinleeds]

If as it appears Thomas is attracting more enticing interest from the prem, Doyle has been tied up by Wrexham and Hughes’ price tag is ludicrous then it could be time to looks at other sensible CB targets.

Selles has said he wants Championship experience and let’s assume we have the Thomas money maybe a bit more to spend so somewhere around 5-6 million rising to around 10 in add ons. These would be my suggestions.

Ben Wilmot - 25 Stoke highly rated as a youngster when he moved to Watford but struggled to find a home before joining Stoke and becoming a mainstay in recent years. Not necessarily exciting but he’s a Championship level player who’s a good age and hopefully entering his prime.

Luke Woolfenden - 26 Ipswich long time target of Wilders proven at this level but frustrated now at Ipswich by players they’ve signed ahead of him.

Liam Kitching - 25 Coventry the other Coventry CB and partner to Thomas formerly of Barnsley and Leeds

Woolfenden would be a good addition imo. Would have been ideal to get him when we were PL and they were league 1

Decent age, plenty of experience. Would feel like a solid Egan like signing for this level.

 

[ancientblade]

Woolfenden would be a good addition imo. Would have been ideal to get him when we were PL and they were league 1

Decent age, plenty of experience. Would feel like a solid Egan like signing for this level.

yes i agree seems woolfenden isnt happy would be a good signing him thomas and zatterson and were covered at centre back robbo can be 5th choice

 

[finlaytheblade]

yes i agree seems woolfenden isnt happy would be a good signing him thomas and zatterson and were covered at centre back robbo can be 5th choice

Ben Mee would be a great signing his experience would be invaluable
To add to the squad.

 

[billyblademan]

Caleb Taylor 22 CB at West Brom he’s been on loan at Wycombe this year and done very well in a good league one side. He’s been successful in all his loans and at 22 he’s hitting that age where CB’s really start to establish themselves.

He’s also dominant in the air ranking in the 99th percentile for aerial duels won by league one CB’s this season if that’s something we’re looking to add and it should be given how much the loss of Souttar impacted us then this lad is a domestic target who can give us that on an upward career trajectory and who could be a long term asset for the club.

Now I can’t see West Brom letting him leave cheap but given he isn’t established for them and hasn’t yet cut his teeth in the Championship I reckon he’d be in budget.

What happened to this lad Yogi ?

 

[Yogi]

What happened to this lad Yogi ?

Still at Westbrom played in the cup but not in the league looks like he’s in their squad but not a starter this year.

 

[MayorOJC]

Just going to list a few stand-outs from the start of the season, in case a Sheffield United scout is desperately searching forums mid-panic attack.

CB

Christ Makosso (21) - Luton: Having an excellent start to life in League One. Luton fans love him. Still a bit raw, but currently keeping the £10m man McGuinness out the team.

Ethan Pye (22) - Stockport: Already mentioned on here, but it's a great call. Very consistent, reliable centre-back - would be very surprised if he isn't playing Championship football next season. Left footed too.


RB

Perry Ng (29) - Cardiff: Dependable, experienced right-back at Championship level. Does a bit of everything at a 7/10 level. Bit older than I'd like us to go for, but would get us through the season at the very least.

Harrison Ashby (23) - Newcastle: Spent the last season on loan at QPR where he was steady, without catching much attention. That said, he was forced out-of-position, playing as a right footed left-back. Not a chance of getting past Livramento, Trippier and Krafth for Newcastle, so will need a new permanent home.


CDM

Alex Robertson (22) - Cardiff: This kid is great and will be a stand-out player in League One this season. Peck with shooting boots.


RW

Romain Esse (20) - Crystal Palace (Loan): This is the standard of loan we need. Barely given a sniff at Palace, who prefer to use a wing-back system. Too good to be rotting in Premier League reserve games.

Tyrique George (19) - Chelsea (Loan): Very highly thought of by Chelsea, but now behind Neto, Estevao and Sterling in the pecking order.

Tom Watson (19) - Brighton (Loan): Too soon? Won't be getting near the Brighton squad this season with Minteh and Buonanotte in his way. He kind of owes us.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Just going to list a few stand-outs from the start of the season, in case a Sheffield United scout is desperately searching forums mid-panic attack.

CB

Christ Makosso (21) - Luton: Having an excellent start to life in League One. Luton fans love him. Still a bit raw, but currently keeping the £10m man McGuinness out the team.

Ethan Pye (22) - Stockport: Already mentioned on here, but it's a great call. Very consistent, reliable centre-back - would be very surprised if he isn't playing Championship football next season. Left footed too.


RB

Perry Ng (29) - Cardiff: Dependable, experienced right-back at Championship level. Does a bit of everything at a 7/10 level. Bit older than I'd like us to go for, but would get us through the season at the very least.

Harrison Ashby (23) - Newcastle: Spent the last season on loan at QPR where he was steady, without catching much attention. That said, he was forced out-of-position, playing as a right footed left-back. Not a chance of getting past Livramento, Trippier and Krafth for Newcastle, so will need a new permanent home.


CDM

Alex Robertson (22) - Cardiff: This kid is great and will be a stand-out player in League One this season. Peck with shooting boots.


RW

Romain Esse (20) - Crystal Palace (Loan): This is the standard of loan we need. Barely given a sniff at Palace, who prefer to use a wing-back system. Too good to be rotting in Premier League reserve games.

Tyrique George (19) - Chelsea (Loan): Very highly thought of by Chelsea, but now behind Neto, Estevao and Sterling in the pecking order.

Tom Watson (19) - Brighton (Loan): Too soon? Won't be getting near the Brighton squad this season with Minteh and Buonanotte in his way. He kind of owes us.

Esse is a great shout for a loan. Int he a better prospect than Rak-Sakyi?

 

[Balham]

Esse is a great shout for a loan. Int he a better prospect than Rak-Sakyi?

Esse will get a lot more game time when Eze departs for North London. Not a chance of him leaving Palace.

 

[MayorOJC]

Esse will get a lot more game time when Eze departs for North London. Not a chance of him leaving Palace.

They're signing El Khannouss to replace Eze