Out of Contract Players

[robbiez666]

We have a fair number of players out of contract this summer. With the financial situation as it is, we've not offered anyone a new contract. This might work in our favour (as we might know which league we're playing in next season) but some of the players must be getting a bit twitchy given it's their financial future.

So, which ones would you keep? I'm going to assume that the financial position we're in next season won't be greatly different even if we are taken over. If we go up, we'll probably spend a fair proportion of the TV money. If we don't, then we'll be operating a smaller squad and trying to cut costs.

Norwood - No brainer really, regardless of which league we're playing in. The only issue might be around contract length. He'll be 32 by the end of the season and no doubt want a 2-year extension. Has to be a question whether a 33/34 year old Norwood could deliver in the Premier League.
Sharp - This might be controversial but I think this should probably be Billy's last season with us as a player. If we go up, he's nowhere near good enough anymore. I think the same goes in this league. If we don't go up, then I still think we shouldn't renew. He's not really adding that much at the moment and we would likely be cutting number next season.
McBurnie - I think this is another no brainer. There's a question mark over whether he can do it at the top level but it would be madness to to offer a new contract.
Osborn - I don't think he's in anyway good enough for the top flight. However, if we have another season in the Championship it would make sense to extend his contract. We'll have a smaller squad and he's invaluable as someone who can cover a number of positions. I'd probably only want to offer him another year though and he might be looking for more.
Foderingham - He's obviously good enough to be our number 1 at this level. I have my doubts whether he is in the EPL, but I suspect he would start in the first team regardless. If not, he's certainly a reliable back-up.
Robinson - Similar to Osborn. If we go up, he's not good enough. If we have another season in the Championship then he's a good option as a back-up.
Stevens - 33 in summer and can't stay fit. This decision is a no-brainer.
Fleck - Similar to Stevens really. He's looked a shadow of himself this season and 32 this summer. Nowhere near good enough for the top flight and I feel we can't really carry him as a squad player.
Not going to mention Jack, because I think the answer to that is obvious.

This would leave us with a EPL squad of:


Foderingham, Davies
RND, Lowe, Baldock, Bogle, Egan, Basham, Anel
Norwood, Berge, Coulibaly
McBurnie, Brewster, Jebbison, Ndiaye

We would have a lot of players in the last year of their contracts, including Ndiaye, Berge and Egan.

 

[Sheffsteel]

but some of the players must be getting a bit twitchy given it's their financial future.

History shows that when a player is playing for a contract........they always seem to perform better.
Also there's no risk on our part delaying this because non of the players will attract premier league interest.
Accept that several Championship clubs will be interested and offer them contracts
but if we are prompted then we can easily blow any Championship club out of the water.

Regards decisions on our players who are out of contract there are too many unknown variables.

If the new owner is really ambitious then he might set his sites higher with new improved players. So it depends on our options.
I would probably keep just Norwood and McBurnie but wouldn't expect either to be regulars so wouldn't offer them too much.

 

[Bennyand the Blades]

Not a lot of incentive to win promotion for a number of our players there then...

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Coulibaly contract is up aswell.

What's Jebbison and Osula got left?

 

[Sheffsteel]

Not a lot of incentive to win promotion for a number of our players there then...

The incentive of playing well is that potentially they will be playing in the PL with us or at a decent Championship club next season on half decent wages

where as downing tools, playing poorly, will mean only the lower level Championship clubs (ie a Rotherham)
and league 1 clubs will be interested in them, offering much lower wages.

 

[robbiez666]

Coulibaly contract is up aswell.

What's Jebbison and Osula got left?

I thought Coulibaly had another year? It would be mad if he didn't because we couldn't extend as he'd never qualify for a work permit. He was initially meant to be on loan to Beerschot for 3 years (which would have ended this summer) but I thought we signed him for longer?

I think you might be right about the other two. Which would mean another club can come in and sign them. Add in Arblaster, Brooks, Amissah, Seriki and Gordon, I think.

edit: The Athletic has Jebbo contracted to us until 2024. Star reckons Seriki, Gordon and Amissah's are up this summer. They signed the same time as Jebbo and Arblaster so no idea regarding the latter.

 

[robbiez666]

The incentive of playing well is that potentially they will be playing in the PL with us or at a decent Championship club next season on half decent wages

where as downing tools, playing poorly, will mean only the lower level Championship clubs (ie a Rotherham)
and league 1 clubs will be interested in them, offering much lower wages.

Agreed. If any of them have a great end to the season they'll likely earn a new contract whichever league we're in. Unless we have loads of money, then maybe not, but we're not going to have loads of money by the look of it.

 

[nopigfansintown]

You secure your young assets regardless of division to protect their value if you have the chance. Ndiaye, Jebbo, Osula, Berge, Mcburnie, Bogle, RND, Anel, Coulibally(?),
(a load of kids too).

The senior pros are much more debatable and will depend on current performance, age, divisional status, injury record etc. The players I'd be surprised to see move on are Basham, Wes, Lowe, Egan, Baldock. Norwood . The rest would depend on the division and the scale of ambition.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Big summer ahead then, I think more will be let go if we reach the PL. Gordon and Sekiri had promise but I don't think Hecky rates em enough or they'd have a longer contract.

 

[Blademan18891889]

Mcburnie has to be offered a new deal. Be silly not to offer coulibaly one too. Norwood isn't up to premier league football so that's a debatable one if we go up as he obviously is a very good championship player. The rest I wouldn't off any new deals too.

 

[Hackey Blade]

According to the star, the 12 players out of contract are, Stevens, Fleck, O'Connell, McBurnie, Sharp, Norwood, Foderingham, Robinson, Osborn, Gordon, Amissah & Seriki.
Not sure whats going on with Coulibally see link

 

[robbiez666]

Mcburnie has to be offered a new deal. Be silly not to offer coulibaly one too. Norwood isn't up to premier league football so that's a debatable one if we go up as he obviously is a very good championship player. The rest I wouldn't off any new deals too.

I'm no expert and I don't actually think he's out of contract this summer, but Coulibaly would not get a work permit. Given we apparently turned down offers for him while he was on loan, I'm surprised we didn't try to sell him in January.

 

[Charlieblade]

Most players just want to do what they enjoy most. Playing regularly and enjoying their twilight years.
Didzy is a prime example, scoring goals, and playing football. It is likely to be on lower wages, or even performance related pay, but it still meets their needs,

The smart ones will have secured their future financially but not many of us would turndown 2k a week for doing something they absolutely love anyway. Not many will want to take on a pub, or a window cleaning round as an alternative.

For younger players like N’diaye, Ahmedhodzic and Berge, the best place for financial and football rewards are in the PL.

United cannot sustain PL status or wages, so the future is probably elsewhere. Some players will stay at the lane, but not many. Others will do a Didzy, but not many have the gifts he has. Others might settle for reality, especially if they get a decent wedge for doing what they love.

Who would choose the shelf life of a pro footballer eh?

 

[Snowflake]

Not a lot of incentive to win promotion for a number of our players there then...

Other than the bonus for getting promoted and having promotions on their cv

 

[Houston_Blade]

Keep Norwood and make sure Ndiaye gets a new contract, Foderingham as a back up, the rest can go.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Most players just want to do what they enjoy most. Playing regularly and enjoying their twilight years.
Didzy is a prime example, scoring goals, and playing football. It is likely to be on lower wages, or even performance related pay, but it still meets their needs,

The smart ones will have secured their future financially but not many of us would turndown 2k a week for doing something they absolutely love anyway. Not many will want to take on a pub, or a window cleaning round as an alternative.

For younger players like N’diaye, Ahmedhodzic and Berge, the best place for financial and football rewards are in the PL.

United cannot sustain PL status or wages, so the future is probably elsewhere. Some players will stay at the lane, but not many. Others will do a Didzy, but not many have the gifts he has. Others might settle for reality, especially if they get a decent wedge for doing what they love.

Who would choose the shelf life of a pro footballer eh?

I dunno…I’d give it a go for 6 months.

 

[Rufus Smalls]

I’m going to be unpopular by saying this but, if we don’t go up and stay in the Championship, why keep hold of the players that are clearly not good enough ? Keeping players another year to maybe fail again in the same league is not ‘building for the future’ type thinking. Clear out the players who aren’t going to be with us for the next 2-3 seasons and start again. Even if it means a further year or two in the Championship. We seriously need to rethink the type of players we can develop or buy to take us to the next level.

 

[Groucho Blade]

Players in the last year of their contract don’t always give 100%.
Lundstram never broke sweat, did he?
Hoping they’ll play for a new contract is a dangerous game

 

[Nick Jansky]

Not a lot of incentive to win promotion for a number of our players there then...

The promotion bonus will be a pretty big incentive.

 

[brownblade]

Not a lot of incentive to win promotion for a number of our players there then...

The glory, the celebrations, the medal, a level of infamy with our fanbase, something to tell the grandkids, general happiness and sense of achievement...

 

[brownblade]

I’m going to be unpopular by saying this but, if we don’t go up and stay in the Championship, why keep hold of the players that are clearly not good enough ? Keeping players another year to maybe fail again in the same league is not ‘building for the future’ type thinking. Clear out the players who aren’t going to be with us for the next 2-3 seasons and start again. Even if it means a further year or two in the Championship. We seriously need to rethink the type of players we can develop or buy to take us to the next level.

OP didn't want to keep everyone.

I'd argue that it's probably easier and a more reliable investment to keep an average/decent player that knows the club already... Than sign someone else that's probably not going to be a world beater either and might never even settle. Specifically Osborn and Robinson.

P.S. We're 2nd in the Championship, nobody is THAT bad.

 

[Charlieblade]

I dunno…I’d give it a go for 6 months.

As a player or a window cleaner?

 

[Champagneblade]

You take a look at the 25 man squad you'd like and I think you get your answers:

G: New signing 1, Foderingham, Davies
RWB: Bogle, Baldock
LWB: New signing 2, Lowe
CB: Ahmedhodžić, Egan, Norrington-Davies, Basham, New Signing 3, Robinson
CM: Berge, Norwood, New signing 4, Coulibaly, New signing 5, New signing 6
CF: Ndiaye, McBurnie, New signing 7, Brewster, Jebbison, Sharp

New signing 1 - someone like Dieng, Bayandir
New signing 2 - depending on where RND plays, someone like Kolasinac who could play LCB or LWB
New signing 3 - someone who could play CB or RCB, maybe also RB. Though he signed a new deal, someone like Dennis Hadzikadunic, who signed a new deal but ought to be affordable and would allow Anel to move to CB if Egan unavailable.
New signing 4 - someone to play deeper with or instead of Norwood or Berge, maybe Doyle or maybe looking at soon to be out of contract players Stijn Spierings of Toulouse.
New signing 5 - Someone like O'Brien who can break lines. Or again taking Toulouse as an example Branco Van den Boomen another out of contract player who gets forward and scores goals.
New signing 6 - someone who can be a winger or attacking midfielder or number 10 type, perhaps resign McAtee or look at Ryan Kent. Bit of a maverik. Remember we have 9 subs in the PL.
New signing 7 - a forward who can be a physical nuissance. Perhaps Pukki of Norwich don't go up, Morelos another. Think there are a few. Osula would be out on loan.

So my scouting has been limited to Toulouse, Rangers, Man City, Bosnia and Championship heros!

So:
Foderingham - keep - but probably as back up.
Norwood - keep - as a starter.
Robinson - keep - but as back up
Sharp - keep - but as 6th choice and start to integrate him into coaching. Who else would join as 6th choice? Probably play in league cup etc and retain his experience.
Osborn - unless he has a tremendous end to the season I don't see how he gets anywhere near the team if we go up. If all were fit he wouldn't make the squad this season.
Stevens - if we stayed down and signed less then you might consider one more year but us stepping up and him winding down is not a good combo.
Fleck - all depends on how he ends the season and what sort of signings we can make. Ordinarily I'd say let go but if we end up struggling to get a 5th choice CM, then maybe he gets a year's reprieve.

 

[FatPaul]

I'd keep Robinson for sure.

 

[robbiez666]

I was thinking today that the players whose contracts run out this summer must be impacted by it. Whether it's trying too hard to impress or looking elsewhere so losing focus. I know Osborn mentioned it in an interview recently. Robbo seems to be doing his best to get sent off for fighting. Norwood having a bad spell. Osborn seems to be trying too hard. Even Wes is starting to make basic mistakes.

It's easy to think of footballers as millionaires who would be happy to run a contract down and then pick and choose but losing that financial security in summer must weigh on your mind. After all they have families, kids, mortgages etc. If they get a serious injury then they'll have no income.

It might explain some of the current issues.

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Obviously depending on division, it will be interesting who gets new deals. I make that 10 out of contract and 3 loans returning.
(13)

No matter what division we are in, we will need at least 4/5 to come straight into the first team.

Wes, Robinson, JOC, Stevens, Osborn, Norwood, Fleck, Couilbaly, Sharp, McBurnie (12 months probably be triggered McB)

Clark, Doyle, McAtee

 

[Bladesman]

 

[Ndiayewillalwaysloveyou]

Should be more than them two.

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Hopefully it's not to late.

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

Should be more than them two.

Hopefully implies that we have ‘options’ on others - especially ‘Furious’