What Oxford United Need In the Summer Transfer Window
Following the announcement of their retained list, we have taken a look at where Oxford United need to strengthen during the transfer window.
Left-back Joe Bennett and midfielder Josh McEachran were the only two senior players to depart, while Max Woltman, Eddie Brearey and George Franklin also left following the expiry of their contracts.
In addition, Przemysław Płacheta triggered an extension to his contract for a further year. One-year extensions have also been taken up by Richard McIntyre and Aidan Elliott-Wheeler.
The club have also taken up the option of a one-year extension for Gatlin O’Donkor while offering the forward a new long-term deal. Goalkeeper Matt Ingram has also been offered a new contract.
What Oxford United Need to Do In the Summer Transfer Window
Left-Back
Having released 35-year-old Joe Bennett, left-back could be an area in which Oxford United may look to strengthen, but will they?
Greg Leigh made the position his own when Bennett was sidelined through injury and ended up as the joint-top goalscorer alongside Mark Harris with six goals.
The U’s will also welcome back Jack Currie following a successful loan spell with Leyton Orient and the youngster will be looking to cement a regular spot for himself.
Despite that, Oxford have been linked with Charlton left-back Thierry Small in recent weeks.
Centre-Back
After Ben Nelson returned to Leicester following a successful loan spell, the U’s may look to strengthen at centre-back.
However, Gary Rowett does have Player’s and Supporter’s Player of the Year Ciaron Brown, club captain Elliott Moore and January signing Michal Helik at his disposal, although it’s likely the club will be looking to recruit a younger, ball-playing defender in the mould of Nelson.
They do have Stephan Negru, who returns following a successful loan spell at Salford, but they may look for him to gain some experience in League One first.
Right-Back
Oxford have three right-backs in Sam Long, Hidde ter Avest and Peter Kioso, although the latter appears to have fallen out of favour under the head coach.
Despite that, it’s still an area where the U’s may look to add depth, maybe with a young, progressive wingback to offer more going forward.
Midfield
While Josh McEachran has left, Oxford are still looking to recruit in the middle of the park. Cameron Brannagan and Will Vaulks featured heavily, while Chelsea loanee Alex Matos also came in.
Louie Sibley spent time on loan at Rotherham and Idris El Mizouni rarely featured, so the future of the duo is up in the air.
Therefore it’s an area that the U’s will need to recruit, particularly as Rowett plays with two holding midfielders.
The club are well stacked in the number ten role with the likes of Ole Romeny, Ruben Rodrigues and Tyler Goodrham, but need reinforcements in the deeper position.
Wingers
Another area of the pitch that Oxford are well stocked is in the wide areas but there’s no doubt that Gary Rowett will look to add some new faces.
The likes of Przemyslaw Placheta, Siriki Dembele and Matt Phillips didn’t contribute a whole lot over the course of the campaign so the head coach may be looking for a mix of youth and experience to help in this position.
They did bring in Stan Mills in January and he’ll be looking for more minutes next season, while the future of Owen Dale, who spent time on loan at Wigan, is uncertain.
Striker
A striker is another position the U’s will be looking to recruit. Mark Harris was the top scorer last season with just six, while January addition Tom Bradshaw struggled with injuries and failed to find the net.
The club also had two forwards out on loan – Will Goodwin struggled at Wigan while Gatlin O’Donkor did reasonably well at Bristol Rovers, with the latter also signing a new deal.
While a move away looks likely again for the duo, it will be interesting to see if O’Donkor could play a part in yellow, but that will depend on any new arrivals as much as anything.
On arrivals, the U’s have been linked with Barnsley striker, Davis Keillor-Dunn.
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