AFC Wimbledon have started the summer window positively, moving on players that were not getting a look in under Johnnie Jackson, and bringing in four fresh faces.
However, the summer transfer window is still young and there will be many more signings and departures made in that time.
In this piece, FLW previews departures that perhaps need to happen at the club, as well as what could be done to resolve general squad issues before August 30th.
James Tilley decision to be made
As stated in the headline, this piece is previewing ‘issues’, and while Tilley certainly does not fit into that category, he is still a puzzle that really needs to be solved over the course of pre-season and the remainder of the transfer window.
The former Brighton and Hove Albion youngster only joined Wimbledon last summer, but this summer could already spell the end of his time at the Dons.
Though his stellar play in the first half of the 23/24 season should have kept him at the club, his terrible form decline and subsequent expulsion from the team have left the Dons with a problem player. Six months ago, this would have looked improbable.
During the 22–23 League Two season, the wide player tallied seven goals and four assists. However, Tilley’s goal involvements have decreased after October 2023, and he hasn’t appeared to be as influential when playing for the squad since then.
His left foot is stronger than his right, but he prefers to play on the right, so he usually cuts inside to slow down attempts. The Dons have deadly strikers in the box, so sometimes a delayed cross is just what’s required.
Even though the Dons are aware of Tilley’s obvious talent, it might be time to let him go if Jackson abandons his preferred 4-4-2 formation during the preseason and chooses a system that means Tilley won’t be guaranteed a starting spot.
He will be available for a cost; it remains to be seen if that means the club will make money off of his signing for an undisclosed sum, but it will now also be
Sourcing Huseyin Biler replacement
Biler, unlike Tilley, is definitely an issue that needs sorting for the Dons.
The young right-back broke through into the Dons starting XI in the 2022/23 season, and won fans over quickly with dogged, determined performances despite his diminutive size and stature.
He was an exciting option down the right-hand side for the Dons, as he was comfortable on both feet, and had lightning quick pace, meaning he was excellent in attack and defence.
However, multiple, small injuries meant he lost some of his pace over the remainder of 2022/23 and into 2023/24, meaning he was often overlooked, with Jackson placing his faith in Isaac Ogundere instead.
These injuries were then combined with a silly red card in the away fixture to MK Dons, which meant that following that defeat, Biler rarely featured.
When Wimbledon revealed at the end of 23/24 that Biler had been offered a new contract, some supporters probably hoped he would leave instead, as the young defender was becoming an increasing liability due to his attitude and fitness—something that cannot be tolerated in a team that was vying for promotion.
Nevertheless, Biler is likely to be traveling to Turkey despite having this offer on the table. According to Turkish media agency Anadolu, Biler is scheduled to relocate to Genclerbirligi.
The Dons’ current dilemma is replacing him, and their best chance of doing so is trading for a young
Temptation to cash-in on Jack Currie
Perhaps the biggest player problem the Dons are facing is Jack Currie, a fan favorite.
The left-back made his breakthrough during the 22/23 preseason two seasons ago, and he appeared to be headed for superstardom for the Dons when, in a 2-0 victory over Gillingham on his full professional debut, he scored an incredible header and preserved a clean sheet.
For the remainder of that season and into 23/24, he continued his incredible form, establishing himself as one of League Two’s most exciting prospects and possibly the greatest left-back in the division with his daring exploits.
Currie only has one year left on his contract after an extension was triggered at the end of 23/24. The Dons know they can get a fee for him because the academy product has previously been linked to teams like Coventry City and Bristol City, but the question will be how much they hold out for.
If they want to ensure they get paid for the 22-year-old, they could let Currie go for far less than his valuation, but considering how well he has played in his two years at the club thus far, it is probable that his valuation will be close to seven figures, a price that some clubs are willing to pay.
The main problem is that Wimbledon, both staff and supporters, will have to get ready to say farewell to Currie this summer. He will probably be off this summer despite the fact that he will probably be a major part of what Johnnie Jackson has planned for next season; the chance to receive money for a player who has only cost his salary is simply too alluring.
Leave a Reply