FLW takes a look at 5 players out of contract in 2024 that Millwall could realistically consider in January.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Millwall’s season could be transformed by the January transfer window, and Joe Edwards must make the right signings.
- Charlie Goode and James Tomkins would be valuable additions to Millwall’s defense, providing experience and depth.
- Lukas Jutkiewicz and Dwight Gayle could offer much-needed attacking reinforcements for Millwall, improving their goal-scoring record.
Millwall have struggled for form for a large portion of this campaign, so January may be coming at the perfect time.
In October 2023, after a mixed bag of results in the Championship, Manager, Gary Rowett, mutually agreed to part company with Millwall after four years with the club. Under three weeks later, Joe Edwards was handed his first role in senior management as he arrived at The Den after spending time with England’s U20s.
In the coming weeks, Edwards will have his first transfer window with the club and will no doubt be looking to bring in some strong recruits. Ultimately, the January transfer window could make or break Millwall’s season, so Edwards must get it right after failing to deliver in his first two months in charge.
Today, Football League World takes a look at five players who are out of contract in 2024 that Millwall could consider purchasing for a bargain.
Charlie Goode
Goode’s contract with Brentford is due to expire in the summer of 2024, and with his lack of game time, many clubs should be looking to pick him up for cheap. The 28-year-old centre-back enjoyed a phenomenal 2019/20 campain with Northampton Town, winning the League Two play-off final as well as being included in the PFA League Two Team of the Year.
This ultimately earned him a move to Brentford who went on to earn promotion to the Premier League. His game time with the West London club has been rather limited, mostly due to injuries, but if Millwall and Joe Edwards can get him up to speed and find his 2019/20 form, he would be a coup for the Lions who could do with another centre-half to play in their back three.
James Tomkins
Millwall are lacking in out-and-out defenders and are having to usually play midfielder, Ryan Leonard, in the back three. One man that could fill this gap is Crystal Palace centre-half, James Tomkins. The 34-year-old is now in his eight season with the Eagles, but it appears that his Palace days could be coming to an end, having played just one minute of Premier League football this season.
Tomkins has bundles of experience, especially in the top flight, so would be a reliable figure in a Championship defence. Wages could be an issue though, and of course a move from Palace to Millwall is always likely to cause controversy.
Lukas Jutkiewicz
Millwall could also do with some attacking reinforcements as their goalscoring record this season has been slightly underwhelming. Their top scorer, Kevin Nisbet, has just five goals to his name, followed by Zian Flemming with four.
Jutkiewicz would be a superb coup for the Lions as he has proven before that he can score regular goals in the Championship. For Birmingham City, he has reached double figures in second-tier goals on three occasions, but his game time at St Andrews is now far from regular.
The striker scored in two consecutive games at the start of the season, but has just started just three Championship matches all season and is yet to get off the mark under new boss, Wayne Rooney.
Dwight Gayle
He may be past his best, but Dwight Gayle is out of contract in the summer and there may be a few Championship clubs that would still take him. The 34-year-old has made just four starts for Stoke City this season, but is another who has plenty of Premier League experience.
He may not be the answer to regular goals, but he will certainly be a good person to have in the dressing room and among the attacking options.
Stephen Humphrys
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