This January transfer window could be make or break for Plymouth Argyle’s survival hopes.
Schumacher broke the club record fee twice, bringing in Morgan Whittaker and Bali Mumba on permanent agreements after they excelled on loan during the title-winning season.
The aforementioned combination accounted for a significant portion of the funds invested, although Schumacher is no longer the man patrolling the Home Park technical area.
As January approaches, here are five players whose contracts expire next summer who Plymouth Argyle should consider signing at a discount.
Charlie Goode
Kicking things off in the Premier League and Brentford defender Charlie Goode is the man in question.
Centre-back is a position of need for the Devonshire team given just how porous their defence has been at times, not to mention the injury issues that Brendan Galloway and co have had to deal with.
Goode signed a four-year contract with the option of a one-year extension in 2020, but given his limited playing time for the Bees, a move could be on the cards.
Even in the Championship, he only made eight appearances for Brentford and barely played when on loan at Sheffield United and Blackpool, so a spot in the Argyle squad as a rotation player would be beneficial to all sides.
Daniel Jebbison
Centre-back is one position of need and the other that has to be addressed is at the other end of the field, upfront.
Daniel Jebbison has been in the top-flight with Sheffield United on two separate occasions and he hasn’t been an important figure either time, playing just 284 minutes the first time around.
Meanwhile, on the south coast, Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu were both injured in the recent win against Rotherham United, and Ben Waine isn’t regarded as a suitable alternative to lead the line.
Combining all of this information, the Pilgrims pursuing Jebbison makes sense, especially given that the youngster’s contract expires next year.
Devante Cole
Devante Cole is another possible candidate for a new striker at Home Park.
In contrast to Jebbison, he is currently flourishing in League One, with 12 goals and two assists to his name (as of December 21st).
The Barnsley forward took off like a rocket at the start of the season, and he has already surpassed his tally from last season.
Cole does have Championship experience, however he only scored one goal in 24 appearances in 2021/22.
This could be a minor issue, but he has certainly improved his game since moving down a division, so he could be ready to rebound.
Wes Harding is the only player on this list who is currently playing in the same division as Plymouth Argyle.
He was a regular in the EFL for Birmingham City and Rotherham United before joining Millwall this season.
The Jamaican international only penned a deal lasting a single season though and so could be available, when the transfer window opens, for a pre-contract agreement, or to be snapped up for a smaller fee there and then.
Clinton Mola
Clinton Mola is the third defensive option on this list, demonstrating how weak the Argyle defence has been this season.
Only three teams had a lower xGa than Home Park at the time of writing, which will worry the powers that be at Home Park.
Mola, like Harding, has signed a one-year contract with his current club, Reading, but he has played significantly less for the Royals than Harding has for the Lions.
He is just 22 and has versatility on his side so, again, if Argyle are looking to bolster the backline, this England U21 international is a potential target.
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