Experienced goal-getter incoming, youth starlet remaining and defensive reinforcements would mean a dream summer for Valiants boss
Port Vale will be hoping to bounce straight back to League One at the first time of asking, but boss Darren Moore has the unenviable task of reshaping his squad with a limited budget.
With 16 first-team players still under contract, Moore will need to see players leave if he is to completely overhaul a squad which struggled at both ends of the pitch as they were relegated last season.
However, Vale have already shown ambition in the transfer market, announcing the signing of former Portsmouth winger Ronan Curtis on a three-year-deal. Vale fans will be hoping he is the first of many ambitious announcements that sets Moore and his squad up nicely for a promotion push.
Seb Short, a reporter for Port Vale, examines three more decisions the Vale administration may make that would make Moore very happy.
Jordan Rhodes coup
This would undoubtedly be a real coup for Port Vale, but signing someone of the calibre of Jordan Rhodes would send shockwaves through League Two, and would surely see a huge increase in season ticket sales at Vale Park in pre-season.
With the release of James Wilson, and with the news that Uche Ikpeazu has not taken up Vale’s contract offer and has instead signed for St Johnstone, Vale will be desperate for a proven goalscorer – and none come more proven than the 244 goal 34-year-old former Blackburn and Middlesbrough man.
Rhodes and Moore worked together briefly in a three-month spell at Sheffield Wednesday. Rhodes made eight starts and five substitute appearances, scoring three goals, in Moore’s 13 games in charge. But it wasn’t enough to keep the Owls in the Championship, and out-of-contract Rhodes left to re-sign for the club where he made his name, Huddersfield Town.
Before finding himself sent on loan from parent club Huddersfield to Blackpool last season, Rhodes played in the Championship for 13 straight seasons.
Paradoxically, after Rhodes’ season-long loan, Moore took over as the Terriers’ manager and mentioned bringing Rhodes back from his leave. But Rhodes finished the season with 15 goals at the Seasiders after Moore was fired prior to the January transfer window closing.
Now that Rhodes’ contract has expired once more, a number of teams, including Blackpool, will undoubtedly be vying for his signature. However, Vale may have the finest offensive trio in the fourth division if Moore can guarantee the Scottish international a regular starting spot and pair him with players like Ronan Curtis and Baylee Dipepa.
Baylee Dipepa retained (in some form)
Undoubtedly the high point of Port Vale’s miserable previous season was the development of a 17-year-old striker who was raised locally.
After scoring four goals for the England under-17 team and three goals in League One, Dipepa is being connected to a number of elite clubs around Europe, including West Ham United and Manchester United.But when he got his first international call-up, Dipepa seemed quite grounded, telling the Port Vale website about his “good relationships with people” at the club.
Although the young player still has two years left on his current contract, owner Carol Shanahan may find it difficult to turn down a sizable offer for Dipepa.
Given that Dipepa won’t be 18 until January 2025, major league teams might wait to make a major investment until after he has played for one more season. Alternatively, Vale can cash in but ask for a return of the debt.
Vale, though, is hoping Dipepa stays. Chief Executive Matt Hancock stated that Boss Moore was getting ready to start the season with Dipepa in an interview with The Valiant.
He declared: “He is very much a Port Vale player, according to the club’s position. We adore him, his family, and everything that he
“Over the past few years, he has made incredible progress. It has been amazing to witness his strength, work ethic, and passion for the game of football—scoring goals is what truly defines one’s worth.
“We are aware that interest will exist. To be quite honest, I know that Darren is preparing for a season in which Baylee will be a member of our first-team squad, but there have been no formal approaches.”
A new centre-back
Moore will undoubtedly want to tighten up his flimsy defense if the Valiants can stabilize their assault and hang onto their current creative players, including Ethan Chislett and Ben Garrity.
Last season, Nathan Smith struggled mightily as he was paired at the back with unproven League One players Kofi Balmer, Jesse Debrah, and Alex Iacovitti.
Moore has to keep a look out for capable defenders with League One and League Two experience, like the recently released Irishman Warren O’Hora from MK Dons.
O’Hora has amassed 150 appearances across the two divisions in five seasons with the Dons, and like Rhodes, will surely have a host of clubs to choose from.
At just 25, he would fit the profile that Port Vale are looking for, being able to sign a multi-year contract like Ronan Curtis.
It remains to be seen whether Moore favours a four or five man defence – he tried both towards the end of last season – but a trusted campaigner like O’Hora must be high up on the list if Vale are to offer better protection to goalkeeper Connor Ripley.
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