The Recruitment Game — Pre-Retained List Summary / Options
Introduction:
Season 2023–24 is over.
Bristol City end the season in 11th place, improving on 2022–23 by three places, 3 points (62 v 59) and with a positive goal difference (+2 vs -1), and had its usual ups and downs, a manager change, but by and large a stable squad.
This article will try to focus on the potential ins and outs that City fans might see. There will be little diving into the tactics, as I think the mix we’ve seen under Liam Manning has had good bits and bad bits, nor do we know exactly what we will see in 2024–25. Recruitment in and out may drive that!
Recruitment During the Winter Window:
City’s recruitment team tried to get ahead of the game by signing three players in the winter window on permanent deals, Adam Murphy from St. Patrick’s, Josh Stokes from Aldershot and Max Bird from Derby County. In the case of Stokes and Bird, both were loaned back to their former clubs for the second half of the season.
Adam Murphy — 19
A central midfielder, predominantly a 6 or 8, but can play as a 10 too. A hot-prospect in Ireland with a full season behind him after an injury-hit 2022, City picked him up for compensation as he was out of contract.
Unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to feature yet due to some niggles following a pre-season here, so it’ll be next season before fans can see if he can push himself into the first-team set-up.
Josh Stokes — 20
A circa £200k signing from National League Aldershot, with an eye for a goal and creative ability. Plays as a 10 or just off the Striker. When Aldershot have had free weeks, he has been training with City, and creating a bit of a buzz around the RHPC if the rumours are true. In a couple of training videos he’s looked very sharp for someone stepping up three levels!
His attacking numbers speak for themselves, and he formed an excellent partnership with Lorent Tolaj as The Shots almost made the play-offs. I think he will initially be seen as an understudy to whoever City bring in at 10, but nor would it surprise me if he makes a real impact next season.
Max Bird — 23
The most well-known of the three signings, winning promotion with Derby, a team who were well placed in January, but Bird still felt the lure of a move to BS3. The fee was of course undisclosed, but with fears of losing him to Scotland for a paltry amount of compensation, City were able to do a deal (my guess, no more than £1m) with the carrot of the loan-back. That avoided a bun-fight for his signature this summer.
Bird will of course be re-united with long-term pal Jason Knight, having come through the Rams ranks from aged 16 together, but also Haydon Roberts, who had a loan there last season.
Bird has mainly played as a 6, many may recall him partnering Rooney in central-midfield at Ashton Gate a few years back. But this season he has played a lot as an 8, and that has been reflected in his best season in terms of goal contributions (6g / 7a). Technically sound, gets about the pitch whilst adds some nice balance with his left foot. Like Knight, 100+ appearances at Championship level, this isn’t a case of a lower league punt, this is a player ready for the challenge.
Outgoing:
Andreas Weimann — 32
Currently on-loan at West Brom and has already intimated that he will move on due to contractual clauses, so unless there has been a huge u-turn, our currently most experienced player in terms of City appearances (216) and goals (51) will be gone. Been an excellent signing overall. Hope he gets proper treatment when the Retained List is announced.
Dire Mebude — 19
On-loan from Belgian Jupiler league Westerlo, with an option-to-buy, 3 sub appearances seems to point that City won’t be taking up that option.
Scott Twine — 24
On-loan from Premier League Burnley. More on him later on.
Andy King — 35
Announced his retirement last week, bowing out from his boyhood supported team with a couple of sub appearances and huge, respectful applause and comments from all fans, teammates and staff alike. A fine career, all the best Kingy!
Out of Contract:
Matty James — 32
One of the most underrated players by fans in my opinion, until he isn’t playing! Doesn’t give the ball away, gets it back through fantastic anticipation, and allows others to be more expansive. The archetypal team-player.
I think this is the hardest one to call from a fans point of view, in terms of whether to retain or not. Several factors at play; age, wage, contract term, etc, plus I expect he will be in demand too. Of course one school of thought is that Max Bird is the man to replace him and is already onboard.
Joe Williams — 27
A player who has had a mixed 4 seasons in BS3 since signing from Wigan for £1.25m. Two years of quad and hamstring issues that started on day one training in 2020. But the last two seasons have allowed fans see what Joe Williams is all about.
Williams is the only player in our midfield with what I’d call a real ‘edge’. He’s the pest opposition teams don’t like, whether that is with his energy and physicality in the tackle or the constant Scouse-verbals. He is the player trying to inject tempo into our passing, and although erratic at times, his bravery on the ball typifies his type. He is hitting his peak years and is effectively a free-transfer, and ought to be seen as one of our top earners in terms of the contract offer on the table. Unfortunately, I suspect a number of other Championship teams see him exactly the same, especially those located near to the North-West birthplace.
I think he will be difficult to replace, and leaving on a free, means unless City can get someone like him also on a free, they will be eating into budget earmarked for elsewhere.
Others:
I expect a number of youngsters will be departing the club, but such is the success of the Academy, there is every opportunity that a number will still forge careers in the pro-game. A few have taken the opportunity to use post-January as a shop window by securing loans elsewhere.
Who Else Might We Lose?
Whilst there is a feeling of this summer being about minor tweaks, there is of course the danger of those horrible Twitter Transfer Aggregators (and the even less reliable Roy DeAlien types) starting to spread stories that x, y and z are after one of City’s players. The most obvious of those is Tommy Conway.
Tommy Conway — 21
Only has one-year left on his contract, and has had an offer(s) on the table for the best part of a year. Due to his age, he wont walk for nothing next summer (2025), but compensation will range from circa £300k if we went to, say, Rangers or Celtic, or a chunk more if he stayed in this country.
Conway, is a sharp-shooter, in a low creating team, and is halfway to making his way onto the honours board with 25 goals for his boyhood club. I’m not too fussed if 5 goals have come from the spot, you’ve still got to tuck them away.
Although I don’t think he is at his best playing on his own up-front, certainly not with two wider support forwards, if City can get players closer to him (even if not in a traditional striking pair) then Conway is a very dangerous opponent. He is generally neat and tidy on the ball, but not overly involved in build-up. He is intelligent is the block / press, and anticipates the poor pass / poor touch from an opponent well. City are one of the best Championship teams in terms of high regains — Conway is a big part of that.
I’m sure Recruitment teams will be monitoring the contract situation very carefully. City will find it hard to resist a bid from the right (wrong!) club.
Cameron Pring — 26
The LB, LBW, LCB is a key member of City’s first team, and is contracted until summer 2026. But I’d be amazed if he’s not got suitors at the ‘top-end’ (vague term!!!) of this division, if not above. He has showed he can mix it with the likes of West Ham in this season’s FA Cup.
Pring is the modern ‘two-way’ full-back / wing-back; powerful, physical, quick, but nimble in one-v-one situations. I like the fact that he is proactive in his defensive recovery runs, and often in winning the ball back he is the springboard to our offence.
Has been part of a very good City defence this season. It is very easy to focus on just Goals Conceded (4th best), but they are underpinned by a set of solid numbers that show the back-4 / back-5 and Max O’Leary have been very effective.
Set-pieces have long been a thorn in City’s side, but City are ranked 2nd (SP goals conceded), 1st (SP xG conceded) and 3rd (SP shots conceded) this season. Pring is strong aerially and on the deck.
He could probably improve his end-product in terms of goals and assists, but you sense that might be the icing on the cake in his fledging partnership with Haydon Roberts.
Whilst Conway and Pring are my main worries, there may be others that might well be elsewhere come next season, but provide trading options, if only from a wages point of view:
Others:
Harry Cornick — 29
Signed in January 2023 on the departure of Chris Martin (not as a replacement for £9m Antoine Semenyo), Cornick hasn’t ever really got going here. That missed one-v-one on debut might have been a sliding doors moment.
For me, he is a player who needs to play alongside a target-man, and feed off of bits and pieces. He is a hard-worker, a trier, and in the right set-up could recreate his partnership of 2021–22 with Elijah Adebayo at Luton, but I’m not sure Harry Cornick will be on our minds (!) next season.
Stefan Bajic — 22
The French stopper has made one appearance for City since arriving from Pau (France Ligue 2) two summers ago, and unfortunately it was a horrid team performance as we bowed out of the Carabao Cup to Lincoln City 3–1.
I’d have to dust off the archives to show his stats from Pau and St.Etienne, so I think it will be au revoir as he seeks a no1 jersey somewhere else, probably back home in France.
Who Might Come In?
This is a complicated jigsaw.
Whilst the City hierarchy are clear that the focus is a 9 and a 10, and in particular the 9 is of the type that has a ‘presence’ but can ‘run the channels’ and ‘press’, that rules out the traditional ‘target-man’ per se, that fans clamour for. The 10 is more simple to describe — a Scott Twine type, like Scott Twine!
The Number 10 / ‘Scott Twine’ type:
It is clear from the two attempts to get him in during the January window, either side of the failed Finn Azaz attempt, plus Liam Manning shoehorning him into every interview (!) that he is City’s number one target for the 10. But as James Piercy (Bristol Post) wrote on 30th April, it wont be an easy deal to complete:
Without going into too much depth into the Manning style, the addition of a technical / passing 10 to accompany a striker and / or play with a running / dribbling 10 (Sykes / Mehmeti) seems clear. So who fits the bill?
Scott Twine — 24 (Burnley)
If we are after a ‘Scott Twine’ type, then Scott Twine, himself, ought to be top of the list!
You undoubtedly get a master set-piece technician, as evidenced by his plethora of goals from direct free-kicks throughout his career, and although he is creative in open play around the box, I do feel he can sometimes be a bit of a luxury in other parts of his game. In a Hull or Burnley team that may be easier to accommodate than Bristol City.
Some of my concerns come from the potential price-tag (alleged £5m) and what that leaves for elsewhere this summer, especially when the likes of Finn Azaz was half that fee in January. At £2.5m I would have a different view. I also think the move for Azaz shows clarity in the the type of 10 required, i.e. a technical / passing 10 referenced earlier. So, if the Recruitment team can work some negotation magic then I think Liam Manning will be delighted, as will virtually every fan, me included, although I’d love to know who City’s other options are.
My other slight annoyance is that City could’ve signed Twine much earlier in his career, and for a fraction of the fee!
However, I don’t think City can let this run the whole summer, Eddie (NotGonnaGetYa) Neketiah style. If City cannot sort early summer, then they must move on. I doubt City will be the only ones after him either!
So who else?
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No surprises here!
Jack Rudoni — 22 (Huddersfield Town)
Most on Twitter or OTIB will know I’m a big fan of the ex-Wimbledon attacking midfielder (almost as much as Jason Knight last summer!). With The Terriers relegated to League One, he is gonna be widely courted.
In a struggling side, he has shone brightly, and has that versatility that may be a huge bonus to Manning, as he will want City to flex between 3421 (two 10s) to 4213 (one 10 two wide forwards). Rudoni can play pretty much anywhere in the midfield and support positions.
He has a lovely left foot, great balance and a range of passing that belies the fact that he plays for pretty much the most direct side in the Championship. And with Huddersfield being a passive pressing team in the main, his ball-winning numbers are very good. His all-round game has really progressed from the raw days at Wimbledon.
As per Twine, another player we could’ve signed earlier for much less than it is gonna cost this summer.
Beyond Rudoni you are starting to enter territory where extracting players from clubs is gonna range from tough to not worth going there, e.g. Frokjaer-Jensen.
The Number 9:
This signing is the hardest to come up with names in the frame, as it appears we are heading into Europe to get some Duty-Free value for money. As I don’t play Football Manager (what kind of fan am I Jon Lansdown!), I am very much data-driven and focused on leagues like Belgium (Jupiler and Challenger Pro), Holland Eredivisie, Spain Segunda, etc. Vizzes at the ready for a rumour from Sweden, Denmark, Germany Bundesliga.2 and even Scotland (I see you Bojan Miovski!).
Some names that fit the Tinnion-brief, not Tinnion’s briefs! In no particular order.
Bojan Miovski — 24 (Aberdeen)
Not a huge presence up-top, but willing runner of channels and 15-goals in a struggling Aberdeen team. The recruitment team will know all about him from watching Ross McCrorie last season.
Personally, I don’t think Scotland will be on Sean Gilhespy’s passport stamps, not this summer anyway.
Troy Parrott — 22 (Excelsior)
Again, those of you on Twitter will know I’m a sucker for a player with Premier League Academy pedigree who hasn’t exactly hit the heights on loan initially. I think there is huge value in monitoring those players over the longer term.
The Tottenham contracted forward had some largely uneventful loans at Millwall, Ipswich and Preston, but showed promise at MK Dons (under guess who?) before having a really good season at Excelsior this campaign. Has a good all-round game, good touch, good link-up and could add to the Irish group at Failand. Fee might be an obstacle, but I’m interested to see where he goes next, even if its not City. Liam Delap would’ve been on my list last summer, but in the last 12 months he’s grown beyond us, hence why I’ve switched attention to Parrott (no puns re playing on the shoulder!)
Ivan Azon — 21 (Real Zaragoza)
I tweeted about him in early April. I understand he is big on Football Manager!
https://x.com/fevsfootball/status/1775531899705819138?s=61&t=-S1PU3hcTPKwmOB7P_bFxg
If the Striker budget is a bit more constrained, then heading into Belgium might be an option. A couple names, one from the Jupiler League, and one from Challenger Pro*.
Lucas Stassin — 19 (Westerlo)
Surely City wouldn’t head back to Westerlo? (brought to my attention by a fellow fan, thanks GC)
More a squad type signing with tonnes of potential, got a bit of a young Fernando Torres about him in style.
Jordan Attah Kadiri — 24 (Francs Borains)
Firstly, his numbers jumped out at me, goals per game, xG, creativity, aerial, etc, so I watched a bit of video, and dug deeper!
Nigerian-born, he was signed by Ostersund (Graham Potter’s old side, pre-Swansea C), so a decent level. Then went to Lommel. I wonder who signed him? Liam Manning, that’s who! That’s not to say City will be in for him, but I found it interesting a data-driven dive into the Second Tier of Belgian football uncovered this player with a big link to City’s current head-coach.
*For what its worth, Belgian Challenger Pro is not a Top-5 Banded League in terms of Work Permit requirements, so Kadiri would need to qualify via an ESC. It is not clear whether he would pass or not. An interesting find nonetheless!
So, that covers off the fledgling search for the 9 and 10. The 10 recruitment drive seems clear, the 9 search is like playing Geoguessr — European Stadiums (ask your kids if you’re an old’un like me)!
Back Home — Other Positions:
City’s recruitment team can’t just focus on the 9 and 10, Manning mentioned that although preparation is key, reacting well (to bids / losing players) is a skill too.
This is where I know City’s recruitment department will have multiple plans for a player leaving, but also providing necessary squad depth too. One out doesn’t necessarily mean one in. Squad building is an art.
Striker:
Should City get their preferred 9 in the door, but Conway leave, you have a different options available to ‘replace’ him. Don’t forget City still have Nahki Wells and Sam Bell. You could replace like for like, but City could look to use some of the money received for Conway to get the ‘next Conway’, and get Nahki to mentor him, like he has with TC.
I’m sure Ali Al-Hamadi would’ve featured high on City’s list had Ipswich not swooped in January. So, who else?
Max Dean — 20 (MK Dons)
No Liam Manning link with MKD this time, the ex-Leeds Academy prospect who joined under Mark Jackson (former Leeds Academy coach), is having a fine season.
I’ve been really impressed with his finishing off either foot (15 goals in the equivalent of 23 90's), but also his touch and awareness around the box in terms of linking-up. He really has a mature game for a 20-year-old.
One player I didn’t want to forget was one of City’s own players!
Seb Palmer-Houlden — 20 (Bristol City)
The Academy prospect has had a really good first EFL loan at Newport County, under Graham Coughlin. He scooped the Young Player of the Year Award and created a cult following amongst the Amber Army.
After suffering a hamstring tear early into his loan after an encouraging start, Palmer-Houlden forced his way back into the team, playing a key role in Newport’s FA Cup run, where they were halted by Manchester United.
There are some parts of his game that need refining, but he is a bundle of energy in the press and playing with better players back at BS3 (no disrespect to Newport) might see him come on leaps and bounds. Preseason will be big for SPH as he gets a chance to join-up with the first team squad.
Midfield:
Should City lose Joe Williams and / or Matty James
Juninho Bacuna — 26 (Birmingham City)
Maybe a little left field, but with Brum relegated, an opportunity might exist to tempt him to move, especially with only one-year left on his deal. It won’t be an easy one though, as I suspect Brum may be able to keep most of their squad together with their US backing.
Approaching peak years, the man from Curacao (I assume home of that blue drink you see gathering dust at the back of bar!) has put up some great numbers this season, his best in 3 seasons at St.Andrews. But he also seems much more influential in games, whichever position he plays.
David Kasumu — 24 (Huddersfield)
Some more MK Dons links here, but that isn’t the reason hes on my summer list. Kasumu is someone I profiled last summer when Han-Noah Massengo was heading off (to Burnley). Some might question the wisdom of that comparison but City may need a ball-winner if they lose Williams, and Kasumu is that ‘rat’ in the middle of the park!
He is incredibly quick over the ground and would be a good fit in the second line of City’s press / block. Not a great passer per se, but breaks lines with the ball at his feet, whereupon he can then give it to a more creative team mate. City have missed that since Alex Scott left. I’m not comparing him to Starboy, just its a trait that Kasumu has. City fans saw this type of aggressive midfield play at Ashton Gate a few weeks back, and some may recall Kasumu was the player charging down George Tanner’s cross to create their opening goal on the counterattack.
Left Back:
Should City lose Cam Pring, I’ve looked at two Left-Backs, one ready-made and one with a bit of development required.
Lee Buchanan — 23 (Birmingham City)
Another ex-Derby County player, who arrived at St.Andrews via Werder Bremen where minutes were hard to come-by. I wanted him at City two summers ago, so another I’ve had to watch go elsewhere (Antonee Robinson when on loan at Bolton W — arghhhh!).
More of a Left-Back than Wing-Back, but quick and aggressive in the tackle, and more than good enough technically on the ball, as proved from his time at Derby. Friends Re-United with Bird and Knight?
Sean Roughan — 20 (Lincoln City)
Dublin-born, Irish u21 international, Roughan reminds me so much of Cam Pring, I think we should sign him whatever, just in case!
Found myself pouring over lots of video last weekend and in some ways he’s a bit of a victim of Lincoln’s style which involves a lot of channel-ball and diagonals. This takes away from Roughan’s game a bit. He is combative like Pring, defends one-v-ones well, is quick, and has the added bonus of being able to play LB, LWB and LCB. I’m sure with Lincoln missing out on the play-offs on the last day, there will be a number of Championship clubs ready to make a move.
Goalkeeper:
Hoping that the unthinkable doesn’t happen — Max O’Leary leaves!!!!! But I’m focusing more about getting suitable cover, if Stefan Bajic leaves. I don’t think City tempt Viktor Johannson (Rotherham U) to play second-fiddle, nor for the alleged £900k relegation release clause. I’m a little surprised Lewis Thomas was given an extension to summer 2025, and then loaned out to sit on the bench for Bromley (just pfomoted to EFL), and don’t see him becoming no2.
Lukas Jensen — 25 (Lincoln City)
If you get the choice between a good big’un and a good littl’un, then get a good big’un, and Jensen at 6'6" fits the bill.
I had wrongly assumed due to being ex-Burnley, he was Brian Jensen’s son, but is no relation. Has just received The Imps Player of the Season award.
A good all-round keeper, and like Roughan, passing numbers are slightly skewed unfavourably by team style.
Viljami Sinisalo — 22 (Aston Villa)
Finnish international who has just spent the season at Exeter City, on loan from Aston Villa. City could possibly go down the loan route to provide cover next season.
Not as dominant as Jensen, and mentioned more to show that City could explore different options to cover, rather than sign Sinisalo per se.
Conclusion:
Not a real recruitment list as such, more a ‘here’s the type of player(s) we should be targeting’. Unless you’re in-the-know which clubs, agents and players you don’t know who is available, who isn’t or who’s angling for a move.
City’s recruitment has improved over the past 2–3 seasons, but this is probably the first summer where the financial handbrake doesn’t need to be applied without player sales to balance owner funding and FFP / P&S.
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Thanks for reading.
