Rob Fielding says that long-term player contracts means wholesale Port Vale squad changes this summer are unlikely.
Rob Fielding writes…
In many fans’ eyes this would be an ideal move this coming summer, chopping out some of the players who have failed to perform and bringing in fresh talent. However, in reality, it’s unlikely to happen because the majority of this Port Vale squad are tied to long-term contracts…
If, like many fans, you feel the last few transfer windows have been (and let’s cut to the chase) a disaster then I have more bad news for you – I wouldn’t hold your breath for a major squad overhaul in the summer.
In an ideal world, Vale would react to their poor window business by reshaping their squad, perhaps in the style of 2021, when, following the appointment of Darrell Clarke, eleven new players were brought in. In many fans’ eyes this would be an ideal move this coming summer, chopping out some of the players who have failed to perform and bringing in fresh talent. However, in reality, it’s unlikely to happen because the majority of this Port Vale squad are tied to long-term contracts.
Port Vale contracts
Expiring summer 2024
Jayson Leutwiler, James Wilson, Uche Ikpeazu**, Lewis Cass*, Gavin Massey*
Expiring summer 2025
Jason Lowe, Conor Grant, Dan Jones, Ryan Loft, Alex Iacovitti, Connor Ripley, Tom Sang, Nathan Smith, Mitch Clark, Ben Garrity, Ethan Chislett, Jesse Debrah
Expiring summer 2026
Baylee Dipepa, Ben Lomax
Expiring summer 2027
James Plant
*Both Massey and Cass’ contracts are undisclosed but believed to be expiring this summer
** Ikpeazu could have a contract extension clause
Take some of the players who arguably could be contenders to be released if out of contract – Conor Grant, Ryan Loft, Jason Lowe, Alex Iacovitti and Dan Jones. All five players have contracts taking them up to the end of next season. In the case of injury-plagued Jones and Grant, that seems a remarkably overly generous deal from the club.
Having the majority of your squad tied to contracts works both ways of course – it will probably come as some relief to know that Ethan Chislett, Ben Garrity, Funso Ojo and Nathan Smith are all contracted beyond the summer too, but having so many players under contract really ties Vale’s hands.
If you work on a one-in, one-out basis then potentially Vale only have the ability to bring in four outfield players in the summer. The players out of contract are goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler, Gavin Massey*, Lewis Cass*, Uche Ikpeazu** and James Wilson.
*Both Massey and Cass’ contracts are undisclosed but believed to be expiring this summer
** Ikpeazu could have a contract extension clause
It’s going to take a lot to address Vale’s urgent need for more strike power when you can only bring in four new players. Not only that but two of those potentially being released (Wilson and Ikpeazu) are strikers anyhow. It’s possible of course that the club may agree some mutual terminations but they could be costly and seem rather unlikely.
I know I am going to sound like a broken record again but surely this situation means questions need to asked about Vale’s recruitment team? How have we ended up in such an inflexible position where a squad, which may well take us down but even if not will end up scraping survival, will be largely the same for next season? Why were two year deals handed out like confetti seemingly without regard to a player’s injury history (Jones and Grant) or age (Lowe)?
Those expecting big squad changes this summer may need to prepare to be disappointed.
Ryan loft is robbing a living like the director of football f***ing awful
Who the hell is making these stupid decisions on players and the double standards they are using (i.e. refusing to give worrall a two year deal because of his age and then giving lowe a two year deal) if the shanahans run their business like they run the football club they would have been bankrupt years ago get a grip and run this club properly
Wilson was an important contract because we lost Alblaster but for me Massey really doesn’t cut the mustard and I would try and sell loft as he may be getting more involved but one goal really isn’t good enough in my opinion so I would try and sell him and release Massey and sell jones who also is nothing but average
We need to wake up and smell the coffee. Much as I’ve been a supporter of Wilson, he just runs around pointlessly these days. He can’t be kept on unless some miraculous transformation occurs from his bench appearances in the remainder of this season. Then of course wages, other available players and fitness come into consideration again.
I’d guess it’s hard to sign players if you’re offering less than a 2 year contract. An example being David Worrall who was offered 2 years at Barrow whereas we would only offer a year due to his age. The problem comes when fans judge a player 6 months into a deal, figure that the player isn’t up to it and are then resigned to the player being with us for another year and a half.
However gave certain players 2 year contracts when they were injury prone. Points to one person namely Flitcoft.
Contentious, but I wouldn’t rule out player sales next summer to generate income for squad changes and new signings. There will likely be clubs interested in Ripley, Smith, Chislett, and Garrity, and the Vale might cash in on one or two of them. There’s also very good talent from the Academy, and the likes of Lomax, Shorrock and Walters might be regulars next season. After all, that’s what the Academy is there for.
The owners do not have a clue and DF is simply feathering his own nest
It does not take a football genius to work out what’s wrong. For a good part of the games we play some good stuff only to fail to get the ball in the back of the net. Perhaps we don’t have the money to attract quality strikers. Come on Carol tell us if that is the case.
Gilbert Adams Carol will not tell the fans anything until she needs there money.I can’t wait to see what the crowd is in midweek