John Eustace has urged Blackburn Rovers to provide clarity on the futures of several key players after a short-term approach in the January transfer window.
Rovers signed six players, with three loan deals, two short-term contracts and Augustus Kargbo until 2027. As a result, that has left the long-term future of the squad with several question marks.
With six players out of contract, plus two who have options that have yet to be triggered, plus five loan players, 13 players could not be at Rovers by pre-season in July.
Considering Blackburn have not signed an existing player to a fresh contract since December 2023, that is a worry.
READ MORE: ROVERS BOSS EXPLAINS DECISION TO OMIT SIGURDSSON
When quizzed on that fact, Eustace conceded that the players would benefit from more clarity on their future.
"I think all I can focus on is the job that I've got ahead in hand, and that's to get us back winning games and get us back picking up points," Eustace said.
"Long-term, obviously, that's down to the club on how they want to operate on that side of it. But up to now, the group that we've got have performed very, very well, so we just keep going.
"I think the players would like to know (on their futures) if they're committed to the football club, then it's important that the football club's committed to them as well.
"I think you can see that the effort the group have been putting in, you know, the year that I've been here has been fantastic.
"To stay in the league last year was a great achievement. To be fifth in the league after 30 games is again another great achievement, after being favourites of relegation, losing 35 goals out of your team as well.
"So, you can see that the group are fully committed towards the football club. And, you know, I'm sure the lads would want to know where they stand for their future."
The short-term nature of Rovers' recruitment also raises doubts over how they can build assets. For a club that does not have the biggest budget in the Championship, they need a model of selling players and reinvesting in the squad.
Eustace agreed that is an area the club must prioritise in the summer transfer window, as well as tying down some of their current top performers.
"I've already spoken about how I wanted to come here and help build and build a culture and an environment, you know, a fantastic group of players," the head coach added.
"It's not great that 13 players might not be here next season. So hopefully, we can get a few of them tied down and I'm sure the club have got their targets as well who they want to bring in in the summer to help build the team.
"I'm a head coach who loves developing young players and, you know, no matter how old or how young they are, you know, we want to create an environment where players can come in, improve, get better and, you know, get good resale value on to them as well.
"You know, that's what the football club's all about and, you know, it's important that we just keep doing that."
Share