Next up on 'Summer Scouting'; we take a look at Blackburn Rovers' options in midfield.
Lewis Travis
Blackburn Rovers' club captain has one year left on his current contract and that places some doubt over his future. Sheffield United were the strongest admirers last summer, though Hull City were also linked.
The Blades' defeat in the Championship play-off final means they could possibly come back for Lewis Travis. Ipswich are also back in the division after he helped them win promotion in 2023/24.
Much will depend on how contract negotiations play out. When the skipper was asked by The LT, he said he'd like to stay at the club but no talks had been held, at that stage.
We've had nothing to suggest that has changed, though the midfielder got married over the weekend and so any focus on his future is likely to wait until later in the month.
At his best, Travis is a top Championship operator. He started the season in phenomenal form under John Eustace and then suffered a hamstring injury. His form dipped with the team's and then he ended the campaign in fine fettle again.
The 27-year-old ranks amongst one of the division's best defensive midfielders. It's obvious what he brings to the side both in terms of performance and leadership ability.
Travis is one of Rovers' top earners and so they will have to make a decision this summer. There is likely to be interest if they can't come to an agreement on fresh terms.
Given his age, it's also an important contract for Travis. If he wants a shot at The Premier League, he has to decide whether Ewood Park is the best place he can do that.
Sondre Tronstad
Rovers' reigning Player of the Year is another entering the final 12 months of his contract. Given his importance to the team, he is another star the club have to prioritise tying down.
Tronstad has been brilliant since signing for Blackburn two years ago. Had it not been for the spectacular goal-scoring season Sam Szmodics had, he'd have likely won the award last year too.
This was the opportunity for him to get his flowers and they're deserved. Rovers are often at their best when he's dictating play and being his usual combative self.
Tronstad's qualities on the ball are often underrated. Whilst he is not one for a Hollywood pass, he does aim to pass forward and break the lines. If he can't, he keeps the ball well under pressure and recycles possession to maintain attacks.
His passing statistics and defensive metrics measure well against his Championship peers. Tronstad's injury record is also impressive so there should be little reticence about extending his stay, even if he turns 30 in August.
John Buckley
John Buckley's Blackburn Rovers career has stalled and it would be best for all involved if there was a clean break this summer.
It's a real shame that the Academy midfielder, who broke through under Tony Mowbray, has been unable to nail down a consistent starting place under the last three head coaches.
The problem has been identifying Buckley's best role in midfield. He is clearly technically gifted but having broken through as a false nine/number 10, the move to a deeper role hasn't suited him as much as hoped.
Often, he takes too many touches despite having the quality to punch passes through midfield. He has been viewed as lightweight too, compared to Travis or Tronstad.
It's become too easy to leave Buckley on the bench or, for Valerien Ismael, leave him out entirely. At 25, it's now time for him to make a fresh start somewhere else.
The question is where. Buckley has the technical quality to play in the Championship yet it's not obvious where suitors would come from or what his value should be. With two years left on his contract still, this isn't an obvious solution at the moment.
Todd Cantwell
After an up-and-down debut season, Rovers need more from Todd Cantwell, who was their marquee signing last summer. Whilst he may not obsess with numbers, three goals including two penalties, was not enough for a player of his quality.
It was unclear whether Cantwell would suit Ismael's style having been left on the bench in five of Ismael's first eight games. However, he wrestled back a place in the team and impressed in the closing weeks of the season.
It's obvious he has the quality to decide tight Championship games. Rovers need players like that, especially if they plan to play a more possession-based style next season.
Ismael needs to keep Cantwell motivated and onside. Too often, he drifted through games without having an impact. When he's on it, he's a match-winner for Rovers.
Looking from within
Jake Garrett has had an odd 12 months. He was named Rovers' Young Player of the Year last summer but his two loans in 2024/25 did not work out.
Bristol Rovers was a disaster, though they were going through their own issues which ended in relegation. Equally, he wasn't a nailed-on starter for Tranmere Rovers who were battling at the bottom of League Two.
It feels like he's taken a step backwards in that sense, though clearly has lots of potential and is only 22. Ismael will take a good look at him in pre-season and it'll be interesting to see what the verdict is.
George Edmondson is a talented, left-footed midfielder who has been around the first-team picture for a while. He's made his debut and scored in the 8-0 demolition of Harrogate Town.
His loan at Macclesfield went well last term and so maybe another taste of first-team football, higher up the pyramid, is in order.
Harley O'Grady-Macken made his Rovers debut under Eustace last term. He's in a similar boat to Edmondson.
Do Blackburn Rovers need to sign a central midfielder?
Yes and we know they're looking for one. Rudy Gestede told The LT that Rover want a box-to-box number eight, which is a midfield profile they don't really have.
If Buckley moves on, that would leave just Travis and Tronstad, both with one year on their deals. It's clear they need at least one midfielder to bolster their ranks, if not two.
Adam Forshaw will be a name that looms in the background until he signs elsewhere. Rovers hinted in their retained list that he could return despite not being offered a deal at this stage.
Another number 10 option could be necessary if Andi Weimann leaves too.
Who could they sign?
Premium: Lewis O'Brien (yes we've been here before) is on the market once again. I really like him and he did well at Swansea in the second half of the season.
He's different to the other midfielders Rovers have. He's energetic, box-to-box and can pop up with a goal. Wages, more than perhaps transfer fee, could be a sticking point, as might be what happened before.
Loan: Freddie Potts would definitely be a quality loan signing. He spent last season at Portsmouth and was the best player on the pitch when they beat Rovers 1-0 at Fratton Park.
The West Ham midfielder signed a new deal with them last season and Graham Potter might want a look in pre-season. If not, Rovers should be pushing hard in what would be a decent-sized queue.
Free: There is not a vast amount of attractive propositions in the free agent market across England's top tiers.
Josh Dasilva is out of contract but is still undergoing rehabilitation after a knee injury and hasn't played since January 2024. That would be a big gamble on his fitness, though he's a great player.
Share