Blackburn Rovers' issue becomes worrying transfer trend

A 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley, with goals from Yuki Ohashi and Makhtar Gueye, was a good start to Rovers' preparations for 2025/26.

It was a typical pre-season affair with the levels of quality and intensity dropping as players felt their way back into fitness. With baking-hot temperatures sapping the legs, it was a good fitness exercise but little more.

Valerien Ismael's post-match interview will dominate the discourse from supporters despite a positive afternoon on the pitch.

Here are The Lancashire Telegraph's key takeaways from an afternoon at the Wham Stadium.

READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers resigned to losing star player after transfer interest

Impending Callum Brittain exit is cause for concern

It's never a good sign when a player subject to several transfer offers doesn't play. It's the second pre-season that's happened for Rovers with Sam Szmodics missing the games last term.

It was a huge indicator that Brittain's future was very much in doubt at Ewood Park even before Ismael confirmed so. The head coach made it very clear that this was the player's decision and there doesn't seem to be a way back.

Brittain has made it clear he wants to move and hasn't signed a new deal, leaving Rovers with little option but to sell. Their task is then to extract the most money possible, aided at least by the multiple clubs interested.

I don't have any issue with Brittain wanting to explore a move if he feels that is best for his career. Players come and go and the club can only blame themselves for letting him get into his final 12 months.

However, downing tools is never a good look. Unlike John Eustace with Szmodics, Ismael did not protect his player. He was open and transparent about which way this is heading.

Taking aside Brittain's conduct, this is the risk that you run when you're not proactive with renewals. Rovers may have made a concerted effort this summer but the club should've moved quicker to tie down a player who is clearly a large asset.

If Brittain moves, the strength of Rovers' ambition will be obvious in their recruitment strategy. They would surely have to dip into the market to replace him but with Ryan Alebiosu, Kristi Montgomery and Leo Duru in the building, they could argue that from a numbers game, they're ok.

Priorities highlighted

The Brittain scenario should hyperfocus the club to sort out Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad's deals. They can not afford a repeat scenario and to lose three valuable players in one summer.

The risk is that the midfield pair are watching a team-mate and top performer walk away. What does that say for the ambition of the club and how does it affect their motivation to sign up?

Whilst Blackburn Rovers will state they tried to sign Brittain up, they should've done it sooner. Equally, the fact he has not committed his future raises questions as to why.

The club are quickly becoming a common denominator in contract negotiations. Danny Batth and Andi Weimann went elsewhere, Tyrhys Dolan too. John Eustace felt Derby County were a better project as well and now Brittain.

You only get unlucky so many times. There is context and circumstance around each of those examples but after so many occasions, you have to ask, why?

A small injury concern

Rovers were already without a number of key players due to small knocks and niggles. Hayden Carter was then added to that list with a muscle issue.

Whilst it didn't appear to be anything overly concerning, it did show how light Rovers are at centre-back. Scott Wharton is being managed and played half an hour on his comeback with Tom Atcheson replacing Carter.

Whilst Carter walked off pretty comfortably, he will hope he gets a clear run at pre-season. Injuries have hampered his last two seasons and he doesn't want another one to start off with him playing catch-up.

The kids are alright

Montgomery was arguably Rovers' brightest player from right-back. The Academy graduate was full of energy down the flank and played very high up.

The 21-year-old was basically playing as a winger and got behind the Accrington defence on a number of occasions. He might've had an assist to his name had Farren Rawson headed into his own net and not off the bar. With Yuri Ribeiro tucking round to make a back-three in-possession, he was tasked with providing width on the opposite side and looked bright.

Igor Tyjon started in the number 10 role and had some nice touches. He had one sight of goal but was tackled just before he got his shot away, though the ball broke to Yuki Ohashi to score anyway.

It's interesting that the youngster, who is being courted by Premier League clubs, started with Todd Cantwell absent. It would've been easy for Makhtar Gueye to get more minutes whilst Harry Leonard travelled with the Under-21s instead.

Rovers are clearly making an effort to fast-track his development and prove that Ewood Park is the best place for his immediate future. It's a logical tactic given his potential value and ability.

Ismael makes his demands clear

Rovers are all-in on their high-intensity, front-foot pressing approach. Every time the ball was played backwards, Ismael was quick to bark his instructions.

'Go, go, go' was often the simple instruction from the touchline. Even when the Accrington centre-backs had the ball, the Frenchman wanted his attackers to press and harass the opposition.

Rovers are transitioning to a young, more aggressive team of players with strong running power. That is vital if they're to carry out Ismael's instructions.

De Neve makes his debut

Rovers got a first glimpse of one of their new arrivals in Dion De Neve. The winger played an hour on the left and showed flashes of why he's signed.

There was no standout moment but his ability to travel at speed and harass opponents makes it abundantly clear as to why Rovers have signed him.