Blackburn Rovers have made 25 signings in the last three transfer windows, with mixed success.
Rudy Gestede has overseen three transfer windows as Head of Football at Ewood Park. He is the head figure of their transfer committee, which has included plenty of different members in the last 16 months.
From John Park and John Eustace to Adam Owen and Valerien Ismael, Rovers' recruitment has been a mix of domestic and overseas, steered by different inputs.
With the international break firmly gripping the news cycle, we've ranked those signings from best to worst.
Only 21 of the 25 players are included, with a minimum of 270 minutes needed for those signed in the summer of 2025, excluding Moussa Baradji, Axel Henriksson, Dion De Neve and Andri Gudjohnsen.
READ MORE: Crystal Palace owner addresses Manchester United transfer links to Adam Wharton
21: Emmanuel Dennis
Probably the easiest pick of the lot. Considering the financials, which was a big wage contribution, and his impact, this was a bit of a disaster.
The warning signs were there, I'm afraid. He hadn't kicked a ball for anyone since May and was available on deadline day in January for a reason. He played 160 Championship minutes and started one game in which he got injured.
20: Cauley Woodrow
More circumstances here but another January addition which just didn't cut the mustard. Considering where Rovers were in table and their need for a real injection of top Championship quality, Woodrow wasn't it.
He only started one game despite Ismael, who managed his career-best scoring season, arriving at the club. He's now on loan with Wycombe Wanderers in League One.
19: Dion Sanderson
Gets a bit harder with a few interchangeable players in this middle portion. Was never meant to have a huge impact after being signed as cover as a trusted Eustace lieutenant.
He started four games, making a further eight off the bench. He was ok but there were a few games he struggled. Swansea (A) springs to mind though everyone was poor that day. Could be higher in the list, admittedly.
18: Amario Cozier-Dubery
A strange one to judge. First loans are always difficult and it took until December for him to start his first match in the league. He was electric against Luton that day and looked like he could be a big player.
Yet it never happened. He struggled to build any momentum or rhythm after that with niggly injuries playing a part. There is obvious talent though and he's ripping it up at Bolton this season. Right player, wrong time.
17: Makhtar Gueye
Hard to justify Gueye being any higher, considering he was a seven-figure acquisition. It hasn't worked out so far and his minutes are only decreasing.
Gueye has had spells where he's looked a Championship-level number nine. His best run was in the New Year under Eustace with Yuki Ohashi out injured.
However, since, he's contributed in fits and starts, mainly off the bench. Feels likely that he'll leave, as he could've this summer, in the next two windows.
16: Adam Forshaw
Think it's important to say these rankings must be matched by the expectation that came with their signings. Forshaw was signed for free as cover to replace Baker and has been steady.
His injury this season has been frustrating but he compensates for some of the experience lost in the dressing room. Doubt he's costing a fortune either.
15: Lewis Baker
Solid Championship performer who did well when called upon in a brief six-month loan. Ironically, he would've had his best chance to play matches had he not been recalled just as Lewis Travis got injured.
He's been a key player for Mark Robins at Stoke since going back, further evidencing his quality.
14: Augustus Kargbo
Hit-and-miss since signing in January. Caught me by surprise that the Stoke equaliser was his first goal for Rovers.
His raw attributes mean he can be an asset at Championship level and every squad needs a player of his profile. At 26, it's unclear whether he'll develop the consistency to be a regular starter at this level for a number of years.
13: Sidnei Tavares
Very early days with him and I think you have to consider the profile when judging. Whilst most have been slightly underwhelmed, I will repeatedly bang the drum about Sondre Tronstad's first few months in England.
Rovers have signed a midfielder with good physical ability and 23. Those facts along mean he has a good chance of developing and improving in the medium to long term.
12: Taylor Gardner-Hickman
Seems to be the preferred partner for Tronstad at the moment. He's 23, versatile and Rovers have control over his future.
If they want to keep him, they have the option to buy, if they don't, they're not committed. Ismael clearly likes him too having worked with him at West Brom.
11: Lewis Miller
Whether you think he's a centre-back or not, Miller's versatility is useful. He's an Australian international and a committed team player. Cost around £1million and is likely to increase in value with a bit of luck.
10: Sean McLoughlin
For a figure of around 500K, Rovers have brought in an experienced defender. He is reliable and has plenty of Championship experience which is much-needed with current makeup of the squad.
Pretty low-risk deal and so that makes it a solid one; you know what you're getting.
9: Yuri Ribeiro
Perhaps some would've had him higher. Ribeiro has been very consistent at left-back, though I think his form has dipped a little this season.
He was signed for free and is a low-maintenance player. Like McLoughlin, he's Championship proven after two spells and rarely below six out of ten.
8: Ryoya Morishita
This is a bit of a punt but I genuinely think Morishita has quality despite a few quiet games. It's been a big adjustment period for him and the team hasn't been sparkling in that run either.
I think he'll come good for Rovers on the early evidence I've seen. I'm hopeful he can bring some goal contributions and looks to have the character needed to succeed in English football. Higher up the list as if he's a success, he could be a ceiling-raiser.
7: Andi Weimann
An undoubted big success from the Eustace era. Scored that goal against Burnley which was enough to make him a fans' favourite.
Not a 90-minute man anymore but someone who knew where the net was. They signed him for free, on low wages, and all that bundled together makes him a big hit.
6: Owen Beck
Would've been higher had it not been for injuries, which disrupted the second half of his loan. Excellent in the run-up to Christmas which made me wonder whether a Premier League team might buy him outright.
5: Ryan Alebiosu
I don't want to go too big too early with Alebiosu but it's hard to see how he won't be a success. He's made a brilliant start, he's a great age and they signed for very little money.
His athleticism and attacking nature are well-suited to Championship football. Early days but he looks a really good bit of recruitment.
4: Danny Batth
Arguably Rovers' best defender last season. He was so consistent and when you factor in all the same considerations as Weimann, this was a smart piece of Eustace-led recruitment.
Whilst he's not playing much at Derby right now, I still think it was a shame that he didn't sign up again, though the club genuinely did their best to keep him.
3: Yuki Ohashi
Again, when you consider the obscure nature of his identification, what he cost and the qualities he has, it's a bargain. Sure, we'd all like a few more goals but Ohashi is an intelligent player who was signed for peanuts.
I'm hoping he catches fire a little more this season after a full pre-season. I don't think he's had great service so far and if that changes, I expect more goals.
2: Balazs Toth
Six months ago, this would've been a very different ranking. Things change quickly in football and he's now firmly established as the number one.
Toth's performances are boosting his international reckoning too, which is only a good thing for Rovers. He looks like he could be a reliable, dependable number one for years to come.
1: Todd Cantwell
Has to be number one, especially considering his importance to the team now. He was always among their most talented but now he is Rovers' best player.
Ismael is getting the best out of him by making him the centre of the team, which wasn't a given when he first arrived. He's the captain and is leading by example this season, raising his levels after a frustrating debut season.
Share