Transfer Window 2019/20
Ten in, seven out
Ins Zack Elbouzedi, Tayo Edun, Max Melbourne, Tom Hopper, Akeem Hinds, Charlie Andrews (DD), Anthony Scully (DD), Conor Coventry (L), TJ Eyoma (L), Tyreece John-Jules (L), Liam Bridcutt (L, DD)
Outs Bruno Andrade, Michael O’Connor, Harry Toffolo, John Akinde, Jordan Adebayo-Smith (L), Grant Smith (L), Ben Coker (L)
Total appearances for permanent players – 311 (65) Elbouzedi 11 (2), Edun 64 (3), Melbourne 30 (1), Hopper 100 (22), Scully 106 (37)
Total appearances for loan players – 26 (2) Bridcutt 12 (1), Coventry 7, John-Jules 7 (1)
Total appearances & goals in window – 330 (66)
Players sold – Four
This was the first window in which Jez George had a more critical role at the club – he joined in May 2018 to work within the academy structure, but that role grew, and by 2019 he was head of football. It’s worth noting that at this stage.
This window was transitional, with a churn of 17 players, the most since our return. We needed to clear out some of the higher earners, which is why you see Akinde and Andrade going. Appleton was moving towards a younger, more agile squad. We did need to replace Tyler Walker, and perhaps that didn’t happen in the short term.
However, in terms of incomings, this was the best window we have had in many years. Edun and Scully brought us good money, and Elbouzedi and Hopper brought in some. The permanent players alone made 311 appearances for the Imps and scored 65 goals during their time here. This was a huge window for the club, no doubt.
It’s hard to judge loan players as we saw the season ended early by COVID, but Liam Bridcutt did return as club captain, so there’s even good news in there as well.
I’m giving this window a big score, but there is a caveat. Had we not seen play stopped because of COVID, we would have been in a relegation battle. Would the younger players, Scully and Edun in particular, have struggled under those conditions with the crowd on their backs?
Average Permanent Player Return: 63 appearances, 13 goals
Average Loan Player Return: 9 appearances, 1 goal
Signing of the Window
