Five Players That Should Interest Lincoln City This Summer

May 3, 2024 Gary Lincoln City 0

Lorent Tolaj

Forward

Aldershot Town

With Jovon Makama and Freddie Draper climbing up the pecking order, a fully fit Ben House and a returning Tyler Walker, there could be an argument there is less need for the Imps to bring in a centre forward this summer, despite losing Joe Taylor’s goals with his loan ending.

But, with question marks over Walker’s fitness post-injury and potential of a development loan for Jovon, there may well be space in the squad for another centre forward, particularly one in the mould of Lorent Tolaj.

Born in Switzerland with Kosovan heritage, Tolaj joined Brighton & Hove Albion’s academy in 2018. He was released by Brighton last summer and joined Aldershot Town in the fifth tier following goalless loans at Cambridge, Dundee and Salford in which appearances were few and far between.

This season has been a real breakout for Tolaj who has looked a cut above in the National League, netting 19 league goals in 44 appearances for the Shots. Impressively, he also contributed 9 assists from just 5.88 expected assists (xA) bringing his total goal contributions to 28.

The left-footer has primarily played as a centre forward but has also appeared in an attacking midfield role a handful of times this season. As comfortable dropping deep as running in behind, Tolaj’s link-up play is just as impressive as his goal-scoring exploits, if not more so. In addition to his 19 goals and nine assists, he ranks sixth in the league for key passes (a pass that results in a shot) with 25. He’s also the only centre forward appearing in the top 30 players in the league for this metric, highlighting how far ahead he is of his peers in creativity.

Tolaj also ranks highly for successful dribbles, long passes successfully received and recoveries in the opposition half, suggesting he’d suit Michael Skubala’s high tempo, high pressing style.

Aldershot triggered a one-year extension to the 22-year old’s contract in February, keeping him tied down to the club until June 2025 meaning he would command a fee. That fee would likely be a high five-figure or low six-figure sum but one plenty of League 1 clubs are likely willing to pay for a player who appears to be primed for a step up.