Current state of play, we have just 12 contracted players as we head into 2025/26 at the new stadium with just 6 of them classed as 'Home Grown'. A Premier League squad can have a maximum of 25 players, with a maximum of 17 of those players not being classified as "Home Grown".
We have 7 players that are confirmed to be leaving, 2 of which featured prominently this year with 5 players reaching the end of their loan, 3 featuring prominently this season.
3 players could join the list of those leaving or could accept new deals. While we didn't trigger the clause on Alcaraz, it's possible we may still make a bid, unknown on the status of the rest.
First-Team Players for 2025/26 Season: 12
Pickford (HG)
Branthwaite (HG)
Tarkowski (HG)
Mykolenko
Patterson
O'Brien
Garner (HG)
Iroegbunam (HG)
McNeil (HG)
Ndiaye
Beto
Chermiti
Potential Youth Call Ups:
Armstrong (HG)
Leaving (End of Contract/Sales): 7
Young (HG)
Virginia (HG)
Begovic (HG)
Doucoure
Holgate (HG)
Maupay
Crellin (HG)
Leaving (End of Loan): 5
Alcaraz
Harrison (HG)
Lindstrom
Broja (HG)
Mangala
Re-Signed: 1
Coleman (TBC Player or Coach)
Unknown:
Gueye
Keane
DCL
Taking into account all of this...it is going to be a MAMMOTH job to fill out a squad for next season. Gana re-signing is going to be crucial, perhaps Keane & DCL too. We might call up Armstrong, nothing is indicating we'll call up any of the other youth team players.
For me, we need (in priority order):
Reserve GK (Free/Loan/Prospect)
Starting RB
Starting DM (If Gueye Leaves)
Starting AM
Starting/Competing LB
Starting/Competing ST
Backup Keeper (Free/Promote from Youth)
And the rest...
Anyone else crapping one?