As football has been brought to a halt for what seems likely to be a while, Last Word on Football has taken a look at the Cambridge United players who could leave on a free transfer this summer.
Players Cambridge United Could Lose as Free Transfers This Summer
A Problem to Think About After Coronavirus Pandemic
Cambridge, like many other clubs, have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
They have placed all staff at the Abbey Stadium on furlough, and speaking to Cambridgeshire Live, manager Mark Bonner said they are not currently thinking about player contracts.
“There’s players out of contract at the end of the season and all the things that go along with it,” he said. “But it’s not something at the moment we’re looking at.
“Like supporters in their own working lives, it’s going to be a struggle, and it’s going to be common across society in all industries.”
The U’s are currently 16th in the League Two table, and are comfortably placed in mid-table.
Samir Carruthers
Carruthers was a high-profile at the Abbey Stadium last season joining on a free transfer from Sheffield United.
However, he has failed to make an impact as of yet for the U’s. The 27-year-old has made just 10 appearances so far this season, although he missed a chunk of it due to ‘personal reasons’.
While Mark Bonner undoubtedly like to see a player of his calibre remain with the club, cost-cutting measures following coronavirus may mean Carruthers is a luxury they cannot afford.
George Taft
Three separate loan spells were eventually turned into a permanent move as Taft signed a two-year contract in 2018.
He is a popular figure among the United fans, and has proved hard to displace with superb performances at the heart of defence.
The 26-year-old is likely to offered a new deal with the club as he is someone who the defence can be built around. However, Taft may be persuaded to leave should a club at the top end of League Two come calling.
Jabo Ibehre
The 37-year-old has spent much of this season out through injury, and as a result, the curtain may be falling on his career
Ibehre made just four appearances under former manager Colin Calderwood in the early part of this season before suffering a long-term injury.
Should he prove his fitness, he may be offered a fresh deal with the club; however, that would appear to be unlikely.
Harrison Dunk
Harrison Dunk has been a stalwart at the Abbey Stadium, having joined the club in 2011.
The 29-year-old has made almost 300 appearances during his time with Cambridge, helping them to return to the Football League after a nine-year exodus.
A versatile option – he can play at both left-back and left wing – Dunk is likely to be rewarded with a fresh deal to keep him at the club.
Reggie Lambe
The Bermudan international arrived at the Abbey Stadium in 2018 and will be hoping that his performances have warranted a contract extension.
Lambe is a player that divides opinion among the Cambridge United fanbase. On his day he can be excellent, but on others he can fail to make an impact. He has just two goals and one assist from 26 appearances so far this season.
While he is likely to be rewarded with a new contract due to providing them with a creditable option out wide, he will have to perform better.
Greg Taylor
A player who is part of the furniture at Cambridge, Greg Taylor will no doubt be asked to stay with the club.
A ‘body on the line’, tough tackling, no-nonsense defender, the 29-year-old has proven that he can play anywhere along the backline. Taylor has proved reliable too, adding 33 appearances to his total 243 appearances so far this season.
Liam O’Neil
The defensive midfielder is another who splits opinion among the fans.
O’Neil’s work in midfield largely goes unnoticed. Upon his return to the club he began his career with in 2017, he initially struggled to make it into the side. However, now, he is one of the first players picked in midfield.
His status may depend on whether his manager wants to keep him at the club.
Paul Lewis
After initially struggling to break into the side, Paul Lewis has had a breakthrough season this year with Cambridge United.
He made just 38 appearances during his first two seasons at the Abbey; however, he has already amassed that number of appearances this season, scoring four goals.
The 25-year-old offers plenty of creativity to the side, and would be one that they would like to see remain with the club.
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