Five Luton Town players to look out for next season, including two youngsters, a new signing and two players hoping for better luck with injury. As the Hatters prepare for life back in the Championship, Last Word on Football looks at five Town players likely to make an impact in the upcoming campaign.
Five Luton Town Players To Look Out For Next Season
Marvelous Nakamba
Marvelous Nakamba was signed by the Hatters on a permanent deal from Aston Villa a year ago. But his Premier League appearances were brief last season due to injury. Nakamba had been an important member of Luton’s promotion-winning side of 2022/23, when on loan from Villa.
Read More: Luton Town Squad: How The Hatters Look Ahead of Next Season
A defensive midfielder, Nakamba is expected to be a key player for the team as they try to get back to the Premier League at their first attempt. The Town certainly missed the Zimbabwean international’s combative nature last term when both he and Sambi Lokonga were injured for long periods.
Mads Andersen
Unlucky with injuries last term, Mads Andersen impressed at Barnsley in the Championship, and the Hatters will be hoping that he can replicate that form after signing from the Tykes last year. Normally a centre-back, Andersen also offers versatility as he can play as a full-back.
With Gabe Osho leaving Kenilworth Road, the door has been opened for one of the centre-backs already at the club to take his place. That player could well be Andersen, especially as Town manager Rob Edwards often sang his praises when he did feature last season.
Joe Taylor
Joe Taylor was a success at Colchester United and Lincoln City, when out on loan last term. So much so that Taylor deserves to be in the Hatters first team squad for their Championship campaign. The squad is strong in forward areas. But Welsh under-21 international Taylor has the potential to rise up the pecking order rapidly.
He featured in the the Championship play-off final win at Wembley in 2023. In that game, the youngster wasn’t fazed by such a big occasion. He calmly slotted home a penalty in the shoot-out and had a goal disallowed.
Joe Johnson
At 18, left-back Joe Johnson has been capped at England under-17 and under-18 levels. His promise is obvious, and next season could be when he is given the chance to shine.
Read More: Luton Town Revival Sees Ross Barkley Return to Aston Villa
Though left-wing back Alfie Doughty was one of Luton’s better players in the Premier League, it was noticeable that Edwards played Johnson as a centre-back in a pre-season friendly against Danish side AGF Aarhus. It was also indicative of how much the Hatters want to utilise Johnson’s talent and give him valuable game time.
Shandon Baptiste
At Brentford, Shandon Baptiste was appreciated for his footballing ability. To such an extent that he was one of the first picks for the Bees’ five-a-side sessions! The signing of Baptiste will also make up somewhat for Hatters fans seeing two favourites leave, with Ross Barkley joining Aston Villa and Sambi Lokonga returning to Arsenal.
Baptiste is an X-factor player, who can make the difference in a tight game with his skilful runs. In such a competitive division, a game-changer like Baptiste should prove to be a valuable asset for the Town.
