Having suffered relegation from the Championship, Oxford United may need to strengthen their squad if they’re to bounce back quickly.
However, given their drop down to League One, Matt Bloomfield is also at risk of losing some key players so that also comes into consideration.
Read More: Five Players Oxford United Could Lose This Summer
Five Positions Oxford United Need to Strengthen This Summer
Full Back
At the time of writing, Oxford United have four left-backs so you may question why we have selected that as one of the positions the U’s need to strengthen.
Jack Currie has made the position his own over the course of the season, despite a couple of injury setbacks, but the depth in the role is questionable.
Greg Leigh was omitted from the squad during the January registration while winter signing Ruben Roosken, who joined on loan from Huddersfield before the club triggered the option to make the deal permanent, managed just four Championship appearances despite Currie’s absence.
The other option Bloomfield has is Ciaron Brown but the Northern Ireland international has been a key part of the defence in the middle so is clearly seen as a last resort for the role.
In fact, during the season, both Brodie Spencer and Sam Long, who are naturally right-sided full-backs, did play on the left.
So why do Oxford United need to strengthen in that position? Well, Currie is an asset and after an impressive campaign, could well be linked with moves away, most likely back to the second tier. Leigh appears to be out of favour, as does Roosken but he could have been signed with relegation in mind so he will be looking to claim the role.
Long and Spencer are predominantly right-sided full-backs so Bloomfield is unlikely to consider the duo, unless there are injuries or suspensions.
However, the right side is also short to some extent. In addition to Long and Spencer, the U’s have Hidde ter Avest, but he struggled for minutes for much of the campaign. Peter Kioso will return following a loan spell at Peterborough but it’s unlikely he’ll be involved.
Centre Back
Ciaron Brown and Michal Helik have both been key for the U’s during their time in the Championship and will likely line up together next season in League One. However, the duo are the only two central defenders at the club.
Ben Davies and Christ Makosso have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells, although the club do have an option on the latter, while Stephan Negru and Stuart Findlay, who have been on loan at Tranmere and Hearts respectively, are out of contract in the summer.
Clearly, it’s an area that the club will look to add depth to, with the likes of Long and ter Avest able to cover, but it’s far from ideal.
Central Midfielder
Like at left back, Oxford do have several players to play in central midfield but they need more depth and versatility.
Jamie Donley and Yunus Konak were only on loan while skipper Cameron Brannagan had a couple of injury concerns over the course of the campaign. Will Vaulks is entering the latter stages of his career and will struggle to complete games as they come thick and fast.
In January, the U’s landed Jamie McDonnell and the former Nottingham Forest youngster, who excelled on loan at Mansfield in League One, could be a real coup for Oxford next season.
Brian De Keersmaecker, who was Oxford’s first signing of the summer, missed much of the campaign with injury and is expected to attract Championship interest yet again.
Louie Sibley was loaned out and, despite still being under contract, would expect to be sent out again having struggled to make much of an impact while at Bradford, in part due to injury.
Therefore, depth is needed so that Bloomfield has a different array of personnel in the middle of the park. The U’s have been linked with Aston Villa midfielder Tommy O’Reilly, while Tyler Goodrham has played there before but is better suited to a number ten or wide role, which we’ll get to next.
Winger
Myles Peart-Harris was the most selected player in the left wing role during the second half of the season but the former Brentford man, who only joined the club on a short-term deal, is expected to move on in the summer.
Siriki Dembele is clearly out of favour, having failed to make a matchday squad since February, while Przemyslaw Placheta has been released after his contract expired. Owen Dale, who has been on loan at Plymouth, has also been released.
In the second half of the season, Stan Mills made the right wing position his own but given his impressive displays, he will be looked at by clubs during the window for sure.
However, Bloomfield does have two players who can play on either flank in Aidomo Emakhu and Jeon Jin-woo and Goodrham is capable on the wing, but depth on both sides of the field remains an issue.
Striker
Having lost top-scorer Will Lankshear following his successful loan spell from Spurs, up top is the final area the U’s need to find cover.
Mark Harris struggled in the Championship but did hit 15 goals in League One as Oxford secured promotion back in 2024.
Loanee Nik Prelec saw his deal made permanent but has struggled with injuries over the campaign, while Ole Romeny’s future is uncertain.
Tom Bradshaw and Gatlin O’Donkor are out of contract and have both been away on loan while Will Goodwin, who spent the season on loan at Bloomfield’s former club, Colchester, has been released.
Lorient striker Bamba Dieng has been linked but the 26-year-old also has interest from Championship clubs in Blackburn and Portsmouth.
Featured image courtesy of IMAGO / Focus Images
