Such has been the seismic financial shift in the Championship post-pandemic that clubs who may have once slightly turned their noses up at talent in the leagues below, simply cannot afford to overlook the potential value that exists in League One.
City have always been open to the concept, and last summer’s acquisitions of Mark Sykes and Kane Wilson on free transfers demonstrate the quality that exists, without having to invest significantly in transfer fees.
Summer free agency next year will be a fertile ground for Championship recruitment departments unwilling or unable to spend transfer fees, while attracting players up the pyramid, as opposed to down from the Premier League, is also made easier by the wage ceiling, which while decreasing still represents a significant pay rise for those in the third tier.
Given the volume of first-team players out of contract at Ashton Gate, while there is a reticence for too much change, inevitably the squad will need to be reinforced and replenished and there is plenty of talent available in seven months time who won’t carry the burden of needing a major fee to prise away.
Here are the best 10 players in League One set to become free agents in 2023, with a slight leaning towards positions City are likely to need…
10. Barry Bannan (Sheffield Wednesday)
Okay, we start a little bit in jest but don’t tell me the prospect of City’s tormentor-in-chief lining up in the Robins' midfield for just one season doesn’t bring the slightest of grins to your face.
The Scot has been at Hillsborough for seven years, is settled in the area and the expectation is, at 33, he’ll want to further extend, and he has hinted at an appearance-based clause in his present deal. But maybe, just maybe, the prospect of one last rodeo in the Championship could convince him otherwise.
Even as he approaches his mid-30s, he’s a level above in League One, and unless the Owls - they lie third at the moment, two points off the top - can secure promotion, does he really want to be toiling away down there when his talents could be appreciated at a higher level?
From a City perspective, do they need that kind of player, at that stage of his career on what would likely be a high-end wage? Probably not. But it would be fun, wouldn’t it?
9. Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)
Forever linked with a move to the Championship - Blackburn, Swansea and Cardiff have all taken a look at him down the years - but Pompey has managed to retain the Irish winger for five seasons now, hitting double figures in each of his previous four campaigns. He hasn’t quite blossomed at the anticipated rate, is treading water a little on the south coast and increasingly resembles a player who needs a move to make the next step.
A winger, who can operate on either side, or even as a second striker providing a goal threat, he is streaky, mercurial, frustrating and all those adjectives that come with a player of his nature, but he would add something a bit different and his wage expectations would be on the more agreeable side.
The 26-year-old has already stated publicly that he’d like to test himself at Championship level and it seems an inevitability he’ll be at a second-tier side next summer.
8. George Thomason (Bolton Wanderers)
Whereas Curtis and Bannan would be immediate first-team-ready players, young Bolton box-to-box midfielder Thomason is more in the “long-term project” category. He’s yet to truly establish himself as a first-team regular but the 20-year-old has made 59 appearances in League One and League Two - as part of their promotion-winning squad - and there is a lot to like about his approach to the game and potential ceiling.
He started his career as a left-back, so possesses a natural defensive awareness and good positional sense, but his strength lies in his passing and an impressive left foot which gives him a unique selling point.
Has always resided in the north west, so geographically City could be at a disadvantage should there be offers forthcoming from rivals based in the part of the world, but he’s definitely a name to keep an eye on.
7. Toby Savin (Accrington Stanley)
Has battled his way to the No1 spot having long been earmarked for the position and Accrington will do well to hold onto the goalkeeping prospect beyond next year. The 22-year-old’s name was mentioned in connection with Tottenham at the start of the year with Antonio Conte keen for a long-term option and potential successor to Hugo Lloris, while Manchester United and Newcastle United have also scouted him.
With respect to Savin, that is potentially over-selling him a bit but there is clearly considerable promise and talent there and although City look well-stocked in that area with Stefan Bajic, Max O’Leary and then Harney WIles-Richards, Mac Boyd and Josey Casa-Grande in the academy, Dan Bentley’s possible departure will leave a sizeable void in the department and Savin could prove a smart pick-up.
6. Terry Taylor (Burton Albion)
Similar to Thomason in the sense the Wales Under-21 international wouldn’t be a signing for next season, but is quickly emerging as one of the best young defensive midfielders outside of the top two divisions.
Born in Scotland, after spells in the Aberdeen and Wolves academies, he’s now excelling in League One and has had to shoulder a considerable amount of responsibility for Burton as one of the more “senior” players in what is a very young squad.
That shows a real sense of character and also leadership, outside of his ability on the ball, and if his performance levels continue, with Burton likely to be in a relegation dogfight for the remainder of 2022/23, opportunities elsewhere could soon come calling.
5. Josh Key (Exeter City)
You might notice a bit of a theme developing as we bring the first of several Exeter players whose deals expire next summer. Key has long been considered among the most likely to make the step up to the Championship and the defender was reportedly on the radar of Blackburn Rovers towards the end of last season, but they ultimately looked elsewhere.
The 23-year-old has played centre-back, right-back and in central midfield for the Grecians and has accumulated 125 professional appearances, including 19 in League One this season as he’s made the step up.
Devon born and bred, he’s spoken previously of his dream to get Exeter into the Championship but if that can’t be achieved this term - and, with respect, it’s a long shot - then there’s a ready-made club just an hour or so up the M5 who could well be in the market for up-and-coming defenders next summer.
4. Jack Sparkes (Exeter City)
Another Grecian - and while we’re at it centre-back Cheick Diabate is also a name to consider but the centre-back does have a 12-month option in his agreement - Sparkes has enjoyed a fine season at left wing-back having experienced an injury-plagued campaign last term.
At 22, he’s already made 134 appearances for his hometown club and, unfortunately for Exeter, is among a clutch of academy talent who look poised to make the step up having been carefully nurtured over the last 4-5 years.
A tenacious presence down the left flank, with all the attributes a modern wing-back needs, he also has a goal in him with his long-range shooting, there are rough edges to smooth out but that’s to be expected given his age. With question marks over whether Jay Dasilva will continue his City career beyond next summer, Sparkes could be a nice addition in that area of the pitch.
3. Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Sheffield Wednesday)
Linked with City in the summer, the former Manchester City academy product clearly has the profile to play at Championship level and Wednesday are going to have to work hard to retain him beyond next year.
Technical and dynamic with excellent work rate, he’d bring energy and athleticism to central midfield and can operate as a deeper player or a driving force from deep, with his ball-carrying perhaps his strongest attribute.
Assuming Wednesday can’t convince the 21-year-old to extend his terms, he wouldn’t be short of offers next summer and competition will be high - PSV Eindhoven has been spoken about this week - but it’s telling that part of the reason he left Manchester City to drop down a division was in pursuit of first-team football. He’d want that to continue at his next destination, something City could potentially provide ahead of more fashionable suitors.
2. Archie Collins (Exeter City)
The last name among our Exeter trio, the Taunton-born midfielder is perhaps the most exciting prospect at St James’ Park and his performances have certainly turned heads higher up the pyramid.
Head coach Gary Caldwell believes the 23-year-old has all the tools to develop into a complete midfielder; reliable and durable - he plays 90 minutes most weeks - Collins is increasingly committed to the defensive side of the game and can operate as both a creator but also a continuity player, keeping things ticking over.
What’s perhaps been striking in terms of his overall development is that while the source of his goals used to be mostly from range, he’s added an ability to time his runs into the box and almost be a secondary poacher with scrappy striker-like finishes now part of his repertoire.
As is the case with all the Exeter talent listed, geographically, should City be interested, they make a lot of sense for a move up the food chain.
1. Jason Knight (Derby County)
Has dropped out of the starting XI of late but the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international has built on his previous two seasons to become a key player, and asset, for the Rams. The fact that a 21-year-old talent already has 81 Championship appearances to his name should alert recruitment chiefs and with Burnley long-term admirers, unless Paul Warne can secure a return to the second tier, his time at Pride Park could be coming to a close.
A midfielder by trade who has ended up impressing at right-back, Knight could make that position his speciality or eventually migrate back into the engine room, where he’d probably be playing for most other teams in League One.
Again, similar to other names on this list, he isn’t necessarily the type of player that City need but such is his talent, if that sort of quality becomes available, it’s an opportunity that has to be seized.
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