FIVE PLAYERS READING SHOULD SIGN THIS SUMMER

Although still under the transfer restrictions we are all so used to now, there are still a wealth of good options for Reading to consider in the free-agent market this summer. Last year’s transfer window masterclass saw players such as Harvey Knibbs, Sam Smith and Lewis Wing snatched up for a grand total of zero British pounds, along with many others who now make up the very core of the squad.

If the proposed takeover happens, then Mark Bowen and his team will have a very real project to sell to new players in the hope of building on an already exciting squad that can challenge for promotion. Here, I look at five players with contracts expiring this summer that I think would bolster the squad in a big way.

Ben Woodburn

Age: 24

Club: Preston North End

Position: Attacking midfield

Since bursting onto the scene at Liverpool along with Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2016, Woodburn has sloped away from the spotlight and now finds himself riding the bench at Preston North End, a club doomed to finish mid-table in the Championship for the rest of eternity.

As with so many players at big clubs who show sparks of talent so young, Woodburn spent four years on loan at four different teams, never finding a home, before leaving permanently for Preston in 2022. Once nominated for the 2017 Golden Boy award but pipped to the post by a certain Kylian Mbappe (who is ALSO out of contract this summer, Mr Bowen), Woodburn hasn’t started a single game for North End this season, being used as a substitute 20 times in the league, with his longest run-out lasting 27 minutes. Now 24, it seems to be crunch time for Ben, and with minutes at Preston hardly being afforded to him, it might be time for him to find a new home.

Similar to Harvey Knibbs, Woodburn can play all across the attack, being used on either wing as well as in an attacking-midfield position. Also similar to Knibbs, Woodburn led the league in tackles and interceptions per 90 back in December 2023.

These stats could be slightly misleading, as he only played just over 180 minutes of football last season, but it does suggest he plays with tenacity and aggression when pressing - a quality that fits Ruben Selles’ team like a glove. Needing first-team minutes urgently, a move to Berkshire would make sense for all parties, not least Woodburn, who, even if used mainly as a substitute for any attacker across the front three or four, would benefit from more minutes at a lower level.

Mitch Pinnock

Age: 29

Club: Northampton Town

Position: Left-winger

If Reading are to compete in any manner next year, the problem position of left wing needs addressing. Paul Mukairu and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan have both shown sparks of something this season, but mainly when being substituted on for the other one.

Pretty much the only position left in the team with no definite starter, Pinnock is an obvious pick-up here. Managing eight league goals and topping Northampton’s assist charts with seven from left wing, Pinnock has been an ever-present in Northampton’s fairly successful campaign, which has them 11th in their first season in League One since 2020/2021.

Now in his prime and with his contract up at the end of June, Pinnock’s profile is perfect for Reading, who are crying out for some more experienced players - the oldest player fielded against Barnsley was 28-year-old Lewis Wing.

Despite looking to finish in the top half of the table, Northampton lack the budget to really make a go of hunting promotion to the Championship, and with their star men Marc Leonard and Kieron Bowie returning to parent clubs Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham respectively at the end of this season, Pinnock could well jump ship for the exciting project at Reading.

Liam Bennett

Age: 22

Club: Cambridge United

Position: Right-back

Probably quite an unrealistic signing as Andy Yiadom has his right-back spot firmly nailed down, as does Bennett at Cambridge, playing 88% of minutes in the league last year. But we lack adequate cover for Yiadom, and the young Bennett would be perfect as his understudy/potential successor.

Looking likely to win the Us’ Player of The Season, Bennett is a tenacious right-back who had one of their best moments during their 4-0 battering at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in March, skinning Charlie Savage before driving and getting a looping cross in. I remember being impressed with him in the reverse fixture back in September too, when he got the better of old teammate Harvey Knibbs at seemingly every one-on-one opportunity.

Bennett seems like a player we would’ve signed 20 years ago - a Graeme Murty type, aggressive and passionate with a desire to run and put tackles in, and muck in for the good of the team.

Our new identity mirrors this in lots of ways, and Bennett seems like the poster boy for this hungry and teamwork-oriented style of play. Also, obviously, he plays for Cambridge, who we are yet to sign a bad player from. If he would be happy to share minutes with Yiadom, Bennett would be a fantastic coup to link back up with Knibbs and Smith in RG2.

Ruel Sotiriou

Age: 23

Club: Leyton Orient

Position: Centre-forward

Again, another position Reading are slim in, with Smith only having Jayden Wareham and Ehibhatiomhan behind him in the pecking order. Orient’s Cypriot forward Sotiriou has been key to their top-table finish this term, bagging 12 goals and five assists, topping both their goal and assist charts.

This kind of return may well have Championship clubs monitoring him, but like Wing last summer, there’s no reason Reading can’t compete for his signature. The swanky training ground and supremely talented young squad we are building could be enough to sway him when his contract in East London finishes in the summer.

Also capable of playing left wing, Sotiriou has spent six spells on loan at lower-league clubs such as Dover Athletic, learning his trade in the physically demanding non-league before becoming an ever-present in Orient’s squad which ran League Two riot last year.

Quick, agile and a natural finisher, Sotiriou would be perfect to chase down Smith’s knock-ons, and give him a partner to play off and get involved in games more, as he seems to struggle with a lack of service this year.

Warren O’Hora

Age: 24

Club: MK Dons

Position: Centre-back

A product of Brighton’s impressive academy, O’Hora has been a mainstay at centre-back for the promotion-pushing Dons this term. However, with them unable to go up automatically and instead relying on the peril of the play-offs, there is a very real chance that the Dons stay in League Two this year. Even if they do go up, O’Hora has himself admitted last year that he’s ‘getting to crunch time’ in his career, and that he’d love to play in the Championship.

An upgrade to a Reading team looking to challenge for promotion could be the perfect career move for the 6ft 3 Irishman. But what could O’Hora bring to the table?

Tyler Bindon and Amadou Mbengue’s partnership has been untouchable and highly effective since January, but O’Hora is a much more experienced option, and an example these two could learn a lot from. He would also provide cover for any injuries, as we again lack depth in central defence.

However, he’s not just a coup on the pitch - previous managers of O’Hora have sung his praises about his character and leadership. Russell Martin said he received “incredible character references” when he signed him in 2020, and that “everyone we spoke to about him mentioned his leadership skills”.

Liam Manning, Dons boss in 2022, called him a “terrific role model for young players” and praised his “behaviours and habits around the dressing room and in training”. Similar to Bennett, not only should Reading sign O’Hora for his physical prowess and defending ability, but also because he seems like a fantastic leader and excellent character to have around the club.

He could be invaluable to Bindon’s development, as well as allowing Bindon to rest, having being thrust into 83% of Reading’s League One minutes at just 19 years of age.

2024-04-18T17:18:09Z dg43tfdfdgfd