Football Season Guide

Blackburn Rovers

In


Ethan Walker (att) Preston North End; Callum Brittain (def) Barnsley;

Out


Joe Rothwell (mid) (r) Bournemouth; Jan Paul van Hecke (def) (r) Brighton & Hove Albion - end of loan; Darragh Lenihan (def) (r) Middlesbrough; Harry Chapman (mid) Bradford City; Bradley Johnson (mid) (sp) MK Dons; Antonis Stergiakis (gk) Panetolikos; Ryan Nyambe (def) (r) Wigan Athletic; Jacob Davenport (mid) (sp) Released; Deyovaisio Zeefuik (def) (sp) Hertha Berlin - end of loan; Ryan Giles (mid) (sp) Wolverhampton Wanderers - end of loan; Ian Poveda (att) (sp) Leeds United - end of loan; Reda Khadra (att) (r) Brighton & Hove Albion - end of loan;

Following a slow start to the season, Blackburn enjoyed an excellent middle of the campaign to make an unexpected charge for promotion, before eventually tailing off and finishing very poorly. Several first-team players from last season have left upon the end of their loan spells or contracts, particularly in defence, leaving a huge revamp of the squad required. Brittain is the only senior player to join so far, whilst Jon Dahl Tomasson arrives in the dugout to replace the departed Tony Mowbray. Squad requires several new additions to compete this season, and Ben Brereton-Diaz's future is vital whilst the team learn the ideas of the new boss. Brereton-Diaz and Bradley Dack could form one of the deadliest strikeforces in the Championship, after the former returned from two long-term injuries towards the end of last season. A lack of numbers as things stand is a huge weakness, particularly in defence after numerous departures. Blackburn also possess a particularly young squad with little experience, whilst having a new manager that has not yet coached at this level before.

Target


A mid-table finish as the squad adjusts to the transitions this season - hugely revamped squad and a new playing style. Playoffs would be a huge ask again given last year would have been an overachievement had they been reached.