Potential midfield options for Huddersfield Town to consider prior to the upcoming Championship season

Following the previous article, regarding defenders that the Terriers should look at, this piece will follow on and look at midfielders that the club could look at.

The club has seen recent success with younger talents in midfield following O’Brien since the relegation into the Championship and recently, Russell’s emergence into the first team.

It is expected that Huddersfield will follow this same route in further transfers, rather than potentially targeting slightly older players as they have in defensive regions.

It is fairly likely that O’Brien will depart the John Smith’s Stadium this window, with Crystal Palace and Southampton reportedly interested in the youngster, and with the transfer window far from its climax, anything is still possible.

If the 23-year-old does end up departing the club this window, it is vital that the club invest in the midfield. Given how pivotal the player has been to the side in recent years. In the unlikely case that the club manages to keep their star man, midfield reinforcements would still be welcomed.

 Panutche Camará 

The 25-year-old has been linked away from Plymouth Argyle for a while now and following his recent refusal to sign a new contract with the club, has been put up for sale, with the risk of losing the player for free in 12 months.

The midfielder’s profile is arguably very similar to O’Brien’s, a tenacious midfielder with great ball-winning abilities, a brilliant engine, and one that will run for 90 minutes if asked to.

Looking at the heat maps of the Guinea-Bissau international, they too are almost identical to that of Huddersfield’s academy graduate, albeit on the right side of the pitch instead of the left. Partner this too with his existing ability to contribute goals and assists, and there is the mould of a similar player there.

For what it is worth, if Huddersfield’s answer to Ron Weasley is to depart, Camará should be one of the names, right at the top of the list, if the midfield magician stays though, the Guinean could bring another level to the side’s midfield. With him only just about to reach his ‘footballing prime’ age it is a very smart signing if the club were to have a look.

David Kasumu

Since 2014 Huddersfield have not signed any other out and out holding midfielders that have been able to challenge for Jonathan Hogg’s spot since his arrival, with his 34^th birthday on this horizon, it is time for the club to look for someone to slowly take the reigns, that the Middlesbrough born midfielder has held for nearly the past decade.

Therefore, signing one sooner rather than later makes sense, if only to adjust them to the club. Last summer the club had what was said to be a ‘significant bid’ rejected for Kasumu from MK Dons, so after another season of League One exposure, and playing at a high level, only just missing out on play-off promotion, it makes sense for the club to have another go.

With The Dons often utilising a double pivot ahead of a back 3/5, the question opens as to how effective Kasumu could be in a three-midfielder system, with him likely being at the base. However, with the Terriers also playing a similar system at times last season utilising a double pivot, there would be the knowledge that Kasumu could play his part in this system too.

Kasumu hasn’t featured in as many games this season too, which could mean that the player may look to get away from Stadium MK this summer. With the club and Carlos Corberán already being a fan of the player, it’s another deal that again makes sense.

Ben Wiles

One straight from the rumour mill is Ben Wiles, who has seemingly been linked with half of the Championship following last season’s antics with Rotherham.

In the chances that O’Brien was to stay, it isn’t unreasonable to say that Wiles could be the perfect compliment to him. Saying that, it wouldn’t be unfair to say that the Millers’ man would be a pivotal piece of a great midfield in the Championship, with or without Lewis O’Brien.

The 23-year-old shone in League one last season showing himself as a player with the capabilities to play a plethora of different roles if he were to be brought into the club. Whether that be a more box-to-box option, similar to what the Terriers utilise in O’Brien or a more attack-minded midfielder.

Only time could tell if the Terriers could tempt him away from the New York Stadium, and from other clubs in the league. With it being believed that it would take a figure of at least £2 million to be in with a chance for the midfielder, it could deter the club, unless their prized asset were to depart.

Zian Flemming

If Zian Flemming were to be brought in, it would likely have to be a loan-to-buy scenario in the best case and after a great season in the Eredivisie with Fortuna Sittard, the Terriers will have a battle on their hands to land the player.

With links to Nottingham Forest earlier in the year, there is the chance that they will go after the playmaker again in the Summer given their success in promotion, with the Dutchman too being in attendance of the Play-off final last month too, it is entirely possible that either club had contacted the player.

With 14 contributions in 27 this season from midfield and attack this season, it would be a major signing, and with the club not activating the buy clause in loanee Danel Sinani’s loan contract, it could potentially be on the cards.

Chelsea Loanees

It would be tough to suggest a summer signings list without a Chelsea loanee would be tough, there are three that could see a switch this summer to The John Smith’s Stadium from Cobham, two midfielders and a forward, who will be included in the final rendition of this article series.

The first midfielder is Harvey Vale, behind Levi Colwill, the 18-year-old is arguably at the peak of upcoming hopes in the Cobham ranks, the only potential concern is whether he would be able to slot a bit deeper than he has been played at for the Blues, with most of his minutes coming in more advanced midfield roles, or on the wing. Questions could be raised as to whether he is the right man for the role, it would be a major risk, but one that could be worth taking.

The second is Charlie Webster, who has been deemed the Cobham Kovacic. An exceptionally flattering compliment to someone who has only played 60 games in his career. That being said, having just turned 18 in January, these numbers are exceptional.

It would, without a doubt, be a major risk considering these factors. Which could deter the club, leaving the question open to whether he would be ready for the level of loan that Huddersfield Town needs?

With Premier League loans being so valuable, could these resources be used elsewhere? On face value, yes. However, football is about risks, calculated risks at that, and could this just be a gem that the Terriers take the chance on?

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