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A look into the January transfer window at Huddersfield Town

29/12/2023

I could spend 200 words weighing up which positions Town need to strengthen but I think it is rather straightforward: an out-and-out number 9 and then a passing number 8. Then desirably someone who can cover Hogg and another wingback.

Last year Town went with a scattergun approach of signing 7 players and recalling 6 from loans, as they attempted to pad out their squad, but this year it is the opposite. The squad they have is solid, but just lacking a couple of star players.

I ran a number of polls on Twitter yesterday to see how the fans felt, and it seems that my thoughts are echoed by the fan base:

• 72% of fans believe a striker is the most important position we strengthen
• 74% believe Town would stay up if they sign a striker and midfielder
• If Town were to sign a striker, 72% would want it to be an experienced player as opposed to a young unproven talent
• 15% trust the board to make the right signings, while 60% are unsure
• 39% are worried that Town could lose Nicholls, Rudoni or Helik

Loan Report

Before we look at who Town could be considering, it is first worth noting if any of the 8 players Town have out on loan could be of use:

1. Kieran Phillips: Been out for 2 months with a knee injury. Like Pat Jones, Phillips can't seem to keep fit, unfortunately.
2. Scott High: Not featured since the start of November for Ross County, with just 2 substitute appearances, it just seems a very strange move. Still only 22, but Town really could do with sending him somewhere where he will play every week.
3. Aaron Rowe: After looking promising in the 20/21 season, Rowe has just not lived up to his promise again. 4 goals, 3 assists in 21 games for Crewe. Played in numerous positions, but just not been consistent enough.
4. Tyreece Simpson: 4 goals in 23 appearances, with 3 of those coming in the EFL Trophy. Prolific, not.
5. Brodie Spencer: Been a mainstay in a struggling Motherwell side this season, who haven't won since September. Played as a wing-back on either side, and managed to be recalled to the Northern Ireland setup. I would leave him in Scotland for the rest of the season to get experience.
6. Connnor Mahoney: We are lucky he only has 6 months left on his deal.
7. Jordan Rhodes: I will get onto him soon...
8. Luke Daley: Having featured in a few of Moore's early squads, Daley has gone on loan to York until the January window. Could do with another loan.

Jordan Rhodes' future

Town are in desperate need of a striker, and if Town were to want to sign the in-form striker from the lower leagues, it would be Jordan Rhodes. I have written previously that Rhodes is not the player that Town need, and I still maintain we need to be aiming for a better striker, but I can see him being recalled, even if it is only temporarily.

If it wasn't for Rhodes having made an appearance in the EFL cup for Huddersfield, then I think there is an argument that Rhodes would be the most in-demand player in the EFL. As Rhodes has played a competitive games for two separate clubs this season, he can only play for Huddersfield or Blackpool for the rest of the season. Only Jake Young at Swindon has scored more goals than Rhodes in the whole of the EFL. With this, Town may look at recalling Rhodes until they find a striker, and then look at doing a deal to send Rhodes back to Blackpool.

Forwards

Kieffer Moore at Bournemouth is no stranger to Town or Championship fans, an experienced forward who scored 20 goals for Cardiff in 2020/21. This season he hasn't featured heavily at Bournemouth, with just 7 substitute appearances. With Wales play-off for the European Championships this summer on the horizon, Moore will want to be playing and a move to Town could be an option. The barriers for Town is firstly would Moore want to move? and if so can Town afford his wages?

I really like Ali Al-Hamadi at AFC Wimbledon, since signing last January he has scored 24 goals and 7 assists in 45 games in all competitions. At 22, he is only going to get better. Wimbledon are reportedly asking for £2.5 million for the Iraq internationally. I think he is more of a project player given he would be moving up 2 leagues, and for the price, it would be a huge gamble.

Another option could be Joe Gelhardt at Leeds who has found game-time hard to come by under Daniel Farke. I am not entirely sure he would be the exact profile that we need, as he has not been prolific in his senior career, but I have been impressed when I have seen him play before. Even though he is 21, he has played 90 senior games in English football so is experienced and all those playing for teams in the Premier League and Championship.

Lastly, and the most audacious of the lot: Lawrence Shankland at Hearts. Shankland is currently the top scorer in the SPL with 11 goals in 19 games this season. However, there is interest from Rangers and Celtic, which I think would make this signing impossible. However, this is the calibre of player that Town need to be going after, after years of underinvestment in the playing squad.

Midfielders

Cameron Brannagan at Oxford United has been a player who has been subject to Championship interest for many seasons now, but I think he would fit in nicely at Town. He is an experienced midfielder with nearly 300 senior games and is entering his prime at 27. He is comfortable playing anywhere in midfield and in his 263 games for Oxford he has 46 goals and 25 assists. I think he would be a great addition, but again it is a question of whether he can make the step up right away as he hasn't played at this level before.

Another player in League 1 to attract Championship interest has been Max Bird at Derby County. You do sort of think if it wasn't for the financial issues at Derby, how would they have done with that group of academy players. At 23, Bird still remains at Derby and his contract is up at the end of the season, so Town may be able to get a cut-price deal for him.

I was surprised to see Callum Styles remain at Barnsley this season, but interest remains from the Championship and across Europe for the Hungarian international. It would be fair to say that Styles hasn't hit the heights that he did in the 2020/21 season which saw Barnsley reach the Championship play-offs, but at 23 there is still a talented player. Of all the players listed, he would be the most expensive and I think Herbie Kane is a better option from Barnsley...

Lastly, Steven Alzate who is currently on loan in Belgium from Brighton. Like with Shankland, Alzate is the most audacious midfielder that I am including in this list. There is a clause in his loan agreement that allows Brighton to recall him from his loan at Standard Liege. With Alzate's contract up at Brighton at the end of the season, Town may be able to look at a permanent signing of the 25-year-old, however, I don't think this would be very realistic.

Summary

From all the interviews that have been conducted with people at Town, it looks like that Town will be looking abroad in some of their business. The issue with the foreign markets is that the Championship is a tough league and not one that is easily adaptable to, especially mid season. The signing of Delano Burgzorg has been a clear success, but it has taken Delano time to adapt. Whoever Town sign, they need to hit the ground running, otherwise the season will be over before they make an impact.

Town are going to have to spend in January, it can't be a repeat of last January signing someone like Martyn Waghorn because he is available or Anthony Knockaert whose legs have gone and hoping for a miracle. Town are going to have to go toe-to-toe with clubs for players, but we are going to have to wait and see if they do.