News Articles > Potential B team players for Huddersfield to consider

11 Potential B team players for Huddersfield to consider

25/06/2022

Since the reform of the academy and then the introduction of the B team, the club has used three main methods for signing youth players. The first was the signing of scholars aged 15 and 16. The second is by signing players from other academies, in Town's case this is usually from abroad, e.g. Etienne Camara, Nicholas Bilokapic etc. In these instances, Town will pay a fee for the players. The third and final one being what we saw last summer where Town signed players for the B team that had finished their first professional contract. Last summer Town signed Connor Shanks, Max Dearnley and most notably Jon Russell with this method.

Following the success of Russell, it would be silly for Town not to repeat this ploy.

Thierno Ballo, Attacking Midfield - Last Club: Chelsea

Having joined Chelsea's academy in 2018 (somewhat controversially), Ballo has been a key player in their U23s, although was loaned out for the first half of the season to Rapid Vienna in Austria. Ballo can play anywhere from central midfield onwards and probably is the most technically gifted player on this list.

I have doubts on whether Town would be able to sign him for the first team, let alone the B team, but potentially 2 months in the B team then moved into the first team like Russell last season would do him the world of good.

George McEachran, Central Midfield - Last Club: Chelsea

Another Chelsea academy graduate, McEachran has played 69 times in the Premier League 2 and has had two loans to the Dutch second division. He is primarily a central midfielder, but can also play further up as a 10. He will be 22 come the start of the season, so he might want to go to a league 1 or 2 side where he will play senior football.

Kwaku Oduroh, Right Back - Last Club: Manchester City

Kwaku went on trial to Spurs in March last season, but Spurs chose against signing the 19 year old. Oduroh captained City's U18s to the U18 Premier League in 2021, but clearly City have been ruthless with him, with his contract initially being up in 2023, but City chose to end it early.

Joel Lopez, Left Back - Last Club: Arsenal

Lopez signed for Arsenal in 2018 from Barcelona, but left without making a senior appearance. He is a direct attacking fullback with tremendous pace. Left Back is a position that Town have enormous quality in the B team and first team. Lopez is likely to return to Spain, but Town should certainly explore the avenue.

Kyle Hudlin, Striker - Last Club: Solihull Moors

Hudlin might be the player with the biggest profile in the National League - and that is literally as well. The 22 year old attracted media attention as he is the tallest professional player in England at 6 foot 9. He would be a very different type of player to what Town have and if they could get him up running I have no doubt that he would score just because of how big he is. Technically he leaves a lot to be desired, but as Town showed with the signing of Sorba Thomas, they are very good at exploiting these raw players' best attributes.

Jesse Debrah, Centre Back - Halifax Town

Having come through at Millwall, Debrah chose to move to Dulwich Hamlet and then Halifax Town last year. The 22-year-old's contract is up at the end of the 2022/23 season and Town has reportedly had a bid knocked back, with the stumbling block being the amount submitted. He probably needs another season out on loan, Halifax reportedly wants him back on loan, but at 22, he needs to be going out to League 2.

Ben Woodburn, Attacking Midfield - Liverpool

Woodburn was once Liverpool's youngest ever scorer, but Woodburn has really failed to kick on since. He has had multiple loans in the Football League and Scotland.

Town could give Ben a chance to revive his career, and with the way they have their B team and first-team set up, so he wouldn't be writing off his career by initially signing for the B team.

John McAtee, Attacking Midfield - Grimbsy Town

John is the brother of James McAtee, the Manchester City Starlet who Town have been linked with on loan. McAtee has vast experience having made 50 appearances in the football league, but chose to sign for Grimbsy last season where he was pivotal in The Mariners' promotion to League 2.

For me, it would be a slight punt and he'll be 23 come the start of next season, but he could be used as a squad player in Town's first team, but first is used in the B team, or could be bought to be loaned out.

Max Cleworth, Centre Back - Wrexham Town

After the Hollywood takeover of Wrexham Town, it is safe to say that there is no room for sentiment in the team, but 19-year-old Cleworth has managed to propel himself into a starting spot. Since the turn of the new year, Max has started every game but two and endured a breakout season for the academy graduate.

Cleworth has a contract in Wales until 2024, but a deal could potentially be struck to bring the centre back to West Yorkshire.

Lewis Gibson, Centre Back - Negotiations with Everton

Gibson made the £6 million switch to Merseyside in 2017 from Newcastle, but after three separate loan moves with mixed reviews there are serious question marks over the 21-year-old's future in blue. Everton has said they are in discussion with Gibson over an extension to his contract, but so far nothing has been announced, with his contract being up on 30th June.

A move to Town's B team could be the break that Gibson needs, with the incentive being that there is a clear pathway into the first team if he performs.

Lars Dendonker, Centre Back - Last Club: Brighton

Lars the brother of Wolves player Leander, signed for Brighton's development side in 2020, but the 21 year old has left the South Coast side after the expiration of his contract. The Belgium has had one loan spell in Scotland, but failed to get consistent minutes.

A move back to Belgium is likely, but if Town can get a visa for the former Brugge man, he would be a great option at centre back for the B team.