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5 right wing back options for Huddersfield Town to sign

01/06/2022

Here is the first instalment of transfer targets for Huddersfield Town to look at this summer. Firstly focusing on the right wing back position, which I believe is the area that Town need to strengthen most desperately. Whereas Harry Toffolo is a shoo-in on the left, on the right hand side, Town have not really established a first choice. Thomas has featured heavily, but is better further up the field if you ask me. Ollie Turton was brought in as backup, and is now genuine competition to Pipa whom has struggled with injury for most of the season and has been hit and miss when he has featured. Aaron Rowe is only the other player at Town with first-team experience who has played there, but again he has not been fit all season.

Town relies heavily on their wing-backs, and for them to reach that next level, I think they need to look at improving the quality in this position. As I said before, Turton is solid, but he is not a modern wing back, Pipa is hit and miss, Rowe needs to be evaluated properly in the new system and Sorba is better further up the field.

Kane Wilson, Forest Green Rovers

Winning league two player of the season is a remarkable achievement, even more so when you are a right back. This season, Wilson made 45 apperances, scored 3 goals and produced 13 assists, as Forest Green Rovers clinched promotion to League 1. He made his West Brom debut (and only competitive game for the club) at 16 in 2016, when he was a 70' substitute in the EFL cup. He failed to really make his mark at West Brom and had 4 loan spells in League 1 and 2. After being released there he signed a 2 year deal at Forest Green, where he has been ever since.

When comparing him with Pipa, Wilson averages 1.4 out of 1.7 tackles per 90 minutes to Pipa's 1.7 out of 2.2 attempted, Pipa again edges interceptions, 1.1 to 0.8. Wilson blocked 0.1 shots, 0.5 crosses and 0.9 passes per 90 last season, to Pipa 0.3 shots blocked, 0 crosses blocked and 0.6 passes blocked. In the air Wilson won 1.1/2.6 aerial duals compared with Pipa's 0.4/1.6. Offensively it is where Wilson starts to shine, 2.1 key passes per 90 (Pipa 0.8), while he completes 2.8 out of 6.4 dribbles per 90 (Pipa 0.8/2.1). Wilson makes 1.3/5.1 attempted crosses per game, which isn't amazing, but Pipa makes 0.1/1.6 per game.

Enough stats, Wilson would be a very handy option and is very experienced having already played 193 games at 22. I think it is a no brainer to at least have a look at him since Wilson is out of contract this summer, and only a small compensation deal would be needed since the player is under 24.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Arsenal

A product of the Hale End academy, Brooke is an electric wing back who can play on either side. The right footed defender is comparable to Djed Spence in the way that he plays, he loves to dribble and his explosive pace and strength allows him to get past opposition defenders.

At 18 years old, Norton-Cuffy is somewhat of an unknown quantity and has only played 17 games in league 1 and 13 games in Premier League 2. He starred in a Lincoln side that was very underwhelming, 1 goal and 1 assist is not a return to be writing home about, but watching his highlights, he should defeinitely have had a lot more.

He has 1 year left on his current deal, although according to David Ornstein at the Athletic, Norton-Cuffy has been offered a new long term deal at Arsenal. I think a loan move would be most likely if Town were to go in for him. He looks like an immense talent, he could potentially have the same impact that Levi Colwill had this season. He was named Arsenal's Scholar of the Season this year.

Tommy Smith, Stoke City

In the words of Duane Holmes: 'He (Leigh Bromby) only signs his mates'. Smith, the former club captain at Town, has just been released by Stoke. So yes, that would also be a free transfer as well! Name a more iconic duo than Town signing former players and on free transfers, I'll wait. In all seriousness, this deal could well be on the cards, but I don't think he would be a huge improvement on Turton and there are more exciting options out there. He is also much more suited playing in a back four. When Town played a back five in the Premier League, Hadergjonaj was preferred over him and we all know he was allergic to defending.

It wouldn't be a bad signing by no means, but I just think that there are better options and with Smith now 30, it isn't exactly a signing for the future.

Nathan Patterson, Everton

I think this is the most audacious name on the list, Patterson was signed by Everton in January from Rangers, with the 20 year old only making 1 appearance so far in the FA Cup. Potentially he could be available for loan if Frank Lampard thinks he still has a way to go before he makes an impact on Merseyside.

He is a direct player who loves to dribble with the ball and has a very good cross as well. He looks solid defensively and likes a slide tackle, although it looks good, it isn't always a good thing to go to ground when tackling, especially in the modern game. A solid option, but since he is backup at Everton, I think it would be highly doubtful they would let him leave albeit temporarily.

Everton paid nearly £10 million for him only 6 months ago, so they will not be letting him go permanently, but Town might be able to put in a loan bid for the Scottish international. The main hurdle with Patterson would most likely be his wages, even if Town were to pay half his wages, he would probably break the wage structure at Town, and that wouldn't be a sensible thing to do.

Brodie Spencer - Huddersfield Town B

Finally looking at a player within our ranks already. Spencer has been a regular in the B team and played 5 games out of 7 in the Premier League Cup this season. He played 4 as a wing-back and 1 as a right-sided centre half. When signing for Town, Spencer came as a central midfielder, although Town have converted him into a wing-back.

Spencer has played for Northern Ireland's Under 17s and U19s, but has just been called up to the full senior side for the Nations League and could be in line to make his senior debut this Thursday against Greece.

Brodie was named academy player of the year this season, with the award previously being won by Lewis O'Brien and Philip Billing. Town has very high hopes for the 18 year old, whose contract runs until the end of the 2024 season. I can't comment on how he plays as I won't lie, I have never seen him play, but from what I have read and heard he is a very good player. Town will want to take a look at him in pre-season, but he will most likely be loaned out to get consistent minutes at a senior level.