The current summer transfer window has started well for Wigan Athletic, as seen by the loan acquisitions of Calvin Ramsay from Liverpool and Michael Olakigbe from Brentford.
Dion Rankine, formerly of Chelsea, was also signed to a permanent contract by the Latics, who plan to contend for League One play-off berths the following year.
Although Shaun Maloney will be happy with the transfers he has already completed this summer, he still has a few matters to resolve before the 2024–2025 season.
Chris Sze decision must be made
Chris Sze, a product of the Latics system, had a bit of a breakthrough season last year with 19 League One appearances; nonetheless, he was only named in Maloney’s starting eleven twice and still lacks first team experience.
The Latics are still figuring out Sze’s best position because he hasn’t been given many starting 11 opportunities. Therefore, a loan move to a team where he would get more playing time could assist the 20-year-old establish himself in the senior game.
| Chris Sze 2023/24 League One stats as per FotMob | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 19 |
| Starts | 2 |
| Minutes played | 540 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 0 |
Sze has previously been used by the Latics as an offensive midfielder, but Thelo Aasgaard, another academy graduate, currently holds this position and isn’t expected to be dismissed after a strong season last year.
In addition, Latics prospect Josh Stones recently showed what success loan transfers can bring by scoring three goals in four National League games for Oldham Athletic prior to becoming hurt.
Sze may benefit from a similar approach if he could avoid getting hurt, which would be advantageous for everyone, including the actress.
During this transfer window, Maloney needs to determine if it would be better to loan the 20-year-old out of Brick Community Stadium or give him more first-team appearances.Wigan Athletic must sign a striker this summer
The contracts of former Latics forwards Charlie Wyke, Josh Magennis, and Stephen Humphrys ended at the end of the 2023–2024 season.
After that, Magennis signed with Exeter City, where he will work with Gary Caldwell, the manager of Wigan who was formerly captain, and David Perkins, the assistant manager who was a player for the Greater Manchester team under the Scotsman.
But with these recent departures, Stones, 20, is now Maloney’s sole available striker, therefore the Latics will need to buy a forward of their own.
The ‘Tics should aim to add a new striker to the team as quickly as possible, even though Stones showed during his limited time at Oldham that he has an eye for goal.
During Maloney’s leadership, the Latics have found success in the loan market; players like Luke Chambers and Liam Morrison did well at Brick Community Stadium the previous season.
To improve their prospects of making the playoffs, the team might try to recruit a striker on loan, like Ronnie Stutter, who scored 11 goals in 14 games for the Chelsea academy in the Premier League last season, according to FootMob.
The Latics might do worse than sign Will Evans of Newport County, who scored 21 goals in 46 League Two games the previous season, if they decide to make a permanent acquisition.
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