James Ray

1 week ago | the72.co.uk | James Ray

Derby County just about staved off relegation straight back to League One in their first season back in the Championship. DCFC confirmed their safety on the final day after a fine turnaround under John Eustace. The Rams had started well under Paul Wane but dismal mid-season form left them in a precarious position when Eustace joined from play-off chasing Blackburn Rovers.

1 week ago | the72.co.uk | James Ray

Watford are in for an important few months as they prepare for the new season under fresh management. The players at Vicarage Road will be taking time to rest up before getting to work under new boss Paulo Pezzolano, but the Uruguayan will be working hard to prepare for pre-season and should be eager to shape the squad to his liking in the upcoming transfer window. Additions are sure to be on the radar for Pezzolano, but it could be that he faces a fight to hold onto his key players too.

1 week ago | the72.co.uk | James Ray

QPR have placed manager Marti Cifuentes on gardening leave and while it is yet to be made official, it seems for all intents and purposes that he will be moving on. Regardless of who is at the helm at Loftus Road though, change awaits the R’s playing squad. A handful of players have seen their exits confirmed while talks continue with the likes of Jimmy Dunne. Among those who have been confirmed as departing players is left-back Kenneth Paal.

1 week ago | the72.co.uk | James Ray

Sheffield Wednesday are heading for a summer of change with the squad in need of freshening up. SWFC performed well in the 2024/25 campaign, but cannot afford to stagnate. The Owls have Danny Rohl’s situation to clarify and resolve but they can’t wait until that matter is cleared up before making important player decisions. As such, the retained list has been published, and among the players moving on from Hillsborough will be experienced centre-back Michael Ihiekwe.

1 week ago | the72.co.uk | James Ray

Chelsea sanctioned a maiden EFL loan fo young midfielder Leo Castledine last summer, with League One side Shrewsbury Town swooping for a deal. The 19-year-old held a regular starting role with the League One strugglers. He was used in attacking midfield, out on the left-wing and in a deeper central midfield role across his 26 appearances, chipping in with two goals along the way. Injury curtained his season at the end of January and the teenager now heads back to his parent club.