Wycombe Wanderers manager Matt Bloomfield believes the acquisitions of Kieran Sadlier and Franco Ravizolli will provide ‘good competition’ for the season ahead.
The Chairboys signed the utility player and goalkeeper on free transfers following their respective releases from Bolton Wanderers and Milton Keynes, as they became the 13th and 14th new faces of what has been a busy summer for the Adams Park side.
Ravizolli, who once was on the books at Eastbourne Borough in the Non League, will provide as the back up to Max Stryjek whilst Sadlier can play in several different positions.
Delighted and excited about this new chapter! 💪 ⚽️ Let’s go! @wwfcofficial https://t.co/EgXGsyawqx
— Fran Ravizzoli (@FranRavizzoli) September 14, 2023
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The ex-Rotherham United and West Ham man can play across the midfield and right back, along with being up top.
On his new signings, Bloomfield told the Free Press: “Sads has been known to us for the last few years as we’ve been interested in him.
“He had come to look at the training ground before as he’s something we’ve always been looking at.
🎈 @KieranSadlier is 29 today!
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) September 14, 2023
Excited to see the new man in action?
StatZone is powered by @ElevenSports.#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/2K7ipheYjG
“We were told late on Transfer Deadline Day [September 1], that there was a possibility to sign him, so when the opportunity presented itself to us, we were able to get it done.
“He left Bolton and to sort it out on the Monday [September 4].
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“He’s got a lot of quality as he can glide past defenders, can use both feet and is a goal threat, so we’re happy to get him over the line.”
On signing Ravizolli, who joined following his departure from Wanderers’ Buckinghamshire rivals in Milton Keynes, the manager said: “Franco has been highly recommended to us from the likes of Russell [Martin] and Sergio [Torres], and any friend of Sergio is a friend of Wycombe Wanderers.
“He’s a good goalkeeper who has worked his way up with his time at Eastbourne and he’s had a bit of time at MK too.
“He’ll provide good competition for Max and we’re happy he’s here.
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“We’ve got a competitive squad as we’ve got depth in all areas, and this is good as these are the headaches we want to have.”
However, two players who are yet to sign for the Chairboys are strikers Uche Ikpeazu and Richard Kone.
#ICYMI: Uche Ikpeazu is set re-join after several positive talks with Matt Bloomfield.
— James Richings (@James_BFP) August 31, 2023
A move to Wednesday fell flat, whilst QPR, Huddersfield and Cardiff did show interest but nothing more.
Could this be the best signing of the window for Wycombe? https://t.co/UniF3IXzDf
The two had been in talks to join Wycombe this summer, with the latter appearing in several friendly matches and training sessions, whilst the former reportedly had a medical at Marlow Road.
Neither move has yet to materialise, but Bloomfield has not ruled anything out.
Matt Bloomfield told me today that Wycombe are 'getting different bits and pieces sorted' to try and bring Richard Kone to the club 👇#Chairboys https://t.co/y7bdNSeQUh
— James Richings (@James_BFP) August 10, 2023
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He concluded: “Anyone who is a free agent can still sign, so I guess that the fact they haven’t signed for us yet indicates we’re working hard behind the scenes to always improve.
“We need to be a bit conscious of the numbers that we’ve already got in the building, but we’ll keep working behind the scenes but as of yet, there's nothing new to update anyone on.”
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