The summer of 2021 has so far been very similar to previous transfer windows during Gareth Ainsworth’s tenure at Wanderers.
The long-serving manager bided his time to bring in the first signing, but put an end to any negative murmurs this week with the re-signing of popular midfielder Josh Scowen.
It will hopefully be the start of a successful close season at Adams Park, and with some of the names Wycombe have been linked to, Scowen could be joined by several equally impressive players.
Scowen returned this week
Official: @Jscowen6's coming home!#Chairboys pic.twitter.com/YQHcOiFuoY
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) June 29, 2021
READ MORE: He's coming home - Wanderers re-sign fan favourite more than six years after leaving
Some Chairboys fans have been wondering whether Scowen’s former Sunderland teammate, Luke O’Nien, could also be set for a return to Adams Park.
However, Scowen, Dom Gape and Curtis Thompson may be enough ball-winning midfielders for Ainsworth, and that area now looks like one of Wycombe’s strongest parts of the pitch.
O’Nien has been played in defence for most of the time in the north-east, so could also be utilised there, but two former midfielders returning in one window might be asking slightly too much.
Although most free agents have been snapped up by now, there are still some that would be realistic signings for Wanderers.
Keeping with the theme of ex-players, Ikechi Anya is without a club after leaving Derby.
Of those released from League One clubs, former England youth international George Thorne may be an option.
He played 100 times in his first spell
Football’s coming home.@Jscowen6’s coming home.
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) June 29, 2021
The #Chairboys are coming home for pre-season training on Thursday.
The beautiful game is alive and kicking! https://t.co/sA5dKwPR7z
Despite spending a season without a club, Ben Alnwick could be the goalkeeper to provide competition for David Stockdale, but it remains to be seen whether the club will stick with 20-year-old Curtis Anderson for back-up.
The arrival of Scowen means the midfield now looks strong and shouldn’t need too many more additions, but reinforcement is certainly needed in defence and a couple more forward players wouldn’t go amiss either.
The wide areas of defence are a tricky place to identify targets because of the potential for different formations. Full-back options are plentiful, but if Ainsworth opts for a wing-back set up as he did at the end of last season, a signing or two will be needed, particularly after the departure of Fred Onyedinma.
Anthony Stewart and Ryan Tafazolli are currently the only out-and-out centre-backs at the club, with Jason McCarthy also able to play there.
That’s certainly an area to look at.
French youngster Tristan Crama could provide cover on loan from Brentford, while Andre Wisdom and Tommy Elphick are also available, but would likely have to take a significant wage drop.
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Uche Ikpeazu is the stand-out man up front for Wycombe, but a few other options will be needed to complement the abilities of one of the Chairboys’ best players of the 20-21 campaign.
Scowen has re-joined Wanderers
More of this please, @Jscowen6! pic.twitter.com/WtLczR2CPK
— Wycombe Wanderers (@wwfcofficial) June 29, 2021
The talks surrounding a return to south Bucks for Admiral Muskwe have gone quiet, but Maxime Biamou and Sam Baldock could be viable options after being let go from Coventry and Reading respectively.
Although Wanderers do have some talent in the wider attacking areas, ex-Bristol City duo Jamie Paterson and Marley Watkins would both be excellent additions.
This week’s Scowen deal has set the bar fairly high for what could be to come in the next few weeks.
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