With Jasper Pattenden, Christie Ward, D’Mani Mellor and Jack Young all signing for Wycombe this summer, Wanderers’ recruitment for the season ahead has well and truly begun.
There is a fresh look about the team as loan players in Tjay De Barr, Connor Parsons and Ali Al-Hamadi have all returned on top of Nick Freeman's comeback after an 11-month absence through an ACL injury.
READ MORE: 'It's a huge step forward' - Wycombe appoint new senior advisor ahead of the new season
And with goalkeeper Nathan Bishop's move from Manchester United being imminent, the Adams Park club are very much rebuilding for what could be the most competitive League One season in recent times.
So with more new faces expected to join Wycombe before the window shuts at the end of August, here are five free agents I think the Chairboys should enquire about for the campaign ahead.
Ben Foster, 39, goalkeeper
With two Premier League winners’ medals, three league cup final wins, two community shield victories, a Football League Trophy success and two promotions out of the Championship, Foster is a born winner and his experience will not only benefit the defence in front of him, but the dressing room as a whole.
A bubbly character one and off the pitch, his YouTube persona as the ‘Cycling GK’ could also lead to fans wanting to see him in action, replacing the much-loved Adebayo Akinfenwa as ‘that’ celebrity at Adams Park.
Additionally, a close source to the Bucks Free Press revealed that they allegedly saw Foster ‘gofor a jog’ in Stoke Mandeville after the most recent Premier League season had ended.
This was not officially confirmed but if he did sign for the Wanderers, Wycombe will have three top keepers in himself, Bishop and Tyla Dickinson.
Alfie Mawson, 28, centre back
A player that has been heavily linked with the club all summer, Alfie Mawson returning to Adams Park could be the perfect transfer.
A former fan favourite during the 2014/15 season, his goals and performances helped Wanderers book themselves a place in the League Two play-off final against Southend United.
OPINION: Alfie Mawson made his name with Wycombe in the 2014/15 season. Seven years later, he is set to re-join Wanderers after a frustrating period with Fulham. Could the move back to Adams Park revive what was a soaring career? #Chairboys 👇https://t.co/xdzTdIEid2
— James Richings (@James_BFP) June 28, 2022
His tally of seven goals that campaign, which were scored in the final 15 games of that season, secured him numerous individual accolades such as the club’s Player of the Season and the Player’s Player of the Season.
READ MORE: Gareth Ainsworth talks about the Wycombe Alfie Mawson links
He has since played for Swansea City and Fulham in the Premier League but at the latter, injury issues have hampered what was a glistening career.
A move back to the club which began his Football League career could revive his form.
Michael Hector, 30, centre back
Released by Fulham this summer after their third promotion to the Premier League in five seasons, the 30-year-old hasn’t had a full year of competitive football since the 2018/19 campaign, where he played 39 times for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
A strong, commanding centre-back who loves a good tackle, the 30-year-old was named as Wednesday’s Player of the Season that year, and has also earned 35 caps for Jamaica at international level.
He has been picked to represent the Reggae Boyz at five international tournaments, three of which included current Wanderers star Garath McCleary.
And with Ryan Tafazolli and Chris Forino being the club’s current centre backs with Jack Grimmer and Joe Jacobson being utility players in that position, Hector could make Adams Park his home.
Tom Carroll, 30, centre midfielder
With the former Tottenham Hotspur and Swansea City midfielder playing 26 times in the third tier for both Leyton Orient in 2010/11 and Ipswich Town in 2021/22, Tom Carroll is well equipped to have another year in League One for a new team.
It may be a position that doesn’t need to be looked at considering the abundance of talent at the club’s disposal, but squad depth is vital if promotion is secured come May 2023.
So far on the club’s books in that position are the likes of Dom Gape, David Wheeler, Curtis Thompson, Jack Young, Jasper Pattenden, Nick Freeman and Josh Scowen.
But with Thompson still out, and with the games coming in thick and fast, any injury or knock could deplete the squad and hamper any promotion push.
The former England Under 21 international also hails from Watford, so it could be a sensible transfer which could see him return closer to home.
Connor Wickham, 29, forward
In terms of attacking, wide and creative players, Wycombe are spoilt for choice.
Lewis Wing, Anis Mehmeti, Daryl Horgan, Sullay Kaikai, Garath McCleary, Brandon Hanlan and Connor Parsons have all proven that they can score goals and get assists, but up top, it’s a different story.
Sam Vokes is the only senior striker at the club, and even though D’Mani Mellor, Tjay De Barr and Ali Al-Hamadi will be waiting in the wings for their chance, another proven Football League goal scorer might be needed at Adams Park.
This is where Connor Wickham could come in.
Following his release from Milton Keynes after six months, the 29-year-old is desperate to show the world of his ability after several injury-hit seasons.
He was recently on trial at Reading, but it has been reported that he is no longer being looked at by the club.
80’ Kelvin Abrefa is brought down and trialist Connor Wickham converts from the spot! 4-0 pic.twitter.com/YWF1IWWswV
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) July 12, 2022
Julian Jeanvier, Connor Wickham, Jacob Davenport, Josh Murphy, Jodi Jones and Grant Ward are all no longer training with Reading. [@berkshire_live] #readingfc pic.twitter.com/YbFBi1RXs4
— Talk Reading (@TalkReading) July 17, 2022
His physical attributes are similar to Vokes', and with quick players in Mellor, De Barr and Al-Hamadi alongside him, the Chairboys' attacking force could be the recipe for a promotion push to the Championship.
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