AFC WIMBLEDON CONFIRM SQUAD LIST FOR 2021-22 SEASON

AFC Wimbledon's Head Coach Mark Robinson has spoken about the importance of keeping the majority of last season’s squad after he announced the retained list for 2021/22. After guiding The Dons to League One safety with an impressive sequence of results during the final few months of the season, he is determined to push the club forward. Our Head Coach has started that process by announcing players under contract, those leaving the club, and providing an insight into his plans for developing young talent. 

“We want young and hungry players with a point to prove,” said Robbo. “Those players must work hard to be the best that they can be, so that we can progress as the season goes on, but we also need an element of experience in there. I think we’ve got that if you look at the players we’ve retained. We are in discussions with some of our current players about new contracts."

So what will happen with top striker Joe Pigott?
“We’ve made an offer to Joe and I am confident he’s been impressed by what we want to build. If it’s a case of Joe continuing to play League One football then I believe he will stay. I think there’s a big part of him that wants to stay and take us forward as a club, but if offers come in from Championship clubs it understandably may be a different thought process for him.” Alas Joe has confirmed he will be leaving the club, at least giving us plenty of time to find a replacement and will be interested to see which club he signs for and whether it's a Championship one or a League One rival?

Below is the full list of retained players under contract;

Goalkeepers
 Nik Tzanev
 Matthew Cox

Defenders
 Dan Csoka
 Will Nightingale
 Cheye Alexander
 Jack Madelin
 Nesta Guinness-Walker
 Ben Heneghan
 Jack Currie
 Paul Kalambayi
 Huseyin Biler
 Paul Osew

Midfielders
 Elliott Bolton
 Alex Woodyard
 Anthony Hartigan
 Ethan Chislett
 Jack Rudoni
 Ayoub Assal

Forwards
 Ollie Palmer
 Corie Andrews
 Zach Robinson

The club have confirmed that the following three players are leaving;

 Luke O’Neill [defender]
 Callum Reilly [midfield]
 Shane McLoughlin [midfield]
 Joe Pigott [forward]

The following loan players are returning to their parent clubs;

 Sam Walker  [Reading]
 Darnell Johnson  [Leicester City]
 George Dobson  [Sunderland]
 Ryan Longman  [Brighton]
 Jaakko Oksanen  [Brentford]

In addition, Robbo added that further talks are planned with Shayon Harrison about his future and David Fisher has been offered a chance to re-sign for us. After showing rich promise during his Dons academy days, young forward David enjoyed a prolific spell at Hampton & Richmond Borough last season and Robbo believes he has a bright future at Wimbledon. The recruitment committee has also pinpointed several targets to join the squad if players do not take up their new offers, as well as targets to further strengthen the squad. Robbo has also made presentations to Premier League clubs with regards to potential loans.

So I hope we will be able to recruit 2-3 players, certainly if Joe Pigott moves on but if he stays that's a great deal for the club. A few loan's would also help to fill the squad up. It's early days of course but do seem a bit light in midfield and maybe a goalkeeper will be in considered although I've been pleased that Nik Tzanev has been given a run of games and will only improve for that experience. Haven't seen any news on Terell Thomas (our sponsored player from last couple season's) and Ayoub Assal who stepped up from our development squad towards the end of last season and I do hope we can retain him as he seemed to play well without fear and we want to see more of that next season. 
UPDATE - Ayoub has signed till 2024! Good news for the club. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo2xtkd2Ek