By Daniel Wood – KLTV Contributor
Next summer could see up to 13 Town players leave the club, as their contracts are set to expire.
The full list of names that are set to have their contracts expire are:
- Adama Diakhaby
- Alex Pritchard
- Ben Hamer
- Christopher Schindler
- Demeaco Duhaney
- Fraizer Campbell
- Isaac Mbenza
- Jaden Brown
- Jonathan Hogg
- Juninho Bacuna
- Richard Stearman
- Romoney Crichlow
- Tommy Elphick
After looking at all the names, it started to become clear which names were important to tie down to a new contract and which names should be let go for free in the summer.
KEEP
CHRISTOPHER SCHINDLER
The current Huddersfield Town captain seems like a certain choice to keep for the Terriers. If they can sign him to a new contract, then they definitely should. The 30-year old is currently in the middle of his 5thseason with Town. He has featured in nine of their 11 Championship games this season. He only missed one league game in each of his last three seasons, as he played in 45 Championship games last season and 37 Premier League games in the two seasons before that. He has been a significant player for the club, and it would be a surprise if they did not attempt to offer him a new contract.
DEMEACO DUHANEY
Town’s backup right-back has had some good performances for the Terriers when he has played. The 22-year old had his contract extended for a further season at the end of last campaign, as he impressed as the backup of his position. He is someone who still has good potential to turn into a great asset for the Terriers, as he is still young. It would be foolish if Town were to let him go as a free agent in the summer.
ISAAC MBENZA
The 24-year old has been a decent backup option for most of his time at Huddersfield Town since moving to the club on a permanent deal in summer 2019. The winger has looked his most impressive this season, as many fans have noted that he looks like a new player. If he continues playing well, I feel like he could be a very good option for Town during the season and could easily be able to earn himself a new contract with the Yorkshire side.
JADEN BROWN
The young left-back (21) has been impressive for Town whenever he has received some game time. He is currently a backup to fellow left-back Harry Toffolo and is somebody that could develop into a really good player if given adequate game time. It feels as though it would be a mistake to let the Englishman leave for free in the summer, as he could be a useful acquisition for any club.
JONATHAN HOGG
Hogg is currently the Terriers longest-serving player. He is currently in the middle of his eighth season with the club, which has included six Championship seasons and two seasons in the Premier League. He has made way over 200 appearances for the club and plays in most of the Terriers games every season. The 31-year old turns 32 next month and his age may repel some fans from wanting him to stay at the club, but considering how important he has been for Town it would be foolish to let him leave for free.
JUNINHO BACUNA
The midfielder has had a lot of up and down performances since arriving at the club in 2018 from Dutch side Groningen. He made his debut for Town in their second Premier League season where they finished bottom of the table and were relegated to the Championship. Even though he has had a lot of average performances during his time at Town, he has also had some immensely important performances for the Terriers and led them to some big victories. The 23-year old still has a lot to offer the club and letting him leave in the summer could be a negative for the club.
ROMONEY CRICHLOW
The 21-year old centre-back has not played many games for Huddersfield Town, but he has impressed greatly when he has. His most memorable game to date came in the Championship earlier this season against Nottingham Forest. He started at centre-back and performed wonderfully as Town won 1-0 and he kept a clean sheet. The game put him in favour of most Town fans, and they would not be happy to see him get released in the summer.
RELEASE
ADAMA DIAKHABY
There is no denying that the winger is out of favour with Town fans. While he has not been playing well by any means, some of the fans may have taken their criticism too far. I do think he can still be an asset to Town, but I do not see them offering him a new contract, and it looks likely that he will be released in the summer.
ALEX PRITCHARD
I think it is time for Huddersfield Town to part ways with Alex Pritchard. Three years of underwhelming performances and injury problems have left Pritchard out of favour of supporters, who feel it is too late for him to cement his place in the team. The winger had only scored three goals in just over three seasons and has not delivered the performances that were expected when he signed in 2018.
BEN HAMER
The 32-year old will be turning 33 on Friday and has not impressed much at Huddersfield Town. He played seven times during Town’s relegation season from the Premier League and was loaned to Derby County last season. He has been a regular starter for Corberans side this season and has done a decent job, however, young goalkeeper Ryan Schofield is itching to be given a chance at Town and releasing Hamer may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Town.
FRAIZER CAMPBELL
The 33-year old striker has not set the world on fire for Town. He played 33 times for the Terriers in his debut season last season and scored just three goals. He scored the winner against Nottingham Forest this season, which is his only goal of significance that I can remember. It seems like an obvious choice to release Campbell in the summer.
RICHARD STEARMAN
The centre-back signed for Town in January this year on an 18-month contract. He has been decent for the Terriers during his time at the club. However, he is 33-years old, and it may be time to look at some younger options to fill that role. Stearman being released in the summer seems to make a lot of sense.
TOMMY ELPHICK
The defender has been out with a knee injury for over a year now and has failed to win most fans over even before he was side-lined. Elphick is 33-years old now; there are already several covers for his position and it is hard to see Elphick getting back into this squad. It looks almost set in stone that Elphick will be released in the summer.
In my view, seven of the 13 players should be offered new contracts. However, there is no guarantee that all those players will want to sign new contracts, as they may want to seek pastures new.
It is risky for Town to have so many players scheduled to be out of contract by the summer and only time will tell on which players they want to keep and which players they want to release.
However, be assured that if any new contracts are signed, we will be ready to report it.