Huddersfield Town have been active in the transfer market as they gear up for their League One campaign, with Michael Duff preparing them for their season opener against Peterborough United on August 10th.
In the 2022/23 season, Huddersfield narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship thanks to Neil Warnock’s heroics, guiding them to safety with a game to spare despite taking charge when they were at the bottom of the table with 15 games remaining.
However, under André Breitenreiter, the club couldn’t replicate that success, despite the German manager stepping in when they were 20th and not in the relegation zone in February. Now heading into their first season in the third tier since 2012, Huddersfield is expected to undergo significant changes.
With key players likely to be sold and several contracts expiring, the club has made a promising start to the transfer window under Duff’s management. They have added experienced EFL players to their squad to strengthen their chances of promotion, aiming for an immediate return to the Championship.
New signings include Mickel Miller from Plymouth Argyle, Lasse Sorenson from Lincoln City, Herbie Kane from Barnsley, and Antony Evans from Bristol Rovers.
As they approach their opening match against Peterborough, here are two players Huddersfield Town should consider targeting for the final push in the transfer window.
Huddersfield Town have recently been linked with two strikers: Joe Taylor of Luton Town and Dom Ballard from Southampton, according to recent reports connecting them to the John Smith’s Stadium.
With Jordan Rhodes, Yuta Nakayama, Brahima Diarra, Aaron Rowe, and Connor Mahoney all departing after their contracts ended, and Jack Rudoni moving to Coventry City while Sorba Thomas is on loan to FC Nantes with an option to buy, Huddersfield’s attack is looking light. Rhys Healey and Danny Ward are the main forwards remaining, and with the recent missed opportunity to sign Alfie May, the team could benefit from adding another central striker.
Ballard, at 19, is a highly-regarded young forward but may not see regular senior action this season and could be loaned out. Taylor, similarly, might attract interest from higher levels than League One, making Ballard a potentially more realistic option. Despite a promising start to last season with Reading, Ballard suffered a knee injury in November and is now a target for other League One teams like Bolton and Wycombe Wanderers as well.
Bringing in Ballard could enhance both the depth and quality of Huddersfield’s attacking options, providing valuable support and competition for Healey and Ward.
Huddersfield Town are reportedly interested in signing Wolves midfielder Joe Hodge on loan for the upcoming season, according to Football Insider. The 21-year-old is coming off a loan spell at QPR for the 2023-24 campaign, and it appears Wolves are open to another temporary move for him to continue his development and gain more game time.
Despite Wolves’ own need for midfield depth, the club is willing to allow the Republic of Ireland youth international to go out on loan again. Huddersfield are keen to finalize a temporary deal for Hodge, who could bring a new dynamic to their midfield.
Here’s a snapshot of Joe Hodge’s career stats from Transfermarkt:
– **Manchester City U-23**: 2 appearances, 0 goals, 1 assist
– **Manchester City**: 0 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
– **Derry City (loan)**: 0 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
– **Wolverhampton Wanderers U-21**: 28 appearances, 5 goals, 3 assists
– **Wolverhampton Wanderers**: 13 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
– **QPR (loan)**: 8 appearances, 1 goal, 0 assists
– **Republic of Ireland U-21**: 8 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
Adding Hodge to Huddersfield’s squad would enhance their midfield options. Currently, they have a solid mix with Jonathon Hogg, Ben Wiles, Herbie Kane, and David Kasumu. Hodge would bring additional energy and athleticism, aligning well with Michael Duff’s high-intensity style of play.
As Huddersfield prepare for a challenging season in League One, starting with a tough match against promotion rivals Peterborough, securing Hodge could be a valuable step in strengthening their squad for a successful campaign.
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