Plymouth Argyle have commenced their pre-season preparations this week, with Wayne Rooney taking charge of his new Pilgrims squad after his appointment in May. Three new faces have already joined the team at Home Park: Nathanael Ogbeta from Swansea City on a permanent deal, striker Muhamed Tijani on a season-long loan from Slavia Prague, and the returning Darko Gyabi from Leeds United after his promising spell last season was cut short by injury.
However, once the initial introductions are over, Rooney will need to address more urgent matters this summer, particularly concerning the futures of two of his key players whose situations are expected to be resolved in the coming weeks.
Wayne Rooney’s top priority as Plymouth Argyle boss will be to ensure Morgan Whittaker remains with the club this summer, preventing him from seeking opportunities elsewhere. Whittaker played a pivotal role in Plymouth’s Championship survival last season, scoring 19 goals and providing 8 assists in PL2, highlighting his significant attacking prowess.
Interest from Premier League clubs like Brentford, Fulham, and Serie A giants Lazio emerged last January, but Whittaker stayed put. This summer, both Wolves and Brentford have been linked with him again, a situation Plymouth’s director of football Neil Dewsnip had already indicated they were prepared for.
Reflecting on Whittaker’s impressive season, Dewsnip praised his contributions but noted a slight dip in performance in the latter half of the campaign, possibly influenced by team dynamics. With key midfielders Finn Azaz and Luke Cundle departing in January, opposing teams focused more on neutralizing Whittaker, impacting his influence on matches.
If Plymouth manages to retain Whittaker, Rooney’s next challenge will be assembling a squad that complements and supports his attacking capabilities effectively. Successful recruitment this summer will be crucial in ensuring a cohesive and dynamic frontline for the upcoming season.
Just a month into his role as Plymouth Argyle manager, Wayne Rooney is already confronted with a significant challenge this summer, as highly-regarded goalkeeper Michael Cooper appears set to depart the club.
Cooper reportedly rejected a contract offer that would have made him the highest-paid player at Argyle last month. Consequently, the club is expected to sell him in the upcoming weeks to maximize potential earnings.
The 24-year-old has been a stalwart for Plymouth, frequently bailing out his childhood team with his exceptional reflexes in goal. His departure will undoubtedly leave a substantial void for the Pilgrims to fill.
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