Disarray At Reading - No Manager And Few Players

15 June 2023
By Hob Nob Anyone?

The pre-season period is officially under way with the transfer window open. Reading are left with a very thin squad following the departure of out of contract players, and the return of loan players to their parent clubs at the end of the season. The Royals are also still without a manager as the rumours of former Oxford United and Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder taking up the role remain just that - rumours. There are plenty of rumours floating around about disarray at the very highest level at the club with Reading sitting in no-mans land waiting for something to happen. The Royals are desperate for a new manager and equally desperate to bring in some players to replace those who have left.

Reading are expected to have less restrictions on transfers, but will still need to take care, and with very limited funds it is expected we will again be looking for free transfers and organise some loan players. The EFL will be keeping a very close eye on Reading after applying the suspended points deduction last season. The concern is that players that are still on the books may be out of the door in the coming months.

Naby Sarr's move to Qatar will proceed with the player having a release clause in his contract after Reading's relegation to League One. Tom Ince was one of Reading's most impressive players in an unimpressive season but is expected to leave. His relegation release clause is a mere 50,000 pounds which could see plenty of clubs interested in bringing the player back to the Championship on the cheap.

Reading have already lost Luke Southwood, Liam Moore, Scott Dann, Dejak Tetek, Lucas Joao, and Shane Long. Ovie Ejaria was told last season he could leave the club and was absent for long periods last season. It is a mystery if he will feature for the Royals next season. It has been reported that new contracts have been offered to Mbengue, Meite and Hoilett - but there is no confirmation that any of the three will be accepting what will be reduced salaries and will stay at Reading.

As well as a lack of players there is a lack of backroom staff. As well as having no first team manager in place, Head of Scouting Jared Dublin is expected to leave right at the worst time and take up a position at Stoke City. There are no guarantees Director of Football Mark Bowen will remain at the club either.

First Team Players Under Contract for 2023/2024

• Dean Bouzanis
• Nesta Guinness-Walker
• Andy Yiadom
• Tom Holmes
• Tom McIntyre
• Sam Hutchinson
• Kelvin Abrefa
• Ovie Ejaria
• Mamadi Camara
• Tom Ince
• Andy Carroll
• Femi Azeez

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