TEN STANDOUT PLAYERS RELEASED BY LEAGUE TWO CLUBS SO FAR - OPINION
With the League Two season drawing to a close, clubs across the division have begun the next stages of their preparations for the next campaign, leaving several talented players without a club.
Some teams have decided to act quickly and have taken no time to release their retained lists consisting of who they will be looking to keep on for next season, and who will be on the search for a new club, whilst some are yet to announce their plans.
I have opted to pick out only one player per club selected, to showcase the wide spread of talent that will be without a club in the coming weeks.
Let’s begin… (you can check out the full list of League Two retained lists here)
Nick Tzanev – AFC Wimbledon
The first name on this list is New Zealand shot-stopper Nick Tzanev. The 27-year-old has found minutes harder to come by than usual this season, playing out the season as a backup to Sunderland loanee Alex Bass.
Tzanev has a handful of EFL experience across League One and Two, having also won the National League with Sutton United.
Tzanev has only managed two games in the league this season, but during those two games, he managed to show he is capable of still playing at the League Two level.
He averaged two saves per game, as well as a 73% on-half pass accuracy and a 100% successful run-out rate. Being local to the London area, Tzanev could be a good option for a League Two side or a high-end National League side in the summer transfer window.
George Ray – Barrow AFC
It has come as somewhat of a surprise to some, but George Ray will be a free agent this summer. An experienced central defender, he has been a frequent starter for Barrow this season where they nearly managed to make the playoff spots.
The 30-year-old has years of EFL experience and could offer a lot to several League Two teams.
Across 41 games this season, Ray has been part of a defence that has kept, 13 clean sheets. He also boasts a pass accuracy of 81% in his half, showing his composure with the ball at his feet.
Whilst offering playing experience on top of quality and leadership, Ray would be a very smart signing for most League Two clubs.
Matty Stevens – Forest Green Rovers
Stevens has been let go by relegated Forest Green, but by no means does that reflect on his talent. The striker has still managed to find the back of the net on several occasions this season, despite playing for a relegated side, and will now look for a new club this summer.
Across 28 games this season, the 26-year-old has managed to score nine times whilst picking up two assists.
He has only missed eight big chances this season, which is an impressive number for a striker, showing he is clinical when given opportunities. Stevens has proven he can score goals and could be a tidy signing for someone in League Two or at the top end of the National League.
Abo Eisa – Grimsby Town
Eisa started this season like a house on fire for Grimsby, but as the season went on, the goals and assists were not as frequent as before.
A quick winger who likes to take a man on, whilst also possessing an eye for goal, Eisa is still of League Two standard and still has a lot to offer.
The 28-year-old managed to score nine and assist four times in 32 games this season, backing the statement he is clinical in offensive areas.
He has also boasted an 81% pass accuracy, on top of a 73% long ball accuracy, showing he takes care of the ball in possession. If you said Eisa would be a free agent earlier in the season it would come as a shock to most, but it would be a surprise if he struggled to find a suitor for himself.
Anthony Hartigan – Mansfield Town
Hartigan has been on loan in the National League with Barnet this season, and the central midfielder picked up the club player of the season award after missing out on promotion through the playoffs.
He has now been let go by Mansfield after their promotion to League One and could be an intriguing prospect for several clubs.
This season for Barnet, the 24-year-old made 45 appearances, scoring three times and picking up two assists, playing a pivotal part in Barnet’s team throughout the whole season.
He boasts an 87% pass accuracy on top of an 82% dribble success rate, showing the all-action midfielder is efficient when in possession and could be considered by several clubs this summer.
Aden Baldwin – Notts County
Notts County have let Baldwin go, leaving themselves with a defensive rebuild job in the summer. He is a comfortable ball-playing defender who brings EFL and promotions on his CV, showing he has a lot to offer regarding other clubs who may be interested in his signature.
Baldwin’s ability to play out from the defence is backed up by his exceptional 92% pass accuracy, showing he is one of the most capable ball-playing defenders in the division.
He has also accumulated a 63% duel success rate, proving he can also be solid in the defensive department. Baldwin is a player who can control the heart of defence and will be a great asset to a League Two side if they were to sign him.
Ryan Croasdale – Stockport County
A consistent performer in the middle of the park who has now won both the National League and League Two with Stockport, Ryan Croasdale is looking to a new challenge, having to find a new club this summer.
The 29-year-old is a hard worker who has proven to be at the top end of League Two midfielders in terms of quality.
Croasdale managed to make 36 appearances this season, where he scored twice and assisted once.
The statistics that stand out the most are his pass completion and dribble success, completing 76% of passes along with 73% dribble success, showing he is an all-action midfielder who would be an exciting signing for a League Two side.
Harry Beautyman – Sutton United
Sutton United said goodbye to long-term servant Harry Beautyman after their relegation back to the National League.
The all-action midfielder has been an ever-present in their side since he signed for them, but he is onto pastures new now after parting ways with the club this summer.
The 32-year-old managed 41 appearances this season, scoring five times and assisting once.
He has managed on average 1.4 tackles per game on top of a 68% pass accuracy too. despite Beautyman heading towards the twilight of his career, he still has a lot to offer and could be a good signing for a National League team in the summer.
Tyrese Shade – Swindon Town
Shade has spent the second half of the season on loan in the National League with Solihull Moors, where he has become a fan favourite and helped them to a playoff final and FA Trophy final.
The dynamic winger has been let go despite still having a lot to offer in my personal opinion.
During his time at Solihull, the 23-year-old has made 15 appearances, scoring twice and assisting once. He boasts a 73% dribble success along with a 38% cross accuracy, showing he is a winger who likes to beat a man and cross by the byline.
A young prospect who has shown he is still a top performer on loan, Solihull may want to make his loan permanent, but if not he will be a top player on the market.
Ben Tozer – Wrexham AFC
After back-to-back promotions with Wrexham, Tozer has departed the club. The experienced defender has played a pivotal part in both seasons, becoming a top servant to the club in the process.
At 34 years old, Tozer will bring a lot of experience to a team as well as a dangerous long throw-in which can send a defence into panic mode.
This season Tozer made 29 appearances, where he scored once and kept nine clean sheets. He has averaged 5.4 recoveries per game, as well as a 60% duel win rate.
A solid defender who still has more to give, Tozer could be a good signing for a side in League Two or a top-end National League team.
Would you take any of these players at your League Two or National League side?
The post Ten Standout Players Released By League Two Clubs So Far – Opinion first appeared on The Deck.
2024-05-08T15:47:08Z dg43tfdfdgfd