The current lockdowns around the world have meant that many teams and clubs have been given the time to take stock of what their standing is in the football world, and what their plans are for the upcoming season. Most major football associations and tournaments have yet to release information on current campaigns- such as when they expect it to finish – or even whether the season will be able to finish at all.
Many clubs, such as Hull City, are still awaiting more information on what will happen to those players that have contracts that are set to expire within the next few months, if the current campaign season will be extended into the end of July. This situation seemingly has a bigger impact on Hull City than some other clubs, who now find themselves with just 15 senior players on the team in total that are contracted to the club beyond the current season.
The Current Players
Stephen Kingsley, Eric Lichaj, Jon Toral, Kevin Steward, Jackson Irvine, Daniel Battie, Robbie McKenzie, Norbert Balogh, Will Mannion, and Angus MacDonald are the players whose contracts will be expiring at the end of June this year, although the club has announced that they do have the option of extending some of these contacts by another year. Matthew Pennington, Mallik Wilks, Marcus Maddison, Herbie Kane, and Josh Bowler all have loan contracts that will be coming to end soon, although Hull City has made some claims that they might buy Wilks by the time his contract comes to an end.
Potential Future Contracts
There is some good news for the club, however, as George Long, Jordy de Wijs, and Reece Burke are all contracted to remain on beyond the coming summer season, although none of their contracts are expected to last longer than 2021. It’s also the first season for Long as a team regular within the Championship, which is a boon after having played in starting positions for both Sheffield United in League one as well as AFC Wimbledon.
De Wijs has remained a regular within the team after arriving last year, with the defender having found opportunities previously at PSV Eindhoven before his breakthrough season playing on loan with Eerste Divisie. His performance on the field caught the attention of City, and he moved over not long after, but like playing at a bingo hall Australia, it’s anyone’s gamble as to whether he will remain or not.
Up-And-Coming
Burke, who is only 23 years old, has become a seasoned veteran in the Championship, with the defender currently playing his third season as a regular within the first team, and is one appearance short of being in the second tier.
Despite being just 23 years old, Burke is well used to the Championship. The defender is in his third season as a first team regular and is just one appearance shy of a century in the second tier.
Brendan Fleming and Ruan Tafazolli are both fairly new at this level, with both having less than 20 appearances in the Championship between the two, while David Milinkovic is currently under contract until next year, and it doesn’t seem likely that he will stay with City once his contract comes to an end.