Colchester stars likely to be coveted by bigger clubs admits McGreal

Colchester are expecting an interesting summer, with a number of their players coveted by other clubs.

Sammy Szmodics is the obvious target for many sides, he’s out of contract and appeared to be saying goodbye to supporters following the final day victory at champions Lincoln City.

Manager John McGreal is adamant that others currently under contract will not simply be allowed to leave on the cheap, especially as his side showed lots of promotion promise in the latter stages of the season.

“Some of the individual performances are going to bring attention,” he told the Gazette News. “We’re no different to other clubs in our division in that respect, whose players who have moved on to bigger and better things.

“I think it will be an interesting summer, mainly with our own boys. They are under contract, so then it will be the club’s decision on what happens with them.”

Frankie Kent and Kane Vincent-Young have also caught the eye, whilst Mikael Mandron was coveted last summer by a number of clubs.

There’s also been an influx of young players coming through the academy and it is those youngsters that McGreal was quick to compliment.

“I think six of our academy players have been playing week in, week out and now it’s about the next batch of players we see on the bench like Ollie Kensdale, Noah Chilvers and Ryan Clampin, just to name but a few.

“They’ve been in and around training since Christmas time if not before that and we’ll always looking for that next batch of under-23s coming through – that’s what we always try and do at the football club.”

Colchester missed out on a play-off spot on the final day of the season. they needed a 3-0 win at Sincil Bank, but relied on Newport losing their game against Morecambe, which they drew.

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Our View

Any side in the lower reaches of League One would be silly not to look at Kent, whilst Szmodics is sure to be in the Championship next season.

With regarded to their other young players, if they know what’s good for them they’ll stay put. Szmodics is living proof that if they work hard and make the right choices, they can find success with the Us.