As clubs up and down the EFL begin to release their retained lists, many of the lists in question are throwing up surprises as to who is being released from their respective team.
Sam Smith departing Cambridge United was one of a few major surprises from the retained list by the U’s – Cambridge stalwarts Harvey Knibbs, Joe Ironside and Dimitar Mitov all joining Smith by exiting the club when their contracts expire at the end of June.
Smith ended up being an important saviour for Mark Bonner’s men towards the back-end of the last campaign, his goalscoring prowess one factor in pulling his amber and black team away from relegation trouble.
He would net seven goals in Cambridge’s final nine games to help his side pull off an almighty relegation escape, including one strike on the final day versus Forest Green to ultimately secure their League One status. That would prove to be his final contribution in a Cambridge shirt, leaving his mark in U’s history as a key individual to rely on when the pressure was cranked up.
He will depart The Abbey with 43 goals from 143 appearances, really coming into his own the last two seasons with double figures on the trot in-front of goal. Smith had found his confidence under Mark Bonner’s guidance, goal-shy elsewhere during his career at the likes of Oxford United and Reading.
Cambridge failing to tie Smith down to a new contract indicates that the 14 goal attacker from this season just gone wants to test himself in a new environment higher up the division or even in the Championship.
Where will he end up next?
Portsmouth
Sam Smith’s next destination might well see him link up with John Mousinho down on the South Coast, Portsmouth rumoured to be interested in the Cambridge striker’s services when his contract expires at the end of June.
He would offer Pompey another clinical striker, joining the likes of Colby Bishop up top next campaign potentially to fire John Mousinho’s men to promotion contention.
Joe Pigott and Dane Scarlett have also both returned back to their parent clubs after mildly successful loan spells, freeing up a potential gap in the squad for Smith’s arrival.
With Smith having played at The Kassam when Mousinho was in his playing prime at Oxford United during the 2018-19 season, Mousinho – now in the dug-out – will hope he can secure the signing of Smith as a statement of intent this summer.
Exeter City
Sam Smith might well fancy relocating down to Devon for his next move, having played at nearby Cheltenham Town only a few seasons back.
Exeter are in desperate need of some new personnel in attack, owing to Jay Stansfield returning back to Fulham and the news that Jevani Brown has been released by the Grecians.
The Grecians have been an exciting watch ever since making the transition to League One football after promotion, the likes of Demetri Mitchell starring down the channels as an expansive wing-back in a team that favours attacking football.
Sam Smith could well be a marquee signing for Exeter – showing signs of their progression over the last few seasons, as well as being their main talisman in attack after notable absentees have left the building.
Derby County
Paul Warne could well look to Sam Smith as another option in attack for the next League One campaign, the Rams desperate for a return to the Championship after narrowly missing out on playoff football this season.
At 25 years of age, Smith would offer The Rams a far younger option going forward – Derby’s only other two strikers at the football club at this moment in time are David McGoldrick and James Collins, both reaching the twilights of their career at 35 and 32 respectively.
There’s also no guarantee that McGoldrick puts pen to paper on a new deal to extend his stay at Derby, Paul Warne and co currently in talks with the experienced striker to prolong his stay at Pride Park.
Therefore, with Smith showing his capabilities at this level with the U’s this season just gone, Warne would hope that Cambridge’s number 10 would only improve surrounded by a higher calibre set of players if he was to sign for Derby.
Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe could well be interested in Smith again this summer, the Chairboys eyeing up a potential move for Smith all the way back in July last year after the 25-year-old striker’s first fruitful campaign in attack for Cambridge.
After a disappointing 9th placed finish under Matt Bloomfield this season just gone – the blow of Gareth Ainsworth’s exit to QPR still raw around Adams Park – signings such as Sam Smith in through the door could revitalise a team down on their luck.
Wycombe weren’t the most potent team last campaign either, scoring 59 goals in total. Their top goalscorer was also a midfielder in Lewis Wing, with main attacking option Sam Vokes only registering six strikes over the course of the season.
Sam Smith could well become Wycombe’s main attacking threat if he was to join, firing the Chairboys back into the playoff spots.
Charlton Athletic
If Smith doesn’t fancy a move to Buckinghamshire, he could well fancy a move to South East London in the form of Charlton Athletic.
Looking at the Addicks’ recent retained list, there’s no doubt that Dean Holden and co will be actively in the market for a brand new striker to lead the line at The Valley with Macauley Bonne leaving.
That leaves the Addicks with only Miles Leaburn up top who knows where the goal is, the young Charlton product bagging 12 goals over 35 games last season. Chuks Aneke is the other recognised striker, netting only once.
Dean Holden’s men don’t have Jesurun Rak-Sakyi’s goal contributions to fall back on anymore either, the 20-year-old returning back to Crystal Palace after fast becoming a fan favourite at The Valley down the wing.
Sam Smith could well fill the gap left behind by Rak-Sakyi’s departure and Bonne being released, the 25-year-old potentially swapping Cambridgeshire for Greenwich in the process.
What are your thoughts on the selection of clubs I’ve picked out that Sam Smith could potentially join? Let me know by commenting below…
