Reading have been dealt a blow in their search for a goalkeeper after Chelsea’s Nathan Baxter has ruled out a move to League One, according to Football League World.
Baxter has had spells on loan at Championship side Hull City in each of the last two seasons, though his most recent stint was restricted to just 12 Championship appearances due to injury and he will soon find himself on the lookout for a new club as his contract at Stamford Bridge comes to an end. Reports had linked Reading to be chasing his signature but the player is unwilling to play in League One.
Who is Nathan Baxter?
Baxter is a 24-year-old London-born goalkeeper who has been at Chelsea since he was 8 and has been loaned out to no fewer than seven clubs to gain experience in first-team football. His first taste of senior football was during his loan with Metropolitan Police in the Ryman Premier Division in 2016 before a step up to Solihull Moors of the National League for the second part of that season, playing 17 times and keeping six clean sheets for The Moors.
A loan back to the National League with Woking followed where Baxter would enjoy an excellent season personally, winning four Player of the Year accolades despite the club’s relegation to the National League South. The stopper would then gain his first taste of Football League action with Yeovil Town, in a season that echoed his Woking campaign with the club suffering relegation but Baxter collecting multiple individual awards.
A move north of the border to newly promoted Scottish Premiership side Ross County followed but injury disrupted his time in Dingwall as he would only make 13 league appearances. He would play 16 times in League One for Accrington Stanley and spend part of each of the next two seasons on loan at Hull City.
Writer’s View
Chelsea have a big squad! We know that has been the case for some time now, whether it be the first team or the development squads, so Baxter’s situation is not completely uncommon in terms of multiple loans and lack of game time at his parent club. Goalkeepers aren’t perhaps subject to the same pressures around age as outfield players but Baxter must surely be looking to be a number one for his next club and find a settled home.
He has had ample opportunities to demonstrate his abilities and has performed well personally on loan, particularly at Woking and Yeovil but I am sure he will be disappointed at not getting more action over the last few years. He will no doubt be in demand during summer. He is not yet 25 years old and has managed well over 150 career appearances, meaning that someone will manage to pick up an experienced goalkeeper whose best years are ahead of them on a free transfer.
Would a move to Reading have been a good one for his career? The Royals would surely be hoping for a swift return to the Championship so a season in a winning team and a return to the second tier may have been appealing. The winning team and promotion are, of course, not guaranteed in this highly competitive division. However, the club have not yet got a manager and have suffered a very recent punishment for financial issues so the uncertainty around the club may have put off potential signings.
This will be a blow to Reading’s preparations for the new season as they need additions to their goalkeeping department. Last season’s on-loan stopper Joe Lumley is likely to be available after his Middlesbrough contract expires but the Berkshire club may be looking for a fresh start following last season’s disappointment. The priority for the club must surely be getting a permanent manager in place to allow them at least some time to shape their squad.
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