AFC Wimbledon Confident They Can Keep Top Striker

AFC Wimbledon are reportedly ‘confident’ that they will keep their Player of the Year, Ali Al-Hamadi today, as interest seems to be cooling on the Iraq international.

Al-Hamadi still a Don

Barnsley were very keen at the start of summer to strike a deal but this week, Peterborough United came in with a bid that was immediately rejected.

They may still come in with a fresh offer, but with a sizable sell-on clause in his contract that would see Wycombe Wanderers get a decent slice of any fee, the bid would have to be more than substantial to claim the forward.

The 21-year-old striker came on early in the second half in the narrow Carabao Cup defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday night, but bullied his way around their defence and despite still not being on the scoring charts this season is a key part of the Dons team.

They will want to keep him as they have started the season well, and as the clock ticks on, they will be hopeful that no new bid will come in.

Youngster loaned out

On the move away from Plough Lane though is Ben Mason. The 19-year-old defender has joined Braintree Town in the National League South.

Many Dons players have been loaned out in recent years to gain valuable experience and some have come back and slotted into the first-team squad with regularity. Mason has made considerable progress in the Academy setup and helped the youthful Dons beat Burnley in the FA Youth Cup.

Wimbledon could still see players arrive on loan as they look to add more depth to a squad that could get thin if they suffer a run of injuries or suspensions throughout the season.

Writer’s View

AFC Wimbledon is on a high right now, even with their first loss of the season this past week in the Cup, but that was Chelsea, and they were far from embarrassed on the big stage.

Keeping Al-Hamadi will be key to their continued good start to the season as it is only a matter of time before he starts scoring again.

Should a couple more players come in, on loan more than likely, then the squad will have good depth leading up to another chance to reassess the situation in January.