Walsall boss Mat Sadler has admitted it will be tough to retain all of his key players as the club begins preparations for next season.
With 13 players out of contract and seven loanees set to depart, the Saddlers could face a significant summer overhaul.
Only Seven Remain Under Contract
Only seven players are currently under contract for the 2025/26 campaign, and with loanees returning to their parent clubs, the Saddlers are bracing for natural change. Key contributors like Liam Gordon, Ryan Stirk and Harry Williams are among those whose deals expire at the end of June, with Williams already attracting attention during the January window.
Sadler, speaking to the Express & Star, acknowledged the scale of the challenge ahead but stressed his determination to keep the club competitive.
“Some will stay, some will go. What we’ve done is manage to have players that other people want so we’ll have to work really hard to keep them.”
Sadler also addressed the reality of budget limitations, stating that while the ambition remains high, squad planning must remain within financial constraints.
“We’ll work hard to try and keep the players we want to keep but it’s tough. Going back to budget wise, we’ll have to make sure that we do all of that within the right budget… What we’ll make sure though is that we’re competitive next year.”
Walsall came agonisingly close to League Two promotion, only to fall short at Wembley. Despite the heartbreak, Sadler remains positive about the future and believes the club’s model of developing talent will remain vital going forward.
“We have to find gems and make them better. We have to then try to hold on to them but also understand that football is football.”
The 2024/25 campaign saw Walsall emerge as surprise promotion contenders, and Sadler is eager to ensure that momentum is not lost amid the expected summer changes.
Writer’s View
Mat Sadler’s honesty is refreshing—and necessary. Walsall’s approach, built on uncovering value and player development, has brought them to the brink of promotion. But this summer poses a new kind of challenge: retention.
With over a dozen contracts expiring and the usual budget pressures, the Saddlers must act decisively to avoid losing their core. If Sadler can successfully navigate this off-season, he’ll deserve immense credit. The next few weeks will be crucial in shaping whether Walsall can go one step further next year.
