In the upcoming January transfer window, Bristol City might consider upgrading their midfield options, particularly looking to replace Joe Williams. As of the October international break, Bristol City, under the management of Nigel Pearson, have made notable progress this season, despite being without last season’s standouts Alex Scott (sold to Bournemouth for £25 million) and the injured Tommy Conway. While they haven’t hit their peak performance and have faced some unfortunate moments, Bristol City currently holds the 14th position in the Championship, just three points away from the top six.
To break into the playoff positions, they may need to bolster their squad in January, with a particular focus on strengthening their midfield. While Jason Knight and Taylor Garnder-Hickman arrived in the summer, the departure of Alex Scott has left a gap in this area. Matty James and Jason Knight have been exceptional this season, but Joe Williams has been inconsistent. Therefore, Nigel Pearson may consider replacing him.
Here are five potential options to consider:
1. Max Bird: City was linked with Max Bird, a central midfielder from Derby County, in the summer but postponed
the pursuit due to his injury. Reuniting with Bird in January makes sense, especially since he has only one year left on his contract and could be available for a reasonable price. Bird is a versatile player who can function as a holding midfielder or in a more aggressive, pressing role.
2. George Dobson: Charlton Athletic captain George Dobson is another midfielder whose contract expires in the
summer. He has shown excellent skills on the ball in addition to his tenacity, making him a valuable asset. While Charlton may not want to lose him, Dobson might consider a move to the Championship.
3. Marc Leonard: Marc Leonard is currently on loan at Northampton Town and has been performing well.
Bringing him back to Brighton and then loaning him to Ashton Gate in the second half of the 2023/24 season could be a beneficial arrangement for all parties. Leonard is seen as a player with a bright future.
4. Owen Moxon: Owen Moxon was an essential part of Carlisle United’s promotion from League Two and has
adapted well to League One this season. While asking him to step up to the Championship in January is a risk, the 25-year-old possesses talent. Moxon is known for his strong tackling and qualities in possession. Multiple EFL clubs might be interested in him as he will be out of contract next summer.
5. Cameron Brannagan: Cameron Brannagan, who has been in exceptional form at Oxford United in League One,
is a challenging target to acquire. He could be the solution to Bristol City’s midfield issues, as their current midfielders haven’t contributed much in terms of goals and assists. Brannagan has a strong track record, with 29 goals and nine assists since the start of the 2021/22 campaign. While Oxford will likely want to retain him, his contract runs until 2025, and they are not under pressure to sell him.
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