Deadline day brings four-most moves in the market
HASSELBAINK LANDS TOP TARGETS IN BUSY EVENING
AT the start of transfer deadline day, the question was, could Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink pull a rabbit out of the hat – again – to boost his injury-hit Burton Albion squad?
When the window closed at 11pm, the Dutchman, stunningly, had managed four and, once again, wowed Brewers supporters.
The big one, the striker everyone has been talking about, Sheffield United’s teenage striker Daniel Jebbison, decided to put his trust in Hasselbaink and that looks a wise decision which really ought to work for all.
It has come after weeks of careful, measured persuasion by the manager.
The easy option would have been a “big” club like Sunderland, whose supporters cannot believe the 18-yearold and his parents would choose Burton over their club.
They just don’t get it: the pull of developing your game under one of the finest former strikers working in management.
Centre-half Sam Hughes is already well-known to and well-liked by Albion fans after his sterling efforts on loan in the first half of last season.
Attacking midfielder Harry Chapman was outstanding against Burton for Shrewsbury Town last season.
And then, just when it seemed as if that would do nicely, thank-you, the Brewers announced one more full signing, 22-year-old midfielder
Charlie Lakin, from Birmingham City, who has previously had loan spells with Stevenage and Ross County. He has signed a three-year deal.
The evening’s action, with the backdrop of a Papa John’s Trophy game against Milton Keynes Dons that was entertaining but often lacking in intensity and ultimately seemed incidental, began shortly before kick-off when Chapman was announced on a loan from Blackburn Rovers that initially runs until January.
Chapman, a former England under-20 international who played with Bryn Morris at Middlesbrough before moving to Rovers in 2017, scored seven times in 23 League games as Shrewsbury pulled away from relegation danger a little earlier than Burton last season. He is a dynamic attacking player who can work on the wings, as a midfielder or in that much-favoured “number 10” position, which is likely where Hasselbaink sees him playing.
“We were looking for a number 10, a creative player who can score goals and he’s that kind of player,” said Hasselbaink.
“He’s somebody that we’ve liked for a long time and is a very exciting signing for us.
“Hopefully, he can get settled and get going really quickly.”
“I spoke to the gaffer earlier and he basically sold me the club,” said Chapman.
“I grew up playing with Bryn Morris when I was younger – he’s said
We were looking for a creative player who can score goals and Chapman is that sort of player.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
the physical demands in training here are quite high but that it’s very enjoyable.
“It’s a tough league – it’s open to anyone. I’m a direct player and, hopefully, I’m someone who can get the fans off their seats.”
Hughes, meanwhile, did not play for Hasselbaink, having injured his cruciate ligament against Doncaster Rovers last season, a few weeks before the Dutchman’s arrival.
Prior to that, he was possibly heading for the player of the year award, a commanding centre-half on loan from Leicester City, and it had been suggested a permanent deal might have happened before he was injured.
Hasselbaink knew all about
Hughes, though and says the possibility of bringing him back had been in his mind for months – although Hughes will not initially be ready to play.
His loan is also until January and perhaps his fitness will decide what happens after that.
“We all know Sam – he had a magnificent time here before he got injured,” said Hasselbaink.
“He’s still injured but we know what he can bring and we need to be a little bit patient with him.
“We definitely think we can get him fit and then he will be a great force for us.”
Hughes wanted to come back: “I’m delighted to be returning – even though my time last year was cut
short due to my injury, I couldn’t have enjoyed my time any more,” he said.
“It’s an amazing club with great people who gave me the opportunity to play league football.
“I’m really excited and ambitious and I want to help the club achieve its goals this season.
“I’m doing everything I can to get back to full fitness in the near future and I just want to say a huge thank you to the fans for all your support, I’ll see you soon.”
Hasselbaink says Hughes has three weeks of rehab to complete before he is back on the pitch, so supporters should not expect to see him for a while yet.
Then came Lakin, half an hour
after the Jebbison announcement.
As with Chapman and Hughes, the scores of speculation websites had not had an inkling and a threeyear deal, longer than the two-year contracts offered in the summer, is perhaps a surprise.
Clearly, though, he had been on Hasselbaink’s list of targets for a while.
Born in Solihull, Lakin was with Walsall as a young boy but was still only nine when he joined Birmingham in 2008. He has gone on to play 16 times for the Blues’ senior side.
“It’s been going for a few weeks now so I’m really happy to get it over the line and done,” said Lakin.
“I’ve had conversations with the manager and Dino (Maamria) and
they were keen to get me here. I’m looking forward to working with them. I’m a central midfielder, leftfooted, box to box, I look to create and score goals but I’ve also got the nitty-gritty side to me, which I’m sure the fans will see.”
“We’re really pleased to get Charlie in – he’s a midfielder of really good calibre and he’s been building a lot of experience,” said Hasselbaink.
“His agent has been helpful in getting the deal done and we’re looking forward to working with him.”
What a window, then, from Hasselbaink. When a few of the injured players are back in action, the competition in the squad looks ferocious.