COLCHESTER United are in the process of reshaping their squad for the 2024-25 season.
There will be plenty of change at the U’s this summer, with a host of arrivals and departures as Danny and Nicky Cowley attempt to shape a side capable of competing at the top end of League Two, after several seasons of struggle.
With the transfer window now open, the Gazette looks at the state of play in the Colchester squad as it stands and where they may need to reinforce, in order to be a force again next season.
GOALKEEPER
There has already been plenty of change in this department, since the end of last season.
Owen Goodman, who played the vast majority of Colchester’s games in the 2023-24 campaign, has returned to parent club Crystal Palace following the completion of his season-long loan.
READ MORE: Former Colchester skipper signs for League Two club
Sam Hornby, who finished the season between the sticks for the U’s, was released at the end of the campaign along with young shot-stopper, Ted Collins, who has since joined National League South side, Chelmsford City.
Colchester have brought in 6ft 6in keeper Matt Macey, who was a free agent after leaving Championship-bound Portsmouth at the end of last season.
The former Arsenal youngster will bring plenty of presence to the U’s team and at 29 years old, has plenty of league experience.
Macey has joined fellow former Arsenal shot-stopper Tom Smith at Colchester but Danny Cowley may feel that he needs to add another keeper this summer to compete for the number one spot, at the JobServe Community Stadium.
DEFENCE
Colchester will attempt to bring in at least one new centre-back, this summer.
The U’s finished the season with Jay Mingi in their defence and he has now left the club to join League One side, Stockport County.
Tom Dallison was released by Colchester at the end of the campaign, while Riley Harbottle, Jayden Richardson and Zach Mitchell have returned to their parent clubs Hibernian, Aberdeen and Charlton Athletic respectively, following the completion of their loan moves.
READ MORE: Harry happy to be reunited with Cowleys after joining U's
It leaves them with club captain Connor Hall, Fiacre Kelleher and Mandela Egbo as their senior centre-backs for the 2024-25 campaign, as it stands.
With the likes of Harry Beadle and Ronny Nelson having been released by the club at the end of last season, Frankie Terry is probably regarded as their next young centre-back to be knocking on the door of the first team but Colchester will need reinforcements.
Richard Brindley has been linked with a return to the U’s after being released by Notts County and with Jayden Fevrier’s departure depriving the club further of right-sided options, there is certainly a need to strengthen.
There is also a question mark on the strength of the left side of defence, with Al-Amin Kazeem, who is currently on loan at Irish club Galway United, out of contract this summer and yet to sign a new deal.
Ellis Iandolo is seen as a key player for Colchester and they will be hoping he can play many more games for them this season, following an injury-hit first campaign for the club.
MIDFIELD
Much of what happens in Colchester’s attacking midfield department this summer will depend on the outcome of their contract offers made to a trio of players.
Cameron McGeehan, Noah Chilvers and Chay Cooper have all been offered new deals and the U’s are awaiting answers.
McGeehan finished as Colchester’s second leading scorer behind Joe Taylor last season and proved a key player for them, as they battled against League Two relegation.
It would be a blow to lose the former Luton Town and Barnsley man, who would probably walk into any other League Two team.
Losing home-grown player Chilvers would also be a setback, although his situation is somewhat different in that he is still under the age of 24, which would mean the U’s would require compensation should he move on.
As he showed once again in their final game of the season against Crewe Alexandra, the ex-U’s academy player can come up with moments of magic and the Cowleys will be confident that they can get the best out of him on a consistent basis, should they keep him at the U’s.
READ MORE: Former Colchester goalkeeper signs for Essex non-league side
Cooper spent some time on loan at National League side Hartlepool United in the final part of last season but Danny Cowley has spoken highly of the former Spurs youngster and the fact that he has been offered a new deal shows that he is wanted by the club.
Needless to say, Colchester will be hoping to keep hold of their player of the year, Arthur Read.
The ex-Stevenage player was excellent in the last campaign for the U’s and hugely deserving of his player of the year award.
With former Colchester boss Matt Bloomfield rumoured to be interested in taking him to Wycombe Wanderers, the U’s will be eager to keep hold of one of their key players, particularly after Alistair Smith returned to Lincoln City following the completion of his loan spell.
With central midfielders Jay Mingi, Marley Marshall Miranda and Gene Kennedy all departing the club, this is an area where Colchester will undoubtedly be looking to strengthen, in the transfer window.
ATTACK
Colchester will undoubtedly be looking for reinforcements in this department, this summer.
It will be difficult for a signing to make as big an impact as Joe Taylor did in the first half of last season, but the U’s will certainly be trying to find a player of a similar ilk, someone who can come in, hit the ground running and score goals straight away.
Talented young strike duo Samson Tovide and Bradley Ihionvien are both regarded in high esteem by the Cowleys but they are both still inexperienced and while Tom Hopper has many qualities, they know that realistically he will not be prolific for them in League Two.
Conor Wilkinson and Matt Jay were used sparingly by the Cowleys in the second half of the season although the former did have one or two injury problems which prevented him from being available for selection as did Owura Edwards.
It remains to be seen if the trio are in the Cowleys’ plans for next season but with experienced forward John Akinde and winger Jayden Fevrier both departing, it leaves Colchester a little light in the forward areas.
However, the addition of Harry Anderson on a free transfer following his exit from League One side Stevenage at the end of last season is a boost.
The U’s will be aiming to keep him fit from the start, as they know he can have a big impact.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here