Millwall boss Gary Rowett entered this summer’s transfer window facing his biggest rebuild to date – needing to refresh attack and improve the quality and depth of the squad while building on last season’s ninth place finish.
Knowing talisman Jed Wallace’s creative output would be hard to replace, the Lions moved quickly to secure the return of Benik Afobe as well as George Honeyman from Hull City and Zian Flemming in a club record transfer.
The latter is undoubtedly the most exciting of the Lions’ transfer dealings with the Dutchman being a long-term target, joining after scoring 12 goals for Fortuna Sittard in last season’s Eredivisie.
Despite missing the start of the season through injury, Flemming has already shown glimpses of his quality and, paired with Honeyman’s work rate and forward-thinking playing style, the duo appear to have so far filled the Wallace void well.
It is clear Millwall have changed their recruitment approach in this window, targeting a younger profile of player with a strong resale value.
Signing the highly-rated Leeds United youngster Jamie Shackleton on loan with an option to buy is a particularly shrewd piece of business, the 22-year-old bringing versatility and energy to the squad and impressing in both central midfield and right wing-back so far this campaign.
He’s been joined by Leeds teammate Charlie Cresswell – the towering England U21 centre-back offering a direct replacement for Daniel Ballard, who joined Sunderland permanently after his successful loan spell at The Den last season.
Considering Millwall’s new approach, Andreas Voglsammer’s arrival arguably came out of left-field as the 30-year-old German joined from Union Berlin on a one-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months.
Despite never being a prolific striker throughout his career, Voglsammer’s early performances have shown promise and his work rate, physicality and ability to link play suggests he could well be a success while in South East London.
Millwall’s early business generated a buzz among fans, but a slow start to the season alongside recurring injury problems quickly exposed further areas of weakness within Rowett’s squad.
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With this in mind, the deadline day acquisition of Callum Styles could prove to be Millwall’s best signing of the window.
The 22-year-old was one of the outstanding players in Barnsley’s run to the Play-Offs in 2021 and his debut against Cardiff underlined just what Millwall had been lacking from their wing-backs in the early stages of the season.
Another highly promising loan player with an option to buy, Styles offered thrust and technical quality in the wide areas, although Rowett admits he sees Styles mainly playing in midfield this season.
Nevertheless, it’s clear the Lions gaffer is prioritising versatile players who are adept in multiple positions with their being a distinct lack of options out wide as it stands.
Although Rowett prefers a narrower front line, using his wing-backs to provide width, Tyler Burey is the only natural winger currently in the squad.
It could be a gamble to have no options in this area, considering that last season, Millwall had Sheyi Ojo, Oli Burke, Jed Wallace, Burey and Connor Mahoney who could play wide, as Millwall often lined up in a 5-2-3.
It’s unlikely that Millwall will deviate from their current system though, so perhaps having emergency wingers may just lead to frustration over lack of playing time.
Overall, this transfer window has been a successful one for the Lions with the club backing Rowett – and rightly so.
They’ve secured key targets, addressed weak areas and improved the overall quality and depth and, speaking after the win over Cardiff, Rowett said: “I’m really pleased, we’ve done some really good business.
“I don’t think we need anything [else], we’ve got some young players we want to involve. I don’t think we’re massive in terms of numbers but we’ve got some really good options.”
Competition for places will be paramount for Millwall this season, with many debates to be had over the best starting XI but for the first time in his tenure as manager, Rowett has plenty of options on the bench and a squad put together for his own system.
The backing, alongside a new contract for him, underlines the faith the club has in him, but that also ramps up the pressure to deliver as Millwall have continually come closer and closer to reaching the Play-Offs throughout Rowett’s tenure without achieving it.
The challenge will be to find the right configuration and get more consistent performances as Millwall fans will hope their new signings can start to live up to the pre-season expectations soon.