2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Plymouth Argyle

Player Decisions

Retain

Ronan Curtis, Joe Ralls, Caleb Watts, Mathias Ross, Joe Edwards, Owen Oseni, Tegan Finn, Xavier Amaechi, Malachi Boateng, Julio Plegezuelo, Jack McKenzie, Aribim Pepple, Bradley Ibrahim

Release

Luca Ashby-Hammond, Joe Hatch, Callum Wright, Nathanael Ogbeta, Brendan Galloway, Aymen Benarous, Freddie Issaka, Jamie Paterson, Connor Hazard, Jack Matthews, Zak Baker, Matty Sorinola

Sell

Michael Baidoo, Lorent Tolaj

Loan Out

Tegan Finn

Loan End

Alex Mitchell, Wes Harding, Herbie Kane, Owen Dale

Retained Squad

New Signings

Ollie Wright (Southampton – loan)

The Pilgrims have opted to provide Conor Hazard the offer of a new deal, and it remains to be seen as to whether or not the 28-year-old accepts that offer; my guess would be he perhaps doesn’t. Either way, I think that Argyle needs to strengthen the goalkeeping options. Personally, I would be bringing in a new #1 and with Hazard providing competition to a younger option.

If that is the case, the target that I would be looking at is youngster Ollie Wright. The youngster comes off the back of a spell in League Two with Accrington Stanley, and is someone that has impressed massively during 2025-26. So much so, while Stanley fans would no doubt like to bring him back into the club during the off season I think that the expectation is they are fully appreciative, which is unlikely to happen. Instead, they expect him to either get a chance in and around Southampton’s first-team, or at the very least play higher. 

Wright has impressed me with the composure in being able to play out, and the confidence in which he distributes the ball. He has good handling, has been taught to play ‘the right way’ through the academy at Southampton, and has got a large frame that allows him to command his area and in being strong to come for crosses. 

If I was in Southampton’s position, I think that a loan spell with The Pilgrims would be a logical next step for the youngster to go and play his football. He did well in the National League South across multiple spells, did well at Yeovil Town in the National League, and excelled for Accrington Stanley in League Two. Testing himself in League One would be a useful opportunity for him to continue his development, and so if I were Tom Cleverley then I would be going all out to secure his signature.

Idris Odutayo (Bromley – free)

The Pilgrims have already got two left-back options on the books in the form of Jack McKenzie and Matthew Sorinola. Personally, I feel Sorinola is better used as a left winger in a 4-4-2, while McKenzie has had a lot of time out with injury during 2025-26. As such, if I were Tom Cleverley then I would look to sign another left-back and ideally a starter. One player that is available having not yet signed a new deal with his club and who may well be attainable for The Pilgrims is Idris Odutayo. 

Bromley wants to keep him given the form that he was in last term, however he has yet to sign a new deal going into 2026-27 and so until that has been agreed then he is on the market. He may well be fairly settled with The Ravens given how well he has done and how integral he was in their promotion from League Two last term, however I think that he could be tempted by a) likely higher wages and b) signing for a team that will be pushing the top of the table. That could well represent an attractive offer for the youngster. 

In terms of Odutayo’s profile, I think that he has got all of the requisite ticks that you look for in a full-back for the modern game. He is quick. Athletic. A powerful runner. Great recovery speed, and the engine to get ‘up and down’ as a transitional threat. He is aggressive in his defending. Happy defending wide spaces. While he is perhaps not the most technically polished, he is an efficient ball-carrier. All in all, he represents a really mixed profile that can contribute a ‘bit of everything’. 

The thing that I really like about Idris Odutayo as a prospective signing is that he is capable at both sides of the game. He has got the engine and ball-carrying qualities to be an attacking full-back, yet has equally been part of a Bromley side in which he has demonstrated real maturity in the quality of his decision-making in his defending. Sometimes, you get a full-back that is strong defensively yet perhaps lacks those qualities going forward, whereas Odutayo represents a well-rounded option that can contribute positively to both phases of play. 

I don’t feel that there is much in the left-back market in the way of value, and so The Pilgrims may have to push the boat out to land Odutayo. He is only 23 years of age, and so I think that he represents a good long-term investment for The Pilgrims. He has had a good number of games under his belt in a title-winning side, and I feel he is capable of making that next step into League One.

Ryan Leonard (Millwall – free)

One area of the team in which The Pilgrims may need to do a bit of work in the off season is at right-back. Experienced Pilgrim Joe Edwards is keen to extend his deal and has indeed been offered new forms, and I expect that will be signed as a bit of a formality. That said, the 35-year-old is by no means a ‘spring chicken’ and so providing competition for him may well be incredibly useful.

One player that I am aware wants to move back down to the South West after a spell in the capital – and indeed hails from Plympton – is Millwall right-back Ryan Leonard. The Pilgrims may wish to favour a younger option to go alongside Joe Edwards, however given Leonard’s desires to seemingly move back to the area and his experience then I think it may well be an opportunity to overlook for The Pilgrims.

As a player, Leonard is what I would term a ‘safe and reliable’ full-back. Not the most overly attacking, nor technical. However, he reads the game. Intelligent use of the ball, and good positioning. Defensively strong. Good delivery from wide. I think if The Pilgrims are going to take that next step in getting promoted – or at the very least competing for the top six – signing a player with the experience and vocal leadership that Leonard does would be hugely advantageous to what is a largely youthful looking Pilgrims squad. 

While he has played the majority of his stuff more recently as a right-back, I like that he offers versatility given that he is capable of playing in the midfield as more of a defensively minded, box-to-box player. While he hasn’t played that position for a long time, I feel it is a useful weapon to have in the armoury of what is likely going to be one of the smaller squads in the league to have someone that is as durable as Leonard. At the age of 33, he represents a very safe pair of hands. 

Full-back might be an area in which The Lions look to strengthen during the summer. Bringing in a younger option. A full-back that is perhaps better-suited to be an ‘up and down’, attacking, front-footed type. More pace and greater mobility in being able to defend wide spaces. Leonard is now 33 years of age, and so he may well be one that they look to upgrade from. I think that he is more than good enough for League One, yet he might well be one that they perceive as not quite up to playing 46 games at the top end of the Championship or in the top flight next season. 

Sometimes, there are some signings which ‘stare you in the face’ as being almost too good to turn down, and in the case of Ryan Lenard I think that may well be the case. He wants to return to the South West according to what I hear, and so if The Pilgrims can strike a deal for him then I think it is one worth exploring. 

Alex Mitchell (Charlton Athletic – fee)

The first of two players on this list that I think may well make their way back to Home Park in the summer off the back of a hugely successful loan spell with the club during 2025-26 is Charlton Athletic centre-back Alex Mitchell.

In terms of the attributes that you look for in a centre-back, Mitchell has got the requisite ticks against the box. A big, imposing, robust, tough-tackling centre-back that is no-nonsense, takes little risk in the build-up phase in terms of going direct as opposed to trying to play out, and isn’t afraid to put his head in where it hurts.

In the early part of the campaign, The Pilgrims found it difficult to find the right defensive formula, yet as the season has developed Mitchell has proven himself as being the mainstay of that backline as a first-pick at centre-back. The 24-year-old has developed real maturity the likes of which we have perhaps not seen before in really taking that Argyle defence under his grasp, organizing well and has been a real leader. 

One of the advantages that I think The Pilgrims get in signing Mitchell is his popularity, both within the dressing room and the supporter base. He is an infectious character with good energy, hugely likeable, and in a quite endearing way is a bit of a ‘class joker’. With the supporters, he has particularly endeared himself. I feel that if you are going to be successful then it needs those types of character around the group in keeping everyone positive, and so I feel that re-signing Mitchell would definitely help in this regard. 

The Addicks may want to re-integrate him back into the first-team picture next year, albeit I feel that Mitchell himself has properly got his heart set on a return to Home Park given how well he played and how much he enjoyed that loan spell. I think that he will be near the top of every Argyle fans’ lists this summer to sign heading into 2026-27, and given how integral Mitchell has been to the defensive picture then I would say a fair bit of responsibility is in getting the move agreed.

Deji Elerewe (Lincoln City – loan)

While Julio Plegezuelo has predominantly partnered Mitchell this season, I feel that The Pilgrims need to be ruthless if they are to get promoted next year. One area in which I think they could strengthen to give themselves the best opportunity of aiming for the top two is signing a younger, quick and more mobile centre-back to go alongside Alex Mitchell.

One option that I would consider signing on loan is youngster Deji Elerewe. Signing for Lincoln City in the January window, the young defender has had limited opportunities – as you’d expect for a side that have been in the form as The Imps have – to play first-team minutes in League One. As they prepare for life in the Championship, it wouldn’t surprise me if Elerewe is given the opportunity to go and join another League One team and get regular football under his belt to continue his development. 

In terms of his profile, Deji Elerewe would provide The Pilgrims with a little bit more in the way of speed, aggression and power in the backline in playing a higher line and in defending the wide areas. He is quick. Aggressive in the tackle. A good box defender. Good in the air. Mobile enough to defend wide in the channels and in tracking runners. While he is perhaps not the most technically polished, Elerewe has got such a good physical profile that I think he gives The Pilgrims something that they don’t currently have in that defensive third of the pitch. 

He is contracted to Lincoln City until 2029 and so they see him as a long-term prospect for them, but I think that he needs to go and play games. After stepping up from Bromley, the most logical next step for him is to go and play in League One. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were to go back to Bromley now that they have been promoted into League One, however I feel that he is the type of player that would dovetail quite nicely with Alex Mitchell if they could get him. The success of Mitchell in that Argyle backline could provide confidence to The Imps that Home Park is a good destination for Elerewe to go and play his football. 

If The Imps do let him go out on loan in 2026-27, I don’t think that they will be short of offers for his services as he is a good young prospect with a bright future. I am not sure whether or not he is quite ready yet to be playing Championship football, but for a side that are aspiring to be at the top end of League One I feel he could represent a useful piece of business.

Ryan Glover (Barnet – fee)

One player that has particularly impressed me in 2025-26 – and in truth has done for the past 2-3 years – is Barnet winger Ryan Glover. By way of the season that he has had individually, the expectation amongst Bees supporters is that Glover will be on the move during the summer; likely upwards. If that is the case, I think that he may well represent a good option for The Pilgrims to explore. 

As a player, Glover has thrived in a wide role for The Bees over the last two seasons. A key part of their promotion out of the National League was playing in a wing-back capacity. In terms of individual performances, I think that Ryan Glover has been one of the standout players in League Two this term and is the best player that I have watched live in 2025-26. 

Under Dean Brennan, I feel that the ‘lightbulb’ has come on in his game over the course of the last 12-18 months. He has always had the ability to be a good wide player, but we are now seeing that end product. The extra care and appreciation in his final ball. Better decision-making. More effective use of his attributes. Playing in the right areas. This improvement has allowed him to take his game from strength-to-strength.

In terms of his profile, Glover is a mazy dribbler with good close control and technique. He is an incredible athlete, with relentless running and work ethic in closing down defenders and in covering ground. He has got great energy in possession to always be on the move and making runs off the shoulder. 

One of the advantages that I think you get in signing a player of Ryan Glover’s profile is that he is adaptable in how he is used. At Barnet, he has been used as an out-and-out winger given his footwork and trickery. As a secondary striker with his energy and running beyond the play off the shoulder. In a deeper-lying central midfield role as a ball-winner given his tenacity and work-rate against the ball. As such, he provides composite value for The Pilgrims. 

He remains contracted to Barnet, but The Bees received a lot of interest for him during the January window and so I don’t foresee his contract presenting any major barrier to prospective sides. Glover will have aspirations to play higher, and so I think that the 25-year-old will be open to exploring opportunities elsewhere if they arise. I don’t see The Bees being in the financial position to turn these offers down and so from a business point of view I think it makes sense to cash in this summer for a player that they may lose for less be it in January or the end of 2026-27.

Owen Dale (Oxford United – free)

The second of two players on this list that finished the campaign with Plymouth Argyle and that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sign on a permanent basis at Home Park is Oxford United’s Owen Dale. While he didn’t rip up any ‘proverbial trees’ with The Pilgrims, I feel that he could represent a useful option to have if they can work a sensible deal.

I think that we have only seen a fraction of what Dale is capable of in a Pilgrims shirt, with time spent playing in a wing-back capacity earlier in the campaign. As The Pilgrims have opted to use a more traditional 4-4-2 towards the back-end of the season, I think that this suits Dale. Playing off the right-hand side, the space and time to isolate defenders, and in a system that affords more in the way of freedom to go and get involved in the attacking play. 

As a player, Dale is a diminutive, tricky, skilful winger that is quick and direct. A quick-footed, balletic dribbler that is most effective when he is able to step onto the play and attack space. When I have watched The Pilgrims, I feel that they have lacked that natural width and so Dale needs to keep wider starting positions such that he has got the space in which to get on the turn. Too much of the play has been congested centrally with Dale perhaps isolated, and he has to get involved in physical 

If Dale is going to get to that next level in his game, I would like to see him operate with more aggression in his game and a willingness to really ‘take the game’ to the opposition. He is a good technical footballer, but at times I feel that he perhaps doesn’t dominate a game as much as he should, or at least could. 

The Pilgrims have already got Ronan Curtis and Xavier Amaechi on their books, and I have suggested that they sign Ryan Glover on a permanent deal in the summer. If The Pilgrims are to continue with the use of a system that includes two out-and-out wingers, I think that it is worth them having four options for those two spots. Especially with Amaechi having had injury problems, I wouldn’t be relying on three players competing for two positions. As such, I think signing Dale would be welcome.

Jaze Kabia (Grimsby Town – fee)

The biggest challenge that I think Tom Cleverley is going to have this summer is in replacing Lorent Tolaj and Aribim Pepple.  Both are rumoured to be of interest to higher suitors, and I am half expecting that the pair will both be subject of bids. Given Argyle’s financial position and previous willingness to sell, I think it is logical to plan for not having the pair next year. 

If that materialises, I think that Argyle will have a fair bit of money – likely in the region of £3-5 million combined for the pair – and so in terms of finding a replacement they may wish to re-invest some of those funds. One player that I think would represent a clever investment for The Pilgrims and is a bit of a project for Argyle to work with and develop long-term is Grimsby Town’s Jaze Kabia. 

As a profile, I think that Kabia represents a really nice all-round mix of skillsets. He is an incredibly aggressive presser, and super athletic. A willing runner. Mobile. Quick. Athletic. Powerful. Always harrying defenders and on the move. 

One of the key reasons as to why I like Kabia as an option to sign during the summer is his energy and athleticism in leading the line. In terms of a physical reference at the top end of the pitch, I think that you sometimes compromise on mobility and speed for the sake of having a striker that has got the physicality and frame to occupy defenders, yet Kabia represents a nice middle ground striker. He has got the size, the aerial qualities, the athleticism and running power to be that 

One thing that I have been impressed with most in Kabia signing for The Mariners this season has been in the maturity that he shows in leading the line. When he was at Truro City, Kabia was incredibly raw, always running and making himself an angle, but this term I feel that he has made better use of his body, working smarter, making more intelligent runs and looks far more polished. 

I am sure that Kabia is a player that will already have been on Argyle’s radar from his time at Truro City, and so it wouldn’t surprise me to see The Pilgrims turn to Kabia this summer. There is a possibility that Grimsby Town may be promoted into League One via the play-offs this season and so that may well make it a bit more difficult to secure him. However, Argyle will be aiming to compete for automatic promotion next season and so I feel that signing for The Pilgrims is a good option for the 25-year-old.

Nathan Lowe (Stoke City – loan)

The final player that I think The Pilgrims should look at trying to sign is youngster Nathan Lowe. Lowe ended the 2025-26 campaign at Wycombe Wanderers, on loan from Stoke City. 

Personally, I feel that Lowe is his most effective playing in a front two and so joining an Argyle side that operates in a 4-4-2 represents a good stylistic fit for The Pilgrims. 

One thing that The Pilgrims will have to replace if both Tolaj and Pepple depart is identifying a player that can provide physicality and a reference point at the top end of the pitch. A lot of Argyle’s approach play has been fairly direct in playing off Pepple in order to get them up the field, and so signing a player with that size and stature to give Argyle a platform is going to be incredibly important. Lowe – standing at 6ft 4in – can provide that. 

The youngster is a high-energy, dynamic forward with good running power, physically strong, and has got an infectious work-rate in closing down the opposition and in forcing turnovers. He has shown throughout his three loan spells away from Stoke City – in particular during his time with Walsall – that he is a complete #9, with good underlying physical attributes to go alongside clean ball-striking and a range of finishes.

One of the reasons why I think he is such a sought after striker is that he represents a nice middle ground between being a ‘traditional #9’ that is able to lead the line, but then has got the speed and running power to play on the shoulder of the opposition and hit teams on the counter with threat in behind. 

If Lowe is allowed to depart Stoke City again during the summer, I don’t expect that he will be short of offers for his services as the 20-year-old still has got high stock as one of the best up-and-coming young strikers in the Football League. Given how successful Tolaj and Pepple have been in Argyle colours, I think The Potters will see The Pilgrims as being a good environment for the youngster to go and play his football.