2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Woking

Player Decisions

Retain

Tunji Akinola, Tariq Hinds, Aaron Drewe, Caleb Richards, Chinwike Okoli, Harry Beautyman, Jamie Andrews, Dale Gorman, Aiden O’Brien, Timi Odusına, Craig Ross

Release

Jake Hyde, Sam Ashford, Kian Pennant, Roy Syla, Jack Turner, Luke Hall, Jake Forster-Caskey

Lose

Matt Ward, Tim Akinola, Will Jaaskelainen

Loan End

Olly Sanderson, Joe Goode, Louis Flower, Josh Kelly

Retained Squad

New Signings

Jacob Knightsbridge (Oxford United – free)

While The Cards will have the best intentions of retaining Will Jaaskelainen going into 2026-27, I think that reluctantly there will be an acceptance that he will be subject of interest. As such, they will likely have to profile potential replacements to rearguard against the impact of his possible departure. 

One option that I think could well be available and perhaps realistic for Woking to sign is youngster Jacob Knightsbridge. He is currently on the books at Championship side Oxford United.

With The Yellows looking likely to stay in the Championship, Knightsbridge’s playing opportunities in the first-team will likely be a luxury seldom afforded to the youngster. At the age he is, Knightsbridge just needs to be playing football on a regular basis. Hone his craft. Develop. Learn the game. Adapt to men’s football. I’d personally see the logic and value in him potentially taking two steps backwards for the sake of taking three forward. 

You’ve only got to use current Cards #1 Will Jaaskelainen as a good barometer of the type of trajectory you can go on. He stepped down into non-league off the back of a few tricky campaigns in the EFL, and yet with the benefit of being the first-choice again has developed himself into one of the top keepers for the level. Knightsbridge is still only 22 years of age, and so I think that a permanent move to Woking would do his development the world of good.

A good technical grounding through the academy at West Ham United, learning off a top goalkeeper of experience in Simon Eastwood with The Yellows, and an England youth international. Even if he perhaps isn’t ready nor likely to get Championship opportunities, I think he would represent a good replacement for Jaaskelainen.

Joe Kizzi (Barnet – free)

I feel that The Cards may have one of the more youthful teams in the league next season, and so if they are to be competitive at the top end of the league then I think Jermain Defoe may wish to sign two or three more experienced options. 

One player that I think could be of interest to The Cards as a viable option to sign on a permanent deal from League Two Barnet is The Bees’ experienced right-back Joe Kizzi. 

One of the major benefits that Woking would get in signing a player like Kizzi is that he has won the National League before twice before – with Sutton United and Barnet – and so he represents the ideal type of signing that The Cards need in ensuring that they’ve got the experience to navigate the National League. 

He has not been a first-choice pick for The Bees in 2025-26, and went out on loan to Enfield Town prior to being recalled and integrated into the matchday squad. While he has played a key role in The Bees’ rise under Dean Brennan, Kizzi may well be a player that is allowed to move on during the close season. Brennan has to try and build a side that can’t just compete for getting into the play-offs, but that can go and win the title.

In terms of his attributes, I think that he complements what they have currently got at their disposal. He is tall, physically strong, good in the air, and provides The Cards with a greater ability to defend in the wide areas and getting on the end of long balls in the channel. As a box defender, I feel that he has got the basic skillsets that you are looking for. 

I expect that Barnet will let him go, and so in what will largely be a focus towards younger players in the summer I feel that being able to land a player of his experience, track record and leadership will go a long way as to helping them to be competitive at the top end of the league.

Godfrey Boakye (Birmingham City – loan)

As much as The Cards will be building for the coming summer and the 2026-27 campaign, I do think there has to be an element of trying to build for the future and try to troubleshoot what may happen. One of those possibilities is that Okoli gets a January move, especially if he keeps up his form from 2025-26 and seemingly the rate of progress and development he is making. 

As such, I think that The Cards should bring in a replacement, to provide the competition and indeed complement Okoli in the short-term, yet the potential to step into his shoes as a regular fixture if Okoli departs. Ideally identifying a younger centre-back. A multi-year deal. 

The option on the market that I really like is Birmingham City’s Godfred Boakye. According to some sources, he is out of contract at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. 23 years of age. Out of a good academy with a track record as a strong developer of young players.

As a profile, Boakye shares many similarities with Okoli. A physically imposing defender. Powerful. Quick. Capable of defending large spaces, but equally is a strong, out-and-out box defender. Fairly comfortable on the ball and in stepping out to midfield. 

His experience of first-team football is somewhat limited, with a spell playing at Sabah FK in Azerbaijan, as well as a brief time with Bromsgrove Sporting in lower non-league. Given that he has failed to breakthrough into the first-team at the age of 23 and that City retain lofty ambitions of getting promoted out of the Championship, I think Boakye may have to move on away from St Andrews for the sake of his career and getting the first-team experience that he needs to progress his own prospects longer-term. 

By no means a finished product, but I think there are some physical attributes which I like. Out of a strong Blues academy that has a decent recent track record for producing players. I feel that he may be worth a look as a bit of a project.

Christie Ward (AFC Totton – free)

Given the existing midfield options that The Cards have got at their disposal, I feel that they would benefit in trying to add a high-energy, ball-carrying #8 that can get about the pitch. An athlete. A runner. Someone capable of providing more in the way of pressing qualities than they’ve got. 

One player that has particularly impressed me, not just in 2025-26 but in all the times I have watched him, is AFC Totton’s Christie Ward. He has been an ever present for The Stags this term in helping them to adjust to the National League South. Himself multiple loan spells at Step Two. The youngster has really stood out as one of the better up-and-coming midfielders at the level.

While a defined philosophy of Jermaine Defoe is not clear set at this point, I do expect him to want to implement a front-footed, aggressive, attacking brand of football. Taking the game to the opposition. Playing at speed, and with power and technical quality. The ‘right way’, if you will. To do this, I think that an extra midfield profile that has that physicality, running power and athleticism would be advantageous. 

Ward definitely stands out in this regard. Physically strong. Athletic. A good size, and he looks after himself superbly away from the pitch. Good stamina, capable of pressing from the front, and got the engine to carry the ball while retaining the quality of his final action.

He is an attacking midfielder, yet I think knits both sides of the game together as a complete midfield. Suitably physical against the press, and elegant and creative with it. A nice weight of pass. Eye for a goal. A bit of a box crasher. That is a profile they don’t really have. 

The youngster is only 22 years of age, and yet is the type of player of player that I think The Cards should be looking to. Young, hungry and with a point to prove. A bit of a project with good future potential, yet can be impactful now. Ward is someone that I think is more than good enough to make the step up, but equally a player that is highly coachable and they can improve long-term.

Luca Williams-Barnett (Tottenham Hotspur – loan)

One of the secondary advantages that The Cards will be hoping that they can get in appointing Jermain Defoe is that he can utilise his contacts in the youth scene – from his role with Tottenham Hotspur – to potentially sign one or two younger players that perhaps are in need of a first-team loan, yet are too good – in terms of technical quality – for the level. 

One candidate on the market that I feel falls into that category is youngster Luca Williams-Barnett. One of the highest rated prospects currently in Spurs’ academy at the age of just 17-years-old, there are high hopes that in years to come he can break through into the first-team reckoning as the next ‘cab off the rink’ in and around the Premier League picture. 

The Cards have missed that pocket player this term. A tricky, technical, quick-footed, skilful #10 that can pick up positions in the half-spaces, get on the turn and break down the opposition. Williams-Barnett is that. A diminutive, yet dynamic customer. Someone that plays with a real confidence and swagger in possession. Takes risks. Quick feet. A nice passing range. Good vision. Able to play at speed, and always looking to be positive in playing forward. 

For now, I think that a first-team loan in a notoriously physical National League would do his physical development the world of good. Technically speaking, Williams-Barnett is well beyond the level, yet I think less time in possession, more physical opposition and more pressurised playing environment in lieu of academy football would allow him to quicken his play, make more efficient use of the ball and – if nothing else – allow him to improve his physical attributes. 

By way of his cameo in the EFL Cup and the rave reviews that he has got in the academy with Tottenham Hotspur, I am expecting that if he did become available then he wouldn’t be short of offers. With Defoe’s links into Spurs, I think The Cards may be able to land him. I feel the National League represents a decent level at which to pitch him, and I would go all out to get it over the line.

Michael Spellman (Newport County – free)

The last wide player that I would sign if I were in Woking’s position is Newport County attacker Michael Spellman. Jermain Defoe announced Paul Bracewell as his assistant manager, and he used to coach in the academy with The Black Cats. As such, it wouldn’t surprise me if The Cards do sign a player with Sunderland connections. 

Spellman is currently playing his football in League Two with The Exiles, and has played 34 times for County this season in League Two scoring five goals. The youngster will be out of contract at the end of the current season having signed only a 2-year-deal in 2024, and it remains to be seen – regardless of the level that they are next year – whether or not Spellman will be re-signed by The Exiles. 

In terms of his profile, Spellman is a tricky, balletic dribbler with quick feet, with a good turn of pace and looks to carry the ball direct to goal. I think that he would offer The Cards a more skilful and deliberate attacking profile that is willing to take risks in possession, play forward and attack space effectively. 

Personally, I feel that there is more to Michael Spellman’s game than he has perhaps been able to show with The Exiles. At times, County have played a system with wing-backs and without traditional wingers, and so that doesn’t really play to his strengths. In what I am expecting to be an attacking 4-2-3-1 with an emphasis on speed in transition and technical quality in possession, I think that could be a better fit for him. Simplifying his game. Platforming him correctly off the left-hand side. Let him use his technical ability to create from wide positions and in committing defenders. 

Given that they have got an experienced player on the books already on the left-hand side in the form of Aiden O’Brien, I think that they can afford to out and sign a bit more of a project. A younger player. Someone that they can develop into an asset long-term and improve. I believe that Spellman would be a good option for The Cards.

Olly Sanderson (Fulham – free)

The Cards have already taken steps to extend the deal of Chinwike Okoli, and a key part of their preparation for the summer recruitment will be in retaining their main assets. While not strictly their player, one that Jody Brown and Jermain Defoe will be working hard to keep going into 2026-27 is loanee Olly Sanderson. 

Sanderson has been one of the real successes for The Cards this term, and has especially looked lively in wake of Defoe’s arrival. He will finish the campaign as their top scorer. Nearing the 20-goal mark. He is definitely the calibre of player that The Cards should be looking to build any success around. 

As a player, Sanderson represents a really well-rounded profile for a #9. A good size. Clever use of his frame. A powerful runner. Mobile and an intelligent, aggressive presser from the front. Looks to play off the shoulder. Links the play nicely.  Thrives on transitional play with fluid rotations in the forward line where he can work the opportunities to run onto the ball. 

Over the course of the last 12 months – and especially in his loan with The Cards – there has been clear signs of progression in his game. More intelligent runs. Better use of his pace. Better ball-striking. He has come off the back of a disappointing loan spell at Bradford City and really rediscovered his mojo again with The Cards.

Personally, I feel that the youngster is at the stage of his career where the benefit of stability and a permanent home would do him the world of good, especially having been out on loan for much of the past four seasons. He is 22 years of age. Out of contract at the end of the campaign. The youngster won’t be short of offers by way of the last 12 months and the campaign that he has had in a side who aren’t particularly free-scoring nor creative from open-play. However, it would make for a real ‘stake in the ground’ of The Cards’ ambition to be able to keep him permanently.

Koby Mottoh (AFC Bournemouth – free)

One profile that The Cards will be looking for in the summer is some speed in the final third. They had a speedster in Josh Osude and he proved to be a real threat – if used correctly – in stretching teams and attacking space in behind. If I were The Cards, I would look at Koby Mottoh. 

Mottoh is capable of playing anywhere in the front three. Used more so as a winger during his time at Portsmouth. Played centrally with AFC Bournemouth. Making the transition from more of an athletic ball-carrier with Pompey to more of a last-line goal scorer with The Cherries. He represents a nice middle-ground between being a Josh Osude type that can isolate defenders and be strong in 1-on-1 duels, and more of an ‘off the shoulder’ type that uses his speed to attack space and stretch teams in behind. Thus, I think that he offers versatility to The Cards’ attack.

In terms of his profile, Mottoh is quick, direct, relishes transitions and having space to attack. His first action is always direct-to-goal carries. Wanting to commit players. Run in behind. He is a good athlete, and I think if he can improve his decision-making and final action then there is definitely a good player in there. He has got the physical skillsets to generate himself the chances, and it’s that final bit that – if it clicks – could make go to that next level.

In my opinion, Mottoh needs to go and get regular first-team football during the 2026-27 campaign. I’m a huge advocate for players – especially at a younger age – benefitting from going and testing themselves in men’s football. Developing that physicality. Playing under pressure, and in games of consequence. The type of environment they don’t really get in youth football. 

Young players don’t always translate their football at youth level into the professional game, but working under Jermain Defoe with The Cards I think that he has got a half a chance. He is a nice profile, can play in a number of different positions, and with the right wind behind him and a chance to prove himself within a first-team environment then I feel he could represent a sensible investment long-term. 

Pat Casey (Charlton Athletic – loan)

As a player, Jermain Defoe was a penalty-box predator. A deadly finisher. Always alert to the loose ball. In the right place at the right time. They’ve had some good attacking options, yet I feel they have lacked killer in front of goal. One option that I would look at is Charlton Athletic youngster Pat Casey.

Of the strikers I’ve watched in 2025-26, Casey definitely rates highly as one of the best. A clinical, instinctive finisher with a good ‘nose’ for being in the right place, and all different types of finish in his locker. Clever movement. Great spatial awareness in the box. Quick. Agile. Good feet under pressure. Great anticipation of where the ball is going to drop. Intelligent. He has got a lovely all-round profile for a striker.

While not the biggest, Casey showed that he can be that central #9. In a Dorking Wanderers side who relied on crossing, Casey had the trademark, short, sharp bursts across the front post. Intelligent link-up play. Finds the clever half-yard in the box to drop onto the ball. A fairly good spring in getting up for crosses. Attacks the ball well. An excellent ball-striker.  

The publicity of his move to Dorking Wanderers and the success born out of it will surely have put him in the shop window for prospective clubs, and so won’t  be short of offers. However, with The Cards bringing in a former top-level striker himself and not too far ‘out of the woods’ geographically to profit with capturing the youngster’s services.