Signed, Sealed, Delivered!

 


While the turf of the Victoria Bernabeu is being laid, this week there is plenty to discuss about the players who will be entertaining on it in the foreseeable future.

From June 2022 to June 2024, the contract renewals are varied but substantial as the key players whose futures were left in the balance after the retained list announcement – they all appear to be sorted.

There were some extras from that list that came as a pleasant surprise; tying players such as Justham and Balanta down to longer-term deals – until 2024.

My theory of the focus being on retaining players this summer, assured by McMahon’s words, is now proving true with these six announcements! Taking the view it’s the right approach, I’ll discuss all six contracts announced and the one that remains to be confirmed – Saidou Khan!

Matt Robinson

This wasn’t the first to be announced, but definitely the one we’d all wanted news of, the fantastic club servant committing his future to the Daggers. You need no explanation on why it was so highly anticipated and therefore too, why the reaction was one of great relief and ecstasy.

 

It’s true when it’s said that these contract renewals are as important as a new signing – Robbo staying for another 2 years is evidence of that. So, to have six of these come in a week makes it a fantastic one for the Daggers.

Honestly, I felt unsure until the beginning of this week that we’d be able to keep him with his fantastic season perhaps warranting a football league move; no doubt he’d gathered interest form elsewhere.

Elliot Justham

Well… nobody saw this one coming! And, to be honest, why would you? The best keeper in non-league football was already tied down to a contract until the summer of 2023 so us supporters rested assured he wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon.

However, on Monday the news Elliot had signed a new three year deal, meaning he was to remain at Victoria Road until 2024 – I was pleasantly surprised. I have my beliefs that perhaps a club or two showed their interest and therefore to cement the goalkeeper’s position was important looking ahead.

Angelo Balanta

The new captain! Another pleasant surprise came on Friday with the announcement of Angelo Balanta’s new deal where he added another two years to his existing contract – remaining at the club until 2024!

This contract completes the long-term deals dealt to this trio – an almost spine – integral to Dagenham & Redbridge’s current and future success. Jack on Twitter summed up these contracts rather well, with all three having proved themselves in a Daggers shirt with the potential to be even greater in the next 2-3 years:


Mauro Vilhete

Elsewhere, Vilhete committed his future to the club, he (along with Khan and Robinson) was one fo the main ones for me I’d like to see sorted – his contract finalised. As, Mauro had been a key part in our upturn in form and making things happen on the pitch; providing a breath of fresh air – full of attacking intent and creativity.

The two-year deal a commitment to the club that will see him hopefully continue to unlock defences with his incisive passing and unquestionable ability on the ball.

Myles Weston

The shortest of the contracts, along with Clark’s, Myles Weston has extended his stay for one more year. Understandably, you’d say, at the age of 35 however he has very much still got it – pace, precision and power. Myles was one of few highly-consistent performers across the whole season, and though I’m expectant we’ll see some new wide players come in, he is great to have in and around the side.

Kenny Clark

A one-year deal, no specific time scale announced would suggest, Kenny has rediscovered his best I feel ever since the captain’s armband was taken from him – now in the hands of Balanta! Therefore, this revitalised Clark will do a job for the team as he looks to surpass 100 appearances in the colours of Dagenham & Redbridge.

Despite my desire to see a new CB arrive, the ‘local lad’ as McMahon described, ‘who knows what the club is about – an embodiment of the spirit’ is a welcome retention on the books of the club. Hopefully, he can marshal the back line to success next season!

Yet to be announced…

Especially as Daggers legend Abu Ogogo recently made the switch to Southend, the future of Saidou Khan is one supporters, myself included, desperately want settled. There has been reported interest from league two clubs following the midfielder’s impact at Victoria Road since his arrival – though there is optimism the Daggers can fend this interest off!

So, next time I write on here, I’m hoping it’s with the knowledge his future is secured! The missing piece to the jigsaw from the players we ought to retain from last season, before hopefully welcoming one or two additions – as re-enforcements.

 

A final take…

The long(er) term deals are certainly refreshing to see, as with the other announcements; there is a clear belief in these players and trust they are the ones to push for promotion. A mutual trust, between the owners, coaches and supporters; these are the players to take us forward.

It gives the side a much-needed stability which we haven’t seen much of in the last few years with players coming and going with managers. This gives greater opportunity for success in my view, players not needing to ‘gel’ and get used to playing with each other all over again – able to hit the ground running.

So, with Khan’s future hopefully known in the coming days, we’ll look ahead to next season with renewed optimism. While too, we await at least a couple of incomings to the club, the countdown to the 21/22 season is now on!

Thanks for reading,

Keane




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Daggers Transfer Round-Up

Image
  Well, our first piece of business of the summer is complete, and though we only expect a few arrivals – it certainly isn’t the last! As the contract situation looks to be clearing, with Khan reportedly having agreed a deal, McMahon and his staff can put focus, energy and resources into new incomings. A deal done… So, as I say, the announcement of striker Josh Walker from Barnet has got the ball rolling – another player who John Still has identified as a gem that can help the squad back to the football league. Now say what you want about that man, he certainly has an eye for talent, as we saw when he was in the dugout and most recently with the likes of Saidou Khan (set to renew his deal at Dagenham & Redbridge). Taking a closer look at the new recruit, he netted just once last season, injuries impeding his ability to get out on the pitch. However the season prior, he was part of the side that got to the play-offs under Darren Currie – contributing 8 goals. A highlights r
Read more

Decision Time: My Retained List

Image
  It’s that time of year again! With National League Clubs beginning to announce their retained list, the Daggers will soon follow suit, McMahon has quite the conundrum on his hands. There are some incredibly difficult decisions to make, after a disappointing start to the season, the Daggers have turned their fortunes around somewhat. But the ‘failure’ (as Daryl himself admitted) to reach the play-offs, leaves question marks over the current crop – will they have what it takes to make the top 7 next season? How many more need to be brought in to ensure success, and therefore in turn, how many need to make way for new recruits? All this hangs in the balance as Dagenham & Redbridge football club look to be heading in the right direction. But, who will be on the pitch to continue that upwards trajectory at Victoria Road and ultimately reach the destination – League Two. Below, is who I think (of the current set of players) should be the ones continuing on that journey, this wa
Read more

𝙍𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: 𝙼𝚢 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗

Image
Finally, we received the retained list! But, for all the hype, there was somewhat an anti-climax in the announcement as, unlike previously thought, those who have been offered contracts are still yet to decide! Therefore, the futures of: -         Matt Robinson -         Kenny Clark -         Mauro Vilhete -         Saidou Khan -         Myles Weston -         Harry Phipps All still remain unclear, with a few of these names being vital to our successes at the back end of last season – there are very much ones we ought to keep an eye out for. These names also seemingly made this announcement a non-event, considering key players had their futures yet to be decided. So, with these announcements expected in the next few days, expect some more explosive articles in the days to come – concerning particularly the likes of Matt Robinson! In terms of the contracts being offered, as aforementioned, there are a few of them integral to our future success – key to our recent upt
Read more