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.
KAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!! pic.twitter.com/yRPWqpac67
— Once A Dagger (@OnceADagger) June 24, 2021
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:
Robbo, Justham & Balanta all on the cusp of making themselves @Dag_RedFC legends ❤️💙
— ⎊ J.Ã.Ç.K ⎊ 🦁🏴 (@JackShikari12) June 25, 2021
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
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