My Crewe Alex 2026-27 Rebuilding Plan

I haven't done one of these before. It's usually because by the time I've thought about writing one, the season has properly finished and no sooner has it finished than the club are releasing their retained list, transfers are already happening and it's too late. But with the Alex's season finishing in terms of promotion on Saturday, I figured I'd give it a crack.

Too often we bemoan the fact the side weren't good enough to achieve promotion but fail to actually put together ideas about how we would improve things. So, that's what I'm going to do in this post. Discuss what outgoings I would make if I was Crewe Alex manager, who would get new deals and what new players they could realistically sign from outside the club.

We're going to break this down into several sections. First, who is under contract for next season already. Second, who I would be sending out the club. Third, who is getting new deals and staying. Fourth, looking at the gaps and fifth, who would I sign from outside the club and why. So, let's get into it:

Under Contract

The Alex have, by my count, just 10 players under contract for next season at the time of posting. That might not seem like many, but I suspect most L2 clubs are in a similar position.

Where things are different though is that of the 18 other contracted players the Alex have at the club that see their deals run out this summer, all bar a handful have options to extend. So, it should be fairly simple to expand their ranks by triggering some of those options. But, using the 10 under contract players as a starting point, let's look at the other 18 players and decide what to do with them.

Outgoings

Charlie Finney

The ship has sailed. It's fairly clear now he doesn't have a path to a career with the Alex or even in the EFL most likely. He needs to leave to find football elsewhere.

Zac Williams

I'm assuming he doesn't feel differently about his Alex future than he did 12 months ago. He was adamant he wanted to leave then, so he'd be training with the youth team this summer until he finds a new suitor. If he's not under contract, sign him to a 1 year deal and then loan him out again should there be a taker.

James Connolly

I get why some might want him to stay, but for me, thank him for his service and move on.

Max Sanders

I'd be happy to see him stay, but we know how these things often go. He'll be in L1 next season I'm betting. His market might not be as strong as it was 6 months ago, but there should be interest.

Conor Thomas

Injury prone, not mobile enough, can't do 90 minutes, refuses to even touch the ball. All bad traits for a CM in my eyes. Move. On.

Jack Powell

He's done alright this season, but his all round impact from open play is not great. I think they can find players better than him.

Omar Bogle

Injuries wrecked his Alex career. It's unfortunate, but it is what it is. Wish him well and move on.

Louis Moult

Yeah, you got the sense this decision had been made months ago.

Fin Roberts

He's got a lot of raw attributes, but he hasn't kicked on and he's been a bit part player at Chester. A departure is best for all parties I think.

Dion Rankine

If they can find a way to release him without it impacting their budget, brilliant. But he needs to be gone fairly sharpish. If it's a loan, then so be it.

Shilow Tracey

He's done amazingly well to recover from his broken leg, but let's remember he was a very average player across the 18 months he was fit. He doesn't have an assist for the club since January. 2024. He stretches defences, but lacks the quality to play forward or winger well in L2 in my opinion. And do you even take the risk on him returning to anything resembling what he was after such a bad injury? I wouldn't.

Olly Armstrong

I've ummed and arred about Armstrong for a while. But with Owen Lunt, Luca Moore, Owen Taylor and maybe Iago Scott-Abel all potentially in the system, I'm not sure there is room for him. He might well stick around, but for now I'm moving on.

Jordan Hodkin

After 3 different loan spells at Leek, Nantwich and Bamber Bridge all being fairly so-so for him, I'm being ruthless and letting him go. Maybe there is some potential there, but if they play 4-2-3-1 and keep Thibaut, Hodkin would be 4th choice at best. With there now being no U21s team to fill, I don't see a spot for him in the squad.

New Deals

Stan Dancey

As a back up RB, I think he can be an option next season. Young, cheap talent that still has a pathway to make the first team is important, so I'm keeping him for another year to see if he can take a step.

Lewis Billington

A new 2 year deal should be on the table right now, but I'm moving him to CB and having him compete with Demetriou and a new signing for a starting spot, with Phil Croker 4th choice.

Owen Lunt

Another player who gets a new 2 year deal. He's proven himself capable of being a useful first team player, so he sticks around for another couple of years.

Luca Moore

12 goals for the U21s and some bright Vertu Trophy appearances suggest they should keep him. So that's what I'm doing. He also gets a 2 year deal.

Joel Tabiner

He's 2 years away from leaving for free, but his stock is low after his ACL injury, so I'd imagine he'll sign a new 2 year deal fairly quickly.

Adrien Thibaut

He's shown enough in 2026 to warrant giving him another year with the option of a 2nd. If he can take another step in 26-27, then I'd be happy with that.

Calum Agius

He has the option of a 2 year extension, which I'd imagine they'll trigger. He's had a mixed season, but hopefully he can take this experience and use it to kick on next season.

Iago Scott-Abel

The Alex usually keep their youth team captains, as they normally only give it to players they think highly of. So on that basis, he's getting a pro deal.

Patrick Mlynarski

I counted him out of getting a pro deal in my look at the graduating scholars, but others feel more strongly about him, so for that reason, I've changed my mind and I'm keeping him as a first year pro.

Squad(Before Signings) & Transfer Needs

So, let's have a look at what the Alex would look like if all the above took place and before any signings. Here is my starting XI as it would be once all new deals were signed. It's heavily reliant on the likes of Tabiner eturning to form, Moore and Dancey kicking on and Lankester/Demetriou staying fit. But personally, as a starting point, I don't think it looks too bad and I think it could win some games in 26-27. Not many, but a few.

The subs would be Tom Booth, Phil Croker, Owen Taylor, Iago Scott-Abel, Patrick Mlynarski, Calum Agius and Adrien Thibaut. No really proven quality, but again, this is without any additions. It's clearly in need of starting talent and depth at numerous spots. So, let's look at what would be needed and the profile of the player.

Centre Back

I know I'm a broken record, but an experienced CB to support Demetriou and be the leader of the back line when he inevitably needs a rest or gets injured is a must. Tall, dominant in the air and ideally one that can pass a ball would be nice. That's a lot to ask for in League Two I know, but a man can dream. They wouldn't need to be a week in, week out starter, but someone capable of playing 20-30 games as and when needed.

Right Full Back

I've moved Billington into the middle to be a full time CB. So that leaves them needing a starter at RB. This player should be a mix of mobile and physical, able to help defend set pieces. Attacking output is a must though, as they didn't get enough from Billington in that regard in 25-26.

Central Midfield x 2

The Alex's midfield needs an overhaul. It needs a number of things. Goalscoring, creativity, set piece delivery, technical ability, mobility. I'm bullish on what Lunt can do next season and what impact Moore and Taylor can have, but they need a real injection of quality in the middle over the summer and they need at least 2 midfielders, maybe 3 if we're being greedy.

Winger

This is a tricky one. On paper, a quartet who can all play wide in Holicek, Tabiner, Lankester and Agius is enough. But one injury(which is highly likely for a couple of them unfortunately) and suddenly they have no reliable depth at this position. So, adding another option is really important.

Striker

Josh March being your main starting striker is fine after a double figure goal scoring season. But Thibaut can't be your number 2. He's taken a step and he can be a third choice, but no more than that. So, they need a Tezgel replacement, someone who hopefully can chip in somewhere in the region of 8-15 league goals. This player ideally could do with being mobile but also capable of competing in the air for crosses.

New Signings

So then, new signings time. I've limited my search to just mostly L2 teams. We know they have picked up players from L1 in the past, but I decided to stick to players from the Alex's division and hopefully made them realistic in terms of budget, location and whether they would actually be willing to join the Alex should they come knocking.

I've gone out and signed a centre back, a right full back, 2 central midfielders, a winger and a striker. If they can't afford some reasonable talent after letting 10 players, 5 of them seniors, go, then I'll officially be worried. But let's assume they can.

At CB, my main choice would be Farrend Rawson from Accrington. He has a mistake in him and his technical ability isn't brilliant, but he's a massive towering presence and he always seems to have good games against the Alex. He's captain at Accrington, so brings leadership, is only 30 and whilst he's missed a few games through injury over the years, he can score a goal or two and, best of all, he's dominant in the air. Him alongside Demetriou and Billington would be a very strong trio who can rotate to cover each other if injuries should occur.

For the RB, I would look at Cameron Norman at Tranmere. He's had a tough season with the Wirral side, but he was decent at Newport and even in a struggling Tranmere team, his underlying numbers are not too bad. He's got plenty of experience, can produce a few goals and knows League Two. I think they can do a lot worse.

To fill one of the spots in midfield, I am looking at Jack Evans at Harrogate. He is under contract, but if Harrogate drop, he could be available for a modest fee. He would be signed as their deep lying game breaker, a Conor Thomas replacement. He ranks top of L2 this season for tackles and whilst he picks up a few too many cards, he is durable, having only missed 3 games this season, all of which were through suspension. A big upgrade on Thomas in that regard.

To fill the more experienced and more creative role, I'm looking at Harrison Biggins on a free. Yes, his decision to leave Doncaster at the end of 23-24 was a poor one in hindsight and he's coming off a so-so season playing for 2 strugglers in Shrewsbury and Newport. However, he's a productive player at this level, having played 138 times and put up 27 goals and assists, 1 every 4 games. He won't be 31 until next March, so still has a number of years of hopefully decent football in him. But he hopefully adds leadership and guidance in the middle of the pitch, something Lunt, Moore and Taylor all need.

For the winger, Jack Nolan is my number 1 target. I asked the Alex to sign him 2 seasons ago, but he went to Gillingham. He struggled there, but after leaving them last summer, he signed for Morecambe. He then went on to have a highly productive season for the struggling Shrimps in 25-26 in the NL, scoring 18 goals and creating 8 more. He's had an incredible season given he's played for a relegated team. He might end up going to a better funded L2/NL team, but if there is any possibility to bring him in, I'm jumping all over it.

Finally for striker, I'm going to Barrow to sign Isaac Fletcher. Like Evans, he's under contract, but he might be available for a small fee given Barrow might be looking to shed salary for their drop into the non-leagues, plus Fletcher would surely jump at the chance to stay in League Two. What I like about him is that he feels like the ideal complement to March. He's a big physical presence who can win his ariel battles, ranking near the top of L2 for headed shots on target with 14. He has 7 goals for a struggling Barrow team, which is honestly not a bad total. At 23, he has room to improve and wouldn't need to be a week in, week out starter. He could play either instead of March or alongside him and can play as an attacking midfielder. He ticks all the boxes.

Summary:

Farrend Rawson(CB, Free)

Cameron Norman(RB, Free)

Jack Evans(CM, Fee)

Harrison Biggins(CM, Free)

Jack Nolan(RW, Free)

Isaac Fletcher(ST, Fee)

Yes, I'm aware that 2 of these signings would involve fees, something the Alex might not be able to afford. But let's also remember they paid fees in the last 2 seasons for Jack Lankester, Max Sanders, James Connolly and Reece Hutchinson, so it hopefully shows it would be possible. I'd also argue it's necessary to pay small fees to secure good players. I didn't look at any loanees for 2 reasons. One, it's hard to know what names will become available for loan, be that veterans or rookies. Had anyone truly heard of Sam Waller or James Golding before they signed for the Alex? I doubt it.

And 2, I think the loan market is going to be very slow this summer. With it being a tournament year, the big clubs are going to need youngsters to fill out their squads for friendlies whilst the senior players are either playing at the World Cup or recovering from it. I see very few loan deals getting done early and most being done once the season starts in August. If the Alex want something resembling a competitive squad in place before the season starts, I think they need to be focusing almost entirely on permanent additions.

2026-27 Squad

So, let's say every one of the above moves come off. That would give them with, in my opinion, a nicely balanced team and that's before any loanees come in to fill out certain spots. Yes, there are gaps and weak points, but it's a blend of youth and experience.

In terms of the loan market, if they feel Moore and Taylor aren't quite good enough yet, then sign another CM. The same goes for CB if they want to keep Billington at RB. If they want to let Tom Booth go and get experience rather than sit on the bench, bring in a loan keeper. You get the idea.

This of course is just what I would do in terms of the summer rebuild. I don't think there needs to be a total squad overhaul, more building up of depth and quality, especially in the midfield and defence areas. I am curious to see if any of these targets are on the Alex's radar and also where they do eventually end up. Let's see what the next few months brings.