The Crewe Alex Summer 2026 Retained List

Another year, another return to discussing who is under contract for Crewe Alex and who might be back for the following season. For the Alex, those plans have been made complicated by the fact that they are once again in a promotion race and thus can't for certain start making decisions until they know what league they will be in for 2026-27.

But, we can have a rough guess at what they might do. Or at least what they should do. So, let's go through who is out of contract, who isn't and what the squad might look like before any transfers are made this summer.

As ever, let's start with who we know is coming back for next season:

Under Contract

The following players are under contract for next season:

Goalkeepers: Ian Lawlor, Tom Booth

Defenders: Phil Croker, Reece Hutchinson

Midfielders: Owen Taylor(FYP)

Attacking Midfielders/Wingers: Jack Lankester, Matus Holicek, Dion Rankine

Strikers: Josh March

Much like they were 12 months, the Alex currently only have a handful of players confirmed as coming back for next season. I felt quite positive about the core they had at the end of last season, but injuries, off field issues and form meant it didn't turn out that way this season so much. With this group, they are full of holes, so I can't say whether I feel positive or negative about them at this stage.

But let's look at who else could be added to the above group and we'll split it into 4 categories. First year pros. Options Held. Out of Contract(with no options). And graduating 2nd year scholars. We'll start with the first year pros.

First Year Pros

I'm adding a new category this year, which is the players that are coming to the end of their first years as pros since graduating from the academy. The club didn't disclose with the 4 players in this group as to whether they have options in their deals to extend or not. They are obviously bound by the U24 compensation rule, but we'll list them separately for now.

Stan Daney(CB/RB)

Dancey has only just turned 19, but the club clearly feel quite strongly about him and his ability. However, of the 4 first year pros, I think he showed the least potential, which doesn't mean he won't stick around or doesn't deserve to. It's just that talent wise the other 3 flashed, whilst I don't think Dancey did all that much. Still, given his versaility to play both RB and CB, I think they might keep him around for another year.

Likely Choice: Unsure

My Choice: Retain

Luca Moore(CM)

There is some confusion over Moore. Most available sites list Moore as being born in September 2005, but the Alex stated he was only 18 when he signed his pro deal last June. If that's true, he can only be a maximum of 19 at this moment. He's probably the most established of the 4 in this group, having appeared in the Vertu Trophy and even getting a couple of cameos in the league.

What makes his situation interesting is the status of the Alex's more senior midfielders, all of whom are out of contract this summer. There will be openings to potentially become depth/sub options available and he's top of that list. In my opinion, we've seen enough to say he warrants another year. As for what the club will do, I think it depends on who stays from the senior players and where Owen Taylor slots into things.

Likely Choice: Retain

My Choice: Retain

Oliver Armstrong(CM)

Armstrong, like Moore, seems also to be listed incorrectly age wise. The club again stated he was 18 when he signed his pro deal, but other websites list him as already turning 20, which doesn't seem to stack up.

I've been impressed with what I've seen from him in the Vertu Trophy and I think he definitely warrants a longer look, as I'd like to see if he can take some development steps next season and make the squad more often. I can't call if the club see it the same way though.

Likely Choice: Unsure

My Choice: Retain

Jordan Hodkin(ST)

Another tough one. He too has shown flashes, including a goal off the bench in the Vertu Trophy at Burton. With the Alex once again expecting a large turnover in attack, like the above 3, I wouldn't be sad to see him go, but I would be inclined to give him a deal. Again, I can't call what the club will decide.

Likely Choice: Unsure

My Choice: Retain

Options Held

There are options on 11(maybe 12 players) that we know of. Again, the first year pros could have these also, but we'll keep them separate. So, let's discuss the 11/12 players we know are definitely in this group:

Charlie Finney(LB)

I feel for him. Injuries meant he wasn't able to get more game time earlier in his career. And the manager hasn't helped him this season by constantly throwing him in at positions other than LB. I don't think any other player has been used so constantly out of position like he has. That's being kind.

However on the flip side being more harsh, he's just not good enough. This season has proved that beyond any doubt. He's 22 and he still hasn't proven himself consistently capable of playing at the L2 level. Cheap depth only works if he can actually play and unfortunately, he's cost them more than he's helped them this season. With Reece Hutchinson locked into the LB spot for next season, Finney's prospects of significant playing time are not great. It's time to move on and find some fresh blood to act as LB depth.

Likely Outcome: Release

My Choice: Release

Mickey Demetriou(CB)

We have to ask how much longer Demetriou has. He'll be 36 shortly and whilst you can still play at this level at that age, I wonder how much longer he himself wants to keep playing before considering retirement. Whilst his general level of performances have still been good, injuries are starting to sap him. A succession plan is badly needed. He's played a lot of games and he might want to start transitioning to a coaching role. I'd obviously extend him and the Alex almost certainly will do, assuming he wants to stay.

Likely Outcome: Extend

My Choice: Extend

Lewis Billington(RB/CB)

Billo has really come on leaps and bounds in the last 12 months. However, it's fair to start asking what is next for him? He's truly made the RB spot his own and has even taken on the captains armband on occasions. But I will continue to ask if RB is his best spot, or would a move to RCB be better suited? He's a solid defender though and I wouldn't be against a fresh 2 year deal being given to him, which would take him to the end of his compensation window at the end of the 27-28 season. I think it's fairly certain he'll stay.

Likely Outcome: Retain

My Choice: Retain

Zac Williams(CB/LB)

I list Williams here even though we don't know what the length of deal was that he signed last summer. Was it a flat 1 year deal? Was it 1 year with an option? Was it longer? Who knows.

But when he he moved to Scotland, I bet most Alex fans thought we'd seen the last of him in a Crewe shirt. Don't be so sure. His move to Kilmarnock has been a disaster. He's barely played and the manager that signed him is now gone. He'll be back at the Alex this summer beyond a doubt, with his stock considerably lower after 12 months of virtually no competitive football. He'll be 22 soon, so is still 2 years away from being able to leave on a free transfer.

I honestly don't know what the future is for him at this point, but it's the 2nd straight year of causing the club headaches as they try to find a solution. Me personally, I get the club want to recoup some money, but I think that ship has sailed. I'd release him and let him be someone else's problem.

Likely Outcome: Retained & Loaned

My Choice: Release

Jack Powell(CM)

I have sympathies for him in that the ACL injury has seen his abilities diminish. He's done ok in the last few months when called on, but he's not a fit for a Lee Bell team. They need more mobility and more willingness to get stuck into challenges. I wish him well and thank him for his services, but it's time to move on. I think and really hope the club will take the same decision.

Likely Outcome: Release

My Choice: Release

Owen Lunt(CM)

He was put on a 1 year 'prove it' deal and whilst he still has steps to take, he's shown himself capable of being a first team regular, starting 26 of their 36 games in L2 so far this season before a back injury waylaid him. Like Billington, a fresh 2 year deal with the option of a 3rd year would be a good investment in him and I'd imagine he'd sign with fairly few issues.

Likely Outcome: Retained

My Choice: Retained

Calum Agius(LW)

I've perhaps been quite harsh on Agius, who has started almost every single week, which is something we don't often see as a 2nd year pro. He's got 6 goals and 2 assists from his first proper season in the first team, which is more than acceptable.

However, I do think though that he tends to drift in and out of games and his creativity and amount of involvement does need to improve as he moves into next season. But as a starting point, finishing with close to 10 goal contributions is a good step in his development.

He has a 2 year extension option and I'd imagine both sides will agree to that, which will keep him here until the summer of 2028 at least.

Likely Outcome: Retained

My Choice: Retained

Joel Tabiner(RW)

Maybe it's me huffing copeium, but I honestly think Tabiner would have flourished this season in this team. Playing alongside March, O'Reilly, Tezgel, Sanders, he'd have been excellent I think. But maybe that's me being too optimistic. Now he has the difficult journey of recovering from 12 months out, which for some can take 6-12 months in itself to find your feet again.

He unfortunately doesn't have the luxury of time anymore though. He's 23 in November and they'll need him up to speed quickly, as they can't wait and hope he puts it all together in 27-28, the last year the Alex can retain his rights. They'll extend him, as they should, but everyone should be hoping for a quick return for him, as they'll need to replace Tommi O'Reilly's creativity quickly and he should be looking to step up and do just that.

Likely Outcome: Retained

My Choice: Retained

Shilow Tracey(RW/ST)

The club did right by the player, but did they do right by themselves? Could the money they spent on Tracey's wages have been spent elsewhere on an attacker that might have played some games this season? I get why they kept him around, but with him now fit and recovered from his leg break, I think it's time both sides moved on.

Like Conor Thomas, if he's kept around as a depth option on the bench, fine. I'm sorry though, if they are making him a full time starter, I don't think they'll be successful next season. If he were to leave, I'd be fine with it. Maybe a good end to the year to proven his fitness and a move out of the club to find a new home closer to the south will be on the cards for him.

Likely Outcome: Departs

My Choice: Release

Fin Roberts(LW)

It was a low risk move when they signed him, but unfortunately it just hasn't worked out. He's not kicked on at all and his struggles to even consistently crack a mid-table 6th tier Chester side show he's a long way off being good enough for the EFL. I get the temptation to keep him, given he's not even 20 yet, but I don't think they'll regret saying goodbye this summer.

Likely Outcome: Release

My Choice: Release

Adrien Thibaut(ST)

Oof, tough one. There is a lot to like about Thibaut and the last couple of months have definitely shown some progress from him. But is he genuinely good enough to back up Josh March in the number 2 striker role? That role would need to contribute 5-10 goals. Can he do that? If he was third choice striker, then I'd be fine with it. I'd take up his option as he's likely to be relatively cheap.

Likely Outcome: Retain

My Choice: Retain

Louis Moult(ST)

What a disaster signing he turned out to be. Even infamous names like Bassala Sambou and Kane Hemmings scored a couple of goals. Moult managed 1, which was not even his really. Just bad all round. As easy a decision to move on as you are likely to get.

Likely Outcome: Release

My Choice: Release

Out of Contract

Now we come to the 4 players who we are pretty sure don't have options in their deals.

James Connolly(CB)

A fairly simple one for me, release him. He's 24 and whilst that does mean he has a couple of years development left in him, he just isn't a fit for what the Alex want their CBs to be. He's a defensive liability when he's not having his hand held by Demetriou, he makes critical mistakes frequently and, as silly as it sounds, he can't pass a ball. Which for a club where they try to build from the back is a bit of an issue. Move on, there are surely better options out there this summer in their budget range. Demetriou, Billington, Phil Croker and a new CB in the 25-30 age range would my preferred choices for next season.

I do think they might look to keep him around though. I hope not, but I can see them thinking that he's affordable and knows their system.

Likely Outcome: Retain

My Choice: Release

Max Sanders(CM)

We know where this is going. He's been outstanding this season and I would imagine plenty of other better paying L1/L2 sides would be interested in him. He's 27, so is entering his peak, plus he hails from the south. Which is usually a fatal combination when they want to retain a player. Obviously if the club get promoted, I think they have a chance to keep him, but either way, he will be playing L1 football next season. I don't think it will be with the Alex though.

Likely Outcome: Refuses Contract, Leaves

My Choice: Retain(but he'll leave)

Conor Thomas(CM)

I've been critical of the management for keeping him around when he struggles to play games due to his frequent injuries. I'll say this, I get some of the intangible stuff they think he brings, but if they are going into next season expecting him to be a starting midfielder at 32, it'll be a big mistake. As a 3rd or 4th choice behind 1-2 new starters and Owen Lunt, fine. Anything more than that, count me out.

Likely Outcome: Retain

My Choice: Release

Omar Bogle(ST)

I admire the guy for going through what he went through last season and into this season, in virtual silence. He's shown great character and resilience for what he's been able to overcome. However, he'll be 33 over the summer and he's scored just 6 league goals for the club to date. Whilst he's not been as bad as the likes of Hemmings and Moult as a signing, the Alex also can't afford to be carrying his wages at this point and I think they need to find a striker to complement March that is closer to that mould, i.e. quick and can run the channels. Not a big target man. Best of luck to him, but move on.

Likely Outcome: Release

My Choice: Release

Youth Team

As ever, we need to factor in the 2nd year scholars who will be getting deals and I looked at that here. It's slim pickings though, as only the aforementioned Owen Taylor and Iago Scott-Abel were players that I projected to join the first team squad next season.

Conclusion

There we go then. If the Alex make the decisions I think they'll make, then they'll be left with the following squad:

That would give them a 23 player group to start with. If this was the group they took into the summer before any transfers were made, it would need some work. They would, even as a start, need 1 CB(2-3 if Connolly and Williams both move on), 1 LB, 2 CMs, a LW and a striker to compete with/play alongside March. I'd imagine they'd also be looking to move on from Dion Rankine if they can, although finding suitors might be tricky. What they need and who they could target is a discussion for another time though.