With starlets from Manchester United and Everton impressing, Preston North End boss Ryan Lowe anticipates being the 'first port of call' for returning loan players.
With varied degrees of success, Preston this season welcomed Troy Parrott, Alvaro Fernandez, Liam Delap, and Tom Cannon to PR1.
Parrott and Delap struggled to score this season, with just four and one goals, respectively. Tom Cannon, the club's top scorer despite joining in January, won the Young Player of the Year title.
Supporters have called for the latter two to return for another season at PNE, and Lowe anticipates that if they are, United and Everton will turn to the Lilywhites and trust them with their young players.
Lowe said: “What we've done with the lads, I think we'd be first port of call - and we've had confirmation from the football clubs that we would be. Which is good on our behalf, it shows what we've done with the players, improved them, developed them.
"The other side to it would be if someone is trying to penny pinch and offer them silly money which can't really be done but the fact of the matter is we know, with the lads who are potentially coming back, we'd be in the driving seat."
"We know what they've achieved here and what we've done with them and hopefully that continues.”
Cameron Archer, who impressed for six months until Aston Villa decided to keep him at the club in the summer and ultimately selected Middlesbrough over PNE in the winter, was in a similar predicament for Preston last summer.
Although Lowe is aware that it may be difficult to convince the players to return, he believes the relationships they have forged with the supporters may prove to be crucial.
“I'm hoping, of course. Why not? We'll have conversations and keep discussing. It would be nice to get one or two back who have performed and over performed probably."
"Again, we're probably in a battle with other teams and we have to respect their clubs so we won't talk about them - but why not? Home is where the heart is, that's the new season ticket campaign, I think all our loan lads have had the love from me, the staff and everyone associated with the football club - but more importantly, the fans."
"When you get that feel, there's always more who will want to come back. Hopefully in the near future we'll know but if we can, then definitely.”
The 20 year old left back also welcomes the idea of going back to spend another season long loan stint with the lillywhites.
"I had a good start when I made two assists against Huddersfield," Fernandez told LancsLive. "I then became injured, but (the fans) seemed to love me! When you work, you need that motivation and to start with those two assists - it was a good start. I was injured for one month after that, but from there I took big motivation.
"It's been a good season for me - I have taken the experience that I wanted right at the beginning, with 39 (now 40) appearances in total. It's been the perfect season for me, I think. We have a very good squad and everyone is close in the changing room - it's a good feeling. We have no problems inside and we know what we want."
"I think I will go to speak with them (United) in one or two weeks," said Fernandez. "They will say that I need to come back in pre-season - to United - then we will speak again, after training, to see what happens and what they want."
"The world is crazy.. you never know in football. Erik ten Hag, he has to choose! I am happy for (Man United) because they are doing very well. They changed a few things in the team - some tactics - and they are doing very well."
Amad Diallo's new role ahead of next campaign
Regardless of Sunderland's play-off performance, supporters of the Black Cats will remember the 2022–23 season very fondly.
They not only far exceeded expectations by finishing in the top six of the Championship after spending four straight seasons in League One, but they also enjoyed week in and week out access to one of the nation's most promising young players. Few would have predicted that Amad would grow to be so beloved on Wearside, and Sunderland fans' reactions to him, if their season ends at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night, are sure to be emotional ones, even though they travel with a first-leg lead after a 2-1 weekend victory.
The talented teenager from Manchester United has been nothing short of amazing this year, contributing significantly to Sunderland's surprising bid to end its Premier League exile. In 41 games, he has contributed 14 goals and four assists, solidifying his position in Sunderland supporters' hearts for all time.
Amad required another loan stint, this time at a team where he could spend the entirety of a complete season playing consistently and in a tough, intense environment after a disappointing loan stint at Scottish club Rangers during the second half of last season. The Championship fit like a glove.
When it comes to technical prowess, he has outperformed nearly every other player in his division this season. How many players worth £37 million show up in the Championship, after all, despite the constantly rising calibre of the second tier? hardly any.
Given that United acquired him for the aforementioned sum in January 2021, it is obvious that they could not have permitted him to leave on loan without having made arrangements for his long-term future. He has done more than enough this year to merit a shot at playing in the Premier League the next year.
His skill set is diverse, his pace is fast, and he also has decent finishing abilities. Just ask Ethan Horvath, the goalie at Luton Town.
Amad's progress has been closely monitored by United throughout the course of the season, so it is only natural that Erik ten Hag has been asked about the Ivorian's long-term future as the season has drawn to a close. The Dutchman responded positively when asked on Friday if he has a role to play in his plans for the upcoming season.
"Yes. Of course, we loan such players to make development and make progress to bring them back, that is the aim of the loan," Erik Ten Hag said.
It will be up to Amad to demonstrate that he can handle the substantial jump in quality between the top of the Championship and the top of the Premier League because it is obvious that there is a huge gap between the two. However, when United placed £37 million into Atalanta's bank account just over two years ago, they must have understood they were purchasing quality.
In terms of a role where he could anticipate regular opportunities, where exactly would he fit into Ten Hag's plans? Currently, United is well-stocked in wide areas, but they do intend to loan out two forwards this summer, one of which is anticipated to be Facundo Pellistri.
The Uruguayan has had trouble finding consistent playing time this year, appearing just nine times and making just one start; hence, a loan move would be beneficial for his development. Another viable option for going out on loan and attempting to revive his career after a disappointing campaign is Anthony Elanga.
United would have five natural wingers if those two left: Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, and Amad. You could argue that among that group, Antony and Rashford would be at the top of Ten Hag's pecking order to begin each week, lining up on the right and left, respectively.
The greatest of Sancho's game in United colors has been played on the left, and Garnacho is more suited to playing on that side of the field as well, leaving Ten Hag with three excellent left-wingers. Sancho, who is still battling to live up to expectations at Old Trafford. Since Antony lacks opposition on the other side, Amad would be the ideal candidate to fill that void and take over as United's backup right winger.
This season, Bruno Fernandes has been asked to play out wide frequently, especially on the right, which suggests that Ten Hag may not have confidence in Pellistri and Elanga at this point in their careers. Amad would be a great fit for the part because he would provide the Dutchman another option on the right side.
After such a successful loan period, Amad is not going to tolerate returning to Old Trafford, sliding low down the pecking order, and being forgotten about. A good next step would be to just be included in the matchday squad every single week.
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