5 Players Huddersfield Town Could Sign To Replace Rudoni – Opinion

Having confirmed the departure of Jack Rudoni to Championship side Coventry City last week, Huddersfield Town will be in the market to replace their creative midfielder before the new season. 

The 23 year old made a total of 35 appearances for the Terriers with five goals and three assists. Here are five individuals that Huddersfield could look at to replace Jack Rudoni: 

Davis Keillor-Dunn – Mansfield Town

Arguably the standout player in League Two last season, Davis Keillor Dunn was key to Mansfield Town in their promotion from League Two. The midfielder finished as the league’s fourth top scorer with 22 goals and recorded a total of 10 assists in the 51 appearances made in all competitions. He helped the Stags to promotion to the third tier and was rewarded with a place in the League Two team of the season. 

Keillor-Dunn would be the perfect replacement for Rudoni. Predominantly used in the attacking midfield role, the 26 year old is two footed and has previous experience of League One football during his spell at Burton Albion. The midfielder will provide creative spark having created on average 2.72 chances per 90 minutes last season and willingness to do the defensive work having won 68.2% of tackles made last season.

Mansfield will understandably be reluctant to sell their star man, especially with their step up to League One. However, having received a chunky fee for Rudoni, Huddersfield may be able to test Mansfield’s resolve especially with only a year remaining on his contract. 

Herbie Kane – Free Agent

Herbie Kane becomes a free agent upon the conclusion of his contract at Barnsley on 30th June. The Liverpool academy graduate is likely to be eyeing a move up the pyramid but a reunion with former manager, Michael Duff may help Huddersfield convince him to stay in League One. 

The midfielder played a total of 47 games in all competitions for Barnsley last season and registered 15 goal contributions. The 10 goals and 5 assists from Kane helped the Yorkshire side to a play-off place but he couldn’t end his career in South Yorkshire with promotion, having lost to Bolton in the semi-finals. 

Kane is a lively player who can dominate games from the middle of the park. Having predominantly been used in a central midfield role for Tykes, there is no doubt that the 25 year old could be used in a more attacking role further up the pitch. The midfielder had a 64.3% dribble success during the 2023-24 season and created on average 1.71 chances per 90 minutes. A move back to working under Michael Duff would likely bring the best out of Kane but given the success he has had in League One, he may see his future next season as a  Championship player. 

Kenneth Aboh – Norwich City (contract discussions ongoing)

Not a like-for-like replacement but certainly an individual who could have a similar attacking output to Jack Rudoni. This transfer will depend upon the contract discussions that are currently ongoing at Norwich City but a loan move for the 19 year old would be a good move for both parties.

Having only made one appearance for the first team, Aboh is yet to learn his trade within first team football but undoubtedly has talent. He made 22 appearances in all competitions for the Norwich City academy last season and scored 15 goals. Initially a winger, the 19 year old was converted to a striker but has the raw qualities to play in behind a number nine in an attacking midfield role.

Aboh has developed his game whereby he has the ability to come deep to receive the ball and take on defenders in one-on-one situations. He made his first team debut for the Canaries in March and was praised by former manager David Wagner: 

“He is super interesting for me, with everything what I’ve seen from him in training, and then the games, I really like him”

Replacing Rudoni with a loan player may not be the ideal solution for Huddersfield Town but there is no doubt that Aboh has the potential to be an attacking threat for a League One side. The Terriers may look at Abu Kamara’s loan move to Portsmouth as the blueprint in terms of potential output from a loan move for another promising Norwich City academy graduate. 

Charlie Lakin – Free Agent

Charlie Lakin is available on a free transfer having been released by Burton Albion at the end of the season. The midfielder started last season on loan at AFC Wimbledon but it was his spell at Sutton United in the second half of the season that includes him in this article. 

Lakin won the club and player’s player of the season awards for Sutton which says everything about his impact. He made 21 appearances for the U’s after joining in January and contributed with 8 goals and 5 assists. Lakin provided a creative spark with 2.22 chances created on average per 90 minutes 

The 25 year old has previously played in League One during his time at Burton Albion and appeared 10 times for Birmingham City in the Championship. Brewers fans were fairly disappointed to see Lakin on the released list after his influential spell in South London. 

Lakin has the flexibility to play within a midfield partnership or further forward as the number 10 option behind the striker. His ability to unlock opposition defences and test opposition goalkeepers is shown with an average of 2.77 accurate long balls and 1.94 shots per 90 minutes. He may need time to get up to speed with League One football again, but with age on his side and availability on a free, Lakin is certainly a creative player with a high ceiling.   

Ethan Chislett – Port Vale

Ethan Chislett could be a potential option given the season he had for a struggling Port Vale side. 

Despite Vale suffering relegation back into League Two, Chislett had a productive season for the Staffordshire side after joining from AFC Wimbledon last summer. The South African born midfielder predominately played in the attacking midfield position. 

The 25 year old made 54 appearances for Port Vale and despite being part of a side that finished 23rd, scored 9 and assisted 7 goals. When signed from AFC Wimbledon last year, David Flitcroft described Chislett as: 

“a player that loves to find space in between midfield players and defenders. His timing of runs into the box to create goal scoring opportunities is outstanding”. 

He may not be as experienced as the other options to replace Rudoni but having shone in a poor Port Vale side there is potential for the 25 year old to develop further within a better side. Having created an average of 1.38 chances and taken 2.20 shots per 90 minutes for a relegated Port Vale side, there is potential for the 25 year old to provide a greater output in a Huddersfield side likely to be challenging at the top of League One.