Chesterfield are set to face a challenging battle to retain one of their loan stars, as the January transfer window continues to take shape.
The Spireites currently sit 10th in League Two in their debut season back in the fourth tier but have lost their previous three matches on the bounce, though they had won four in a row before then.
Paul Cook’s side currently find themselves in a challenging situation, with the club dealing with a handful of first-team injuries and have a lot of footballers out of contract at the end of the season.
However, they now face the challenge of retaining loanee Dilan Markanday, as journalist Pete O’Rourke reports that League One side Leyton Orient are trying to sign him on loan this month.
Taking League Two by storm
The 23-year-old fell out of favour at Blackburn Rovers last season and subsequently was loaned out to Chesterfield in the hope of capturing the eye and proving he still has what it takes.
Markanday has scored six goals and provided three additional assists for Chesterfield during the first half of the 2024/25 campaign and has been one of the clubs standout attackers thus far.
He has established an average match rating of 7.2 so far this season, whilst also averaging 1.6 key passes, 1.4 successful dribbles and 4.1 duel wins per 90 minutes under Paul Cook thus far.
Keep or stay? – which avenue would be better?
Markanday is currently in the middle of a season-long loan spell with Chesterfield where he’s appeared to have recaptured his love for football once again.
However, he also stands the opportunity of making the move to Leyton Orient who are currently chasing a League One play-off place and would allow him to return to London.
Staying at Chesterfield would allow the winger to build on the opening months of his season, reach double figures, and trying to help the Spireites to back-to-back promotions.
Meanwhile, Leyton Orient would give the winger the opportunity to test himself in League One but could risk distributing his current season form and see a reduction in his match minutes.
It then leads to a valid discussion for Markanday as to whether he feels like he can win something with Chesterfield or whether he feels the need to test himself once again in a new environment.