Huddersfield Town have signed seven players so far this summer and are now reportedly looking at a move for two players from Preston North End.
The Terriers are reportedly planning a move for duo Jack Whatmough and Brad Potts from Championship side Preston North End.
Potts was a consistent figure in the Lilywhites squad under manager Paul Heckingbottom. At the same time, Jack Whatmough struggled for gametime due to injury and was often left on the bench or out of the matchday squad.
The Championship duo would become Huddersfield’s eighth and ninth signings of the summer. Lee Grant’s side have already signed Ryan Ledson, Sean Roughan, Marcus Harness, Murray Wallace, and Joe Low on free transfers. Owen Goodman and Josh Feeney signed on loan from Premier League sides Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.
Huddersfield Town target Whatmough and Potts.
Huddersfield Town seem to be looking to bring in defender Jack Whatmough and wing-back/right midfielder Brad Potts from Preston.
The Terriers are reportedly hoping to sign Whatmough on a three-year deal, and would pay in the area of £250,000 for the 29-year-old.
Potts could be a trickier and potentially more ambitious move, but the Championship side are unlikely to let the 31-year-old leave.
This is according to Alan Nixon, who also reported that Bolton Wanderers’ George Thomason could be an alternative option.
How did the duo fare last season?
Potts was a consistent member of Preston’s matchday squad last season, whilst gametime was more scarce for Whatmough, who was often left on the bench or outside the matchday squad.
Firstly, Potts was utilised often by Paul Heckingbottom last season. In the Championship, the 31-year-old made 29 appearances for the Lilywhites, scoring four and assisting twice. Potts was consistently starting until a hamstring injury late on left him out of the squad for the last nine matches.
In cup competitions, Potts was a key player, making five appearances across the FA and EFL Cups, assisting three times.
Similar to Potts, Whatmough’s season was plagued by injuries, which affected his game time. The defender made 16 appearances in the Championship, picking up an assist, but an injury in February ruled him out for the season.
The 28-year-old made three appearances in cup competitions for Preston last season and was left on the bench three times.
Would these be good additions?
It was a disappointing season for the Terriers last campaign, finishing 10th in the league with 64 points.
It seems Huddersfield are looking for a rebuild under new manager Lee Grant, having already signed seven players. However, it seems the Terriers are looking to make more signings.
The League One side are looking at duo Jack Whatmough and Brad Potts, who could bring in bags of experience. The duo have a combined 679 appearances in the EFL, with 252 in League One.
This experience could be a welcoming addition to Grant’s side, as they would have players who know the league and could hit the ground running. This could also make them leaders in the dressing room and on the pitch.
As well as having experience, Potts is versatile, capable of playing anywhere on the right-hand side. This could be a good asset to have for Grant, as it means he has a player who can play multiple roles and could allow him to rotate his side for fitness or tactical reasons.
Whatmough has demonstrated his defensive solidarity during his time at Preston. Last season, the defender averaged 2.17 tackles, 1.93 blocks, and won 3.70 aerial duels per 90 minutes. This could help make Huddersfield tougher to break down defensively. His aerial ability could make him a threat offensively from crosses and set pieces as well as help defensively.
Whatmough and Potts could be two smart signings for Huddersfield, as they both bring in experience and individual qualities that can help the Terriers fight for promotion.
It will be interesting to see if Huddersfield can sign the duo for the upcoming season.