Rotherham United will be trying to bounce back quickly after being relegated from the Championship following a terrible season in which the team won only five games and earned 27 points.
With new manager Steve Evans at the helm, they have an excellent chance of doing just that. Evans previously headed the club from 2012 to 2015 and has a strong track record, having secured two promotions during his tenure.
However, it will not be easy in the third tier, which appears to have a very strong renewal next term. However, the Millers have repeatedly demonstrated their quality by finishing near the top of the standings in League One in recent years.
Since Evans brought them to the Championship after winning the 2013-14 play-offs, the team has returned to the third tier three times, each time achieving rapid promotion. Given how they performed in the Championship this season, there is unlikely to be much hope, but a substantial management change could inspire progress.
They do have a serious issue to address this summer, which is finding a new first-choice goalkeeper. It was revealed on Saturday that Rotherham’s Player of the Season, Viktor Johansson, has signed a three-year contract with Stoke City, and the next man up will have big shoes to fill.
Johansson was one of only a few players who could be proud of their achievements for the club this season, and he was their standout performer. Evans will undoubtedly be considering his options, as the Swedish international will be sorely missed next season.
With that in mind, here are three potential candidates that the club may consider to replace Johansson.
Arthur Okonkwo – Arsenal (Set to be a free agent this summer)
Following a spectacular season in League Two with Wrexham, Okonkwo’s status will be being monitored by a number of clubs. At just 22 years old, he has a lot of potential and would concede only 30 goals in 36 League One games with the newcomers. During that period, he kept a remarkable 14 clean sheets, earning a position on the League Two Team of the Season.
The goalkeeper was only on loan from Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, and despite impressing this season, the Gunners will allow him to leave for free.
Wrexham and a few Championship sides will undoubtedly be interested in the goalkeeper, but a more ambitious club like Rotherham might entice the former England youth international to join them, knowing he will be the number one.
Joe Wildsmith – Derby County (Set to be a free agent this summer)
Derby County released Joe Wildsmith, who was their number one goalkeeper for the majority of the season, keeping 20 clean sheets and helping the Rams to promotion to the Championship.
While Paul Warne may not think Wildsmith is the right fit for the Championship, his talent as a League One goalkeeper makes him a safer option.
Corey Addai – Crawley Town
A deal for Addai would be heavily dependent on whether or not Crawley are promoted to the third tier when they meet Crewe Alexandra on Saturday afternoon. Along with Okonkwo, he has been one of League Two’s top goalkeepers this season, helping Scott Lindsey’s overachieving side reach the play-off final.
A big fee would be necessary to persuade Crawley to sell, as would Addai, who has yet to play above the fourth tier, but he is a player on the rise right now, and the Millers would gain a goalkeeper who might be their number one for a number of years.
Addai is also excellent with his feet and has all of the traits of a modern-day goalie, therefore he should be on their shortlist.
