Two Players Phil Parkinson Could Sell At Bolton This Summer
Bolton Wanderers are preparing for life back in England’s second tier and, as well as bringing in new talents in order to strengthen their position, a key part of the job is knowing who to sell and when.
The simple fact is that clubs at this level need funds and the way to get them is to sell off their playing assets. These sales are made regardless of whether they have a golden nugget worth millions who they can sell to the Premier League, or by letting go of the dead wood.
Either way, Bolton will lose as many players as they bring in this summer. But the danger is that they have plenty of players who are out of contract. Therefore, the club cannot command a fee for them. Here are two such players who could be on their way out.
Darren Pratley
The former Fulham and Brentford midfielder has been around the block a few times and still has his value intact. However, he was limited to just 12 appearances in League One last season and at 32-years of age, the club may well look to cash in on him now.
Pratley’s contract runs out in a year’s time. So any chance of getting some sort of a fee for the former Swansea City star comes now for Bolton. The Londoner didn’t manage a single goal or assist last term and so in letting him leave now, they wouldn’t be losing any form of output from their squad and will find it easy these days to replace him.
Dorian Dervite
Dervite has just had his contract extended for a year. However, this can be used as a tactic in order to ensure a fee is received when the player leaves.
The French centre-back played just 14 times last season in League One and looks like being replaced by younger players in the Wanderers squad. The former Charlton man signed for Bolton back in 2014 on a free transfer and so any fee will feel like a bonus for the club.
Dervite is hardly over the hill at 28 years of age. However, Bolton are very much trying to build for the future and an attempt to regain their Premier League place. By the time that happens, Dervite will be long gone and so Parkinson knows he may as well gain a fee for the defender now and use that money to build his ideal Championship side.