Football Season Guide

In a world of bother after getting relegated from the Championship last season. Finished 4 points away from safety. Defeats in 3 of the last 4 rounds of the season cost them their place in the division. The main problems came after the campaign finished. For breaches of the financial rules and after the huge dip in profits due to the relegation Oxford United have been hit with a transfer embargo. They are not allowed to even loan in players or sign free agents. That at least until January 2027. This combined with the natural exodus of players after a relegation mean Oxford’s squad looks pretty thin. This can’t be helped at least until January, that if the Board find the money to lift the transfer embargo. As if this is not enough the only new arrival completed before the ban hit centre-back Frankie Kent sustained a nasty injury during training camp and he might be out for the entire season. The one positive is that the appointed this summer head coach Aaron Ramsey has no desire to leave despite the financial troubles. His positive attitude and desire to develop as many of the Academy players as possible considering the circumstances convinced multiple star players to stay. The top goalscorer from last season Will Lankshear (12 goals) wasn’t among those players. It seems this season young strikers Aidomo Emakhu and Siriki Dembélé will be getting a lot more chances to shine. Both have not been used much so far in their careers. Both possess blistering speed and will allow Oxford to operate often on counterattack. For now Polish centre-back Michał Helik is staying. He is a key figure in defence. Veterans Sam Long and Ciaron Brown, both regular starters in the Championship last season, also remain so defensively the main core is still there. Belgian playmaker Brian De Keersmaecker had some issues with his passing last season. Yet, he is now in a lower division and his skills should shine. He too confirmed his loyalty to the club. Experienced Cameron Brannagan is the other key figure in midfield that at the moment of writing is still in the team. On paper, Oxford should still have pretty decent starting XI for League One. The problem is the major lack of depth which can’t be addressed, at least until January, only via the own Academy.