In what is Steven Schumacher’s first full transfer window as Bolton Wanderers boss, the Trotters are embarking upon something of a shake-up with some high-profile departures and already quite a few incomings.
Schumacher, who succeeded Ian Evatt in January, oversaw Wanderers fall out of the top six and play-off places at the close of the season, with only two wins in their last 11 games.
However, as the club enters a new age, Bolton are attempting to generate something of an overhaul in order to breathe some freshness and energy into a fanbase that has grown increasingly unhappy over the last 12-18 months.
Despite the fact that everything is new and fresh, one player that Wanderers might consider signing is Tom Barkhuizen, who turned them down a few years ago.
Bolton should return for Barkhuizen
The former Preston North End forward left Derby County this summer at the end of his contract, after joining the Rams in the summer of 2022.
When he chose to join Derby, he did so at the expense of Bolton, who were reported to be interested in the versatile forward at the time, but he chose to transfer to Pride Park instead.
Bolton fans may be turned off by his coming, but it may help them swallow their pride and admit that Barkhuizen would be a fantastic addition to a League One promotion contender.
If the Wanderers decide to sign the 31-year-old free agent, his experience and pedigree, as well as his attacking ability, would make him a potentially vital addition. He’s appeared in roughly 250 Championship games and more than 100 League One games between 2022 and 2024, scoring 10 goals and assisting 11 times, demonstrating his value as a contributor.
With Wanderers keen in Salford City’s Kelly N’Mai, the Dutchman would provide a direct, intricate danger on the left flank, but the right side may benefit from someone with nous and experience, making Barkhuizen a perfect possibility.
Bolton are doing their business early
Fergal Harkin, the club’s new Sporting Director, joined this summer, and Jimmy Dickinson, who previously worked with Schumacher at Bury and Plymouth, returned to the club as Head of Recruitment.
Schumacher expressed a wish to recruit for a new shape this summer, plainly lamenting the squad’s lack of wide options, which is another reason why Barkhuizen would be an excellent addition.
Barkhuizen appears to be an obvious and yet sensible pick-up by the Whites, as he fits the Schumacher’revolution’ profile in terms of age and style.
| Tom Barkhuizen’s career stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Period | Games | Goals |
| Blackpool | 2010–2015 | 27 | 2 |
| Hereford United | 2011–2012 | 39 | 12 |
| Fleetwood Town | 2012–2013 | 14 | 1 |
| Morecambe | 2014 & 2015–2016 | 69 | 17 |
| Preston North End | 2017–2022 | 209 | 38 |
| Derby County | 2022–2025 | 113 | 14 |
| Source: FotMob | |||
So far this summer, Wanderers have signed five new players: Teddy Sharman-Lowe on loan from Chelsea, Xavier Simons for an undisclosed fee from Hull City, and Sam Dalby, Charlie Warren, and Richard Taylor on free transfers from Wrexham, Felixstowe, Walton United, and Saint Mirren, respectively.
Schumacher’s gung-ho style of football, particularly at home, is expected to be played in a 4-2-3-1 system at Bolton next season, and with more technical players in the ‘number ten’ and left-wing positions, such as Joel Randall and possibly N’Mai, there is a need for a point of difference on the right.
Barkhuizen would embody this, with his great work ethic and ability to read the game well enough to get into positions to score goals and create chances by finding pockets of space, as opposed to N’Mai, who would most likely be more ball-dominant and force things.
Barkhuizen almost joined Evatt’s side a few years ago, but there were doubts about where he would have fit in his system, so it may be a blessing in disguise that he did not join then and may now arrive in time to help Bolton at the start of their rebuild.
Leave a Reply