Don Goodman believes Millwall must do all they can to retain Japhet Tanganga and Mihailo Ivanovic beyond the summer transfer window if they have serious promotion ambitions.
The Lions had a positive second half to the previous campaign under Alex Neil, to the extent that the club have already moved to tie the Scotsman down to a new contract even though he was only appointed in December.
So, they head into this season with real optimism, and the club-record signing of Josh Coburn on a permanent basis shows the hierarchy are ready to back Neil where possible.
Japhet Tanganga and Mihailo Ivanovic attracting transfer interest
However, it’s not all about adding to the squad, as Millwall face a battle to keep their influential figures, with Tanganga and Ivanovic attracting attention.
Centre-back Tanganga has been outstanding since his arrival from Spurs, and there is a belief he has a £1.2m release clause for Premier League clubs.
Meanwhile, 20-year-old Serbian Ivanovic enjoyed a brilliant debut season at The Den, scoring 12 Championship goals, with his performances putting him on the radar of clubs such as Everton, Wolves and Parma.
| Mihailo Ivanovic in the 24/25 Championship (via FotMob) | |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 37 |
| Goals | 12 |
| xG | 8.39 |
Don Goodman sends clear Millwall message over key duo Japhet Tanganga and Mihailo Ivanovic
So, it could be a nervy window for Millwall as they wait to see if interest in the pair results in formal bids, and, speaking exclusively to Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Goodman made it clear just how crucial it is for the Londoners to keep Tanganga and Ivanovic.
“That would be an emphatic yes (they need to keep the duo).
“Ivanovic and Tanganga, you could make a case to say they’re the two best players at Millwall. If they want to kick-on, and the signs are that they do, with the signings they’re making, the appointment of Neil, then keeping your best players is of paramount importance.
“If they want to mix it in the upper echelons of the Championship again, then it’s an emphatic yes. They must hold on to Ivanovic and Tanganga.”
Millwall are heading in the right direction under Alex Neil
Most will agree with Goodman’s comments here, although it’s out of Millwall’s hands with Tanganga due to the release clause in his contract, so you have sympathy with the club on that front.
Of course, that doesn’t mean they will keep both players, and we’ve seen clubs in the Premier League lose key men and still kick-on, so the recruitment team must ensure they have a plan in place for all scenarios. Nevertheless, the importance of Tanganga and Ivanovic is clear to see.
With Ivanovic, it’s always difficult to find a goalscorer, and, given his age and the length of his contract, there must be a hope that he can stick around for at least one more season.
Either way, Millwall will feel they are making progress under Neil, and it’s vital that, no matter what happens, he is given the support he needs to try and push for the top six with this team.
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