Blackburn Rovers must strike new contract deal for starlet who wants to stay ‘for the rest of his life’: Opinion

Blackburn Rovers must strike new contract deal for starlet who wants to stay ‘for the rest of his life’: Opinion

With one of the best academies in the Football League, Blackburn Rovers consistently generates fresh talent for the

starting lineup.

Rory Finneran, the youngest-ever début and current Newcastle United youth star, is one of the prospects leaving

Blackburn Rovers to pursue new opportunities.

But many academy graduates have established themselves at Ewood Park in the main squad before leaving. Among

those who continue to be important players in Lancashire are captain and star player Lewis Travis, and Adam

Wharton is the best example of this.

One man intent on following in the skipper’s footsteps is 21-year-old Kristi Montgomery. After loans with Marine

and Chorley earlier in the 2024/25 campaign, Ismael gave the youngster chances in the senior setup over the final

months of the season.

However, as he enters the last year of his deal, Blackburn Rovers must take a proactive approach to help him fulfil

his dream of breaking into the team and staying for the long-term.

Montgomery: “I want to stay at Blackburn Rovers for the rest of my life”

Able to play as a central or defensive midfielder, or on the right-hand side as a full-back or wing-back, Montgomery

appeared on the Blackburn Rovers bench against Middlesbrough at the start of April.

Four days later, he earned his first start against Luton Town after putting on a confident performance against

Sheffield Wednesday off the bench. Although his dismissal shortly before the hour mark didn’t go as planned,

Montgomery has continued to be at the forefront of Valerien Ismael’s thoughts and has played a part in the team’s

preseason.

When discussing his recent ascent to the first team, Montgomery made it apparent that he has no immediate

ambitions to return. The adaptable midfielder aims to earn and maintain his place with Rovers after experiencing

senior action. In fact, he will stay forever if he gets his way.

He said to the club media team, “It’s everything I’ve wanted since I was U9s, U10s.”

“I’ve been here for over ten and a half years, so I don’t ever want to return to not playing for Blackburn after going

through the academy, which has a fantastic setup, and finally getting a taste of the first team.

“I want to spend the rest of my life at Blackburn.”

Such an attitude is hugely refreshing, and surely exciting for Blackburn Rovers fans. With such hunger to keep his

place and affiliation with the club, there should be an eagerness to see just what Montgomery can bring to the senior

side, and amid his breakthrough, it deserves to be rewarded with a new deal.

First-team chances could arise in the new season

Ismael wants his Blackburn Rovers club to have youthful, athletic, and hungry players. He wants them to be

proactive and diligent, and Montgomery has demonstrated that he can provide both of those qualities as well as the

required poise when handling the ball.

Of course, it is necessary and there will be more progress in the future. However, nobody would be expecting the

former Scotland youth international to become the finished product immediately, since he has only made three

appearances in the Championship.

There will be fierce competition for appearances due to the additions in midfield and on the right side, but if

Montgomery can make an impression this summer, Ismael will give him chances.

Blackburn Rovers must take action to bind him to a new contract regardless of whether he has a squad position or a

loan higher up the ladder is planned. The Rovers only need to be proactive in demonstrating their faith in the young

player to ensure his future before the ball ends up in someone else’s court. Montgomery’s love for the team should

eliminate any disagreements about an agreement.

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