Bolton Wanderers have embarked upon a major summer rebuild, with Steven Schumacher getting a lot of what he wants, but there is still a little bit of work to do before the close of the summer transfer window.
The Trotters had a dreadful 2024/25 League One season, which marked the end of Ian Evatt’s four-and-a-half-year rule, before Schumacher led them to eighth place in the third tier.
That wasn’t and isn’t good enough for Wanderers, therefore major changes were made over the summer, with Sporting Director Fergal Harkin and Head of Recruitment Jimmy Dickinson joining Schumacher to aid with the recruitment strategy.
Former captain Ricardo Santos, vice captain Gethin Jones, and goalkeeper Nathan Baxter were among those released by the club at the end of their contracts, while last season’s top scorer Aaron Collins, captain George Thomason, and another goalkeeper, Luke Southwood, were sold to Milton Keynes Dons, Wrexham, and Reading, respectively.
Bolton have been quite busy in the transfer market, and they still have a handful of spots to fill, one of which is out wide, and former Newcastle United midfielder Matt Ritchie should be targeted for that role.
Bolton should make a move for Matt Ritchie
Ritchie left Newcastle last summer after eight years on Tyneside, where he made over 200 appearances, to return to childhood club Portsmouth, where he began his professional career after progressing through the Pompey system.
The Gosport-born former Scotland international made 39 appearances and scored five goals in the Championship last season, helping John Mousinho’s team avoid the bottom three and relegation after being promoted to the second division.
Ritchie’s experience was invaluable to a youthful Portsmouth squad and attack, but the former AFC Bournemouth player also demonstrated that he still had the technical ability to contribute significantly in the Championship.
Following that logic, it stands to reason that, despite his age, Ritchie would be one of the best wingers in League One, capable of deciding and managing games at a lesser level thanks to his experience and technical ability. Earning an estimated £15k a week, according to Capology, he won’t break the bank compared to what others with his experience might demand at this stage of their careers.
According to reports, Bolton’s League One rivals Reading are interested in Ritchie, and the Whites must be considering a move for the veteran winger.
Ritchie would fit the style and help Bolton’s squad
Many Bolton fans are delighted about the club’s summer recruitment, which has included the signing of several exciting forwards such as Amario Cozier-Duberry, Thierry Gale, and Mason Burstow.
That three has all had a good start to the season, and they all have a youthful enthusiasm and confidence that would be great when paired with an experienced attacker.
In truth, with one of the youngest and most dynamic squads in League One, the entire team might benefit from a little more wisdom and nous, but Ritchie also adds depth in a specific position.
Schumacher is using a 4-2-3-1 formation, with wingers on the flanks playing on the opposite side of their stronger foot; right-footed Gale on the left and left-footed Cozier-Duberry on the right.
Carlos Mendes Gomes, a right-footed player who began ahead of Gale on the first day of the season, appears to be the depth at left-wing, while right-wing remains a problem. Ritchie would be a left-footed right-winger, and the Wanderers do not have much depth in that position.
Even with the loan signing of Ibrahim Cissoko from Toulouse, Bolton will continue to look for that type of player, as the former Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday loanee is still better suited to the left side with his right foot.
Szabolcs Schon was projected to be that player on the right, but as Schumacher has mentioned, he lacks the quality to make it into the team, having missed the matchday 18 in each of the first several games.
Schon has now been linked with a move to Swedish Allsvenskan side AIK, and Schumacher has previously mentioned that another winger is desired, so a move for Ritchie and experience appears to be ideal for the Whites.
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