Colchester United will be looking to build on their highest EFL League Two finish since 2019/20 under Danny Cowley, with hopes to push for the playoff spots ahead of the 2024/25 season after years of battling around the relegation spots.
Thus far this summer transfer window, Colchester have retained a bulk of their 2024/25 squad, only losing centre-back Fiacre Kelleher to Irish side Cork City, whilst offering new contracts to Lyle Taylor, Mandela Egbo, Tom Flanagan and Kane Vincent-Young and loan spells ending of key players Tyreece Simpson, Jamie McDonnell and Jack Tucker.
The U’s have brought in two new recruits already in young striker Jaden Williams from Tottenham’s Academy and central defensive midfielder Dominic Gape from Shrewsbury, both free transfers following their departures.
But where still needs improvement?
Centre-Back – Jubril Okedina (Free)
The first name on this list is centre-back Jubril Okedina following his departure from Cambridge United after a four-year spell at the club, making 138 appearances.
With Kelleher out the door and uncertainty around Flanagan signing a new deal, Colchester are left with only one contracted centre back, being Ben Goodliffe, who was frozen out of favour last season before being shipped out to local rivals Southend.
Okedina is a right-footed centre back who fits perfectly as a Fiacre Kelleher replacement, albeit younger and faster, and holding a significantly better injury record in comparison, something Kelleher struggled with during his spell at Colchester.
Okedina also holds a successful tackle per 90 stat higher than all of Colchester’s central defenders last season but is slightly let down by his clearance statistics.
Cowley will be looking for defensive stability this season, especially if the U’s aim to replicate their impressive defensive record.
Okedina would provide composure and ariel ability to Colchester’s backline and may be tempted by a short move to Essex.
Centre-Back – Jack Tucker (Free)
This one will come as no shock to U’s fans, as most will be expecting Tucker to return following his loan spell at the club last campaign.
Tucker made 10 appearances on loan at the U’s, additionally filling in at CDM on multiple occasions following Jamie McDonnell’s injury, after falling out of favour at MK Dons, where he struggled for form in his recent appearances for The Dons.
Tucker joined the Dons in the summer of 2022, going on to make 81 appearances, signing from Gillingham where he rose through their academy before making over 130 appearances for the club.
Whilst his game time wasn’t too regular with the U’s, Cowley returned Tucker to his former self, with a man-of-the-match performance versus Cheltenham Town on his first start for the club.
Colchester seem the most likely destination for him to return to, especially if he aims to stay in the EFL, due to it being a familiar environment as he seemed comfortable being a squad player rather than a regular starter throughout the last campaign. Tucker would provide a quality option at centre-back, especially if Tom Flanagan renews his contract with the club.
Central Defensive Midfielder – Kaden Rodney (Loan)
After the success of Jamie McDonnell’s loan last season, it is highly likely that Danny Cowley will be dipping into the loan market for another young CDM, and 20-year-old Kaden Rodney is a solid fit for the U’s to plug this gap in their squad.
The U’s will likely follow the same model for CDM’s as last season, with a seasoned EFL veteran in new arrival Dominic Gape (mirroring Alex Woodyard last campaign) competing against a young loanee for the CDM spot.
Rodney hasn’t made an appearance for Crystal Palace but featured on the bench for Crystal Palace on three occasions during the last campaign, spending most of his season featuring for Palace’s U21 side in the CDM role as well as shifts at both full-back spots, making 57 PL2 appearances and featuring in the EFL Trophy on 5 occasions.
He will undoubtably be looking a chance at first team football this summer, and a short trip from London to Essex could be the key to unlocking his potential.
Striker – Kabongo Tshimanga (Free)
Colchester’s strike force is set to look completely different ahead of the 2025/26 season, following Tyreece Simpson’s loan expiring, Samson Tovide’s departure to a club a few steps up seeming imminent and questions surrounding Lyle Taylor’s new contract negotiations.
After already bringing in a young pressing forward in Jaden Williams as the likely Tovide replacement, Cowley will be looking for a strong, physical presence to add to the attack to suit Simpson’s role and Tshimanga would be an ideal addition for the U’s and arguably an upgrade on Simpson, providing more attacking threat.
Tshimanga most recently had a loan spell with Swindon, scoring 13 goals in 44 appearances for the Robins, after loan spells at Boreham Wood and Fleetwood the season prior.
He joined Peterborough in 2023, following successful spells in the National League with Boreham Wood and Chesterfield, but failed to make a meaningful impact and will depart as a free agent this summer making only 13 appearances for the League One side.
