
‘We are going to lose one of the best full-backs’__ Head coach Valérien Ismaë confirms this news after player failed to sign a new contract.
Former Blackburn Rovers winger Kevin Gallacher has praised Rovers boss Valerien Ismael for his honesty regarding the future of defender Callum Brittain.
Ismael confirmed that Brittain has not signed a new contract and is being courted by other clubs after the 27-year-old refused to play in a friendly against Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
“[Ismael] is telling everyone what it’s all about. There’s a contract there; it’s not been signed, it’s possibly been rejected,” Gallacher told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“He doesn’t want to play in the [pre-season friendly], it tells me he wants to move away from the football club and the manager being honest has said, ‘fair play then you’re not playing, get yourself a club’.
“It looks like Callum Brittain could be moving somewhere else now.”
Finances may also influence Blackburn’s decision to sell Brittain.
Rovers may potentially take a financial hit on striker Tyrhys Dolan, who was offered a new deal upon the completion of his contract at the end of last season but is now being linked with a number of other clubs.
“Unfortunately today’s Blackburn need money, we need the money from the players,” Gallacher added.
“If we can extract a club to come in and pay what we are asking then unfortunately we are going to lose probably, for me, one of the best full-backs in the league, but we have to move on.”
Brittain’s contract situation is nothing new
Callum Brittain’s contract situation at Blackburn Rovers has taken a number of twists and turns since the final match of last season at Sheffield United.
Links with moves away have been followed by reports of positive talks about a new deal. But, following my conversation with Valerien Ismael on Saturday, it’s pretty clear that he, right-back Brittain, sees his future somewhere else.
“Callum decided not to play today, on his own,” the Frenchman said.
“I spoke with him, I said clearly that I will pass this game but I hope from next week we have clarity because we cannot do that every week.
“Let’s see what happens in the next few days, but some clubs are very interested, especially one, in Callum.”
Ismael could have kept his cards close to his chest, but his communication couldn’t have been clearer as to what was happening. He wants a resolution as soon as possible.
This situation isn’t anything new. Blackburn Rovers have form for key players running down their deals and walking away for nothing. Tyrhys Dolan is currently a free agent after severing ties with the club this summer. Compensation will be the fee for him if he stays on these shores.
Dom Hyam, Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad – three key players are going into their final season under contract and simply can’t be allowed to do the same as Dolan, Andi Weimann, Danny Batth, Ben Brereton-Diaz, Joe Rothwell, Ryan Nyambe and Darragh Lenihan have since 2022.
The question is… could Blackburn be more proactive when a player has 18 months to two years remaining? They probably could. But the player holds the cards with a year to go.
Callum Brittain will be 28 by the end of next season; can anyone begrudge him the opportunity of a bumper contract for his peak years?
Ruling himself out of last weekend’s friendly at Accrington hasn’t gone down particularly well with some supporters who believe that while he’s on the payroll, he should be available.
But surely every supporter would prefer a fully committed player to be selected, and an asset who wants away should be protected from injury while the clubs thrash out a fee.
Montgomery targets Rovers first-team spot
Kristi Montgomery says he wants to be around the Blackburn Rovers first team this season and fight for a place in Valerien Ismael’s plans.
The 21-year-old, who has played in defence and midfield, made his Rovers debut against Sheffield Wednesday in April when Ismael recalled him from a loan spell with National League North side Chorley, following a loan at Marine in the first half of the campaign.
He went on to start the 1-0 win over Luton, only to be sent-off just before the hour, and after serving a one-match ban came off the bench as Rovers won by the same scoreline at Sunderland later in the month.
“Football changes quickly. Anything can happen. You’ve just got to take your opportunity when it comes,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“This time last year I was probably thinking about going on loan to Marine, so it’s a big contrast from last season but you’ve just got to be ready.
“I want to strive for the first team here at Blackburn. Obviously the gaffer is putting some trust in me and I just want to repay that and do my best on the field.”
Montgomery says he relishes the competition for places in pre-season, adding: “Everyone is fighting for a position. That’s the healthy competition there is at the club.
“There are a lot of good players and it’s going to be tough but you’ve just got to back yourself.”
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