Summer Scouting: Blackburn's full-back talents and wildcards

If you missed our first instalment on the state of play in goal, then you can check that out right here.

Callum Brittain

Blackburn Rovers' first-choice right-back managed to avoid any major injuries after a stop-start debut campaign. Brittain was on the pitch far more often for Rovers, making 44 appearances compared to 27 in year one.

His form followed a similar trend to the team. He enjoyed a real purple patch in October/November, scoring the winner at Millwall and dovetailing nicely with James Hill, playing behind him. He struggled, probably due to being overplayed, around Christmas, before returning to his best at the end of the campaign.

As a wing-back, Brittain has more license to get forward and that probably suits him. His best attributes are going forward, he can cross the ball accurately and has the pace to get behind opposition defences.

When you look at the underlying statistics, Brittain comes out very well. Against other Championship full-backs, he is in the 90+ percentile for expected assists, non-penalty expected assists and successful take-ons.

Where he is weaker, is defensively, which is exposed more at full-back. He's far from a weak link though and is more than comfortable in a five or a four.

Looking at the same metrics he is the 45th percentile or lower for aerial duels, tackles and interceptions

Callum Brittain's metrics via Fbref. (Image: Fbref)

Brittain has two years left on his Rovers contract after penning a four-year contract in 2022. He has just turned 26 and so should be entering his prime years at Ewood Park.

Replacing Brittain with another right-back would make little sense to me; it is not a priority position. He can also cover at left-back which is useful versatility in the squad.

Harry Pickering

Pickering has been Blackburn Rovers' Mr Consistent since joining from Crewe. He very rarely gets injured or drops a display lower than a 6/10.

The left-back signed a new long-term contract at Ewood Park last season and so is here to stay. He finished runner-up in Rovers' Players' Player of the Year, by virtue that Sam Szmodics couldn't vote for himself and everyone else did.

There is no doubt that Pickering will be first-choice left-back next season. What is more interesting to me is how Eustace plans to use him.

Watching the 25-year-old for the last two years, it's clear that he's an incredibly intelligent player. You can see why he came through as a central midfielder in his youth days at Crewe.

He is far better suited to playing left-back in a back four, rather than wing-back. Unlike Brittain, he is much better with the ball at his feet and doesn't have the same attacking drive down the left flank.

Looking at those same underlying metrics, Pickering comes out best for expected assists, passes attempted, aerials won and tackles. He is not the overlapping, bombing wing-back that Brittain can be.

Harry Pickering's metrics via Fbref. (Image: Canva)

I'd argue that Pickering is better suited as a left-centre-back if Eustace persists with a back five next season. From that role he can create wide overloads and still take up the positions of a conventional full-back when Rovers have the ball.

He is good enough defensively to play the role and has done it on a few occasions, most notably on the final day at Leicester City. Having a left-footed option for a back five is important and with Scott Wharton out, he's their best fit.

Looking from within

Rovers have a number of promising options coming through the Academy who could earn a first-team spot with an impressive pre-season.

Leo Duru

The Rovers right-back signed a new two-year contract last month after his first full season with the Under-21s. The 19-year-old was on the bench several times under Jon Dahl Tomasson during the injury crisis around December but is yet to make his debut.

Duru has impressed with Mike Sheron's side and can play anywhere down the right side. His speed and one-vs-one dribbling ability makes him a threat for the opposition defenders.

It would be a big jump to go from Under-18s to first-team in 18 months but, if he has a good pre-season, you can't rule anything out.

Jake Batty

It's been a frustrating year for Batty, who was hoping to make his breakthrough last year. The England youth international has high potential and Rovers turned down lucrative offers to keep him at the club in 2022.

Rovers didn't sign a left-back last summer to ensure Batty's pathway wasn't blocked but he didn't earn the trust of Jon Dahl Tomasson. Instead, he's remained in the Under-21s, making one first-team appearance last year.

In truth, Tomasson's desire for his full-backs to invert and drift into the centre didn't suit Batty. His best attributes are as a bombing left-back/wing-back, where he can be a real goal threat.

I think he will suit Eustace's style far better and offers a contrasting skillset to Pickering. Therefore, it's a really important pre-season for him.

Georgie Gent

Gent spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Motherwell. We had the pleasure of chatting to him last month in an exclusive interview which you can check out here.

Rovers were quite content to let Gent go and experience first-team football with the view of selling him or reintegrating him when he returned. His time with Motherwell has been a huge success and now there's a decision to be made this summer.

Gent has one year left on his deal and the Scottish side have said they'd like him back. The player wants to be in the first-team picture too.

So if he can impress Eustace in pre-season, there could be a role for him as competition for Pickering. If not, the likelihood is Rovers will sanction a permanent move.

Do Blackburn Rovers need to sign a full-back?

Yes, I think they need one. There are three really exciting options coming through the Academy but you can't just assume they are ready to fill in and throw them in the deep end.

Given Brittain can play at left-back too, I think Rovers should be looking to sign a right-back as cover, unless Duru has a stormer in pre-season.

That way, you have Brittain plus another on the right with Pickering and either Jake Batty or Georgie Gent on the opposite flank. I think to have two rookie full-backs as cover on each side would perhaps be a risk. You have to give these players opportunities but you don't want to rush them either.

There is also the Joe Rankin-Costello factor. Eustace has indicated his future lies in midfield but he can also cover on the right, if Brittain needs to move across to the other flank.

Who should they sign?

Cody Drameh is set to leave Leeds United at the end of his contract. The 22-year-old is spent last season on loan at Birmingham City and six months at Luton Town where he helped them win promotion.

Drameh was in and out of the Blues side with 28 appearances to his name. However, he is only 22 and has shown in the right environment, he can be a top Championship full-back.

As he is 22, Rovers would have to pay compensation if Leeds offer him a new deal. However, that looks unlikely at the moment so he could be a bargain pick-up for someone.

As a loan option, Kaine Kesler-Hayden would be a great pick-up. He spent last season with Plymouth Argyle before being recalled by parent club Aston Villa.

He is a right-back/wing-back but has also played on the opposite side. Unai Emery had him as a bench option in the second half of the season but he only made three substitute appearances.

With Villa in the Champions League, Emery might one to go and buy a more experienced understudy for Matty Cash, opening the door for another loan move.