Summer Scouting: Dolan and solving Blackburn's two-year problem

Make sure you check out our previous instalments on the goalkeeper dilemma, full-back options, the profile Rovers need at centre-back and dominoes that could fall in midfield.

Ryan Hedges

The simple fact is that Blackburn Rovers are a better team with Ryan Hedges in the XI. Last season, that was a luxury after an injury-hit year.

The Welshman missed four months after undergoing hamstring surgery, then had a groin issue, only to return and injure the same hamstring again.  

When he returned to the side, he gave Rovers a far better balance, playing off the right in the 4-2-3-1 shape. It further underlined that Rovers need to strengthen that position for when he's unavailable.

Hedges should score more goals, considering his ability, but he's very technically gifted and is now one of the more senior heads in the dressing room.

Rovers' record with him in the side speaks for itself. After he returned from his first lay-off, Blackburn lost one of nine games he appeared in.

The Welshman is heading into the final year of his contract. He will be hoping for far less time in the treatment room which should earn him a new deal.

Dilan Markanday

After two-and-a-half years at Ewood Park, Markanday hasn't been able to make his mark. There have been flashes of the talent that saw him rise through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur, but not on a consistent basis.

Markanday has looked good in cup competitions, often scoring, but those displays have never been replicated in the Championship. When his chance has come, you've often been left wanting more.

He made seven Championship starts and then double that number from the bench. After a bright cameo, he'd get a start and then fail to make a serious impression on the game.

There is obvious ability but Jon Dahl Tomasson was unable to coax it out on a regular basis. John Eustace has a decision to make on whether he can or if Markanday needs a loan or permanent move away from Rovers, for the good of his career.

Tyrhys Dolan

The biggest question mark remains over the long-term future of Tyrhys Dolan. Negotiations have been ongoing over the last 12 months but an agreement hasn't been reached.

Further talks are planned for the summer. Dolan has 12 months left but Rovers would also be due compensation if he left for free in 2025. The gut feeling is that he will either renew or be sold this summer, though.

Dolan has been shifted from pillar to post in his Rovers career, it's still unknown exactly what his best position is. He looked to be finding form as a false nine under Tomasson but Eustace hasn't used him there yet.

Personally, I like him most from the left-hand side, particularly in a 4-2-3-1. That's where we saw his best displays, such as Sunderland away in April and Leicester City in the FA Cup the season prior.

Dolan has big talent and it's easy to forget he is only 22. There would be interest from above if he was on the market and so he's an asset to Rovers. He can score goals and that's not something you can say for everyone in the squad.

Tyrhys Dolan's underlying stats via Fbref. (Image: Canva)

It does feel like his future has hung over him in the last year. I'd like to see him commit and then rise to the challenge of being a big contributor, in the same way Sam Szmodics did.

If an agreement can't be reached, they will have to sell him and reinvest that money.

Arnor Sigurdsson

Blackburn Rovers saw flashes of the Icelandic's potential but it feels like there is more to come.

It's important not to forget that he missed the entirety of pre-season and didn't feature until late September. Players often speak about how difficult it is playing catch-up when you've missed the off-season.

Sigurdsson is technically excellent and good enough for the level. He is one of Rovers' best finishers and has a calmness in front of goal.

After initially bursting into the tea, the 24-year-old struggled with the robustness of the Championship. I think he took a while to adapt to the intensity, which is why we'd see bursts of talent and matches where he faded.

With a full pre-season under his belt and a year in England, I'm confident Sigurdsson will be more consistent next year. I'd also be interested to see him trialled in the number 10 role, if Szmodics were to leave.

Rovers signed him to an 18-month deal so he's only contracted until 2025. That gives him a big incentive to earn fresh terms.

He is back fit again now and, hopefully, he'll come through these friendlies unscathed, ready to hit the ground running.

Looking from within

The obvious name on everyone's lips is Zak Gilsenan. Rovers fans would love to see him have a breakthrough season.

Gilsenan played in the early rounds of the Carabao Cup, made his Championship debut against QPR but then wasn't seen again until stoppage time at Swansea. Little niggling injuries prevented him from further involvement at the end of the season.

The Irish youth international scored goals for fun in the Under-21s; now feels like his time to make the step up. Pre-season will be his opportunity to really lay down a marker and show Eustace what he's got.

Do Blackburn Rovers need to sign a winger?

Yes, absolutely. For me, they need someone who can play off the right-hand side, in particular. When Hedges was injured, it was a problem position and part of the reason I think Eustace went to a 3-4-3 to end the campaign.

Hedges needs to be managed carefully after so many muscle problems and Rovers need an able deputy. I'd be inclined to loan out Markanday and see if he can have a breakthrough season elsewhere.

On the left, it depends on Dolan's future. If he leaves, they will need another left-side forward to compete with Sigurdsson and Gilsenan. There is flexibility across those three which is useful to Eustace.

Something this Rovers side has badly missed since Reda Khadra is pace. They need to recruit someone with one-vs-one ability and speed that can stretch defences.

Who should they sign?

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is a player Rovers have admired in the past. After a stellar season with Charlton in 2022/23, he was the in-demand player of the loan market but stayed at Crystal Palace.

Whether they'd be more inclined to let him try the Championship a year later, I don't know. But I probably would, if I was them. I'd imagine a lot of teams would fancy him and Rovers would be one. Franco Umeh is another Palace winger that's been linked.

It depends on finances because he wouldn't come cheaply, but Kwame Poku is another talented wide man I'd love Rovers to pursue. They have an existing relationship with Peterborough after the Sam Szmodics deal but signing the 22-year-old would be an investment.

He scored 11 goals and registered seven assists in League One last season. He has blistering pace and can go either way, though prefers his left foot, cutting in from the right.

Rovers almost signed Josh Bowler on loan on deadline day in 2022 after he joined Nottingham Forest. His stock has fallen in the last 18 months with spells at Blackpool and Cardiff not quite hitting the same heights.

There is talent there, though, and he will be surplus to requirements at the City Ground. If the finances were right, it could be a good addition.