Blackburn come into the season off the back of a strong year with both good results at U23 & U18 level combined with lots of first team gametime for young players such as Tyrhys Dolan, Joe Rankin-Costello and John Buckley.
The Lancashire club have developed a reputation for high quality junior coaching and an efficient system of picking up teenagers released from local clubs, for example Lewis Travis is a key central midfielder picked up for free after Liverpool released him from their U18 squad.
For a Championship club, Blackburn are running a smoothly operating academy providing plenty of players capable of contributing at first team level. They should be considered a model for other similarly sized clubs to follow.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Jordan Eastham |
| CB | Sam Barnes |
| CB | Louie Annesley |
| RB | Dan Pike |
| LB | Lenni Cirino |
| CM | Isaac Whitehall |
| CM | Jalil Saadi |
| CM | Joe Nolan |
| RW | Connor McBride |
| LW | Sam Durrant |
| CF | Sam Burns |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Felix Goddard |
| CB | George Pratt |
| CB | Ashley Famuyiwa |
| RB | Jay Haddow |
| LB | Georgie Gent |
| CM | Kristi Montgomery |
| CM | Charlie Weston |
| CM | Adam Wharton |
| RW | Harrison Wood |
| LW | Ben Fyles |
| CF | Evan Cunningham |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Louie Annesley
- Position: CB
- Age: 21
- Nationality: Gibraltan
Annesley is one of those rare players who made an international appearance before playing a first team game (for Blackburn, at least). Capped nineteen times by the Gibraltar National team, the lanky central defender - previously on the books at Chelsea, Wimbledon, Cobham and Barnet - was picked up for next to nothing from Lincoln Red Imps in 2019. He possesses a calm temperament and a large physique, strong in the air but lacking athletically particularly when he gets turned thus leading to my comparison of Everton’s Michael Keane. Annesley is set for a loan move this year, having just signed a new contract, with League One clubs keen to take him. With Daniel Ayala struggling for fitness however, he may be kept around for the start of the season and possibly prove he can be trusted in the first team.
Connor McBride
- Position: AM
- Age: 20
- Nationality: Scottish
Currently more versatile than McNeil but it’s hard not to notice a striking resemblance between the two players. McBride takes every set piece and penalty for Blackburn while operating from the left wing, attacking midfield and sometimes the centre forward position. He isn’t the quickest player but he has excellent technical ability and quick feet, as well a strong build that allows him to consistently win in 1v1 situations at this level. McBride was both the top goal scorer and top assister in his first season after joining from Celtic, he could be set for a breakout year either on loan or at Blackburn.
Dan Pike
- Position: RB
- Age: 19
- Nationality: English
A real throwback of a full back. Despite starting his career as a winger, Pike has proven to be a solid defender in the traditional sense - late overlaps, tough tackling and good crosses from the byline. Pike began to make the push into Moybray’s reckoning at the end of last season, appearing on the substitutes bench three times. Blocking his path is the almost ever present Ryan Nyambe but Pike should be able to take up his place as the deputy right back this season. He may never be the most exciting wing back but Pike looks to be a very capable deputy and should see game time this season.