Carlisle United's transfer priorities ahead with two weeks until pre-season return

Manager Paul Simpson and head of recruitment Greg Abbott are leading a major overhaul after a disappointing 2021/22 season.

With eight players not offered new deals, and a further two turning down their contract proposals, there is naturally a great deal of work to be done across the board.

But where are the concerns most pressing, and which areas will likely be prioritised before the return to training on June 22?

READ MORE: The free agent goalkeepers Carlisle could target this summer

Position-by-position, we take a look at how the Blues' squad is shaping-up:

Goalkeepers

The Current Situation

Carlisle are currently without a senior goalkeeper following the departures of Mark Howard and Magnus Norman.

The latter recently turned down a new deal at Brunton Park after Howard was released - leaving just Gabriel Breeze and Scott Simons on the books.

What's Required?

Given that Simpson was already targeting a goalkeeper prior to Norman's snub, it's likely that the club are now actively seeking two new stoppers.

This is undoubtedly a major priority for the club ahead of their return to pre-season - but the departure of the ex-Fulham youngster will likely not change the approach too much.

Magnus Norman has left Brunton Park (Photo: Barbara Abbott)

Carlisle's manager has been clear throughout that he would like the majority of his squad assembled by June 22, and was known to be monitoring goalkeeping targets at the end of the 2021/22 season.

The only thing that really changes is that the Cumbrians will likely opt for two names from Simpson's list of targets as opposed to just one.

Defenders

The Current Situation

This is another area where Carlisle are lacking in depth at present.

With the departures of Joe Riley, Rod McDonald and Kelvin Mellor - plus the end of Dynel Simeu and Mitch Roberts' loans - Simpson currently only has four defenders under contract.

As it stands, the Cumbrians have just Jack Armer, Corey Whelan, Morgan Feeney and Joel Senior when it comes to defenders - and the latter of that quartet remains on the treatment table.

Morgan Feeney impressed under Paul Simpson (Photo: Barbara Abbott)

Jon Mellish, of course, can offer an option at centre back and it will be interesting to see where his long-term future lies under Simpson.

In terms of wing-backs, Brennan Dickenson could feature on the left flank while Taylor Charters also operated in that role while on loan at Gateshead.

Academy graduates Jack Ellis and Max Kilsby will also both step into the first-team fold and may well get their chance in pre-season. The former, of course, already showed his potential in outings against Stevenage and Bradford at the end of the 2021/22 season.

What's Required?

With McDonald and Simeu no longer on the books there is an obvious gap when it comes to central defenders.

Simpson will likely be keen on at least two players in that department, especially if he plans to continue largely operating in the 3-5-2 that yielded positive results following his arrival.

READ MORE: Ex-Carlisle defender snubs League Two offer to join non-league side

And there is also a lack of established options on the right side of the backline, at least until Senior returns from his long-term injury. While Ellis suggested he could play a part with his performances last season, a more senior option could be pursued.

A minimum of three defenders, therefore, look to be required.

Again, this will be an area that Carlisle will need to prioritise.

Midfielders

The Current Situation

In the central areas, the Cumbrians look relatively well-stocked for the time being - having only released one midfielder in Danny Devine at the end of last season.

While Josh Dixon is facing a spell on the sidelines, Simpson has a number of options at his disposal.

New signing Owen Moxon has already added some depth to this position, while Callum Guy, Mellish, Charters, Dickenson and Jordan Gibson can all play a part in the midfield triumvirate that the Blues utilised for the latter weeks of the season.

Jamie Devitt will attempt to win a new deal at Carlisle this summer (Photo: Richard Parkes)

There is also still the prospect that Jamie Devitt could return, having been handed the chance to train with the club and win a new deal when pre-season begins.

What's Required?

There are a couple of key questions that will need to be answered when it comes to Carlisle's recruitment in midfield.

Firstly, much will depend on where Simpson sees Mellish playing moving forward. If he is set to play much of his football at the back, then an additional midfielder may be required - and vice-versa.

And there is also the question mark over Devitt and whether he earns a new deal.

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However, regardless what happens with Mellish and Devitt, Carlsile are likely to be searching for midfielders this summer. Indeed, the Blues have already been linked with other midfielders this month.

Simpson has previously spoken of wanting to add more energy to his engine room, pointing out that neither Gibson nor Dickenson are natural central midfielders.

But whether this is as pressing a priority in the short-term, given the relative depth in midfield compared to other departments, remains to be seen.

Forwards

The Current Situation

Again, this is an area where Carlisle have some good options at present.

Gime Toure, Manasse Mampala and Lewis Alessandra were all released last month but a good core of forwards remain.

Lewis Alessandra wasn't offered a new deal by Carlisle (Photo: Barbara Abbott)

Kirstian Dennis, Omari Patrick, Lewis Bell, Sam Fishburn, Tobi Sho-Silva and Tristan Abrahams are all contracted for next season giving Simpson some good options up top.

What's Required?

Simpson has been clear that he would like to strengthen his attacking options in the transfer window - and is seeking a 'focal point' for his side.

That has to be a priority for a side who were goal-shy during the 2021/22 season, but clubs often have to play the waiting game when it comes to attacking targets given the number of clubs interested in those capable of scoring regularly.

So while this will be something the Carlisle boss will develop quickly, it would be little surprise if a degree of patience was required.