Luton Town will need to stand tall against Brentford if they want to keep one of their stars for their Championship return.
This week, The Athletic claimed that Luton winger Alfie Doughty is one of Thomas Frank’s main summer targets. The 24-year-old shined in the Premier League in 23/24, recording eight assists and two goals. He appeared physically and technically capable of competing in the top division, making Brentford a reasonable and rational destination if the Englishman were to depart Kenilworth Road.
It’s simple to argue that Doughty was one of Luton’s top players this season. He has been productive on the left, but he is one of those versatile players who can play anywhere wide – an unusual trait for a top-flight footballer who is typically identified by their single position.
Brentford will undoubtedly turn to Doughty as a solution to their ever-changing injury crisis in the position, having lost left-backs Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry to injury. The former, like Doughty, was regarded as a dynamic young wide player with offensive strength, as seen by his five goals for Bologna in the 21/22 Serie A season.
The Hatters will enter the season under Rob Edwards with one of the Championship’s strongest squads, thus they will be trying to keep their best players and bounce back to get promoted first time around.
Edwards has a capable squad on his hands, and it has looked promising at times, competing with Newcastle United in high-scoring, offensive encounters. While they did not do well in the Premier League this season, they would undoubtedly thrive in the second tier as an improved and honed team.
Doughty is a key cog in the Luton machine, playing on the left in a 3-5-2 that has already achieved promotion. Replacing him would be extremely difficult, as the Englishman has established himself in the team as a vital crosser and set-piece taker.
The Hatters have done an excellent job of using crosses to cause confusion in the box and provide opportunities for players like Elijah Adebayo and Carlton Morris to score in what can only be defined as a route one play.
He’s also a consistent performer, having appeared in 37 games during his first season in the top division. According to Fotmob, he has been a revelation this season, with 70 chances created and 89 successful crosses among his impressive figures. Furthermore, his defensive tracking-back and work rate are unparalleled, with 185 ball recoveries and 40 tackle wins. That FotMob ranks those metrics among the best at his position in the top flight is further proof that he is an all-around gem.
What remains unclear is how much Luton must sell to balance the books following their relegation. To be competitive in Edwards’ wing-heavy tactical approach, they will need Doughty and other talented wide players such as Chiedozie Ogbene.
There is ample evidence to suggest that Doughty is ready to continue playing top-flight football at this point in his career, with the Bees providing an obvious platform. The London-based club has previously made big money acquisitions, the most prominent of which was Igor Thiago’s £36 million transfer from Club Brugge, a club record.
The expected sale of Ivan Toney will also result in a flood of cash, allowing Brentford to make Luton an irresistible offer for Doughty. They should definitely hold out and try to keep a player who could be crucial in next season’s contest for the top spots.
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