Elliot Embleton's Blackpool departure was dealt with swiftly at the start of the window. Having joined the club back in the summer, the attacking midfielder was clearly lacking match fitness following a long spell on the sidelines, and soon saw his favoured position taken out of the equation after Bruce's appointment. The 25-year-old never looked quite right filling in as a winger, and the decision to part ways was best for everyone involved.placeholder image
Elliot Embleton's Blackpool departure was dealt with swiftly at the start of the window. Having joined the club back in the summer, the attacking midfielder was clearly lacking match fitness following a long spell on the sidelines, and soon saw his favoured position taken out of the equation after Bruce's appointment. The 25-year-old never looked quite right filling in as a winger, and the decision to part ways was best for everyone involved.

'Best in years' to 'correct for all:' The verdict on every deal done by Blackpool throughout the transfer window so far - including Stoke City and Middlesbrough additions

By Amos Wynn
Published 3rd Feb 2025, 14:00 GMT

We are approaching the latter stages of the winter transfer window – with things coming to an end at 11pm this evening.

Blackpool headed into the New Year with the intention of trimming down their squad and adding further quality.

The appointment of Steve Bruce back in September brought a new style of play, with the club moving away from the wing-back system previously used by Neil Critchley.

This has prompted a change of approach in the transfer market, and has forced some previous deals to be corrected.

Here’s the verdict on every deal done by the Seasiders throughout the current window so far:

Dan Sassi was pretty much guaranteed to go out on loan again. The defender joined the Seasiders from Burnley 12 months ago with no first-team experience under his belt, so will hope to build on his games with Rochdale at Mill Farm.

7. Dan Sassi (To Fylde, loan)

Dan Sassi was pretty much guaranteed to go out on loan again. The defender joined the Seasiders from Burnley 12 months ago with no first-team experience under his belt, so will hope to build on his games with Rochdale at Mill Farm. Photo: CameraSport -

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Mixed feelings over Ollie Norburn's move to Wigan on loan. The midfielder was unable to consistently perform after becoming a Blackpool player in 2023, but it was still clear something was there. He had fallen down the pecking order under Bruce, and couldn't get a game, but having him as a back-up still felt like a good option. Clearly he wanted minutes, and the club didn't want to stand in his way, but any potential injuries could leave a gap that he would've filled perfectly.

8. Ollie Norburn (To Wigan Athletic, loan)

Mixed feelings over Ollie Norburn's move to Wigan on loan. The midfielder was unable to consistently perform after becoming a Blackpool player in 2023, but it was still clear something was there. He had fallen down the pecking order under Bruce, and couldn't get a game, but having him as a back-up still felt like a good option. Clearly he wanted minutes, and the club didn't want to stand in his way, but any potential injuries could leave a gap that he would've filled perfectly. Photo: CameraSport - Richard Martin-Rob

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It stung a little to lose Kyle Joseph, with the striker being one of Blackpool's standout players during the first half of the season. Nonetheless, a reported fee of £2.5million certainly couldn't be turned down, nor could the opportunity for the ex-Swansea City man to return to the Championship.

9. Kyle Joseph (To Hull City, undisclosed fee)

It stung a little to lose Kyle Joseph, with the striker being one of Blackpool's standout players during the first half of the season. Nonetheless, a reported fee of £2.5million certainly couldn't be turned down, nor could the opportunity for the ex-Swansea City man to return to the Championship. Photo: CameraSport - Lee Parker

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It made perfect sense to terminate Dominic Thompson's contract by mutual consent. The 24-year-old was nowhere near the starting XI, and would've left on a free in the summer regardless. He's since made the move up to Scotland with Motherwell.

10. Dominic Thompson (Released)

It made perfect sense to terminate Dominic Thompson's contract by mutual consent. The 24-year-old was nowhere near the starting XI, and would've left on a free in the summer regardless. He's since made the move up to Scotland with Motherwell. Photo: CameraSport -

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Niall Ennis certainly made a positive impact, scoring on his debut off the bench against Charlton at the weekend. As a loan, the signing was another gamble worth taking due to his past record in League One, despite his recent struggles in the Championship.

11. Niall Ennis (From Stoke City, loan)

Niall Ennis certainly made a positive impact, scoring on his debut off the bench against Charlton at the weekend. As a loan, the signing was another gamble worth taking due to his past record in League One, despite his recent struggles in the Championship. Photo: CameraSport - Richard Martin-Rob

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Related topics:BlackpoolMiddlesbroughStoke CitySteve BruceNeil Critchley
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