The decisions Blackpool should be making on their 10 out of contract players
A number of Blackpool players are out of contract this summer.
Blackpool have some key decisions to make in the next few weeks - with several players coming to the end of their contracts.
The Seasiders may have secured their League One status after a recent strong run of form, but it’s still been a disappointing season.
Hopes of being involved in a promotion battle never came to fruition, with averting relegation fears being on the club’s agenda instead.
With 10 players out of contract this summer, Blackpool will need to decide on who is going to form the base of their ambitions for next season and who has reached the end of their time in Tangerine.
Here’s our verdict on each player:
Olly Casey (Option available) - Keep
It’s a no-brainer to activate the one-year option to keep Olly Casey at Bloomfield Road.
One of the club’s main agendas this summer should be to offer the defender extended terms to avoid the temptation of selling him or eventually losing him on a free.
While the 25-year-old hasn’t been at the same level of last season this time around, he’s still been solid in tough circumstances, and has demonstrated his importance on more than one occasion.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell - Keep
Since the departure of Dan Grimshaw, one of Blackpool’s recruitment failings have been to find a new permanent number one goalkeeper.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell started the season as a loanee at Bloomfield Road, but the deal was made permanent on a short-term contract back in January.
Despite having highs and lows this season, the Northern Ireland has done enough to suggest an offer should be on the table for him, it’s whether it’s enough to tempt him to stay.
Andy Lyons (Option available) - Undecided
Andy Lyons has had rotten luck in the last few years, with an ACL injury keeping him on the sidelines for over a year, while this season his game time has been restricted due to an achilles problem.
It may be the right time for the two parties to go their separate ways, and allow the defender to start a new chapter elsewhere.
Equally, if he’s able to get himself right in pre-season, a bit of loyalty could be rewarded if Blackpool activate a one-year option on the 25-year-old.
Ashley Fletcher (Option available) - Keep
Another obvious one - of course Blackpool need to activate their one-year option to keep Ashley Fletcher.
The forward has bagged 21 goals in all competitions this season, and has enjoyed himself in Tangerine since making the move to Bloomfield Road in 2024.
Albie Morgan (Option available) - Keep
Albie Morgan has had his battle with injuries since arriving on the Fylde Coast in 2023, but has been able to demonstrate his class in various spells across the last three years, so the option should be taken to keep the midfielder.
CJ Hamilton - Undecided
CJ Hamilton is a difficult one. He can be frustrating at times as everyone knows what he’s capable of but the final product isn’t always there.
Up until the last few weeks, it probably seemed like the best thing for both parties would be to go their separate ways, but his recent form has picked up and he’s demonstrated exactly what he can bring to the table.
If he remained he may not be a guaranteed starter, but he’d be a nice squad option to have.
James Husband (Option available) - Keep
It’s been a difficult season for James Husband, with injury ruling him out of the first half of the campaign and two separate four-match bans disrupting him since Christmas.
The second of his suspensions resulted in him losing the captaincy, and at that time his future beyond this season looked a little uncertain.
Since then, he’s featured regularly, and there’s no doubting that the Seasiders defence is better with Husband in it, so the one year option should be taken.
Ryan Finnigan (Option available) - Release
It feels very harsh to say Ryan Finnigan should be released, as there’s a lot of potential there and he’s shown in short bursts what he’s capable of.
Realistically, he’s probably not guaranteed a regular starting spot with Blackpool and it’d be fairer for him to go elsewhere.
The ex-Southampton youngster enjoyed a really good loan spell with Walsall in the first half of the season, but then couldn’t get back in the Seasiders team after being recalled, before suffering an injury, so it’s hard to see things being different in 12 months time if the option is taken.
Kylian Kouassi (Option available) - Release
Kylian Kouassi has moments where he looked like a threat during the 2023/24 season, but various loan spells haven’t provided the evidence Blackpool have needed to keep him around, with injuries proving detrimental.
The Seasiders are set to have good competition up front next season so it’s hard to the 22-year-old finding a place despite standout strength.
Dan Sassi (Option available) - Release
With just one appearance coming Dan Sassi’s way during his time with Blackpool, it’s hard to see a case for activating his one year option.
The defender has picked up the first-team experience he required while out on loan, but the gap between non-league and League One may be too hard to bridge.
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