Bayern Munich, QPR development shows strength of Wigan Athletic recruitment: View | OneFootball

Liam Morrison's recent transfer demonstrates the strength of Wigan Athletic's recruitment

Wigan Athletic can look ahead to the 2024/25 League One campaign with a sense of optimism following a turbulent few years at the Brick Community Stadium, but perhaps 12 months ago the same could not be said.

Although local billionaire Mike Danson saved the Latics from a winding-up petition in June 2023 by purchasing the club, the Greater Manchester side still knew they would begin their 2023/24 season with an eight-point deduction imposed upon Shaun Maloney's men due to the financial mismanagement of former owner Abdul Rahman Al Jasmi and then chairman Talal Al Hammad.

In addition to the deduction, the 'Tics were also hit with a transfer embargo, meaning that last campaign Maloney found himself wholly reliant upon free agent signings, loan deals, academy graduates and players signed by previous managers.

But despite such handicaps, Wigan were able to secure a top-half finish in May, following a season in which the club experienced a rebuild, courtesy of a successful recruitment model.

Matt Smith, signed on a free transfer following his release from Arsenal last summer, has been a class act at the Brick Community Stadium and plays a key role in Maloney's possession-based philosophy.

Meanwhile, England youth international Martial Godo, who spent last season on loan with the League One side from Premier League Fulham, was electric at times and the Latics faithful will miss watching the skillful wideman in action unless he makes a somewhat surprising return to WN5.

Another successful piece of recruitment from Maloney and co during the summer of 2023 was the loan deal he struck with Bayern Munich for young centre-back Liam Morrison, whose recent transfer to Championship side Queens Park Rangers demonstrates his quality.

Morrison transfer demonstrates strength of Wigan recruitment

Even under the restrictions of last season's transfer embargo, Maloney has managed to bring plenty of talent to the Brick Community Stadium, while Morrison particularly impressed many supporters alongside sought-after academy graduate Charlie Hughes in defence last term.

During his spell with the Latics, the Scotland youth international was defensively solid during his 30 League One appearances, while he also scored during a 2-0 win over eventually relegated Carlisle United back in December.

In the latter half of the season, Morrison was omitted from Maloney's starting XI more often than not, with the boss preferring to select Charlie Goode, who signed on loan from Brentford in January and added experience, an asset still missing from the Wigan squad, to the backline.

But the 21-year-old was undoubtedly an overall success in Greater Manchester who, along with Hughes, was crucial to the way in which the Latics play out from the back, maintaining a pass accuracy of 88.7% according to FotMob.

Morrison did enough in Latics colours to impress Championship side QPR, which is proof that, under Maloney's guidance, the Brick Community Stadium outfit are signing players who will be capable of pursuing second tier football.

Latics still have work to do in the transfer market

As demonstrated by the quality of Morrison, the Latics are capable of bringing strong players through the doors, but if they want to sustain a play-off challenge next term, the club must make more signings this summer.

Earlier in the window, the 'Tics made some healthy signings, agreeing loan deals with Premier League duo Brentford and Liverpool for Michael Olakigbe and Calvin Ramsay respectively, before also bringing Dion Rankine in from fellow top-flight outfit Chelsea on a permanent basis.

But Olakigbe has since suffered a broken leg during a warm weather training camp in Hungary, which will keep him out of action for three months, according to Wigan Today.

This is undoubtedly a setback for the Latics, who will have hoped that the young winger could have been their like-for-like Godo replacement, while it is also imperative that the Greater Manchester side sign a new forward, with the inexperienced Josh Stones remaining the side's only recognised striker at present.

But while Wigan may not bring in a high number of new additions, due to owner Danson's understandable focus on financial sustainability, supporters can be sure to see quality players coming through the doors at the Brick Community Stadium, if Morrison's stint last season is anything to go by.