Bristol City face big decisions with the 7 players set to leave Ashton Gate next year | OneFootball

The Robins will have to make plenty of decisions next summer with the 8 leaving, and will hope they come to the correct solution

Bristol City and Liam Manning will have some interesting decisions to make ahead of next summer – with seven first-team players out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Robins are far from the biggest spenders in the Championship so they have to carefully manage their squad turnover year on year.

Next summer will be no different and with that in mind, FLW has broken down the big calls they face concerning their players on expiring deals.

Mark Sykes

Mark Sykes has been a very useful addition for Bristol City and it would be a surprise to see him leave as a free agent next summer.

A real utility player that works hard and can offer a creative spark, the 27-year-old put pen to paper on a three-year deal when he joined on a free transfer in 2022.

All signs point towards a new contract for the Irishman.

Stefan Bajic

It's hard to pass judgment on Stefan Bajic as the goalkeeper has played just twice for the Robins.

There was plenty of excitement about his potential when the Frenchman arrived at the club in 2022 while he has served as Max O'Leary's backup this term.

Given keepers usually develop slower than other positions, Bajic is another player that is worth keeping hold of - though a loan for the 22-year-old and City moving for a more experienced backup could make sense.

Kal Naismith

It's fair to say that Kal Naismith has not hit the heights that many were hoping for when Bristol City pinched him from Luton Town on a free transfer.

Injuries have plagued the 32-year-old's Ashton Gate tenure and though his versatility is useful, it would not be a surprise to see him depart - particularly given he's estimated to be one of the higher earners in the squad.

Nahki Wells

City will likely take their time when it comes to a decision on Nahki Wells' future - with the striker now 34.

The forward hasn't been the reliable goalscorer in Bs3 that the Robins hoped they were buying from Burnley but he has still been a very useful addition and continues to be so.

His experience is vital alongside youthful forward duo Sinclair Armstrong and Fally Mayulu but the Championship club should only offer him a new deal if they're confident he can continue to contribute.

Wells made it clear in the summer that he's keen to stay and his recent performances suggest he may well earn an extension.

Ayman Benarous

Few EFL players have been more unfortunate over the last few years than Ayman Benarous, who has faced injury setback after injury setback.

The playmaker was very highly rated when he initially broke into the first team in 2021/22 but has not featured since due to successive ACL injuries and, this summer, a hamstring issue.

Still just 21, the Robins should keep the faith in the attacking midfielder as he has exciting potential and could be a star of the future at Ashton Gate.

Lewis Thomas

Lewis Thomas has never featured for City and, judging by the matchday squads this season, is third string behind O'Leary and Bajic.

What that means for his future remains to be seen but at the moment it seems the Robins see him as a useful part of the squad.

If that continues and Thomas is happy with his lot at Ashton Gate, then a short-term extension makes sense.

Omar Taylor-Clarke

The second academy graduate on this list, Omar Taylor-Clarke has shown signs of promise.

The 20-year-old broke through into the first team in the 2022/23 season, making nine appearances, but has not made a first-team appearance since.

He spent a brief spell on loan at local non-league side Weston-super-Mare last term and is still very young so a contract extension to give him more time to develop would be no bad thing.

It will likely all come down to whether Manning and the likes of Brian Tinnion believe he has a future at Ashton Gate.