Will Evans in: The ideal Wigan Athletic starting XI v Charlton Athletic on August 10th | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic's ideal opening day starting 11 for a clash with Charlton Athletic

Highlights

Wigan Athletic will be looking to make a serious play-off challenge in League One next season, following a turbulent campaign last time out.

Ahead of the 2024/25 season, manager Shaun Maloney has been fairly busy in the transfer market, capturing the permanent signing of former Chelsea starlet Dion Rankine, as well as securing loan deals for Brentford's Michael Olakigbe and Liverpool's Calvin Ramsay.

Meanwhile, both defender Jason Kerr and, crucially, in-demand goalkeeper Sam Tickle accepted fresh terms in Greater Manchester as the Latics strive for a top-six position.

During a warm weather training camp in Hungary, the Latics also unveiled two new faces who will serve as coaching staff alongside Shaun Maloney- Shadab Iftikhar and former Premier League midfielder Tom Huddlestone.

But as the season approaches, all eyes will be on Wigan Athletic vs Charlton Athletic on Saturday 10th August at the Brick Community Stadium, so FLW takes a look at the ideal opening day starting 11 for Maloney's men:

Goalkeeper: Sam Tickle

Tickle's recent contract extension until 2028 came as a statement of intent from the Latics that they are not willing to sell their England Under-21 talent for now, or at least not for anything shy of a handsome fee.

The 22-year-old has attracted high-profile interest, as back in November, Alan Nixon revealed via Patreon that Everton were considering a move for the Latics shotstopper.

But in signing a new deal, Tickle has also expressed his own desire to stay in Greater Manchester for now, while Maloney and co would be thrilled to see him between the sticks for another campaign due to his outstanding ability.

The ace maintained 15 cleansheets in League One last campaign, and if he can better that tally as he further develops his game next season, the Latics could be well on their way to landing a play-off spot.

Right-back: Calvin Ramsay

Despite underwhelming spells at local rivals Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End, partly because of injury, the Brick Community Stadium will be eager to see their club's star signing on loan from Liverpool in action at the first time of asking.

Ramsay is an exciting addition to the Latics fold, who has a Champions League appearance to his name, and has also made several Europa Conference League outings with former club Aberdeen.

The 20-year-old has a Scotland cap too, so if Maloney offers the starlet plenty of gametime, and if he can stay fit, the 'Tics could have a really influential talent on their hands.

Centre-back: Charlie Hughes

Similarly to Tickle, Charlie Hughes is a Latics academy graduate whose exploits for Maloney's first team have caught the eye, and have attracted external transfer interest.

According to The Sun, both Ipswich Town and West Ham United are keen on securing moves for Hughes, but he has a lengthy contract with his current club, lasting until 2028.

Hughes' contract means that for the time being, despite his status as an England youth international, the Latics should be able to stave off transfer advances this summer.

Maloney would love to retain the 20-year-old for the upcoming season, but his presence is not a sight that the Charlton attackers will want to see on the opening day of the campaign due to his impressive defensive solidity.

Jason Kerr

It could be argued that the best news Latics supporters have received so far this summer is the fact that their club managed to offer Jason Kerr fresh terms, following the expiration of his contract at the end of last season.

The former St Johnstone man was linked with a move to League One newboys Wrexham, but he opted to stay with the Latics instead, signing a fresh two-year deal.

Alongside youngsters such as Hughes, 27-year-old Kerr adds some much-needed seniority to Maloney's back-line, and is a key component to the way in which Wigan play out from the back.

Unfortunately, the Scot has faced lengthy spells on the sideline through injury since signing for the Latics in 2021, but his side will hope to benefit from his services throughout the 2024/25 season, starting with Charlton on 10th August.

Left-back: Steven Sessegnon

Steven Sessegnon enjoyed a solid first season with the Latics last term, while the Brick Community Stadium will fondly remember the screamer he scored against Exeter City in the FA Cup first round back in November.

Sessegnon has the ability to play on either side of a back four, or as a wing-back in the back five system Maloney sometimes adopts, while the recent additions of Rankine and Ramsay will likely see the 24-year-old deployed on the left next season.

Furthermore, having played for Charlton during the 2022/23 season on loan from previous club Fulham, the former England youth international will be relishing the opportunity to face the Addicks next month.

Central midfield: Bosun Lawal

Although Maloney has already completed some successful deals in the transfer market this summer, Bosun Lawal would be a very healthy addition to the Latics midfield, should parent club Celtic allow a loan deal.

The Ireland youth international also excelled in League One during a loan spell with Fleetwood Town, despite their relegation last season, as he proved he is capable of playing in both defence and in midfield at third tier level.

His versatility should make him attractive to the Latics, who still have a smaller squad than most of their division rivals due to recent periods of financial difficulty.

Furthermore, Lawal has a creative side to his game as he scored six goals and two assists, which would add a new dimension to the Latics midfield.

It would be harsh to drop Baba Adeeko from the starting 11 at the Brick Community Stadium, but Lawal's goal contributions could strengthen Maloney's team, and the boss should use his Celtic connections to lure the 21-year-old on a loan deal.

Central midfield: Matt Smith

Matt Smith, who the Latics signed on a free transfer from Premier League giants Arsenal last summer, holds the key to Maloney's possession-based football ethos.

The 23-year-old likes to use his passing ability to dictate the tempo of games for his side, which could be particularly key during the opening game of the season, as the Addicks look set to be a strong side under the stewardship of Nathan Jones.

Due to an injury, Smith made 28 league appearances for the Latics last campaign, whereas he would have been close to being ever-present in Maloney's side, had he remained fit all season.

According to FotMob, Smith maintained a pass accuracy of 89.8% in League One last season, making 1,332 successful passes - statistics which prove his metronome style qualities.

The signing of Olakigbe on a season-long loan from Premier League Brentford is an exciting one, as the starlet made eight top-flight appearances for the Bees last campaign.

The 20-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at fellow League One outfit Peterborough United, where he struggled to break into a Posh team who guided themselves to a play-off spot.

Maloney and co should be relishing the opportunity to prove one of their potential third-tier promotion rivals wrong, and should offer Olakigbe plenty of playing time.

Attacking midfield: Thelo Aasgaard

If Norway youth international Thelo Aasgaard continues on his current trajectory, then he could be one of the most threatening attacking midfielders in League One next season.

He has the ability to score from outside the box, while last campaign he discovered his poacher instincts, producing a career best tally of eight goals in League One, which he further complemented with three assists.

Aasgaard can set the tone for his 2024/25 campaign by performing well on the opening day against Charlton, and looks certain to play a key role for Maloney's men throughout the season.

Left wing: Sam Hoskins

Following the exit of Stephen Humphrys, whose contract with the Latics expired at the end of last season, the left-wing position is another role which the Latics should look to fill using the transfer market.

Northampton Town ace Sam Hoskins could be an ideal replacement for Humphrys, as he scored 15 goals in League One last season, six more than the former Latics man.

After scoring 22 League Two goals in 2022/23, Hoskins has proven he still has a keen eye for goal in the third tier, and the Greater Manchester outfit should look to bring him to the club in an effort to land a play-off place.

Striker: Will Evans

The exits of Charlie Wyke and Josh Magennis, who both left the Brick Community Stadium at the end of their respective contracts earlier this summer, have left the Latics with a large gap to plug up front.

Will Evans is an ideal candidate to fulfil this role, as he showed his prolific tendencies at current club Newport County last season, scoring 21 League Two goals.

The Welshman also scored in the FA Cup against Manchester United in the fourth round, which proves his ability to score against higher level opposition.

Evans should therefore be offered an opportunity to play at League One level, and the Latics should make their swoop as they need a new forward.