Assessing the future of Aston Villa, Brentford, Everton, Liverpool, and Middlesbrough men following Bristol Rovers loan spells

Bristol Rovers used the loan market to great advantage last season.

Joey Barton has utilised the loan market for the past two seasons, and the loan players have been the players to stand out in the team. Aaron Collins was the best player in League One last year, but a good few of his teammates, borrowed from other clubs also contributed to the team in their own way.

Here’s what we think could happen to Ellery Balcombe, Jarell Quansah, Josh Coburn, and Lamare Bogarde this summer:

Lamare Bogarde

Before joining Rovers on loan, Bogarde was said to have been a target for Norwich City and West Brom. His move to Rovers on deadline day though came as some surprise given there was no speculation before-hand and he was a signing out of nowhere.

The 19-year-old had been an unused substitute on three occasions for Villa’s first-team, and also made three appearances in the Premier League 2, as well as an outing in the EFL Trophy. He was still however someone that Rovers fans had to learn about whilst he played for them, given his lack of experience at first-team level.

Bogarde’s move to Rovers can be deemed a success, because he played in all 18 games he was available for, despite a loss in form. He put in a great display against Ipswich Town, and even if only four came during his time at the club, he his spell would have been a beneficial experience.

You’d think maybe Villa might want to send Bogarde to a Championship club that has an outside chance of the play-offs but maybe a return to the Mem isn’t outside the realms of possibility. A full season out on loan would be of benefit to Bogarde’s development, and returning to familiar surroundings would be one of the best courses of action.

Lewis Gibson

Probably the most influential out of all the loanees that came in last season, given his previous working relationship with Joey Barton, and how his absence was felt when he didn’t play.

Everton are yet to make public what Gibson’s decision is, but either way a return to the Memorial Stadium was only ever an ambitious thought at that. Even if he rejects the contract offer, the Toffees will be eligible for compensation, and given his move from Newcastle United was said to be worth up to £6m, they’ll plead their case for the highest fee they can get.

Joey Barton did say he’d try and sell a permanent move to Gibson, but Everton’s surprise contract offer probably put an end to that. If Gibson accepts a new contract with Everton, then the likelihood is that he’d be loaned out to a Championship club for the next stage of his development. He spent time in the second tier with Reading on loan but failed to make an impact, and so this time he’d want to prove a point there.

Ellery Balcombe

Brought in to provide competition for James Belshaw, but endured a difficult time. As part of his loan agreement, he had to start the first three matches, which would help form an opinion on Balcombe.

He didn’t have the best of starts, shipping five goals against Morecambe. Balcombe lost all three games, and then kept a clean sheet against Ipswich, before suffering defeat to Burton. Belshaw was brought back in against Oxford, and then from them he was either an unused substitute or not in the squad at all. Balcombe was tried against Peterborough and Shrewsbury, before a nine-minute cameo against Bolton. He’s since attracted interest from AFC Wimbledon in League Two, and that could be a good move for him. Given Barton wanted to give Jed Ward a go, Rovers will either make Ward their second choice goalkeeper, or move on to a different target.

Jarell Quansah

Barton personally scouted Quansah, before being able to secure him on loan.

A red card against Portsmouth saw him miss three games, and that was of benefit to James Connolly, who may not have been afforded an opportunity otherwise.

Club CEO Tom Gorringe revealed that in a meeting with Liverpool’s director of loans, and said that Rovers have developed a good reputation with loan players. Quansah’s loan may not have had the impact that both would have wanted, but at least Rovers should maintain a good working relationship with Liverpool.

He signed a new deal with the Reds, and later went on to play in all of England Under-20’s World Cup matches. Liverpool will probably want to send him to a promotion-chasing League One team, or a lower-half Championship team for his next move.

Josh Coburn

It was worth the wait for Coburn, who joined on deadline day from Middlesbrough, but didn’t make his debut until a month later because of an injury.

Coburn’s five goals in the Championship the season prior, as well as the winning goal against Spurs, made for an exciting signing and the 20-year-old’s time at Rovers can be deemed a success.

He got ten league goals, and whilst most of those came in the first part of the season, with the goals drying up after Christmas, he still offered something on the front line. Coburn’s time at Rovers was probably to help him get back to full fitness following an injury, and a return to Rovers seems unlikely. Boro missed out on promotion which probably gives Coburn a chance to impress Michael Carrick in pre-season.