The success of Szabi Schön’s move to Bolton Wanderers could convince the club to shop abroad again in January?
Ian Evatt has expressed satisfaction with the 24-year-old wing-back’s adjustment, as he has started all but one of the side’s league games and forced a comeback to the Hungary national team after a two-year hiatus.
Although Schön’s comeback to international prominence may mean he does not count against that quota by next summer, League One clubs are permitted to sign two “non-elite” players who do not automatically qualify for a working visa in the UK.
For now, Wanderers could fall back on the data network they have established and expanded in the last 18 months, which has included talent from several central European countries.
“It is something we are looking at, definitely, even though there is only one real space left for the foreign market in the squad as it stands,” Evatt said. “The ones where you have an unlimited supply, a bit like Birmingham City, they have to tick so many boxes and, financially, those players are probably out of our reach. But the processes we have put in place behind the scenes are going to help us if that is the route we decide to go down.
“You have to try to leave every window stronger than when you entered it, and that’s exactly what we’re aiming for once more.”
Bolton anticipates a “busy” January and has already had to make important decisions on the futures of striker Dan Nlundulu and midfielder Aaron Morley, who have been loaned to Cambridge United and Wycombe, respectively.
In order to hone a team that he hopes can be competitive for automatic promotion, Evatt anticipates business being done in both directions next month.
He told The Bolton News, “I think it will be a busy month, possibly in terms of ins and outs.”
“We are always looking to do business but I think we can do some more maintenance on the squad. We have a pretty clear idea of what we want and what we need and we’ll be trying to make that happen.
“I think so far this season we have been pretty unfortunate, especially our main players, not to have them all together at the same time. Hopefully that will start to be the case come the end of this month.
“As I have said before, we had an average start but I think our form has gone under the radar a little bit, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I do think if we can find another gear, find our rhythm, then we are capable of going on a real run.”
Wanderers have established their own recruitment department, spearheaded by Chris Markham, who helped identify Schön in the summer as an achievable target.
The club also have input from data firm Ludonautics, run by former Liverpool chief Ian Graham, which has gone towards their planning for January.
As the club compete in bigger markets, the processes behind bringing players to Bolton is also more intricate, says Evatt.
“The windows are becoming more and more complex, more detailed.
“Everyone is involved in recruitment, that’s how it should be, and it’s our collective job – myself, Chris (Markham), the board, Ludonautics, to come together and make sure we have the right options and we do the right bits of business.
“If that means player trading, selling players, buying them, we have to make sure we get it right and there is a lot of work going on at the moment to make sure that happens.
“Everyone must feel at ease with our actions. We must protect ourselves and ensure that all of the important parties involved in the football department’s success are making every effort to choose the best course of action for this football team.
