Our retained list 2024/25

Who stays and who goes? That's the question on the lips on all Cambridge United fans at the moment whilst we wait for the retained list. Lots of other League One clubs have already released their retained list, but with the sheer amount of decisions for Mark Bonner and Neil Harris we haven't heard confirmation as of yet.

OUT OF CONTRACT

Goalkeepers

Marko Marosi - Release

I'd release Marosi as he hasn't played consecutively for far too long and ultimately we don't know if he is actually good. He only managed a handful of appearances in amber. The short amount of games is due to a freakish injury which also needs to be taken into account. I could see him staying in amber next season as he is League Two level however I think it's a risk not worth taking.

Jack Stevens - Keep

A controversial football who has his ups and downs is certainly not a good quality in a goalkeeper. However, he has played much better under Harris then he did under Monk. The Englishman is a League Two level goalkeeper and can help Chadwick develop alongside up and coming youngsters. I wouldn't start him as I think he won't be good enough to get us promoted but is a solid backup if and when needed. With the birth of his new born soon coming I could see him staying as he has less of a reason to move across the country.

Defenders

Liam Bennett - Keep

A highly rated youngster who loves bombing down the right hand side is a player that could and should develop into a solid Championship right back. It will be hard to keep him, there's no hiding that, however with his attachment to the club and having a great manager in charge I think it will be enough to convince him to stay. The former loanee at Walsall has been linked with Championship and top League One teams for what seems to be an eternity and now is a great chance for them to swoop in and sign him. Harris seems to prefer Gibbons on the right hand side which also may be a reason he chooses to leave. Nevertheless I hope he stays.

Danny Andrew - Keep

An aggressive left footed left back who loves to pop up with a free kick or long shot every now and again. I'd keep him as I think he is League One level when going forward but lacks quality when defending. However Harris is bound to work on that aspect of him and build him into a better player late in his career. I would offer him a 1 year deal as he isn't a youngster anymore however is good enough to play in League Two football no doubt.

Michael Morrison - Keep

An experienced player who has all but confirmed that he is staying next year. A leader and season veteran in the sport who bleeds black and amber. A centre back who hasn't made too many mistakes throughout the last season has to stay for at least 1 more year.

Jubril Okedina - Release

A fantastic defender on his day but is out of favour under Harris and is more then likely to be on his way out. A defender that I personally rate highly however many of the fanbase don't and neither does the coaching staff. On that basis I would release him and could see him going to a non league club.

Scott Malone - Release

A Harris player that joined from Gillingham after following Harris there from London club Millwall. An old veteran who hasn't made an impact while at the club. A player who I can't see deserving a spot in a League Two team aiming for promotion. However it's likely that Harris will aim to retain him as he clearly trusts him a lot.

Midfielders

Jordan Cousins - Keep

A deep lying midfielder who is keen to pick out a pass is a debatable player when it comes to renewing his contract. He has been hit and miss however his experience in League Two would be crucial in order to get promotion back into League One. We haven't seen the best of him so I can understand why some would want to see him leave however he has played better last season compared to his 23/24 season.

Paul Digby - Keep

A northerner who has found home down south is a must keep. A consistent performer who has been a great servant to the club. A former captain of the U's that loves the club. More importantly, he is a great man off the pitch who loves the fans, media and city. A character that must be kept in the changing room for next year.

Ben Stevenson - Keep

I would keep Stevenson as he suits Harris' football to a tee. It would be a risk to keep all 3 midfielders so I think it will be between the former Wigan midfielder and Stevenson. He dictates the tempo of the game when the U's keep possession. A player that is always 1 step ahead compared to his teammates is a quality that should be kept at the club.

Attackers

Dan Barton - Keep

An absolute gem of a youngster who has to be kept and then loaned out into non league football. A player who would, much like Kai Yearn, will be wanted by Championship clubs now that his contract is up will need much convincing to stay at the Abbey. Harris hasn't given him any minutes to prove his quality which may also lead into the youngster leaving on a free.

Sullay Kaikai - Keep

An aging winger who has showed his class at times throughout the season should be kept. However a public dispute with manager Harris may lead to his release. The Sierra Leone international is clearly League Two level and following a post on X it is interpreted that he will be coming back to the Abbey for the 2025/26 season to the joy of many fans on social media.

Brandon Njoku - Keep

Similarly to Dan Barton, he is a gem of a youngster that should be kept at the club and given time to develop. Although he isn't particularly tall he has a great leap which shows he's a hungry player to win, score and improve. A loan move to a side like Dorking Wanderers could be a great way for him to play in a winning side at a high level in non league.

Under contract

Transfer list

Gary Gardner - A midfielder who hasn't played football in over a season whilst collecting a healthy wage. In order to sign good, crucial players we should get Gardner off the wage bill.

Zeno Ibsen Rossi - An Italian-English defender who has spent the majority of the season out injured and hasn't performed as well as he should have during his time in CB5. We should offload him with Jobe coming back from injury and use the additional cash to side some high quality players.

Loan list

Glen McConnell - An injury prone youngster that needs consistent game time. A playmaker who can change the outcome of a game is likely to be a key member in the future for the U's.

George Hoddle - A young midfielder who is highly rated and deserves game time week in week out. He is unlikely to be needed next season for the first team but too good for the youth teams. A player that could break into the first team in the coming seasons.

James Brophy collects his player of the season trophy