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Blackburn Rovers have seen several of their key players from last season depart the club this summer, and there are concerns among the fan base about a lack of options in defence.
Fans of the Lancashire club have watched as three of their most utilised defenders last season departed the club, either for free in Danny Batth as he moved to Derby County, due to the end of a loan deal with Dion Sanderson, or due to the decision to sell Dominic Hyam on deadline day to Wrexham.
The result of this means that Blackburn Rovers now only have three senior central defenders to select from in that position: Scott Wharton, Hayden Carter, and the most important signing of the summer, due to the lack of cover in this position, Sean McLoughlin.
Now, this decision to have allowed this to happen at Blackburn Rovers offers the chance for an academy player to emerge and become a key player for Valerien Ismael this season.
Tom Atcheson is the biggest winner from the summer window at Blackburn Rovers
Tom Atcheson has recently earned a call-up to the Northern Ireland U-21 squad to face Georgia in the international break; however, he has been added to the first team training squad at Blackburn Rovers.
The young centre half has emerged as a bright talent at youth level for Blackburn Rovers, impressing in the Premier League 2, and having spent part of last season on loan at Marine.
Blackburn clearly believe he is a player for the future, but the future may be now, as he signed a contract extension for the club, meaning he will remain at Ewood Park until the summer of 2028, with a further 12-month option.
While there were many fans expecting Igor Tyjon to be the breakout star for the senior setup with Rovers this season due to the promise he has shown at the underage level, and he still might be, due to the transfer business done by the club, Atcheson may become the player to watch.
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Tom Atcheson on Blackburn Rovers
The Northern Ireland underage international let his feelings be known following the signing of the contract extension with the club last year, as he was thrilled to be part of the long-term future with Blackburn.
Speaking with club media, he said: “I’ve wanted this for a long time, so I’m obviously buzzing to sign.
“Training with the first team and the more experienced players has been a big help in my development, and I think it’s improved my game a lot.
“My time with Marine has been a big help too, playing with men, which is obviously very different to Under-21s football. The three points at stake become a lot more important at that level as well.
“Hopefully, we can get a few more wins on the board, and for me, personally, I just want to keep playing lots of men’s games and hopefully work my way up the divisions.
“Playing in that game at Harrogate and against Wrexham in the FA Cup at Ewood were both very special moments for me, and they just make me hungry for more.”