Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson can be typecast as a stubborn so-and-so, rooted to certain traditions, conventions and “his way”, with little room for flexibility or change of thought.
It’s a view of the manager that is a hill many wish to die on, but as last season showed - whether by accident or design - was largely detached from reality given how the Robins evolved over the course of the campaign, for better and for worse.
Pearson’s opinions on loan players, which remained throughout the season, did however tap into the stubborn stereotype of the 58-year-old; how could he not consider at least one player from a higher level to freshen the squad up in January?
We’re not going to go over that particular argument because the moment has passed, but Pearson has once again changed tack and, speaking last week, admitted he’s open to the idea of bringing a player (or players) on loan this season and talks have taken place with Premier League clubs over possible options.
LET US KNOW: Who do you think would be a good addition for Bristol City? Tell us in the comments section below
Given the positions of need for the Robins, that would lend itself to centre-back and defensive midfield. We’ll maybe discuss the latter at a different date but the manager would like at least one more, possibly two, central defenders to mitigate the loss of Robbie Cundy and the unavailability of Nathan Baker for next season. A difficult challenge given you’re recruiting someone who could be fifth choice.
“But why loan a Premier League player when City have two strong prospects in defence in Duncan Idehen and Ryley Towler?” I hear you cry. There is a lot of merit to that argument but it’s a simple case of adapting the situation to fit your own needs.
If Towler and/or Idehen were to stay at City for 2022/23, how many games are they likely to play? 10-15 at a maximum, we’d suggest, whereas out on loan in League One or League Two they could get a full season under their belts and return for 2023/24 as a genuine first-team consideration.
Therefore bringing in a player from higher up the pyramid can fill the gap in City’s squad for that campaign of progression for Towler and/or Idehen. This is all, of course, dependent on what Pearson thinks is best for each individual’s development.
But on the back of what the City manager said last week, we’ve cast our eyes over five potential temporary centre-back additions for the Robins to provide depth in the position and competition to those who can be presently considered “first choice” in the defence.
Charlie Cresswell (Leeds United)
Want to feel old? Those of a certain vintage will remember his dad Richard as a reliable EFL striker for Preston, Leeds, Stoke and Sheffield United throughout the 2000s and into the last decade. In fact, Cresswell Snr only retired from playing five years ago.
By that stage his son Charlie had been in the Leeds academy for four years before signing professional terms in 2019. Working his way up the age groups, Cresswell made five Premier League appearances last season, with one start against West Ham at the beginning of the campaign and injuries began to bite for Marcelo Bielsa, doing a decent job up against Michail Antonio.
The 19-year-old is incredibly well-regarded at Elland Road but there doesn’t appear an immediate path to the first-team and Cresswell admitted earlier this month that he wants to play more football and is open to a loan having seen England Under-21 teammates Marc Guehi, Conor Gallagher and Cameron Archer flourish elsewhere.
Described by Leeds U23 boss Mark Jackson as an “old school” centre-back who’s good in the air and possesses strong physical attributes, he ticks a number of Nigel Pearson-type boxes.
Di’Shon Bernard (Manchester United)
The 21-year-old is very much Championship ready having made 28 appearances on loan at Hull City last season, winning their Player of the Month award for October but after the Tigers swapped Grant McCann for Shota Arvelade at the end of January, he found himself on the periphery of the first-team, an unused substitute 13 times during the run-in, including at Ashton Gate.
Hull are unlikely to be making a return approach for Bernard and he doesn’t look likely to be troubling the first-team set-up at Old Trafford just yet, although Erik Ten Hag may have other ideas over pre-season.
Bernard is a right-sided centre-back who can also operate at right-back which fills some obvious positional needs for City following the exit of Robbie Cundy on a free transfer to Barnsley. Pearson has an abundance of left-sided centre-backs but an extra right-footer would be welcomed in that department.
Bernard is a bit more of a modern-style ball-playing defender who likes to step forward and play on the front foot. Not to say that isn’t what Pearson would like but the manager has, so far, shown more of a penchant for “defenders who can defend”, to coin one of his preferred phrases.
There has been some Premier League interest in taking Bernard on a permanent deal, should his United prospects appear dim over the next few months, which could render this all irrelevant, but if he’s available, he’s a tantalising option.
Kell Watts (Newcastle United)
On the one hand, Newcastle have a head coach in Eddie Howe who has proven an appetite for trusting and developing young players, and enjoys the challenge of coaching prospects into becoming top-level players.
But on the other, the Magpies are now one of the richest clubs in the world and for all their attempts to build up an idea of community and identity, will want a notable sporting return on their investment sooner rather than later, and that doesn’t exactly create the best environment for ushering through academy talent.
Watts signed a new two-year contract earlier this year so clearly is in Howe’s thoughts in some capacity but could be in a position where a season more out on loan, having spent 2021/22 with Wigan Athletic in League One, could be the right path for his development.
Watts made 33 appearances for the promotion-winning Latics, who would also likely want to have him back for next season, and impressed not just with his technique - which you’d always expect to be good given his club of origin - but his work rate and a real willingness to do the dirty stuff in defence; blocks, tackles, headers in uncomfortable places, Watts “put it about” during his spell in the north west.
The 22-year-old is positionally flexible, having operated in defensive midfield and left-back, as well as in the middle, during his time in the Newcastle age groups. He also possesses considerable EFL experience with 110 appearances under his belt at Wigan, Plymouth, Mansfield and Stevenage.
Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
Championship interest is already growing in the England Under-20 international with Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Sheffield United and Blackpool among the club to have asked about the 20-year-old’s availability, while there are also potential suitors in Europe.
In that context, City getting anywhere near him can be viewed as a success given, just to highlight two clubs, they’ll be pitching against a team likely to be fighting for promotion in Sheffield United and another, with regards to Huddersfield, who can point to the example of Levi Colwill for why Everton should send Branthwaite to that particular part of Yorkshire.
Famously talked up by Carlo Ancelotti after he was unexpectedly given a Premier League debut in 2020, the Italian remarked of Branthwaite: "He has a really good character apart from the quality he is able to show. It's just the start. As I've said before we have to be patient with him, but he's a really good defender. Good with the ball, always focused.
"I know his character. He's really focused and humble. It's a pleasure for us to have this young player. I have to say that our scouting department did a fantastic job finding him in a lower division."
That has been a slight millstone around his neck as he worked hard to try and make the breakthrough at Goodison Park, and he did make eight appearances last season, but reports over the weekend indicated that Frank Lampard will be looking to loan him out.
Strong in the air and quick on the deck, he has a good reading of the game and a number of Everton youth-team coaches have praised his temperament and calmness on the field; all of which sounds music to Pearson’s ears.
Dynel Simeu (Southampton)
The 20-year-old became an integral part of Paul Simpson’s defence at Carlisle as the former Bristol City coach turned their season around and kept them in League Two. That was Simeu’s first experience of senior football having spent time in Chelsea and Southampton’s academies and he’s already indicated that if he’s not a part of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s plans for the forthcoming campaign, he’d like to go out on loan.
Half a season in League Two will certainly have provided him with plenty of physical grounding for the challenge of higher up in the EFL. And, as Simpson indicated towards the end of last season, Southampton’s wish will likely be for another campaign away from St Mary’s, but at a higher level.
"Being honest, I’m expecting them to want him to go a little bit higher, possibly the next level, so we’ll see if that happens and we’ll take it from there,” Simpson told the News & Star.
Simeu has excellent timing at the back with a strong awareness of potential threats with his penalty area, plus he possesses all the calm and composure on the ball you’d imagine from a prospect who’s spent significant time in the Chelsea youth set-up.
His personality also really shone during his spell in the north west, forming a bond with the Carlisle supporters who appreciated his committed displays, something you don’t always get from Premier League talent when they drop down the divisions.
Bristol City midfielder forced to train with U23s as Ipswich Town decline option to sign him
Steve Lansdown delivers his Bristol City verdict for 2022/23 ahead of notable anniversary
Nigel Pearson delivers Nathan Baker update with defender's City future in doubt
Bristol City's transfer priority takes a turn but signing a striker will prove a difficult task
Bristol City have the easiest start to the new season among their Championship rivals
SIGN UP: For our daily Robins newsletter, bringing you the latest from Ashton Gate
