Nigel Pearson speaks of an important summer for Bristol City but increasingly it appears to be a window that will be about addition more than subtraction, following the decision to extend Chris Martin’s contract by 12 months.
The veteran striker’s option has been exercised, keeping him at Ashton Gate until 2023 as reward for his performances across this season. It also means that there are now only four players who are out of contract this summer - Callum O’Dowda, Louis Britton, Robbie Cundy and Andy King - a stark departure from 2021 when Pearson used the opportunity for a first-team overhaul as 10 senior players were released as their deals expired.
There, of course, will be departures from BS3 - there has to be - but they won’t be nearly as seismic in terms of numbers, and Martin is a clear example of an individual the manager likes working with who he considers of continuing benefit to the group.
