Wigan Athletic face big decisions with the 7 players set to leave next year | OneFootball

Football League World analyses the 7 Wigan Athletic players who are out of contract this summer

Wigan Athletic are in a more difficult position than most of their League One rivals, having recovered from suffering administration in 2020, and being subject to a winding up petition in 2023 following financial mismanagement overseen by the club's previous ownership group.

Due to a consistent failure to pay wages on time during the 2022/23 campaign, the Latics began last season with an eight point deduction, while a transfer embargo meant that manager Shaun Maloney was reliant upon players signed by previous managers, free agent signings, loan signings, and youth academy graduates.

Luckily for Maloney, the Latics academy has produced several talented players in recent years, such as sought-after England Under-21 goalkeeper Sam Tickle, and versatile defender James Carragher, son of Liverpool legend Jamie.

But following the club's recent monetary hardships, current owner Mike Danson has established an ethos of financial sustainability, which has seemingly hindered transfer activity.

In fact, as reported by Wigan Today, the Latics submitted a 22-man squad to the EFL back in September, which included just 16 senior players.

But despite having a lack of depth, the club currently have seven players who could be set to leave next summer when their contracts are due to expire.

Football League World analyses these individuals and discusses how important they are to the Latics:

Steven Sessegnon

Steven Sessegnon arrived at the Brick Community Stadium as a free agent signing during the summer of 2023, and made 26 League One appearances last term.

He signed a two-year deal back in 2023, meaning that his contract is set to expire following the conclusion of the current season.

The 24-year-old is a versatile full-back who can play on either side, while his playing style lends itself well to Maloney's philosophy, as the Latics boss likes his full-backs to augment the midfield, which Sessegnon can do to great effect.

The former Charlton Athletic man displayed his talents during an FA Cup first round tie with fellow League One outfit Exeter City last season, as he scored from outside the box.

It is clear to see what Sessegnon offers the Latics, and the only reason why Maloney and co could be reluctant to renew his contract is the fact that he is injury prone.

Back in August, the ace suffered an injury during a 2-1 defeat at Birmingham City, which meant he did not return to action until making an appearance on 22nd October.

Furthermore, it is likely that he would have made more than 26 League One outings last season if he had not previously endured similar spells on the sidelines.

Jonny Smith

Jonny Smith joined the Latics on a free transfer ahead of the 2023/24 season, and signed a two-year contract, meaning he is set to leave the club next summer.

Before joining the Greater Manchester side, Smith spent three seasons with fellow League One side Burton Albion, and has also previously plied his trade for the likes of Swindon Town and Tranmere Rovers.

Last term, the wideman scored three goals and created two assists in 27 third tier appearances, but perhaps more impressive than his numbers is the fact that all three of his league goals last campaign came from outside the box, while his last gasp equaliser at Barnsley on New Year's Day was particularly impressive.

Smith is a direct player who enjoys cutting inside from the right wing, while his unique shooting qualities, coupled with his notable pace should be enough to convince the Latics to keep the 27-year-old on their books.

Scott Smith

Latics academy graduate Scott Smith made his senior debut for the club during the 2021/22 campaign, in which he made eight appearances across all competitions, gaining experience in the EFL Trophy, FA Cup and EFL Cup.

But his first league appearance for his hometown side would not arrive until the subsequent 2022/23 Championship season, after he returned from a brief loan spell with Torquay United, then of the National League.

Last campaign witnessed Smith become an integral part of Maloney's team, as he made 31 appearances in League One, and memorably scored his maiden Latics goal during a 1-0 win over Blackpool back in March.

While the 23-year-old's current contract only keeps him at the Brick Community Stadium until next summer, it is difficult to see the Greater Manchester side letting go of a homegrown talent.

Luke Robinson

Latics fans will forever be grateful for the contributions of a young Luke Robinson, who stepped into the fold unexpectedly during the club's time in administration, and made 25 appearances during a 2020/21 League One season in which the club managed to avoid relegation to League Two despite especially trying circumstances.

But even after the club have recovered from administration, Robinson's time at the Brick Community Stadium has not been plain sailing, as he made just one league appearance as the Latics won the 2021/22 third tier title, although he did make 10 outings across all competitions that term.

The 22-year-old subsequently spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Tranmere, but made just three appearances for the Wirral side before going on loan once more to St Johnstone last campaign, where he impressively made 32 Scottish Premiership appearances.

But back in May, Robinson suffered a knee injury which saw him make a premature return to the Latics, and kept him out of action during the early exchanges of the current campaign.

The Wigan academy product's current deal expires at the end of the season, and while he has not enjoyed much game time since becoming a part of the senior squad at the Brick Community Stadium, his chances of landing a new contract in Greater Manchester have been bolstered by the recent injury suffered by fellow left-back Luke Chambers, who was forced to return to parent club Liverpool, and has left a vacancy for Robinson to fill, but he will have to compete with teenager K'Marni Miller who impressed on debut in the EFL Trophy against Carlisle United, and as a substitute during a league defeat at Cambridge United.

Callum McManaman

Callum McManaman is a Latics legend, who starred for the club during the latter years of their Premier League tenure, and claimed the man of the match award for an outstanding performance at Wembley Stadium as Wigan remarkably defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the 2013 FA Cup Final.

He left the Brick Community Stadium to join West Brom, then of the top-flight, in January 2015, and subsequently joined Sunderland in 2017 before making his Tics return a year later.

Ultimately, McManaman's initial Latics return was not a successful one as he managed just one goal in 24 appearances during the 2018/19 season.

He was similarly underwhelming during a 2021/22 stint with Tranmere in League Two, but his former teammate Maloney handed him an opportunity to go back to Wigan once more.

The wideman repaid the faith instilled in him by the Latics boss, and scored two goals as well as producing three assists in 37 League One appearances and just 12 starts last term.

McManaman was on a one-year deal with the Tics last season, but has signed yet another one-season contract for the current campaign, and has shown he is still a quality player as he scored a long-range stunner during a 3-0 win over Peterborough United in October.

Given the fact that the 33-year-old is a Latics legend, it could be entirely up to him as to whether he is handed fresh terms once more.

Harry McHugh

Wigan academy product Harry McHugh made his senior debut back in 2020/21, as he made three appearances across all competitions, including a League One outing.

His current deal with the Greater Manchester outfit lasts until next summer, but he may not look to sign a new contract unless he earns more playing time this term.

Since his debut campaign, the 22-year-old has struggled for minutes at the Brick Community Stadium, and endured loan spells at Chester and Ayr United during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons respectively.

In fact, McHugh has never made more appearances in a single campaign for the Latics than he did during his loan spell with Ayr last term, in which he made 12 Scottish Championship outings and scored a goal as well as making two assists.

While his spell north of the border was promising, the versatile youngster has continued to struggle for minutes with the Latics, which could mean that next summer is the right time to leave.

Tom Watson

Latics academy product and current back-up goalkeeper Tom Watson is under contract until next summer, and is currently struggling for minutes amid the presence of the aforementioned Tickle.

But the 22-year-old is a wanted man, with Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United both interested in his services, according to TeamTalk.

Such advances for their starman will prove difficult for the Latics to stave off, while a Tickle departure would provide a clear pathway to first team football for Watson, who would seem certain to renew his terms at the Brick Community Stadium.