Millwall can solve Alex Neil headache with £4m transfer | OneFootball

Millwall should look at Blackburn's Ryan Alebiosu as a replacement for the excellent Tristan Crama at right-back after his injury setback.

Millwall started their 2026/27 Championship season with a comfortable win over ten-man Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

The size of some of the relegated clubs, combined with the big spending of other sides at this level, means the Lions may have gone somewhat under the radar when it comes to discussing the promotion favourites this season.

But, Millwall were in with a shot of the top two going into the final day of last season, as they picked up 83 points, losing just 11 times.

So, with no major outgoings so far, along with a few more shrewd signings from a recruitment team that is proving themselves to be among the best in the league, there is no reason to suggest Millwall won’t be in the hunt for automatic promotion once again under Neil’s guidance.

Tristan Crama’s injury is a blow for Millwall

However, one potential concern that Lions’ fans will have is the squad depth, as it arguably cost them last season, and they are already without one key player in Tristan Crama.

The defender was a standout in the previous campaign, with his performances earning him a place in the Team of the Year.

But, Crama suffered an ankle injury in the final minutes of the play-off semi-final defeat to Hull, and he suffered a fresh setback on his return to pre-season, which has resulted in a lengthy lay-off.

So, it was a massive setback, and whilst Ryan Leonard has proven himself to be a reliable alternative, and he was very good at Bristol City, there’s no denying Millwall lose something when Crama isn’t in the team.

Ryan Alebiosu would be a brilliant Tristan Crama replacement for Millwall

Therefore, Millwall could benefit from going into the market for a right-back, and Ryan Alebiosu would be a great addition to the squad.

Currently at Blackburn, Alebiosu was one of few at Rovers to emerge with credit last season, and he followed that up with a fantastic display in the opening day draw at Wolves.

That game showed exactly what the 24-year-old is all about, as he dealt with the talented Mateus Mane very well in one-on-one situations, and he was a constant threat down the flank with his runs forward, as he carries the ball so well.

Admittedly, he did give away an unfortunate late penalty for a handball, but it was a great display from Alebiosu, who has established himself as one of the better players at right-back in the Championship over the past year.

Ryan Alebiosu should be within Millwall’s price range

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Even though Millwall have excellent owners, they don’t have the deep pockets of some clubs at this level, but, as they have shown, that isn’t a problem.

But, it obviously means they have to shop in a different market to some teams, yet Alebiosu should be within their price range, as ESPN claimed in January that Rovers wanted £4m for the ex-Arsenal youngster.

Blackburn may be pushing for a bit more now, but it should still be in Millwall’s range, and the wages they can offer would surely surpass the salary he is on at Ewood Park.

Of course, the major issue would be rival interest, as top flight clubs are believed to be monitoring the Nigerian, so it would be difficult for Millwall to convince Alebiosu to move to The Den.

However, as outlined above, Millwall are a serious team in the Championship, and this would be a signing that proves they deserve to be mentioned with the better sides in the league.

With the extended play-off format, the Londoners will believe promotion is a very real possibility, and they must do all they can to sell that project and long-term plan to players who can raise the level - like Alebiosu.

Millwall must continue to target players that have room to improve

Finally, Alebiosu also fits the model that Millwall seem to have been adopting with the majority of their signings in recent windows, in that he has a lot of room to develop.

At 24, he is a few years away from his peak, and if he continues to improve, the fee that Millwall pay Blackburn for the player could be a bargain as Alebiosu has the potential to be flipped for a big profit down the line.

That’s not the best way to view new signings, but Millwall know how they need to operate, and they clearly want to try and emulate the likes of Brighton and Brentford when it comes to player trading.

Crama, Femi Azeez and Josh Coburn are just a few of a host of players who have seen their values increase substantially since they joined Millwall, and Alebiosu could join that growing list if he signed for the club.