Millwall must explore Coventry transfer agreement with Tristan Crama knock-on effect | OneFootball

Millwall should look to sign Coventry City's Kaine Kesler-Hayden this summer to help move Tristan Crama to centre-back

Millwall narrowly missed out on a place in the Championship automatic places on the final day of the campaign, and their subsequent defeat in the play-offs means the Lions will be playing second-tier football once again next season.

Few people will be more disappointed about the outcome of Millwall's season than manager Alex Neil.

Neil has done an exceptional job at The Den since taking charge in December 2024, with the former Preston North End and Stoke City boss narrowly missing out on a place in the play-offs in his first campaign in charge, and now narrowly missing out on a place in the top two this time around.

Ipswich Town's 3-0 home victory over Queens Park Rangers on the final day meant Millwall's fate was sealed, finishing just one place and one point beneath the Tractor Boys, before a two-legged affair against Hull City in the play-off semi-finals saw the Tigers prevail as 2-0 victors, resigning the Lions to another year in the Championship.

Neil will be hoping to continue his upwards trajectory with the capital outfit next campaign by securing automatic promotion, and will be aiming to strengthen during the summer window, as the Scot should be targeting a move for a promotion-winning defender to bolster their back line.

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Millwall's transfer business over recent years has been truly excellent.

The likes of Japhet Tanganga, Romain Esse, and Zian Flemming have been sold for substantial profits in recent years, whilst the likes of Femi Azeez, Mihailo Ivanovic, and Tristan Crama threaten to do the same.

Crama, in particular, was signed for a minimal fee from London rivals Brentford in January 2025 and has been excellent since arriving at The Den, earning a place in the Championship Team of the Season alongside teammate Azeez.

The Frenchman has balanced his game time between centre-back and right-back under Neil, but the Scottish boss appears to view his long-term future at the heart of the back line, having recently submitted a bid for French right-back Nolan Galves.

Galves currently plays his football in the second tier of France for Rodez, and Millwall, alongside Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers, are looking to bring him to the English capital this summer.

This comes at a time when Danny McNamara has just been released from the club, whilst the only other option, Ryan Leonard, is now 34 years old and not getting any younger.

Millwall's move for Galves signifies Neil's intent on bringing in a new right-back this summer, as the Scot should instead be considering a move for Coventry City's Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

Kesler-Hayden, 23, joined the Sky Blues last summer from Aston Villa for around £3.5 million, but found himself firmly behind Milan van Ewijk in Frank Lampard's pecking order, limited to under 600 league minutes across the campaign.

With Coventry promoted, it's unlikely the Englishman will see any sort of increase in his minutes, with a decrease a more likely option, as Millwall should be offering him an escape route out of the CBS Arena this summer.

Kesler-Hayden previously thrived on loan with Preston North End in the second tier during the 2023/24 season, where he was named as the fans' Player of the Year, Player's Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

Still only 23 years old, Kesler-Hayden cannot afford to spend another year on the bench and miss out on crucial development time, and ought to be angling for a move this summer, whether that be a loan or permanent.

Capable of playing as either a right-back in a back four or a wing-back in a back five, Millwall fits the bill for Kesler-Hayden, and he fits the bill for the Lions, as Neil should drop his plans on signing Galves and look to bring in the Englishman this summer instead.

Alex Neil should consider Kaine Kesler-Hayden move as Millwall target promotion next season

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Neil will be determined to go one better next campaign with Millwall, and the goal will be promotion once again.

With Wolverhampton Wanderers, Burnley, and bitter rivals West Ham United now joining an already highly-competitive Championship division, Millwall's task won't be easy, but Neil ought to fancy his chances.

Having earned promotions with Sunderland and Norwich City before, he knows what it takes to get a side over the line, and with Millwall's excellent recruitment, and having spent a full season at the club, he couldn't be in a much stronger position to do so with the Lions.

Kesler-Hayden's addition would only help their chances, as Millwall should look to get this one over the line.