3 Adam Randell replacements Plymouth Argyle must consider ft Sheffield United man | OneFootball

3 Adam Randell replacements Plymouth Argyle should consider after the midfielder moved to Bristol City.

Plymouth Argyle are in search of a replacement for last season's step-in captain Adam Randell, who completed a move to West Country rivals Bristol City.

It certainly wasn't the most enjoyable week for Argyle supporters, who saw fan favourite Ryan Hardie leave the club after five-and-a-half years at Home Park, followed by academy graduate Randell.

Due to relegation release clauses in the contracts of both players, the Red Dragons and the Robins were able to poach the two Plymouth stars for reported fees worth around £700,000 and £750,000 respectively.

Losing hometown hero Randell is a painful blow for the Green Army, as the midfielder had worked his way through the ranks, becoming a crucial first-team player, and even captaining the side last season when Joe Edwards was unavailable.

A stalwart in the middle of the park, the 24-year-old will be hard to replace. However, Football League World explored three possible options which could be on the cards to replace Randell.

Bradley Ibrahim

Plymouth Argyle

Of course, when looking for a replacement for a departed player, clubs will look at what they've already got in that position. That's why Bradley Ibrahim will be a viable option for Plymouth, meaning they wouldn't have to spend any money.

The midfielder arrived from Hertha Berlin in early June, following a successful loan spell with Crawley Town in League One last term. The displays he put in for the Red Devils eventually earned him a four-year deal with the Pilgrims.

Comparing Ibrahim to Randell, it's clear to see why the former could be the perfect replacement for the latter. Both operate in a box-to-box role, allowing Tom Cleverley to maintain a consistent shape and structure, as well as that relentless work-rate in the engine room.

Another added bonus is that Ibrahim is four years younger than Randell, which means he will have a higher ceiling than the former Argyle man. All-in-all, the ex-Arsenal academy graduate could be the perfect fit if Plymouth don't wish to spend big on a replacement.

Jamie Shackleton

Sheffield United

Former Leeds United hotshot Jamie Shackleton has become somewhat of a forgotten man at Sheffield United, after his first year with the Blades was riddled with injury problems.

The 25-year-old was limited to just 12 Championship appearances last term, as his side were beaten by Sunderland at Wembley. Despite missing out on promotion, Shackleton could be keen to secure a move away from Bramall Lane this summer.

Plymouth could be the perfect place for the midfielder to try and recover from a disrupted season, and find regular minutes. Shackleton is intense, aggressive and likes to be on the front foot, as well as being defensively resolute, meaning he certainly echoes the traits that fans recognise in Randell.

His capabilities in multiple positions also make him a great asset for any team, allowing for tactical alterations during matches, giving Cleverley an extra trick up his sleeve. The wealth of Championship experience he also brings to the table as well makes him a great replacement for the departed midfielder.

Luka Gagnidze

FC Dynamo Moscow

Finally, we turned to FootballTransfers' feature to find similar players to another, based on an algorithm on the website. The result came back with 22-year-old Georgian international Luka Gagnidze, who currently plays for FC Dynamo Moscow.

The young midfielder has been sent out on numerous loan spells over the past couple of seasons, and his game time at Dynamo has diminished over the years. However, he did make his break into the senior Georgia side in 2023, and has earned five caps thus far.

Gagnidze is certainly a left-field shout to replace Randell, and is much more defensively orientated than the Bristol City man and the other two on this list, meaning he would likely have to have a box-to-box next to him to help the system function properly.

However, the Georgian's strong passing range and ability to play a high-press could make him a good option for Plymouth. At just 22, Gagnidze is in a similar boat to Ibrahim in having a higher ceiling than Randell, which could make him a risk worth taking.