Dennis Wise explains why Millwall’s transfer plan reminds him of Chelsea | OneFootball

Millwall have signed a number of younger players in recent transfer windows

Ex-England international Dennis Wise has compared his former club Millwall’s transfer strategy to Chelsea due to their emphasis on younger players.

The Lions made eight permanent signings during the transfer window, as well as completing three loan deals, as Alex Neil looked to strengthen his first-team squad after just missing out on last season's Championship play-off spots.

Of the eight permanent deals, five involved the payment of a transfer fee, and Alfie Doughty was the only one of these to be over the age of 22.

The other four - Josh Coburn, Caleb Taylor, Derek Mazou-Sacko and Zak Sturge - are all in their early 20's, which has represented a shift in thinking in the market for the South Bermondsey outfit in recent years.

Dennis Wise makes Millwall and Chelsea comparison after Lions transfer splurge

Wise - who spent nearly three years at Millwall as a player but also a manager between 2002 and 2005 - has compared Millwall’s recent recruitment to Chelsea’s investment in younger players in the last few years, claiming they are building a more sustainable model for their future.

He highlighted the arrivals of Coburn, Mihailo Ivanovic and Luke Cundle as examples of their smart business, and he expects the team to thrive under Alex Neil with this strategy in the market, predicting it can help them earn a top six finish, whilst also hailing Alex Neil in the process.

“Millwall’s sustainable transfer model can help them achieve the play-offs,” Wise told NewsAtDen.

“You only have to look at what Chelsea are implementing to see the model - and maybe it can be done in the Championship as well.

“There’s nothing wrong with investing in young players.

“They’ve brought in [Mihailo] Ivanovic for around £2.8 million, young [Josh] Coburn from Middlesbrough for about £5 million, and [Luke] Cundle for £1 million from Wolves, along with others - these are all young lads with potential.

“Alex Neil, as a coach, really enjoys working with younger players.

“He’s more of an on-the-field coach, someone who likes to develop and improve players.

“Some managers prefer handling older, experienced players, while others thrive on developing younger ones.

“They’ve got a solid strategy going forward, and with Alex Neil at the helm, he’ll do extremely well for them.”

Millwall’s start to the 2025-26 Championship season

Millwall have made a mixed start to the new Championship season under Neil, winning two and losing two from their opening four fixtures.

The Lions are aiming to improve on their eighth place finish in the league in the previous campaign, with their sights set on a play-off position.

They did however go into the international break off the back of a 2-0 loss at home to Wrexham, which would have been a disappointment considering they'd previously been to Bramall Lane and taken all three points from Sheffield United.

Next up for Neil’s side is a trip to face local rivals Charlton Athletic on 13 September in a 12.30pm kick-off.

Millwall’s emphasis on youth and potential could pay off big in years to come

Millwall finished just two points outside of the top six last season, suggesting that their work in the transfer window recently is paying off.

Younger players are being trusted more by teams, and it has the potential to pay off big if this risk works out for the Lions.

These players will grow and develop together, and their potential improvement under Neil could be what powers the club to the play-offs.

And there is also always the possibility that any good form will attract serious attention from other clubs, allowing Millwall to make a big profit on strong performers, which will help the London outfit to grow.

You get the feeling that it's only a matter of time before another big sale comes at The Den - Romain Esse was last year's big-money move to Crystal Palace, and it may be Mihailo Ivanovic next, given how the Serbian did in his first season in England.