Luton Town face big decisions with the 4 players set to leave Kenilworth Road next year | OneFootball

The Hatters face saying goodbye to a quartet of first team players next summer, but who, if any, should they retain?

The financial blow of relegation often brings about mass exodus, and there was no exception for Luton Town this summer, as a whopping 21 players left the club in preparation for the Championship, 13 of whom were released on a free transfer.

Looking to steady the ship, and rebuild some of the squad familiarity that once took Rob Edwards' side to the dizzy heights of Premier League football, the Hatters will be encouraged to retain first team players worth their salt in the division this time around.

Including loans, there are four players scheduled to leave Kenilworth Road if the pen doesn't meet paper before June.

A meager amount compared to many other EFL clubs. However, it is the quality and legacy of certain players set to depart that may concern Luton supporters.

Tom Krauß

Still young, and with Bundesliga experience under his belt, Tom Krauß was a surprising and positive signing in late August, albeit a temporary one.

The German midfielder made over 40 appearances for his nation's various youth sides, and has played top-flight football for RB Leipzig, Schalke and, most recently, Mainz.

At 23-years-old, the Luton loan represented a significant risk to his reputation and relevance in his home country, but with an average of 46 minutes per appearance last campaign, the Leipziger has clearly identified a need to take a step down in order to play as much football as possible to further his progression.

Upon signing, manager Rob Edwards spoke gleefully of his new midfielder's enthusiasm for the challenge: "What's been brilliant for us is how keen he is to join". It is reasonable to assume that Krauß has been assured significant game time as part of the deal.

While it may be up to the player rather than the club, Edwards will do well to keep a player of Krauß's potential in Bedfordshire for as long as possible.

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu

The Barnet-born DR Congo international has enjoyed a career so unique that, were it a movie, audiences would say it was far-fetched.

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu is an undeniable Luton Town legend, having played over 400 games for the Hatters. Having joined the then fifth-tier club in 2013, within ten years Mpanzu became the first player ever to be promoted all the way from the National League to the Premier League with one club.

The midfielder, whose legacy at the club is already cemented, has become something of a bit-part-player at the club this campaign. At just 30-years-old, however, he is by no means incapable of winning back his starting spot.

Having said this, with his contract ending, and fortunes seemingly having peaked, it may be a natural and amicable time to bring his unfathomable Luton Town tenure to a close.

Victor Moses

A shock free transfer in September, former Chelsea, Liverpool, Inter Milan and Crystal Palace wide-man Victor Moses joined Luton as a free agent, having most recently been playing in the Russian Premier League for Spartak Moscow.

Moses' inspiring story of asylum saw him move to London aged eleven, a city he has a clear relationship with, spending seven non-consecutive career seasons at capital clubs. Returning close to the big smoke seemed to be a large part of his thinking in choosing the Hatters. "I had a few offers from Europe, but I said to my agent that I set my mind on staying over here, and here we are," stated Moses, speaking to the BBC upon arrival.

At 33-years-old, the former Crystal Palace man could book-end his career with stints in the EFL. While high-profile personalities joining clubs in a transitional period can easily go wrong, Moses seems like a humble and unproblematic presence in the dressing room, it would be unsurprising if Moses does extend his initial one-year deal.

James Shea

Finally, we have 34-year-old goalkeeper James Shea.

Shea joined Luton Town in 2017 from AFC Wimbledon, having been the Wombles' first-choice keeper during the most successful period in their short existence.

However, now in his eighth season at Kenilworth Road, Shea is yet to record more than 100 league appearances for the side.

Seemingly content with not being first-choice, the London-born shot stopper would likely sign a contract if offered.

When all are fit, however, the order of proceedings seemingly has Thomas Kaminski starting and Tim Krul on the bench, so it may well transpire that Shea is surplus to requirements.