Plymouth Argyle tipped to offload £5k-per-week star on loan | OneFootball

FLW's Plymouth Argyle pundit has given his take on what player had underdelivered in 2024-25.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Plymouth Argyle are on the verge of being relegated to League One with two games left to save their skin.

While Miron Muslic has overseen an upturn in results since his arrival, the club still face an uphill battle in the remainder of the season.

They currently sit rock bottom of the Championship, with a three-point gap to make up on Derby County between now and 3rd May. The major concern is their significantly inferior goal difference compared to those above them.

In truth, it has been a sobering campaign. The appointment of Wayne Rooney at the start of the season has ultimately left them in the predicament they now face. Muslic has recently admitted that, had he been in charge from the beginning of the 2024–25 season, the club wouldn’t be anywhere near the threat of relegation.

As it stands though, they are staring down the barrel of a return to League One, and a number of players have struggled to perform at Home Park this term.

Nathanael Ogbeta has disappointed for Plymouth Argyle

While some players have enjoyed a resurgence under Muslic, several others have continued to underperform and Football League World’s resident Pilgrim, Chris, has highlighted a number of those who have struggled during the 2024–25 campaign.

"There have been some up-and-down moments in this second season in the Championship for Argyle," Chris told FLW. "With the season drawing to a close over the next few matches, the fans are starting to reflect on individual performances throughout the campaign.

"Considering where we are in the table, we’ve seen some lacklustre performances across the squad. However, there have also been moments of magic from certain individuals.

"Looking at some of the winter transfers that came in, like Michael Baidoo - unfortunately, he hasn’t made an impact since joining us for what was, at the time, a record fee of £1.5 million.

"Taking the season as a whole, the player who has underperformed throughout is the free transfer from Swansea City, Nathanael Ogbeta. Brought in to bolster the wing-back position, unfortunately, the League One winger has not been able to make the impact we had hoped for.

"Although he scored a crucial equaliser in a match against Sunderland, in other fixtures - both at Home Park and away - he has failed to show his quality at Championship level.

"I firmly believe that, whether we remain in the Championship or drop to League One, he will be loaned out to another club in a bid to build confidence and gain experience. There is potential for him to improve and work his way back into the first-team fold."

Nathanael Ogbeta isn't Championship ready

Ogbeta initially emerged onto the scene at Shrewsbury Town after departing Manchester City's academy and across his 18 months with the club he really impressed.

Featuring as a left wing-back, he began to catch the eye of clubs higher up the English football pyramid, and it was Swansea City who signed him in January 2022, hoping to mould him into a Championship-level player.

Unfortunately, that never materialised. The England youth international was not trusted to feature regularly, making just three appearances during his time with the club. Subsequently, loan spells to League One sides followed, and at both Peterborough and later Bolton, he continued to impress in the third tier.

That, in itself, is telling of the level he’s currently best suited to. While Chris has urged Plymouth to loan him out next season, he could yet prove useful if the club suffer relegation.

The £5k-a-week star is certainly a player more effective going forward, and in a side pushing for promotion, he could be a real asset. With that in mind, it might be worth keeping him around at Home Park for the 2025-26 season, especially if Plymouth are sent down to League One.