Stockport County fears raised over potential "disastrous" summer exit | OneFootball

FLW's Stockport County fan pundit has revealed his biggest fear ahead of the summer transfer window.

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...

As their rise up the leagues continues, Stockport County are currently in contention to achieve promotion to the Championship.

After winning the League Two title last season, Stockport have adapted seamlessly to life back in League One, and following their 2-0 win at Exeter City on Saturday, they look firmly on course to secure a play-off place.

Plenty of players have impressed for the Hatters over the past few seasons, but one of the standout performers for Dave Challinor's men in recent times has been defender Ethan Pye.

Pye came through the Stockport academy, and after loan spells with non-league Spennymoor Town and Gateshead, he established himself in the first-team at Edgeley Park last season, scoring one goal and providing two assists in 42 games during his side's title-winning campaign.

After signing a new three-year contract in the summer, Pye has been a virtual ever-present for the Hatters in their League One promotion push this season, scoring one goal and registering two assists in 43 appearances so far.

Stockport County's Ethan Pye tipped to attract Championship interest

When asked what his biggest concern is ahead of the summer transfer window, FLW's Stockport County fan pundit James Cropper admitted that he fears Pye could depart for the Championship if the club fail to achieve promotion, and he claimed that, aside from former loanee Louie Barry, the 22-year-old has been the Hatters' best player this season.

"My main concern about the summer transfer window is us letting go of Ethan Pye," James said.

"If you count Louie Barry, then it would be him, but if you only count permanent players, Ethan Pye has been by far our best player this season.

"I know he got a red card against Burton at the very end, but he is a fantastic defender.

"He's quick, he's good with the ball at his feet, he's strong and he's really good at making tackles.

"Against Burton last Saturday, he was making some really good balls, and I think he's a modern defender.

"In the lower leagues, you get a lot of defenders who are less modern and just like to clear the ball.

"He's very good at recovering a situation, and I think he is our best player.

"My main concern is that he will be poached by a Championship club if we don't go up.

"To be honest, I think it would be better for us to stay down this season.

"I'd like us to go up, but I think for our development, it would be better for us to go down.

"I think we'll get play-offs, but our record in the play-offs is not the best, and if we have to play Wrexham, Wycombe or Charlton, I just can't see us beating them, they are very good sides.

"My biggest concern is that I can definitely see a mid-table Championship side, like Preston for example, thinking that he's good and will come to them.

"We've got a lot of centre-backs, such as Brad Hills and Fraser Horsfall, and Sam Hughes is absolutely smashing it at Peterborough, so hopefully he can come back to us and replicate the same form, but losing Ethan Pye would be pretty disastrous."

Dave Challinor may already have perfect Ethan Pye replacement at Stockport County

It is difficult to disagree with James that Pye will likely be on the radar of Championship clubs in the summer, and Stockport could be vulnerable to losing him if they do not win promotion this season.

The Hatters are an ambitious club with exciting long-term plans, so Pye could potentially be convinced to stay at Edgeley Park in League One for another season, but if he was to depart, it would undoubtedly be a huge blow for Challinor.

It will be incredibly tough for Stockport to bring Brad Hills back from Norwich City in the summer, so Challinor may be facing the prospect of being without two of his best defenders next season, but as James says, Sam Hughes has starred during his loan spell at Peterborough United, and he will surely be given the chance to impress during pre-season.