Grimsby Town and David Artell should take five-fold action before switching focus to transfers | OneFootball

Securing some of the Mariners' key man on longer-term deals should be every bit as important as any new additions David Artell will make this summer.

Grimsby Town's marked improvement last season can be measured by how many individual players stood out and impressed as part of head coach David Artell's evolving, if inconsistent, collective unit. As a consequence, supporters would surely like nothing more than for their club to maintain their proactive approach to contract extensions alongside the addition of new recruits this summer.

The Mariners have the vast majority of their squad already under contract for the upcoming 2025/26 League Two campaign, with captain Danny Rose and influential midfielder Kieran Green both agreeing new terms during the previous campaign.

However, much of Grimsby's squad will be out of contract this time next year as it stands, with just Green, Darragh Burns and Géza Dávid Turi currently secured beyond that point.

While that will likely change in the coming weeks and months, as new players arrive to supplement and strengthen Artell's squad, it's a situation the former Crewe Alexandra boss will be acutely aware of as he looks to achieve the balance between continuation and refinement over the summer.

Many key men need to be offered new Grimsby deals as a matter of priority

While player form and their importance to a side can fluctuate from one season to the next, Grimsby have many important players heading towards the peak years of their careers who will be out of contract and able to leave on a free transfer in 12 months' time.

While it's possible that the Mariners may have interest from clubs higher up the pyramid for some of those individuals this summer, there's up to five players who should be targeted with new terms imminently to show the club's intent moving forward.

Player of the Year George McEachran is the obvious one at this juncture that stands out, but versatile midfield partner Evan Khouri has come on leaps and bounds recently, showing development within his all-round game and real leadership qualities. The 22-year-old is another whom the Mariners' hierarchy should be looking at offering a long-term deal to as soon as possible.

Icelandic winger Jason Dadi Svanthórsson's performances improved rapidly throughout the last campaign, and his versatility and impact are vital to Artell's side as an attacking force. Meanwhile, fellow 2024 signing Cameron McJannet has been a revelation at centre-back since joining from Irish top-flight club Derry City. Both will have caught the attention of others, but, as the pair have just one more year on their Grimsby contract, the club should at least be considering offering them an early opportunity to extend their stay in North East Lincolnshire.

Defender Doug Tharme also has just 12 months remaining on his Mariners' deal. The former Blackpool man is an important figure at the heart of the back four/five, and while Artell may be looking for a little more athleticism as he seeks to solidify his side, the 25-year-old's leadership skills are vital to those around him.

Tharme is a wholehearted player, appreciated by supporters, and seemingly by his teammates and management, too, with the Birkenhead man appearing to be an important voice within the Mariners' dressing room and behind the scenes.

Other players began to flourish at various stages throughout the last campaign, but if the Blundell Park outfit can agree new terms with at least some of the aforementioned quintet, they'll be in a strong position from which to strengthen.

Grimsby have proved they will allow players to progress

Under Artell's guidance, many players have noticeably developed and improved their game, reaching levels that they had, perhaps, previously been beyond them.

The likes of Green, Denver Hume, Khouri, and McEachran stand out as players that had great, if unfulfilled, potential before working with the 44-year-old, with all very much flourishing under his stewardship.

The club have also shown they won't stand in the players' way if a suitable deal with a club higher up the pyramid can be struck for one of their key men, with the likes of defender Matthew Pollock and midfielder Kamil Conteh leaving to join Watford and Bristol Rovers, respectively, in recent years.

This should give the previously mentioned key men the assurance that signing a new Mariners deal is beneficial for their aspirations, both at Blundell Park, and in terms of their future. They can continue to play and improve under the Mariners' coaching team, whilst knowing that they will have the freedom to further themselves should the opportunity arise.

Artell and the Grimsby board are certainly proactive in their approach to these things, and they should definitely be considering offering new contracts to their top performers this summer, at the same time as adding new recruits.