Ibrahim Cissoko leaves: Plymouth Argyle will want to avoid these 2 nightmare transfer scenarios this January | OneFootball

The Greens would really be up against it if these two things happened in the coming weeks

Sitting bottom of the league and without a win since November, it might be hard to think that things can’t get worse for Plymouth Argyle this month, but as the great philosopher Mick McCarthy once said: ‘It Can’.

With Wayne Rooney leaving Home Park on New Year’s Eve, the Pilgrims are entering a new era, and will want to sort things out in January ahead of a second half of the season which will involve a tussle against relegation.

Every Janner of a green persuasion will be willing the club on to make the necessary changes to turn their fortunes around in the coming months, but as we all know, football isn’t as straightforward as everyone wants it to be, with hurdles likely needing navigating within the next few weeks.

Here we have outlined two of the worst case scenarios for the Devon outfit within the next month, with their very existence as a Championship club hinging on some major decisions from the club’s hierarchy.

Ibrahim Cissoko leaves Plymouth Argyle

While he has been on the sidelines due to injury since October, New Year’s Day saw the return of Ibrahim Cissoko to the Argyle match day squad, with the Dutchman entering the fray for the last 15 minutes as the Greens rescued a 2-2 draw against Bristol City.

It was a welcome return to action for the Toulouse FC loanee, who helped provide much of the threat going forward in the early stages of the season, and earned a glowing reputation as a result.

With the former NEC Nijmegen man only being borrowed for the current campaign, there is always the risk of losing the player during January, just like Argyle did with playmaker Finn Azaz during the previous season, as Aston Villa recalled their player and promptly sold him to divisional rivals Middlesbrough.

The Greens have learned from their mistakes of the previous 12 months though, with Neil Dewsnip revealing earlier in the season that they have first refusal should any permanent offer come in for Cissoko during this month.

But all that will come down to finances, and whether Argyle can match any bid that may be put in for their exciting wide man. With the arrival of club-record signing Michael Baidoo, and a promise from owner Simon Hallett of extra funds being available, there may well be funds available should Argyle need to loosen their purse strings to keep hold of Cissoko on a permanent basis this month, but his departure is still a possibility.

Plymouth Argyle fail to bring in extra firepower

With the departure of Andre Gray confirmed earlier this month, Argyle are looking considerably light up top heading into the second-half of the season, with Michael Obafemi and Ryan Hardie the only fit strikers at this moment in time.

Muhamed Tijani is working his way back from a lengthy layoff, but the Greens will be looking to add another body or two at the business end of the pitch, to make sure there are enough goals in the side to help in their battle against the drop.

Gray netted three times in his 13 appearances, with a brace against former club Watford earning his side a point, while he also contributed towards the comeback from 3-0 down against Preston North End to earn a point in the most dramatic of circumstances.

While he could be trusted to find the back of the net on the odd occasion, the former Luton Town man’s immobility was a hindrance in Argyle’s buildup play over the last two months, and a more energetic striker could help their cause between now and May.

While Baidoo has entered the fray to help the creativity in the final third, the Pilgrims still need a player capable of burying the chances that come along, with Hardie and Obafemi both being culpable of profligacy this season, with goals coming at a premium, especially on the road.

Liverpool starlet Jayden Danns has been linked with a move to Home Park since the summer, and has once again been touted to join the Pilgrims in the current transfer window, with the teenager seen as a top prospect for the future at Anfield right now.

A hungry, effervescent striker could make all the difference to this side going forward, and if they fail to make any additions, it could be a long, hard slog for Argyle between now and the end of the campaign.