7 players Rotherham United should target to kickstart Matt Hamshaw rebuild - Semi Ajayi & Jodi Jones feature | OneFootball

With the Millers needing fresh bodies ahead of 2025-26, here are a plethora of players that Hamshaw needs to look at ASAP

Rotherham boss Matt Hamshaw currently has only a squad of 11 men ready to face battle in League One next season for another promotion push with the Millers, meaning reinforcements are needed ahead of pre-season.

With the squad already diminished on numbers and a further 10 departing due to contract expirations and loans moving back to their parent clubs, Hamshaw has an almighty job in bringing fresh faces to the New York Stadium.

With the Millers looking for a return to the Championship, a huge rebuild is both needed and should already be underway, with their transition period beginning when the new man took charge after Steve Evans’ departure.

With Joe Powell, Sam Nombe, Cameron Dawson and Zak Jules almost guaranteeing themselves with a place in the new Hamshaw setup, it leaves another seven positions to be desired.

Here are SEVEN individuals that Hamshaw should be looking at acquiring this summer, in what promises to be another busy season at the South Yorkshire outfit.

Dan Gore - Man United

Dan Gore will be a name familiar with Rotherham fans already, as the England under-20's international spent the second half of the season with the Millers – albeit only managing three appearances due to injuries.

Gore managed to start the final game of the season for Rotherham and that was all that was needed for Hamshaw to enquire around the Manchester United youth captain’s services for next season.

An all-action, technically fantastic, energetic and aggressive central midfielder – Gore is exactly the sort of player Hamshaw has coached and got the best out of with his time under Paul Warne.

A Gore return would be a loan move, but with the midfielder out of contract with Manchester United next summer, it could be a move that yields greater long-term rewards for the Millers.

Terry Taylor - Charlton Athletic

Current Charlton Athletic midfielder Terry Taylor spent the first half of the season battling injury, and the last part of it playing at a struggling Northampton Town on loan.

But in Kevin Nolan's side, Taylor proved his quality from deep, creating six key passes whilst also taking dangerous set pieces and dictating play.

Making his name at Burton, Taylor showcased his abilities both off the ball with his energy, tackling, aerial duels and recoveries across the midfield which earned himself a move to Charlton – of which, has not yet come to fruition.

His abilities off the ball will be key to the style of Hamshaw – running, aggression, vision and intelligence will remind many players of a rawer Dan Barlaser – a player Millers fans know and hold dear.

With his time at Charlton looking like it is coming to an end due to his lack of game-time, Rotherham should be pursing the all-action holding midfielder to add to their bite in the middle.

Sebastian Revan - Wrexham

Again, another player who Millers fans know all too well – Seb Revan will be a big player in his future, but currently is seeing his time with Wrexham frustrating as he has struggled for minutes.

With the Red Dragons now vying for Championship solidity, Revan’s time at the club may be up, and with that, the pathway may be open for the full-back's return to Rotherham.

One of Rotherham’s best performers in their disappointing Championship campaign of 2023/2024, Revan made himself a fan favourite with his 100 per cent commitment every time he stepped on the pitch, and his versatility along the back-line, deputising as a centre half and each side of a back four and a back five, was helpful to the cause.

Revan has showed his ability to drive play forward, have great crossing ability and be relied upon at the back during his time with the Millers. However, his time with Wrexham has proved less fruitful as one journalist described him as the “biggest disappointment of the season”.

Revan is still a young player at 21 and his development will be key under a manager and coach such as Hamshaw, but he has all the physical and technical foundations to become a long term fantastic left wing back.

If Hamshaw can instil that confidence, Revan could be a case for one of Rotherham’s marquee signings.

Jodi Jones - Notts County

A move for Jodi Jones would be a real coup for the Millers, but with Notts County having now failed in the play-offs, the winger/wing-back may be a player who now sees his future above League Two.

Winnning the PFA League Two Player of the Year for the 2023/2024 season after his record breaking 24 assists from wing-back, Jones has plenty of talent, but injuries suffered during 2024-25 has meant that the Malta international has not regained his sharpness that saw him break Kevin De Brunye’s record of most assists in a single season.

A quick, direct, skillful wide player who can be unplayable on his day, Jones is the sort of wildcard and exciting player that Rotherham require to shoot themselves into play-off contention, albeit, the injury record may deter them from making a move.

Despite this, Jones’ skill, playmaking ability and defensive work rate are good enough to be in higher divisions, and with Notts Country now remaining in League Two, Rotherham may be able to turn the head of one of the most creative players in the third and fourth divisions.

Connor Taylor - Bristol Rovers

With current Captain and central defender stalwart Hakeem Odoffin leaving the club after a resilient four-year stint, the gap he leaves behind will be extremely tough to fill.

But the capabilities of 23-year-old Connor Taylor, of recently relegated Bristol Rovers, will be someone the Millers should cast an eye over, despite the fact he was part of a defence that has dropped into League Two.

An imposing figure at the back at 6 feet tall, Taylor topped the Rovers’ charts in defensive statistics and across League One, ranking in the top 10 per cent for tackles won, duels won and aerial duels won.

His time with the Gas could be over following relegation, and his impressive defensive season, complete with the physical and technical attributes required for the modern centre-half, means he won't be short of suitors.

Whilst also comfortable across the back three, Taylor will be a player that suits Matt Hamshaw’s system as a central defensive powerhouse and defensive stalwart at the back.

Callum Marshall - West Ham

Already acquainted within League One, Marshall made himself one of the hardest strikers to play against with his running, directness and energy proving himself Huddersfield key man as he notched the Player of the Year award for the Terriers.

Helping himself to nine league goals across the campaign, Marshall showed his knack in front of goal, if not all too inconsistently to gain himself that bigger step up to the Championship.

Hamshaw has a pedigree of improving youth players and unlocking their full potential – Barlaser, Chiedozie Ogbene and Ben Wiles being three key figures – and it would lay within both player and parent club best interests to allow the young Northern Irish forward another stint at League One level to truly breakout onto the stage.

This could potentially be a real coup for Rotherham if they target the forward, but they will likely face competition from a whole host of other third tier outfits.

Semi Ajayi - Free agent

Bringing Semi Ajayi back to the club would be the signing with the most intent behind it.

A player who has previously played under Hamshaw at Rotherham during his three-year stint with the club as Warne's assistant, Ajayi then went on to play Premier League football for West Brom, where he has been ever since.

Despite falling out of favour at the Baggies in recent times, Ajayi would be bringing with him a wealth of experience, talent and physicality to the Rotherham team – not to mention a warm welcome as a former Millers favourite.

The Nigerian's wage demands could potentially be an issue, but if Rotherham want an experienced Odoffin replacement, then Ajayi could be the man for the job in the short-term.