"I am surprised" - Claim made on Michał Helik's Huddersfield Town future | OneFootball

FLW spoke to Huddersfield Town's fan pundit to discuss Michal Helik's future at the club

Highlights

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…

Huddersfield Town are preparing for life in League One, and despite recently selling Jack Rudoni to Coventry City, the Terriers look in good shape to compete for an immediate return to the Championship.

Not many players emerged with any credit after a disappointing 2023/24 season, but Michał Helik certainly did, and remarkably, he finished as the club's top scorer with nine goals, despite being a centre-back.

It was the Polish international's second season at the John Smith's Stadium, and he picked up the Player of the Year award yet again, after winning it in his first season, showing just how important he is to the Terriers.

However, quite surprisingly, there has been no talk of Helik being linked with a move away this summer, which will be music to the ears of Huddersfield Town fans as he's such a key player for them.

Huddersfield Town supporters shocked by lack of interest in Michał Helik

Given Helik's performances over the last two years, coupled with the fact that Huddersfield Town have been relegated, you'd have thought that clubs in the Championship would be queuing up to sign the Polish international, but that's not been the case, much to the surprise of the Terriers' fanbase.

Our Huddersfield fan pundit, Graeme Rayner, is pleasantly surprised by the lack of interest in Helik, and hopes it will continue.

Speaking to Football League World, Graeme said: "In terms of Michal Helik, I am surprised, there doesn’t even seem to be any rumours.

“I’m pleasantly surprised, and I’m trying not to get my hopes up that we’ll be able to keep him.

"There’s a chance that he’s been asked to give us one season in League One to try and get us out of it, and I hope if that’s what’s been proposed, he’ll take us up on it. "He’s our biggest remaining asset, alongside perhaps Sorba Thomas, and I think if we were to have a back three of Helik, Radinio Balker and Brodie Spencer with Sorensen at right wing-back and perhaps a new left wing-back, then that will be a cracking defence, and I couldn’t see many teams in League One having such a strong backline. “Maybe we’ve decided we don’t need to sell, the money coming in from Rudoni certainly makes that easier for us, so let’s try and keep hold of him.

“But if he goes, I wish him well, and he doesn’t owe us anything, but go out and invest in someone to strengthen that backline.”

Keeping Michał Helik would be a serious statement of intent

If Huddersfield were able to keep Helik at the club, it would arguably be bigger than any potential signing, such is the Polish international's quality.

As Graeme mentioned above, it would leave Huddersfield with one of the best defences in the league, and they'd be well-placed to make an immediate return to the Championship - which is obviously the aim.

However, the one problem they do face is that Helik's contract at the club is due to expire next summer, so if they wish to sell him for a fee they will have to do so this summer, unless they can negotiate a new contract with him during the course of the season.

Following Jack Rudoni's departure to Coventry, Huddersfield may not need to cash in on Helik, and could perhaps risk losing him on a free next summer providing he helps them win promotion this season.

Helik has proved his worth in the Championship with both Barnsley and Huddersfield, so he'd likely be one of, if not the best defender in League One if he stays with the Terriers.

Keeping the 28-year-old at the club would be a huge, unexpected boost, but there's still plenty of time for a summer move yet.