My Grimsby Town transfer deadline dream involves 6'4" aggressor | OneFootball

Grimsby need too add some physicality, particularly in defence, and the Eastleigh centre-back could be the perfect, cost-effective fit.

Grimsby Town boss David Artell is known to prefer a possession-based, technical style, and has recruited as such so far in his 15-month tenure as Mariners boss. However, with League Two being a physically relentless division where height and strength plays its part in the majority of successful sides, perhaps the Blundell Park outfit need to address that balance a little over the next couple of transfer windows.

It's noticeable how much smaller Artell's side are in comparison to many of their opponents, making defending set-pieces and winning aerial duels difficult for the Mariners.

While the Grimsby boss is keen for his side to open teams up by playing through the lines, starting with defenders dropping short and receiving the ball from the goalkeeper to initiate moves from deep, it's important the Mariners' protect themselves from getting overrun by sides who press hard, pin them back, and put crosses into the box with regularity.

Adding a couple of no-nonsense enforcers through the spine of the side to protect the ball-playing technicians could see that balance addressed and get the best out of the Grimsby squad as a whole.

A mobile target-man striker continues to elude Artell in the transfer market, while many Mariners fans feel a dominant central defender is a necessity moving forward, with National League side Eastleigh's Ludwig Francillette fitting the bill.

Ludwig Francillette's contract expires in the summer

25-year-old Francillette spent some time in the respective youth setups of both French outfit Dijon FCO and Premier League club Newcastle United, before joining fourth-tier Crawley Town in 2021.

Quickly becoming a regular at the heart of the Red Devils defence, the Guadeloupean, who has represented his country at youth level, would make 59 appearances for the West Sussex outfit, before joining National League Eastleigh in 2023.

He's since become a key player for a Spitfires side harbouring hopes of a play-off spot at the end of the season. However, with his contract expiring in the summer, it could be a good time for Grimsby to swoop and add a cost-effective, much-needed defensive alternative to their squad.

Standing at 6'4" tall, Francillette is imposing and dominant aerially, but also quick and technically proficient, possessing all the attributes a David Artell side needs and wants.

Being in his mid-twenties, the defender also holds potential re-sale value in the future, making him a prime target for any League Two side looking to upgrade and evolve.

Francillette and McJannet would make a well-balanced pairing

Artell brought in ball-playing centre-back Cameron McJannet from League of Ireland side Derry City in the summer, with the 26-year-old former Stoke City man settling in brilliantly on the whole.

The left-footed defender is key to starting many of the Mariners attacks. Comfortable on the ball, he's linked up well with full-back Denver Hume, and is also capable of long, cross-pitch diagonals to change the play.

While colleagues Harvey Rodgers and Doug Tharme have been steady alongside McJannet, neither have that dominance and authority to take command of physical battles in the way Francillette does, while the Guadeloupe man has recent experience of League Two level football and its requirements.

A partnership containing McJannet and Francillette would tick all the boxes, help the Mariners cope physically, and offer protection to the many talented footballers now at Blundell Park, while maintaining Artell's preferred possession-heavy stylistic approach. Given the likely cost and current contractual situation, Grimsby should be giving the Eastleigh man serious consideration before the window closes.