Blackpool FC shock could open Stockport County to audacious Norwich City ploy | OneFootball

Stockport County may have a way to turn a tough situation into a win

There was shock among fans at Stockport County when it was announced that defender Fraser Horsfall had accepted a contract offer from division rivals Blackpool.

Already an area the Hatters were short in heading into the summer, the 28-year-old’s departure seemingly only adds to the headache.

It follows Brad Hills’ return to parent club, Norwich City, after a loan spell that saw the young centre-back impress at Edgeley Park.

Hills, on the face of it, looks to be out of County’s league, but the Hatters could yet still find a way to turn Horsfall’s exit into a selling point.

Horsfall’s Blackpool move was a shock

Horsfall had reached the end of his contract with County, having performed at a consistently high level under Dave Challinor for the previous three years, so that he attracted interest is not, in itself, surprising.

What is notable is that it was the Seasiders who prized him away, given their middling form last season and with there being no obvious emotional attachment to the move for Horsfall.

The key motivating factor appears to have been the offer of a four-year deal, uncommon at this level for a player of Horsfall’s age, which journalist Sam Byrne revealed blew other interested parties out of the water, including Championship clubs.

Not unreasonably, Horsfall clearly felt it was an offer too good to refuse, and so the Hatters’ hunt for a replacement begins.

County would know what they’re getting with Hills

The Hatters, with Horsfall still in place, were already short on defenders last season, so enlisted the help of Hills during the winter window.

He grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

Still just 21 years old, he showed a maturity beyond his years in his 18 League One outings for the club, an assured presence in the backline with enough quality on the ball to cover at full-back when required.

Few would expect County to be able to get a permanent deal over the line for a young defender already showing such promise in the senior game, but Horsfall’s departure may give Stockport an edge.

Hills deal would be tricky, but there’s a project to sell

Given Hills took to League One football so well at his age, the natural presumption would see him loaned to a lower-end Championship side or remaining with the Canaries to fight for minutes from the bench, as he was attempting to do last year.

But Horsfall’s departure opens up a senior role in County’s weekly XI, with no obvious incumbent squad members ready to fill the gap alongside Ethan Pye.

If Hills goes on another loan, or stays at Norwich, it will be back to fighting to prove himself and earn minutes here and there. Given his performances for the club, County may be open to affording him a seniority not immediately on offer anywhere else.

The club have already shown a willingness to make moves like this, bringing in Lewis Bate last summer, then similarly 21 years old, and handing him the club captaincy on arrival.

A move for Hills certainly looks expensive, and missing out on promotion will no doubt make it a much harder sell, but if County can offer the Norwich man a similar seniority and vision that they provided for Bate, there’s a slim chance it just might work.