Plymouth Argyle quartet facing career-defining 2024/25 season

It is coming up to 18 months since the quartet of Saxon Earley, Ben Waine, Callum Wright and Tyreik Wright were all signed on permanent transfers by Plymouth Argyle at the start of January 2023.

While all four remain with the Pilgrims - although Tyreik Wright spent the second half of last season on loan to Bradford City in League Two - it is fair to say none of them have really established themselves as first team regulars.

There are some mitigating factors behind that in some cases, and there was an acceptance at the time they joined Argyle they were signings for the future as up-and-coming prospects, rather than proven commodities.

Read More: Billy Rafferty grateful to still feel the love of Argyle fans

You can read more of our Argyle stories from Plymouth Live by clicking HERE

They were also recruited by Argyle as they pushed for League One promotion and although that was successfully achieved the step-up to the Championship was considerable, and that asked a lot of all of the players, not just these four. Inevitably, some were better at making the adjustment than others.

It does feel as though, 18 months after arriving at Home Park, the 2024/25 season is going to be very significant for the quartet of 2023 January signings and the direction of their careers.

Callum Wright is under contract until June 2026, but the other three have deals that end next summer, although there are thought to be club options to extend them for a further 12 months in each case.

Here, Plymouth Live's Argyle reporter Chris Errington gives his assessment of how the past 18 months have gone for the four players and what next season could hold for them.

SAXON EARLEY

The 21-year-old left-sided defender has been denied the chance to show what he is capable of at Argyle by injuries. He has made just six starts and five substitute appearances since arriving from Norwich City following a loan spell with Stevenage in League Two for the first half of the 2022/23 season.

It looked like Earley was set to make a breakthrough when he started the second Championship match last term, the 0-0 draw away to Watford in August, and put in a man-of-the-match performance. However, an ankle ligament injury in training the following week put him on the sidelines.

After battling back to fitness, Earley was loaned to Wycombe Wanderers in League but he suffered a similar ankle injury before playing a game for the Chairboys and that saw him return to Argyle. He is expected to have recovered from that in time for pre-season.

Given the fact he has played so little football since joining the Pilgrims, it would seem to make best sense for Earley to be loaned out to a League One club at least for the first half of next season with the aim of getting regular first team football at a good level and an assessment of what next for him can then be made.

BEN WAINE

The striker is set to miss much of pre-season in July if, as expected, he is selected for the New Zealand squad to take part in the men's football tournament at the Olympic Games in France.

While that would be a great experience for Waine, who turns 23 next month, it would not give him much of an opportunity to impress the Pilgrims' new head coach, whoever that turns out to be, before the competitive Championship action begins.

Waine has made 34 of his 47 appearances for Argyle as a substitute since joining them from New Zealand-based A-League side Wellington Phoenix, with four of his seven goals coming in cup competitions.

He has shown glimpses of potential during his time at Home Park but it is also clear he still has a lot to learn about being a striker so he could be another one to benefit from a loan to a League One or top end League Two club.

CALLUM WRIGHT

Out of the four Argyle permanent signings in January 2023, Callum Wright is the one who has played the most but the 24-year-old has yet to be totally convincing when he has featured in games.

Wright has made a total of 24 starts and 25 substitute appearances for the Pilgrims, which would have been more had he not fallen completely out of favour during Ian Foster's short spell as head coach.

The attacking midfielder has only scored four goals, and all of them came in the League One title charge in 2022/23. Someone of his ability and in the position that he plays has to come up with more than that, even allowing for the fact he has come off the bench so often.

Wright has two more years left on his Argyle contract but he really needs to make his mark in the Championship next season to establish himself. Hopefully, his superb cross for Joe Edwards' vital winning goal against Hull City on the final day of last term is a sign of good things to come.

TYREIK WRIGHT

It would not be a surprise at all if Tyreik Wright moved on this summer. It would probably suit both parties because his time at Home Park has just not worked out.

There is the possibility the new Argyle head coach might want to take a look at the 22-year-old attacking player in pre-season training and games to make his own assessment of him before making a decision on his future.

However, on the evidence of Wright's time with the Pilgrims - just eight starts, five substitute appearances and no goals - it is hard to see him forcing his way into the team in the Championship next season.

Wright played 15 games, including 11 starts, on loan to Bradford and his only two goals came in the same 3-0 win away to Accrington Stanley. He looks like a player who would benefit from a fresh start somewhere else.

Click here to join our Plymouth Argyle breaking news and top stories WhatsApp group and we'll send you exclusive transfer updates, plus news and views from our experts on your favourite football club. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.