Millwall have finished eighth in the Championship table in two of the last four seasons. As it stands, they are well placed to go one step further, sitting just seven points adrift of the play-offs.
All of this would not be possible, however, without one of the most naturally-gifted footballers in the whole of the Championship.
Everyone knows how important Jed Wallace is to Millwall. He is their talisman, often their top scorer, a genuine match-winner in a squad short of game-changing talent.
For many Millwall supporters, life without Wallace doesn’t bare thinking about. Unfortunately, with his contract expiring in five months’ time, a nightmare scenario is about to become reality.
“We’re in a situation where we would love Jed to stay and sign a new contract but he is out of contract at the end of the season,” manager Gary Rowett told the South London Press on Thursday.
“We have to be open-minded to all scenarios. What we don’t want to do is lose one of our best players over the past four or five seasons for nothing.”
Could Jed Wallace join Leeds United or Watford?
The implication is clear.
After losing the likes of Aiden O’Brien and Lee Gregory on free transfers, Millwall may consider cashing in on Wallace now – with half of the season remaining – rather than let his contract run down.
Nottingham Forest have made a pair of so-called ‘derisory’ bids – the biggest reported to be in the region of £1.2 million – with relegation-threatened Premier League pair Leeds United and Watford watching the situation closely (The News).
Millwall without Wallace feels like the Terminator without Arnie, a Independence Day reboot shorn of Will Smith’s scenery-chewing talents.
Replacing the former Portsmouth star will be easier said than done, assuming it’s even possible. Though you don’t need to tell Millwall fans that the the prospect of post-Wallace era is a rather daunting thought.
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