Sam Hughes, a new addition to Stockport County’s defense, has already demonstrated his potential value to the club as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Hughes, who developed his skills in the Leicester City academy, made the move to Stockport from Burton Albion this summer on a free transfer. This was despite reports that Burton Albion had offered him a new contract to stay.
His signing followed shortly after Stockport County accepted an offer from Bradford City for their tenacious central defender Neill Byrne.
In Hughes’s debut at Edgeley Park, during a pre-season match against Stoke City, he showcased exactly what he can bring to his new team.
A solid introduction to Edgeley Park for Hughes
Although it wasn’t the 27-year-old’s first appearance for the Hatters, as he had played earlier in the pre-season, it was his debut at SK3 as a County player, entering the game at half-time for defensive stalwart Fraser Horsfall.
Hughes embodied the qualities of an old-school defender that teams often need, especially for a club like County, who are entering a higher league and are expected to face significant challenges.
Facing some of the Championship team’s top attacking players, the new centre-back proved his readiness to block anything for the team and was rarely defeated in aerial duels throughout the half.
He seems capable of adding much-needed toughness to County’s defense, filling a role that may have previously gone unnoticed.
He can fill a vital need in Stockport County’s squad
When reflecting on the Hatters’ title-winning season in the fourth tier in 2023/24, Neill Byrne might not be the first name fans recall, but his contribution was crucial.
Although Byrne was not a regular starter, he made 22 appearances for County across all competitions, with 16 in the league and 10 of those as a starter, primarily in the critical latter part of the season.
Therefore, when the Irishman transferred to Bradford for an undisclosed fee this summer, finding a replacement became essential.
If Sam Hughes is the choice of manager Dave Challinor and director of football Simon Wilson to fill this void, he seems like a strong solution.
While Hughes shares a similar playing style to Byrne, he brings more experience and is four years younger, making this a smart and cost-effective move for County.
Hughes will want to fight for a starting spot
While Byrne appeared satisfied with a supporting role in the squad last season, Hughes is likely aiming to establish himself as one of County’s key defenders this season.
During his four seasons with the Brewers, Hughes exceeded 40 league appearances only once, primarily due to injuries rather than managerial decisions. When healthy, Hughes typically played the full 90 minutes.
| Hughes in League One last season, as per WhoScored | |
|---|---|
| Starts (Sub) | 28 (1) |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.4 |
| Interceptions per 90 | 0.8 |
| Clearances per 90 | 4.6 |
| Pass success rate | 67.3% |
Horsfall and Ethan Pye formed a solid defensive partnership for County last season, making it challenging for Hughes to break into the starting lineup if Challinor continues with a back four, as he did against Stoke. However, Hughes’s credentials suggest he is ready for the challenge.
Convincing Hughes to leave the Pirelli Stadium, where his services were still in demand, demonstrates the Hatters’ determination and the attractive project they are presenting to potential new recruits.
Regardless of his playing time, Hughes is likely to be an important figure for County in the upcoming season, either in a supporting role to push the current defenders to perform better or by establishing himself as a key component of the Hatters’ defensive unit.