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Wanderers’ grip has not been tested on any of their first team stars this summer – and Ian Evatt rather hopes it stays that way!
Player movement has only been in one direction since the transfer window reopened, with Bolton so far managing to add five players on permanent deals.
Evatt has always been open about the possibility of his players moving on – and had to make a big decision in January when Wanderers decided to accept an offer from German club St Pauli for Dapo Afolayan.
But with all focus fixed on building a squad capable of achieving automatic promotion this season in League One, he is glad to report that the only phone calls he has been receiving are from agents trying to get their players a move to the Toughsheet Stadium.
“It has been quiet and I hope that doesn’t change,” he told The Bolton News.
“Player trading is a big part of football and it is a big part of what we will have to get right to get back to the very top. That’s the honest truth.
“Everybody has a price. When and if offers come in for our players then we look at them and see if it is the right deal for us, or not.
“But there are lots of parts to that – and it is not just about the money, it is the effect selling that player could have on our team, it could be what they are like as a character and how it will impact the dressing room.
“All these things we will take into consideration as we always do, or at least since I have been in charge.”
Wanderers signed Will Forrester from Port Vale earlier this week to complete their central defensive set and had already welcomed Nathan Baxter from Chelsea and Joel Coleman from Ipswich Town to fill their two vacant senior goalkeeper spots.
Evatt is happy that he has got a good blend between the two players, who have both played football at a higher level and are looking to progress their careers.
“Joel is a steady, safe pair of hands,” he said. “He understands the role and was with Ipswich last season, he was part of that squad and watched them get promoted. He is from Bolton, which also has huge importance because he understands the fans and the area.
“Nathan is 24 and is at an age where he needs a home to go and blossom. He has been at Chelsea from a very young age and you don’t spend that sort of time unless you are highly-rated and highly-talented.
“We think he is a Championship goalkeeper at the very least and again he is embracing the challenge of taking over from James (Trafford) who was hugely successful here. James had a great time, but players move on and others get opportunities.”
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