Former Blackburn Rovers star David Bentley has stressed the importance of securing a new deal for young winger Tyrhys Dolan, who is set to be out of contract next summer.
Dolan has impressed in recent months, and Bentley believes hanging on to him is ‘key’ for the club, if they want to push on. The 21-year-old began his youth career at Manchester City before moving to Burnley and later Preston North End. Dolan joined Blackburn in 2020, quickly establishing himself as a key player, making over 150 appearances and scoring 17 goals. Internationally, he has represented England at the U20 level.
Bentley highlighted the increasing competitiveness of the Championship and the financial power of rival clubs, emphasising that retaining key players like Dolan is essential for the club’s future ambitions.
“It’s always important to keep good players as it can be hard to replace,” Bentley said. “The Championship is so competitive now, some clubs have decent money to spend on transfers and can come calling for your players. So if you want to push on, it’s key that the club look to keep Dolan and sign him up.”
Bentley also offered advice to the 22-year-old, encouraging him to stay focused on his performance and development. As a player who broke onto the scene early with fanfare himself, Bentley knows a bit about making the most of his potential.
“My advice would be to keep your head down and keep looking to learn and perform each week. Keep looking to be on that teamsheet and play week in week out. Be comfortable with your environment both on and off the field and you can go far.”
With Dolan continuing to play a pivotal role in Blackburn’s squad, Bentley’s words highlight the urgency for the club to secure his future amidst increasing interest from elsewhere.
Blackburn Rovers 24/25
Blackburn Rovers have had a strong start to the 2024/25 season under manager John Eustace. After four matches, they remain unbeaten, with some big results, including a 1-1 draw against fierce rivals Burnley. Other early fixtures have included a 4-2 victory over Derby County on the opening day and a notable 2-1 win over Oxford United, which has also helped maintain their momentum.
David Bentley
Pundit Bentley is best known for his time at Rovers, where he made his mark in English football. Joining the club in 2006 from Arsenal, Bentley quickly became a key player for Rovers, renowned for his crossing ability, vision, and flair. During his time at Blackburn, he made 102 league appearances, scoring 13 goals, including a memorable hat-trick against Manchester United in 2006.
Bentley’s performances at Blackburn earned him a call-up to the England national team, where he made seven appearances between 2007 and 2008. His international debut came in a friendly against Israel, and he was tipped as a future star, often compared to David Beckham for his set-piece delivery and style of play.
Bentley’s success at Blackburn eventually led to a big-money move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2008, but his finest footballing years were undoubtedly with Rovers, where he cemented his reputation as one of the Premier League’s standout wingers during his time at the club.
Despite his later career struggles, his time at Blackburn remains a highlight in English football.
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