Wycombe Wanderers look to go into the winter window in a position of almost curiosity. Multiple seasons of heavy spending and plenty of additions have still not seen Wycombe ultimately create a team that’s ready to battle at the very top under Michael Duff, and the first part of that stems from the defence.
Anders Hagelskjaer’s integration into the team since joining in January of 2025 has been slow, but under Duff he has quickly cemented his place as the left-sided centre-back. Now eyes turn to finding his potential long term partner on the right hand side.
Dan Casey, Connor Taylor and Taylor Allen were brought in the summer window to shore up the right hand of defence, while Declan Skura remains locked in purgatory for crimes as yet unknown to fans. Casey and Taylor as right footed center backs have both had gametime to show their abilities, but both haven’t convinced. Taylor is an exceptional asset in the air but has made a few errors in defence, while Casey is a jack of all trades who even played at RB, but is also master of none.
Allen meanwhile, appeared frequently for Wycombe under former boss Mike Dodds but hasn’t played for the Chairboys since late October, but as a left footed played would also be ill-suited to be a viable option alongside Anders.
To find the ideal partner for the Dane, it may be worthwhile taking a look at the areas he struggles in.
Whilst exceptional at his passing and ground duels, he struggles to win balls in the air. Whilst this would suggest Taylor would be his ideal partner (which is also what Duff has deduced, with Taylor starting many of his games when he’s been available alongside Hagelskjaer).
We’ll look at three players we think could be suitable long-term partners for Hagelskjaer, so no loans and ideally no players over the age of 27 to fit with the clubs typical recruitment strategy.
Option One: Mamadou Jobe, 22 years old, Cambridge United
The 22 year old already has bundles of experience following loan spells with Concord Rangers, St Albans City, Maidstone United and Gateshead FC, but this season he has came into his own as Cambridge United battle it out in the promotion race in League Two.
The 22 year old signed a three year extension in 2024 so would have another year and a half left on his contract, but Cambridge may be convinced to sell now in order to avoid the young CB from running his contract down.
Jobe excels in a similar role to Hagelskjaer, in showing strong passing ability in not just passes but also long passes and playing into the final third, but his duel rate is also strong, winning 62.2% of his ground duels and 65.1% of his aerial duels. However, at 6’1, he would not be the impervious tall man that could help keep high balls out.
If Wycombe want another young, ball playing that could continue to develop, Jobe may well be one avenue to explore.
Option Two: Jamal Baptiste, Rotherham United (On loan from Sheffield United), 22 years old
If you want an old school brick wall to partner the Rolls Royce Hagelskjaer, look no further than Rotherham United loanee Jamal Baptiste.
In an era where the ball playing center back, who can launch line splitting balls is becoming ever more popular, Baptiste says “no” and simply loves doing defensive work.
He is in the top 5% for defensive actions in League One, and excels similarly and defensive duels and interceptions, but the trade-off is a lower passing ability. Albeit, this is affected by Rotherham’s style of play, with the Millers having the fourth-lowest average possession in the entire league. Centre-backs in this system are not asked to play out, but rather focus on defensive stability.
Having a traditional, old-school center back alongside Hagelskjaer could work wonders for Wycombe’s defence, whilst also having the upside of time to develop into a more mature and well rounded player at just 22.
Option Three: Charlie Barker, Crawley Town, 22 years old
I didn’t mean to have every player so far that I suggest be 22 yet here we are. Charlie Barker has worked his way back up the pyramid following his release by Charlton Athletic in 2023. He joined Wealdstone, making 77 appearances for the Stones before joining Crawley Town in June 2024, where he has marked himself as an exceptional prospect, winning Crawley’s Player of the Season.
He has continued that form into this season, becoming a supremely well-rounded centre-back who is capable of almost every aspect of the game, being a truly fantastic ball playing defender with plenty of room to grow.
Unfortunately, he is less impressive in his defensive statistics (but still respectable) at his defensive actions and duels, yet would likely be weaker at the same elements of the game as Hagelskjaer. Similar player to Jobe in many aspects, in being a fantastic ball playing defender with ample room to grow in the future.
Option Four: Julius Askou, OB, 19 Years Old
Wycombe have looked to find market value abroad, particularly in Scandinavian markets, and perhaps they will look to repeat their Hagelskjaer signing with 19-year-old Julius Askou of OB in Denmark.
While very probably quite an optimistic signing given the 19 year olds talent, Julius would slot in as an exceptional long term partner for Anders at right centre-back.
He would act as an exceptional balance to Anders, with Askou being strongest at his duels and defensive actions, while being serviceable, if not exceptional at his passing.
The Danish Superliga also takes a break soon, with OB resuming their final four league matches in February, creating an excellent window for Askou to join. However, at a young age and coming from an overseas country, he may not be ready to start week in week out in a new place and league, and may need the rest of the 25/26 season to bed in to prepare for the season thereafter.
Option Five: Kourtney Hause, 30, Free Agent (Released by Aston Villa)
Don’t worry, I’m not genuinely suggesting him as an option. I’m including him more to highlight how different Wycombe’s recruitment has become.
On the face of it, Kourtney Hause would have been the perfect Wycombe signing just a few years ago, an aging former academy player who has fallen out of love with the game and looking to regain his feet after a period out or struggling. Just look at many of Gareth Ainsworth’s signings, Josh Scowen, Alfie Mawson, Sam Vokes, Garath McCleary. We fans would have been making noise about him too.
Under the trust and especially the Couhig’s, Hause would have already likely trained, if not signed with the Chairboys. But, the entire team would likely look different too, with Jack Grimmer and Scowen (Fred Onyedinma technically too) the only links to Ainsworth’s last side before leaving to QPR.
It’s strange isn’t it, that we now not just believe but know that Wycombe can compete in the transfer market, that Wycombe can go overseas and sign young talents and prospects. It’s a brave new world. And Hause isn’t part of it. Not anymore.
Hause is the past of Wycombe. The former player, the once great, the returning hero. A story we all loved, and one we’re unlikely to get back. It’s melancholy, but it’s life. Just don’t expect to see him in the quarters any time soon.
