Fans of Plymouth Argyle will be largely satisfied with the team’s 2024–25 season debut.

After suffering a crushing loss to Sheffield Wednesday on the first day of play, they have recovered and are now in 18th place with 16 points from 15 games.

Numerous players have impressed, but this season’s standouts have been Daniel Grimshaw and Ibrahim Cissoko.

However, it is Adam Randell, stationed at the heart of the Pilgrims’ midfield, who has been the most impressive.

The Plymouth-born midfielder, who plays with Leeds United loanee Darko Gyabi, has been a creative force for the club while also demonstrating his ability to handle the grunt work.

Randell will be keen to continue having a significant impact on the team with 31 games remaining, and Plymouth supporters will be hoping that Wayne Rooney’s recent compliments of the 24-year-old will lead the club’s management to extend his contract.

Adam Randell – “Plymouth Argyle’s future captain”

Randell’s boss gave him high marks in the post-match interview after he scored a vital equaliser against Derby County on Saturday at Pride Park. “He’s Plymouth Argyle’s future captain,” said Rooney, who is almost at the halfway point of his sixth month as manager.

He has the correct disposition, in my opinion, and he’s a local boy, which is always significant.

“Everything he’s got as a player, the mindset and mentality is what I like.”

Furthermore, Rooney stated: “He’s a crucial member of our team.

“I talked to the physiotherapists. Of course, there is some danger involved when a player returns from an injury, but we believed that the game was so crucial for us that we would do whatever it took to get him on the pitch.

“Thankfully he’s come through, he’s fine, he’s got 90 minutes and got a goal, so [I’m] pleased for him.”

The head coach’s intense desire for Randell to come back simply demonstrates how much he values him. He still has a lot of growth left in him at the age of 24, and considering his status as a “local lad,” leaving Home Park seems unlikely.

The midfielder’s current contract, however, is slated to expire in 2026, so Plymouth needs to exercise caution. It would simply be unacceptable to lose him to a rival team, and since Rooney’s future plans clearly include him, the board need to be providing him with a good deal.

Randell contract a reminder of Michael Cooper failure

Although Argyle would hope Randell stays with the team, they witnessed Michael Cooper, another local youngster, leave Home Park last summer.

The custodian, whose contract was let to expire in its last year, may have earned £2 million, but that amount might have easily been considerably greater had his contract been extended earlier.

He has since demonstrated the value of keeping your finest players with his performances for Sheffield United. Plymouth needs to be astute in this situation and give Randell the conditions he wants in a new deal with the team.

The tier Plymouth will join in 2025–2026 may also be an influence. Rooney’s team will have a far better negotiating position when they approach Randell if they can guarantee safety by May.

However, after making an impression in his 57 outings in the competition thus far, Championship clubs would undoubtedly want his services if he were demoted to the third division.

This will be interesting to monitor over the next several months, and if Rooney wants Randell to be captain in the future, he needs to pressure Plymouth’s management to quickly settle the midfielder’s contract dispute.