What next for Plymouth Argyle's five 2019/20 season loan signings?

Ryan Lowe added plenty of talent to his Pilgrims' squad with this quintet of players

Ryan Lowe added a lot of quality to Plymouth Argyle’s squad for the 2019/20 season with some shrewd loan signings.

There were five loanees in the Pilgrims’ ranks when the League Two campaign was halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

And all of them had played considerable parts in Argyle’s push for automatic promotion.

Now, owing to the COVID-19 crisis, the rest of the League Two season is set to be scrapped.

That is likely to lead to promotion to League One for Lowe’s side.

But what are the chances of any of the loan signings who were so instrumental in 2019/20 being part of the Pilgrims’ squad next season?

Here, Plymouth Live takes a look at what the future could hold for that quintet.

GOALKEEPER – Alex Palmer

Age: 23

Parent club: West Bromwich Albion

2019/20: Argyle appearances: 41

Signed for Argyle during pre-season and played in all 37 of their League Two games.

Palmer kept 14 clean sheets among a series of excellent, commanding performances for the Pilgrims.

He partly attributed his fine form to the competition provided to him by up-and-coming goalkeeping prospect Mike Cooper.

Palmer was the winner of the Plymouth Live Argyle Player of the Month award for August and February, based on the player ratings for every game.

He has yet to make a first team appearance for West Brom, although he has played in four EFL Trophy ties for the club.

With West Brom possibility set for promotion from the Championship to the Premier League, his chances of breaking into the senior side are limited.

So a permanent move away from The Hawthorns this summer could be on the cards.

On the evidence of his displays in 2019/20, Palmer would be good enough to play regularly in League One.

It remains to be seen whether that will be with Argyle or someone else.

DEFENDER – Josh Grant

Age: 21

Parent club: Chelsea

2019/20: Argyle appearances: 24 (6)

Had two loan spells with Argyle from Chelsea in 2019/20, although the second one was disrupted by injury.

Overall, the former England under-18 and under-20 international proved an excellent addition to the squad.

At first, he was used as one of three central defenders in Lowe’s side, but later made a successful switch to the midfield holding role.

Grant has been at Chelsea since a young age but, while making it to the professional ranks, has not broken into the first team.

Out of contract this summer, a move away from the Premier League club is inevitable.

When Grant started his second loan spell at Argyle in January it was announced it was with a view to a permanent transfer this summer.

So there would appear to be a good chance of him being back at Home Park for 2020/21.

MIDFIELDER – Tyreeq Bakinson

Age: 21

Parent club: Bristol City

2019/20: Argyle appearances: 12(2) Goals: 2

Signed on loan from Championship club Bristol City at the start of January after a spell training with the Pilgrims before that.

Bakinson made an immediate debut in a 3-1 away win against Scunthorpe United and put in an impressive performance in the midfield holding role.

His ability to break up play and get the Pilgrims going forward with accurate passing was evident.

Bakinson also came up with a couple of goals, including the winner in the 1-0 victory over Newport County at Home Park on February 1.

He was on target in the 3-0 home defeat of Grimsby Town on March 3 as well.

Bakinson has made one substitute appearance for Bristol City since signing from Luton Town in 2017.

However, he put pen to paper on a three-year contract wth the Robins last May, which included the option of a further 12 months.

That would suggest he is highly rated at Ashton Gate and will feature in their long-term plans.

There could, however, be the possibility, of a loan return to play for Argyle in League One next season.

MIDFIELDER – George Cooper

Age: 23

Parent club: Peterborough United

2019/20: Argyle appearances: 24(7) Goals: 3

Was dubbed Argyle’s ‘Assist King’ after creating many goals for his team-mates with his excellent crossing, either from open play or set pieces.

Initially, he was used to good effect in midfield by Ryan Lowe – who he played alongside at Crewe Alexandra.

However, after a spell out of the side, Cooper returned to the side at left wing-back after an injury to Callum McFadzean and excelled.

He showed the quality that persuaded Peterborough to pay Crewe Alexandra a reported £300,000 for him in January 2018.

Cooper was Plymouth Live’s Argyle player-of-the-month for October and December, winning six ‘Star Man’ accolades along the way.

The 23-year-old is under contract to Peterborough until June 2021 but does not feature in the plans of manager Darren Ferguson.

Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry spoke in April about Argyle’s interest in a permanent deal for Cooper.

Fry told the Peterborough Telegraph: “We are well apart on numbers. George has been excellent for Plymouth and they are keen on him, but they’ve not come up with an acceptable offer yet.

“It’s difficult because of the uncertainty surrounding all football and Plymouth will probably have to wait and see whether or not they are promoted before they can budget for next season.”

Now, amid the severe financial fall-out due to the COVID-19 crisis, it must be doubtful that Argyle would pay a transfer fee for any player this summer.

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STRIKER – Ryan Hardie

Age: 23

Parent club: Blackpool

2019/20: Argyle appearances: 5(8) Goals: 7

His goals were one of the main reasons behind Argyle’s surge into the top three of League Two in the opening two months of 2020.

At first, Hardie had to be content with a ‘supersub’ role off the bench but eventually he forced his way into the starting line-up alongside surprise package Luke Jephcott.

Hardie signed for Blackpool from Glasgow Rangers last summer for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract, with the option for a further 12 months.

However, he made only two starts and five substitute appearances for the Seasiders in League One prior to his loan move to Argyle.

His switch to the Pilgrims was a huge success, both for him and the club, as his rangy, powerful running and clinical finishing caught the eye.

Since arriving at Home Park, Blackpool have replaced Simon Grayson as their boss with former Liverpool under-23s head coach Neil Critchley.

So, after the impact made by Hardie at Argyle, it would make sense that Critchley would want to have a close look at him ahead of the 2020/21 season.

That would allow Critchley to assess whether the Scottish striker would suit his style of play and earn a place in his side.